If you’ve ever taken a Pilates, barre, or yoga class in a studio, then you’ve probably slipped on a pair of grippy socks. Sometimes called performance socks, grip socks are designed with a non-skid feature on the sole of the foot to prevent slips and falls. And, as the name suggests, they help you get a more stable and comfortable grip during a workout.
NPCP-certified Pilates instructor Christie Wang, who personally swears by one of our top picks, ToeSox, says Pilates grip socks are great for a host of reasons. “Not only can they be more hygienic if you are sharing equipment, but they also are great for providing more grip in standing or balancing exercises.” We developed our own workout-based review process to really see how each grippy sock would fare in the wild. After hours of testing in a real-life barre class, these were the best grip socks we found.
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Bombas
Why We Like It: These socks did a great job on both the mat and a hard floor surface.
It’s Worth Noting: You can feel the grips subtly through the material, which is nice if you like that confirmation.
Sizes: Small, Medium, Large | Style: Blister tab, honeycomb arch support, left-right contoured, strategic zone cushioning, stay-put grips, Y-stitched heel, seamless toe | Height: Ankle
These socks did a great job both on the mat and on a hard floor surface. No sliding, no slipping around. We didn’t notice the socks during an exercise class, which is the hallmark of the best grip socks. Plus, they offer a nice soft hug feeling without being overly tight. If you get a little (or very) sweaty during a workout class, these are a great option. Thanks to the soft cotton-poly-nylon-elastane blend, our feet didn’t feel overheated and the moisture wicked away. We love how comfortable they are, while still being very grippy on all surfaces. Grippy socks can sometimes sacrifice comfort for traction, but you definitely get both with these socks.
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Walmart
Why We Like It: Felt secure and balanced with each movement.
It’s Worth Noting: There’s a little sparkle to the grips, which may be a plus or minus depending on your personal taste.
Sizes: One size fits women’s 5.5 through 11 | Style: Silicone gel grips, low-cut with elastic straps, heel tread boost | Height: Ankle
These socks did a superb job of firmly gripping the mat, making sure we felt secure and balanced during each movement. They were stretchy without feeling tight, and they also feature two straps across the top of the foot for added support. Our favorite thing about these grippy socks was how soft they were, and how much cushioning they provided. It’s worth noting that they do feel thick to the touch, but light and moisture-wicking on the foot. We also wouldn’t make any changes to these. They were a very close second for our favorite overall grippy socks.
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Amazon
Why We Like It: A great deal for two pairs!
It’s Worth Noting: The fabric could stand to be a bit more compressive.
Sizes: One size fits most (7.35-inches long and 3.15-inches wide) | Style: Flexible arch support, elastic cuff, padded heel tabs, soft terry cushion | Height: Ankle
These might be the cheapest socks we tested — but they outperformed their price tag. We love how comfortable, soft, and cushiony they are. We’d wear them as regular socks without the grip. Plus, they’re pretty absorbent. We do wish the fabric was a bit more compressive and tighter so our feet wouldn’t slip as much inside the sock, but for the price, we were pleasantly surprised at how comfortable they were with minimal slippage during class.If you don’t mind that they’re not as compressive as other options on the list and are looking for socks that are comfy and affordable, these are a solid option.
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Athleta
Why We Like It: The compression is like a nice hug on your feet.
It’s Worth Noting: The socks did slide around a bit in a low yoga lunge.
Sizes: S/M and M/L | Style: Supportive compression, compressive construction at arch, seamless construction around toe, terry construction at ball of foot and heel, monogram mesh | Height: Ankle
The grip on these is so interesting—they have straight lines versus the dots and other shapes you typically see on the soles of the feet. And the grip was pretty strong! The fit is a little compressive, but not in a way that feels too tight — more like a hugged feeling. And thanks to open-knit fabric on parts of the sock, these maintained good breathability even though they were snugger than other options. Overall, we were big fans of the fit, the tightness, and the arch support. While our feet did slide around a little during a low yoga lunge and through some triangle/lunge positions, the grip held really well otherwise.
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Amazon
Why We Like It: These are very, very grippy.
It’s Worth Noting: These aren’t super inclusive to those with small or large feet.
Sizes: One size (US size 8-11) | Style: No show-style, heel tab wrap, stretchy tab heel on the cuff, Mesh Ventilation Channel Upper, moisture-wicking and anti-odor, full-coverage grip from toe to heel | Height: Ankle
These are extremely grippy on both the mat and the floor, and only shifted a bit during the workout, but not in a way that interfered with movements or performance. We love how comfortable they are without sacrificing traction, which is great for a no-show style. We loved that these socks held their shape throughout the workout. We didn’t love that they only come in one size, which doesn’t capture those below a size 8 or above a size 11.
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Amazon
Why We Like It: No slipping.
It’s Worth Noting: These have full toes on them, which might feel awkward to newbies.
Sizes: S/M and M/L | Style: Five-toe non-slip traction | Height: Ankle
While you can feel the grip material on the sole of the sock, it wasn’t bothersome at all. In fact, they were still comfortable and added a boost of confidence that we wouldn’t slip in class. (Which we didn’t!) That being said, full toes are definitely an acquired sensation on the yoga mat. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it could be slightly awkward if you’re not accustomed to it. With some getting used to, these have terrific grip.
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Amazon
Why We Like It: Super breathable and moisture-wicking.
It’s Worth Noting: Some loose threads around the toes you can tuck away.
Sizes: One-size fits most (Women’s 5-10 and Men’s 4-9) | Style: Open-toe design (read: toeless) | Height: Ankle
For the unfamiliar, a toeless design is as it sounds: The sock ends at the base of each toe so that they’re exposed. If you’re looking for a more tactile workout, or love being barefoot but need a little grip, these are a great option. These socks were super comfortable to wear during a dynamic workout class, providing excellent cushioning without feeling bulky. We loved the fit, comfort, and moisture-wicking. The one thing we didn’t love was the loose threads around the toes, but you can easily tuck them away from sight.
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Target
Why We Like It: These are super comfy; the straps on the top are quite soft.
It’s Worth Noting: They fit a little loose.
Sizes: One-size fits most (Women’s 5-10 and Men’s 4-9) | Style: Crisscross top straps | Height: Ankle
We found the criss-cross straps on the top quite soft, and they didn’t cause any pressure points. We also thought we might have to adjust them because of the strap design, but they fit well. They were also very light and breathable. These socks were a touch on the loose side, meaning you might want to consider sizing down if you like a more snug fit. That being said, they were still great at preventing any slippage during a workout and we didn’t need to make any mid-exercise adjustments.
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Amazon
Why We Like It: They feel like thin athletic socks.
It’s Worth Noting: There’s no contouring, so our toes slid back a bit in certain positions.
Sizes: Small-Medium and Large | Style: Made with responsibly sourced cotton | Height: Ankle
If you want a barely-there feel, these are a great option. That’s because they have very subtle stripes for the grip, no contouring, no seams, and are all packaged in a very thin fabric. That means they aren’t as supportive as other options—our toes did slide back inside them about half an inch when we were in a deep lunge and in downward dog. But if you’re looking for a more casual workout sock that has a good grip, wicks away moisture, and you can slip into your shoes on the way to the studio, these are a solid pick. Plus, because they’re so thin and durable, they’re great if you’re trying to hit a workout class right after work or go somewhere immediately after a class. You don’t have to carry an extra pair of socks with you.
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Sweaty Betty
Why We Like It: Cushioned but not bulky.
It’s Worth Noting: The heel comes up a bit high.
Sizes: 4-7, 8-10 | Style: Organic cotton blend, anti-blister heel panel, arch support | Height: Ankle
These socks provided some cushioning without being too bulky, and while still remaining very breathable. There are no uncomfortable seams or edges, and we didn’t experience any heat or moisture-related discomfort. Also, for someone with sensitivities to uncomfortable fabrics or the feel of certain materials, these socks didn’t bother our tester at all. Plus, the grip was super effective without being too sticky. We loved that the grip was super secure without feeling sticky, but we didn’t love that the heel part of the sock went up the back of the foot rather than sitting on the heel. It wasn’t a dealbreaker, but something to be mindful of.
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Amazon
Why We Like It: Still comfortable with shoes on.
It’s Worth Noting: Foot moved slightly inside the sock.
Sizes: Small & Medium | Style: Heel back tab, arch compression support | Height: Ankle
The cushioning on these grippy socks is very light, and we never felt uncomfortable during the class. They’re also really easy to slip on thanks to a tab on the ankle to help pull them up. One thing we noticed about these socks compared to the others we tested is that they aren’t as warm. That’s because they are a lot more breathable than other options, meaning no sweat or odor buildup after an exercise session. Meaning you can easily go from the studio to your next social engagement without needing to switch out your socks.
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Amazon
Why We Like It: Breathable half-toe made it feel like we weren’t wearing socks at all.
It’s Worth Noting: A little fraying at the toe tips.
Sizes: Small, Medium, Large | Style: Half-toe grip, five-toe design, crisscross design | Height: Ankle
The fit of these socks is very nice. They hugged our feet perfectly without feeling too tight and felt even more breathable thanks to the open top. We enjoyed the added straps around the top area to help add a layer of security. They almost felt barefoot! If you’re looking specifically for a half-toe style (read: your toes are exposed), we loved these because of how comfortable and grippy they are.
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Amazon
Why We Like It: A strong grip makes it easier to maintain a stable placement with your foot.
It’s Worth Noting: Slightly less moisture-wicking than other options.
Sizes: Small & Medium | Style: Five-toe design, heel tabs | Height: Ankle
We like that these have more cushioning for those who might need it, whether that’s a personal comfort preference or you struggle with plantar fasciitis or high arches. Because these have a really strong grip and designated spaces for each toe, they make for a great option for reformer Pilates since you need to use your toes to wrap around the studio reformers or at-home reformer equipment and remain stable on the moving carriage. They’re also great for cooler environments. (Like a highly AC-ed Pilates studio, perhaps?) And because they are designed with a thicker material than other pairs, we felt they could be longer-lasting, which is great if you’re hitting the Pilates studio multiple times a week.
What to Know About Grippy Socks
- Safety: Grip socks are often required at Pilates, barre, and other workout studios for safety reasons: The grips on the bottom prevent slipping off of the equipment, which is especially important in standing exercises.
- Materials: They’re typically made from a soft, stretchy, moisture-wicking, ventilated, and compressive material. That might be a breathable organic cotton blend, polyester, mesh, spandex, elastane, or nylon. The key characteristic across all grip socks is, as the name suggests, the grip: Usually silicone or another rubber paneling that goes across the sole of the sock in a dotted, striped, or other repeat pattern. The grip prevents any slipping and sliding while in various movements during a workout.
- Styles: Grip socks come in a variety of styles, but they are largely low-rise or a no-show style.
Why Trust Shape
Shape contributor Melanie Ehrenkranz has over a decade of journalism experience covering consumer technology and health and wellness for websites like Gizmodo, Inverse, Mic, Medium, and Vice. She created and wrote the weekly wellness newsletter Nessie Sightings for just over two years for 75k+ readers, sharing recommendations for products and services that make your life easier, healthier, or more meaningful in some way. She’s also been doing Pilates for over a decade in grippy socks.
Shape’s testers all practice Pilates, barre, or yoga weekly, if not multiple times a week, and some are even certified instructors. They all took the grippy socks out for a spin at a real-life barre class, spending hours with them and looking at things like breathability, durability, grip, fit, comfort, and value.
