Since there are so many socks on the market, we turned to Meghan Schlitt, MD, a New Jersey-based pediatrician, for her advice on how to pick the best socks for kids. “The best socks are those that are durable, affordable, and fit comfortably,” she tells Verywell Family. The type of kids’ socks you’ll need will also depend on your child’s age, the types of activities they do, and the climate you live in. While it’s worth investing in quality socks, don’t be shocked when one (or two, or three) socks go missing in the wash or at daycare. For this list, we researched socks in a variety of styles, prices, and materials, looking for high-quality options that stay securely on small feet. We also spoke with two medical experts to get their opinions on the best socks for kids. No matter your lifestyle, budget, child’s age, or climate, there’s a great fit out there for your kid. The cushioned footbeds provide lots of comfort, which is great for active kids or long days at school. Thanks to the seamless toe design, there’s no annoying bump on the foot of the sock, and a unique honeycomb-shaped arch support cradles the foot’s arch and keeps the sock in place. One of the best features of Bombas socks is the brand’s “Stay Up Technology”—due to their materials and construction, the socks contour to the feet and ankles, keeping the socks securely in place all day without slipping down. This is an especially nice feature for young kids, babies, or anyone who runs around in just socks. Appropriate for nearly any activity, Bombas socks come in over 10 patterns and colors, ranging from interesting designs to simple neutrals. This eight-pack is available in one kids’ size, which fits kids 9T through 3Y. If you need something smaller, the brand offers toddler-sized socks, and for older kiddos, go with adult women’s sizing. While more expensive than other options, we truly think they are worth the investment—plus, for every pair purchased, the company donates a pair of socks. Price at time of publication: $54 Available in five different sizes, it’s easy to find the right fit for your kid. The crew-cut socks have a smooth toe seam, so there’s no chance of irritation from a seam nub, and the cushioned soles provide comfort and support. Do note that if you’re buying these for multiple kiddos, there are no size designations on the bottom of the socks, which could pose a challenge when folding laundry. While some kids may want more exciting color options, the two neutral colorways make laundry sorting quite easy. Speaking of laundry, though these machine-washable socks are quite fluffy, they may produce a lot of lint when they’re first washed. Price at time of publication: $10 The fine-gauge knit is lightweight and comfortable, and the seamless toe prevents irritation. These socks are made to be worn with casual shoes—sneakers, slip-ons, or booties—so if you’re looking for lots of coverage or warmth, choose another option. Besides the investment, the only drawback of these socks is the “one size fits all” sizing. The socks are designed to fit most kids between 5 and 11 years old, but as caregivers know, kiddos can sprout up quickly. If your kid needs a bigger size, try sizing up to the smallest size of the women’s no-show socks. Price at time of publication: $25 Made from a cotton blend, these socks have reinforced toes and heels for protection, as well as toe seams to avoid blisters or uncomfortable rubbing. Available in five sizes and four colors, it’s easy to find a great fit for your kiddo. The solid neutrals make for easy sock matching, while the colored options will need specific matches within the pairs. The black socks may leave fuzz behind during the first few wears, so consider washing them a couple of times before your kiddo wears them. Price at time of publication: $14 Though they’re billed as boys’ socks, there’s no reason the style isn’t unisex. They’re available in toddler through youth sizes. Price at time of publication: $10 The simple and stylish socks are white with three colorful stripes around the top. (Choose between a classic or rainbow pack, depending on your kid’s preferred colors.) Made in the USA, these soft socks are fully cushioned and have a smooth toe seam so they won’t bother your kiddo’s feet. Price at time of publication: $17 We like that these versatile socks are great for basketball, football, soccer, and most other sports. They’re also stretchy enough to fit shin guards underneath if needed. Thanks to the moisture-wicking blend of nylon and spandex, they will help keep feet cool, dry, and sweat-free during games. Plus, the heels are cushioned to prevent blisters. There’s an “L” or “R” printed on each sock to help little ones put them on the correct feet. Price at time of publication: Starting at $13 Available in two sizes, the socks are unisex, although they may be listed as boys’ socks on some sites. If your kid is picky about logos, note that there is prominent Under Armour branding on both the top of the foot and the back of the leg. Price at time of publication: $23 Available in four sizes, the brand notes that sizing runs big, so size down if your kid is in between sizes. Helpfully, the heels are color-coded by size, so if you’re buying socks for multiple kiddos, it’ll be easy to find the right match after laundry day. Price at time of publication: $12 Though they’re more expensive than other options, if you’re looking for high-quality, long-lasting socks in neutral colors, these socks are worth the spend. As with all Bombas, your purchase does good in the world—the company donates a pair of socks for every pair purchased. Price at time of publication: $33 These socks come in either a six- or 12-pack and are available in numerous color options, from bright rainbow hues to soft pastels. The sizing runs from newborn all the way up to 10 years old, so pricing will vary based on size, color, and the number of socks purchased. Price at time of publication: Starting at $6 Available in a wide range of sizes, these socks have grippers on the soles to provide some extra traction for new walkers. The multi-packs offer a wide variety of patterns and colors, including solids, stripes, and even cute vehicle patterns. Price at time of publication: $15 The non-skid grips on the sock bottoms help prevent your rambunctious toddler from taking a spill, while the cotton blend is soft on sensitive feet. Each set comes with four pairs of socks, and you can choose between fun characters and patterns. Price at time of publication: $20 Available in four sizes, these socks are a nice pick for kids who like to wear fun clothes and accessories. Price at time of publication: $16 Available in two sizes and three color varieties, each of the socks have a size callout on the bottom of the sock, which is helpful if you’ve got siblings with the same sock style. Price at time of publication: $14 Price at time of publication: $10 Available in four sizes, use the handy sizing chart to pick the best fit for your kid based on their shoe size. Price at time of publication: Starting at $12 Available in a three-pack, these socks come in six muted colors. If your kid plans to wear them with casual shoes rather than boots, keep in mind that these socks are thick. Price at time of publication: $18 The light cushioning on the bottom of the foot and the front of the calf is helpful for kiddos who may not be used to the feel of rigid ski boots. While they are on the pricier side, suitable ski socks are worth the investment. These Smartwool socks are also machine washable, so they’re easy to keep clean and ready for another ski day. Price at time of publication: $17 Price at time of publication: Starting at $12
What to Look for in Socks for Kids
Materials
When shopping for socks for kids, “Pick a material that is soft and comfortable for your children’s feet…with some elasticity to help them stay in place,” Dr. Schlitt tells Verywell Family, adding, “Good [material] choices include cotton, wool, polyester, acrylic, and bamboo.” Many of the socks on our list are made with a blend of these materials, ensuring that they are soft, comfortable, and secure on the foot. For specific needs like skiing or other sports, you may prefer socks that are not made of cotton, since cotton socks “are generally very comfortable but not very breathable and can hold in moisture,” according to Dr. Schlitt.
Style
Sock style all comes down to personal preference, the season, and your kid’s level of activity. “Lightweight crew style socks or no-show ankle socks are great for summer, while tall wool socks can keep feet warm in the colder months when there is ice and snow outside,” Dr. Schlitt says. No matter what type of socks you choose, “Kids should definitely wear socks when they wear shoes,” Dr. Mendeszoon advises. “When people go barefoot, there’s a higher risk of all different types of infections and skin problems, as well as developing stinky feet (bromhidrosis).”
Thickness
The best sock thickness comes down to “the activity the child is participating in and the weather,” says Dr. Schlitt. If it’s cooler out and your kid is planning to spend the day outdoors, a thicker sock is the key to keeping them warm. During the warmer months, a lightweight, breathable sock is ideal for kiddos running around in the backyard or at camp. Most importantly, choose a sock that is comfortable and appropriate for the activity—nothing stops the fun faster than wet, cold, or blistered feet.
Ease of Use
All of the socks we chose for this list are machine-washable and dryer-friendly. (What busy parent wants to hand-wash socks?) Do consider the sock patterns and variety within multi-packs, as an assortment of styles may test your patience when sorting and matching socks, no matter how cute they are. And no matter how hard you try to avoid it, expect at least one or two socks to go missing.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 12-year-old son, 9-year-old son, and 5-year old daughter. Maya’s kids are all super active, and the number of socks in her laundry is insane. She has transitioned her sons to all black or white socks, but her daughter loves all kinds of colorful socks. Maya has one rule about socks: You cannot wear them outdoors without shoes. To prevent overpowering foot odors, your kids should wash and dry their feet thoroughly every day, according to Dr. Schlitt. “Switch shoes out and avoid wearing the same shoes every day. There are also some disinfectant sprays available, or families can wash their feet with antibacterial soap.”
