Top 10 Grip Socks for Yoga and Pilates

Of course, the most important feature of grip socks is traction. The traction is created thanks to the various patterns found on the bottom of these socks. The grippy circles, flowers, and letters are usually made out of silica gel.

Silicone is durable and very sticky, and if you ever had the chance to use anything which had a silicone grip tape, you know how good it works. It might not stick to the skin so well, but it does stick to yoga mats and gym floors, helping you stay upright. The silica grips work similarly to the outsoles of running and training sneakers.

The different shapes create raised surfaces that can easily grip the floors. Some socks have these patterns all around the soles, while others place the silica on key areas, like the toes and heels. Every sock manufacturer places the grips differently, affecting the type and the amount of traction the socks create.

This is why you need to consider what you need the socks for - do you need tons of traction to completely prevent you from slipping, or do you just need a little bit of help while you dance? The best thing you can do is buying several pairs of socks with different patterns, and then slowly wean out the ones that do not fit you until you are left with the best pair!

You will use these socks when you work out, so their comfort matters a lot. You probably don't think about the comfort of your socks all that much, mostly concentrating on the shoes. However, yoga, pilates, and dancing are best done without shoes, and you can't exactly go barefoot in the gym!

So, think about how the socks are constructed, and whether they will work for you when you go exercise. After all, you can't use just any kind of athletic socks you find - they have to be specific, made out of non-slippery materials, or with grippy patterns as we mentioned above.

The very first thing to look out for is the length. Dancing, pilates, and yoga rely on the movement on the ankles as knees. Your best bet is either ankle or no-show socks.

You could go with quarter or crew socks too, but they might feel too restricting. Ankle socks are not the best fit for running or very intense exercises because they tend to slip into shoes. You won't be wearing shoes here so this is not something to worry about!

Then look at how tight the top band is. The top band will keep the socks in place, and there's no need to constantly stop and adjust your shoes when the band keeps them in place.

There are more ways to keep the socks in place though. Some grip socks have bands that extended around the ankles, helping stabilize them while gluing the socks to your feet. Arch support is very important for any kind of sport you're into, so some have compression bands around them for support.

When you need to stand on your toes often, that band might affect your performance. Some manufacturers choose to leave that part open to give your feet improved mobility. Some of these socks will be lightly padded. These pads help absorb the shock when you dance and move, saving your arches and ankles.

It's important to look at the amount of padding the socks have. You might think that the more cushioning the sock has the better, but that isn't true. You shouldn't have too much padding on the socks, as that could throw off your form and balance. Thick pads don't let your feet feel the ground beneath them. So go for lightly padded socks.

And finally, some socks have toe socks. You've probably seen them before - they look like little socks that wrap around the toes. Although this will feel uncomfortable at first, you will realize that when your toes are separated, they do a better job of keeping you balanced, as the foot can move completely naturally.

Some manufacturers choose to leave the toes free, completely bare. This way, the toes also create traction, and you become even more stable when working out!

You have to consider how the socks fit you, as that can directly affect the comfort and mobility. First, look at the size of the socks. Some socks are one size fits all, but usually, there are multiple sizes to choose from.

Do not go for one size fits all socks, as they probably won't fit right. Sock sizes are similar to shoe sizes, and if you know what your shoe size is, you will choose the right sock for you with ease.

The fit can also be affected by how the sock is constructed. Socks that fit the best are usually the ones that are completely closed off, but grip socks come in all shapes and sizes. When you buy socks that have an open-toe design, or socks with elastics that go around ankles, there are more factors you have to consider.

How tight is the elastic? Will the seams where the materials stop dig into your skin and create blisters and irritation? We sifted through a lot of user reviews to find you the best fitting socks out there, so there's no need to waste time worrying about this!

Grip socks can be made out of plenty of different materials. The best material choice depends on what you need the socks for, and what your personal preferences are. You might like warm, fuzzy socks, or you might prefer thin, athletic socks for your workouts.

If you tend to become cold fast, you might do best with wool, fuzzy socks. As you can probably notice, most yoga socks are made out of organic, brushed cotton. Cotton is very lightweight and breathable.

You won't even notice you have a pair of socks on! Cotton is also very stretchy, adjusting to the shape of your feet easily. It's also easy to color and style, so you will see cotton socks in every color imaginable. Some socks have polyester or spandex fibers in them.

Cotton is breathable, but it cannot wick away moisture, so you might end up sweaty. That doesn't matter as much when you wear just the socks, but it's still nice to remain dry. So polyester is used, as it does wick away moisture rather well.

Spandex is there to make the socks flexible and bendy, as it can stretch over 500 times its original length, bouncing back to its original shape in mere seconds. Nylon can be used to, woven into a mesh that makes the socks super breathable.

Of course, the most important feature is traction, but we already discussed that. You need to look for breathability and moisture-wicking features too. A good, breathable sock will prevent you from sweating too much, while the moisture-wicking fibers will help the sweat evaporate fast, leaving you dry.

Some socks are treated with anti-odor and anti-bacteria technologies, leaving you smelling fresh even after intense sessions. Look for anti-blister properties too. Anti-blister socks usually have seamless toes, and proper stitches that don't dig into your skin as you move. Toesocks splay your toes, and they can also help reduce bunions, keeping the foot properly aligned.