The best socks for Pilates, according to experts

When I walk into my mat or reformer Pilates class, I always bring a pair of socks to change into. I don’t like to wear my everyday cotton socks for workouts since they tend to slide around in them. Instead, I wear Pilates-specific socks, which typically have grips on the bottom that are designed to keep you from slipping.

And while you can technically do Pilates barefoot (depending on the practice and studio), most teachers require you to wear socks since it’s more sanitary and safer since the grips reduce the risk of injury. Regular cotton socks can get sweaty and move around, which is very dangerous when using any type of machine, according to Bekah Kilisnki, vice president of operations and lead coach at Form50, a workout studio in New York City and Miami.

To help you find the best Pilates socks for you and your practice, I spoke to two experts about what to consider when shopping as well as how to make them last.

SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best Pilates socks | The best Pilates socks | How to care for Pilates socks | Why trust NBC Select?

How I picked the best pilates socks

When curating this list, here’s what experts recommended I focus on:

• Grips: This is the most important factor in a good Pilates sock. Some socks only have grips located in the middle of the foot, but the best ones will have the entire bottom covered from toes to heel for safety and to prevent slipping when moving, according to Saba Alavi-Parham, owner of Fuse Pilates. Socks with multiple individual grips are best (their shape isn’t crucial), and you don’t want them to be too thick; that way, you can grip the machine and feel the bottom of your foot as well, says Kilisnki. Every sock on our list has grips that cover the entire bottom of your feet.
• Design: Like traditional socks, Pilates socks come in varying lengths and designs, including no-show, ankle, quarter and crew — what you decide on is a personal choice, according to Kilisnki. Some toeless socks will separate your toes but don’t cover them, and our experts recommend against wearing them because they’re not as hygienic and defeat the purpose of wearing Pilates socks. Our list has non-toe-dividing, fully-covered socks.
• Fit: One of the most crucial components is the fit. “We want them to be gripping your feet, so we don’t want them to be loose,” says Alavi-Parham. Loose socks increase the risk of them either coming off or moving around, which will then move the grips on them around and reduce your security and control when on the apparatus.
• Price: Pilates socks vary in price; ones with design elements, including patches and embroidery, are more expensive. This list has socks that are all less than $25.

The best Pilates socks in 2024

The below list is a compilation of expert recommendations, NBC Select-staff favorites and highly rated options that align with experts’ guidance.

Best overall: Tavi Savvy Grip Socks

Tavi socks keep snug to your foot and last a long time, says Alavi-Parham. These low-rise socks have a compression arch support band, which helps them support your feet and maintain that secure feel on your foot, according to the brand. You can also wear these grip socks for yoga and barre workouts.

Material: 73% cotton, 14% nylon, 7% nylon, 6% polyester | Size range: XS (4-6), S (6-8), M (8.5-10.5), L (11-13), XL (13-14) | Color options: 28 colors

Best quarter sock: Lucky Honey The Harlow Sock Cherries

Kilisnki recommends these machine-washable socks because they have a good amount of grip to them and easily conform to the shape of your foot well. Lucky Honey has many styles of quarter-length grip socks, and the Harlow Sock specifically comes in nine additional designs, including heart and smiley options.

Material: n/a | Size range: one size fits all | Color options: 9

Editor’s pick: Doublesoul Quarter Grip Sock

These NBC Select Wellness Award winners are great for reformer Pilates because they stay in place and prevent any slipping when on the machine. “My favorite thing about Doublesoul’s grip socks is that they hit above my ankles, which helps them stay in place, especially when I’m doing quick footwork on the reformer,” says NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin. “The higher length also keeps my feet and ankles warm during the colder months.” Malin also loves how durable these are because the grips remained in-tact and in good condition after multiple washes.

Material: 81% cotton, 19% nylon | Size range: S (M:4.5-6.5 / W:5-8), M (M: 7-9 / W:8.5-10.5), L (M:9.5-11.5 / W:11-13), XL (M:12-14 / W: 13.5-15.5) | Color options: 4

Best ankle sock: Bombas Woman’s Gripper Socks

After trying out multiple Pilates socks, NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez likes these Bombas grippers because they’re soft and comfortable. “The material seemed thick, so I was worried my feet would get hot working out, but the material was so breathable, and they gave me a great grip on the machine,” says Rodriguez, who’s been doing reformer Pilates for four years.

Material: 72% cotton, 18% polyester, 8% nylon, 2% elastane | Size range: S (4-7.5), M (8-10.5), L (11-13) | Color options: 1

Best crew length sock: Move Active Crew Non Slip Grip Socks

These crew-length socks are my new favorite pair because they stay tight and secure without restricting my feet or making them feel uncomfortable. They’re made of a breathable yet thick material and have an elasticized cuff to prevent them from digging into my skin.

Aside from working out in them, I love wearing these with boots since they keep my foot secure and in place, reducing any potential chance of blistering around my toes.

Material: 75% cotton, 17% polyester, 8% elastane | Size range: S (5-7.5), M (8-10), L (11-12) | Color options: 12

Best no-show sock: Alo Pivot Barre Sock

Although these are barre socks, many reviewers say they’re great for Pilates because of its silicone, no-slip grips that cover the entire bottom. Reviewers say that they don’t experience issues with these sliding off during their workout and like that they have some cushioning that isn’t too thick or bothersome. These socks have a 4.3-star average rating from over 355 reviews at Alo.

Material: nylon, polyester, spandex | Size range: S/M (5-7.5), M/L (8-11) | Color options: 3

Best splurge: Fitness Snob Got A Grip Crew

“These are my absolute favorite pilates socks, and they’re definitely the pair I reach for the most out of the nine grip socks I have,” says Rodriguez. “The funky design on the bottom is so unique but also allows for better grip coverage, which makes me feel very stable when doing movements that involve standing on the reformer.”

Material: 80% cotton, 17% nylon, 8% nylon, 3% spandex | Size range: S/M (up to 9), M/L (over 9) | Color options: 2

How to care for pilates socks

Because Pilates socks are more expensive than other kinds of socks, you’ll want to ensure they withstand wear and washing. Here’s how to make them last:

1. You can generally place them in the washing machine, but be sure to flip them inside out to preserve the grips, according to Alavi-Parham.
2. Air- or hang dry them because placing them in the dryer will cause the grips to weaken over time, says Kilisnki.

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Bekah Kilisnki is the vice president of operations and the lead coach at Form50, a high-intensity, full-body workout studio in New York City and Miami.
• Saba Alavi-Parham is the owner of Fuse Pilates, a Pilates studio in Washington, D.C.

Why trust NBC Select?

I am an associate reporter at NBC Select who frequently covers beauty and wellness topics. For this story, I interviewed two experts with a Pilates background and compiled their recommendations along with NBC Select-staff picks and highly rated options that align with my collected guidance. I also participate in many low-impact workouts that require grip socks, including mat Pilates and reformer Pilates and have been doing so for the past two years.

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