What Is the Better Sock to Wear for Pilates

Kayla Ramsey

When it comes to practicing yoga, you may think barefoot is better. And for many pro yogis, this may prove to be true, but beginners have a lot to benefit from wearing a grip sock, which can help you stick your moves and further your practice and assuage any fears of slipping on the floor or mat during more advanced moves.

"Yoga socks are kind of like yoga training wheels! Socks can give you a grip when you don't have the right kind of mat, or when you are not used to balancing your energy on all four corners of your feet," says Donnalynn Civello, a New York-based certified yoga instructor. "Once you start growing into your yoga body, you shouldn't need them anymore."

That said, other mat-based workouts, such as Pilates and barre, also benefit from a good pair of grippies. Many of these specialty studios often come carpeted, too, so wearing socks during class is also a more hygienic practice. We chose options that help you feel more grounded, at least until you're ready for those "training wheels" to come off!

The Best Yoga Socks

• Best Toeless: Gaiam Grippy Toeless Yoga Socks
• Most Versatile: Bombas Women's Gripper Ankle Sock
• Best for Extra Cushioning: LA Active Grip Yoga, Barre, Pilates Socks
• Best for Toe Support: ToeSox Full Toe Elle Sock
• Great as Slipper Socks: Sweaty Betty Pilates Socks
• Most Fun Design: The Pointe Studio Jamie Ankle Grip Sock
• Best Grip Strength: Ozaiic Yoga Socks with Non-Slip Grips & Straps
• Best Anti-Slip Design: Lululemon Find Your Balance Studio Tab Sock
• Best Thick-Grip: Athleta Savvy Grip Sock by Tavi Noir

What to Consider

Whether you're taking up yoga for the first time and need some extra help, or are a pro but want to keep those toes warm until your body heats up, there's a pair of yoga socks perfect for you. When choosing a yoga sock, it is important to consider moisture-wicking fabrics to keep your feet cool and comfortable. Materials like lightweight cotton, breathable mesh, and nylon will help your feet stay dry for longer.

Grips are a huge part of yoga socks and can contribute to having a more balanced practice overall. Look for exterior grips on the soles to avoid sliding around, and interior grips on the rims to ensure your socks don't slip down your ankle.

How We Chose

After more than 50 hours of research, three editors put several yoga socks to the test with more than 30 hours of yoga, Pilates, dance, and barre classes (our bodies thank you, reader!) before finalizing our list of the best of the best. We tested for traction, slip, style, comfort, and overall look and feel while on and off the mat.

1

Best Toeless

Gaiam Grippy Toeless Yoga Socks

Gaiam dickssportinggoods.com

$11.99

Let your toes stay free yet still reap the benefits of wearing a yoga sock with these grippy socks from Gaiam. We seriously swear by everything they make for yoga, and these socks lived up to our expectations.

Our tester said that they wore these to Vinyasa class and was pleasantly surprised to be able to ground their Standing Split and Tree poses better than they ever have barefoot. They also noted that the grips were fantastic and situated at the ideal places on the footbed of these socks.

If you're new to wearing toeless socks, though, you may feel a bit constricted as your toe webbings are hugged by the fabric, a sensation that takes a bit of getting used to.

More: Check Out These Non-Slip Yoga Mats

2

Most Versatile

Bombas Women's Gripper Ankle Sock, 4-Pack

These are some of the most comfortable grip socks you'll ever wear. They are, of course,great for yoga or barre class, but TBH, we never want to take them off! Even better, they come in a four-pack and are available in a variety of colors, so you have socks for almost every workout of the week. The best part? For every pair of socks purchased, Bombas donates a pair to someone in need.

They were cozy enough to wear around the house after exercising but weren't fuzzy, which would have made our feet sweat. They also hugged foot arches and had them feeling supported. The rubberized grip was solid — you won't slide around once in Downward Dog or Plank.

3

Best for Extra Cushioning

LA Active Grip Yoga, Barre, Pilates Socks

LA Active amazon.com

$20.49

One reviewer put these socks to the test at a barre class and forgot they were even wearing them within a few minutes of practice — the best testament to a yoga sock there could be. They said that the pair was indeed very comfy and that the cutout at the top kept their feet from feeling sweaty or constricted, pointing out that the sock felt cushy around the ankle and toes.

The grip was also strong enough to help them pull off relevés and sweeping motions at the barre — however albeit too grippy at times on their textured yoga mat.

Customers also say these socks prevented them from slipping and sliding in yoga and even at home while walking on hardwood floors. Our tester agrees, saying that they would definitely wear these around the apartment as slippers.

4

Best for Toe Support

ToeSox Full Toe Elle Sock

If you want to feel like you're wearing ballet slippers in your barre class, these are a solid and stylish option. They'll stretch with your foot but hug your toes at the same time, making it easier to keep them pointed.

We found these to be both breathable and comfortable, especially since the top of the sock was open with the crisscross straps. Those of us with larger feet didn't feel like our feet were crammed inside the sock at all, either.

Wearing these made transitions from Downward Dog into a Runner's Lunge less wobbly and more stable, and you'll also be able to stick a Tree pose better than usual.

5

Great as Slipper Socks

Sweaty Betty Pilates Socks (2-Pack)

Sweaty Betty sweatybetty.com

$20.40

One great thing about these socks is that they fit comfortably inside a sneaker without being visible, but they also could totally double as a slipper sock to wear casually after exercising.

One reviewer says, "I actually enjoyed wearing these with the little strap the most around the house after my workout. They were great for barre because they helped me stay up in relevé without falling out of it, or slipping on the hardwood floor during all the tiny pulses."

6

Most Fun Design

The Pointe Studio Jamie Ankle Grip Sock

The Pointe Studio pointestudio.com

$14.00

If you're barre- and Pilates-obsessed, check out The Pointe Studio. They have subscription boxes of socks that you can curate yourself or order a surprise mix of three new pairs every three months. The triangular grips on all the socks make them extra non-slip, too.

These are just great, cozy socks to have to wear in general, so you're not slipping on hardwood floors and your feet are kept warm in the colder months, especially with the full foot and ankle coverage.

The inspirational message is fun, too. Whether for a dance workout or a yoga flow, they'll definitely keep you both on your toes and on your mat.

7

Best Grip Strength

Ozaiic Yoga Socks with Non-Slip Grips & Straps

These smartly designed pair of socks has sticky grip dots all over the sole, making sure your feet don't go anywhere. The ankle strap keeps them on your feet during your workout class as well.

What reviewers love most about these yoga socks is that they are high-quality, comfortable, and provide extra stability for everything from Pilates and yoga to tumbling classes. Other reviewers say that their toes did not feel constrained and the lightweight cotton material kept their feet cool.

8

Best Anti-Slip Design

Lululemon Find Your Balance Studio Tab Sock

Lululemon lululemon.com

$24.00

These studio socks are made with an ErgoToes foot-specific design and breathable mesh fabric on the top of the foot to keep your extremities comfortable. The exterior grippers help your feet stay balanced and grounded, while the interior grips prevent your yoga socks from slipping down your heels.

With 360-degree arch support, these comfortable socks will help you find your balance and keep it throughout your entire workout class.

9

Best Thick Grip

Athleta Savvy Grip Sock by Tavi Noir

Athleta athleta.gap.com

$14.00

These yoga socks are made with soft organic cotton and feature tons of protection for your feet. The heel tab protects your Achilles and the arch band offers overall support and comfort during yoga, barre, or Pilates.

Reviewers say they love the bottom grips especially for Pilates, and the thick material for added comfort when you slip your shoes back on. Other reviewers rave about the sizing and how the small fits a women's shoe size 6 perfectly!

Mara Santilli Mara is a freelance writer and editor specializing in culture, politics, wellness, and the intersection between them, whose print and digital work has appeared in Marie Claire, Women's Health, Cosmopolitan, Airbnb Mag, Prevention, and more.

Kasey Caminiti Contributor A self-proclaimed music junkie, Kasey enjoys festivals and concerts on the weekends but lately snuggling with her Boston Terrier, Rufio.

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What Is the Better Sock to Wear for Pilates

Source: https://www.bestproducts.com/fitness/clothing/g933/non-slip-yoga-socks/

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