Yoga is an ancient practice which has been connecting the mind, body and soul for over five thousand years, and is a versatile way of working out - you can do it as part of a class or by yourself in your home gym. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or just beginning your journey, buying the correct gear, including the best yoga socks, is key to ensure maximum comfort and performance.
There is so much choice when it comes to selecting yoga equipment, whether that be a excercise mat, leggings or socks. While items like yoga mats and leggings have been a staple for some time, yoga socks have recently gained a reputation for their ability to enhance stability, grip and hygiene during fitness classes and flows from home.
The best yoga socks at a glance:
• Best overall yoga socks: TOESOX Bellarina Full Toe Yoga Socks - View now on Amazon.co.uk
• Best aesthetic yoga socks: Alo Yoga Pivot Barre Sock - View now on Aloyoga.com
• Best toeless yoga socks: Tucketts Allegro Toeless Non-Slip Grip Socks - View now on Amazon.co.uk
Although yoga socks aren't a necessary requirement for anyone wanting to sign up to a class, they will ensure your feet stay firmly to the ground while in downward-facing dog or warrior pose. Not only can yoga socks help with keeping you stable, but they can also assist with gaining a firm grip on the mat.
Finding the best yoga socks for you doesn’t need to be difficult. It’s all about finding a pair of socks to enhance your practice and elevate your performance. There’s a lot to consider; do you prefer full-toe or toeless designs? Or would you rather prioritise features like non-slip grips, warmth or breathability? The right pair of yoga socks could be that last step you need to help grow your confidence while posing and help to ensure a continuous flow through your practice.
The best overall yoga socks
The TOESOX women's grip yoga socks are a front-runner for the best yoga socks on the market right now. Giving you the freedom to activate all your toes during practice, the TOESOX socks have individual toe pockets. This is great for giving you additional support with balance and grip. To ensure you can hold your poses with confidence, these socks also feature a non-slip sole.
Pros
- Five-toe design to encourage toes to spread
- Variety of sizing from small to extra-large
- Fitted heel to ensure there’s no bunching or twisting
Cons
- Difficult to put on due to individual toe pockets
The best yoga socks for comfort
www.sweatybetty.com
Sweaty Betty is a popular and on-trend activewear brand known for its stylish products and famous sculpting leggings. Its pieces are designed by women, for women, and often are available in a range of bright colours to influence your mood pre-workout. So, it's very on-brand that the barre gripper socks come in a variety of colours, from white to green to black and typically are sold in a pack of two.
Aside from a choice in colour, Sweaty Betty's barre socks offer a built-in anti-blister heel panel and added arch support to ensure you're able to complete your yoga flow in maximum comfort.
Pros
- Made from a breathable organic cotton blend
- Built-in anti-blister heel panel
- Added arch support and gripper panel on the sole of the sock
Cons
- Slightly more expensive than other yoga socks on our list
The best yoga socks for stability
Ozaiic’s socks offer a more feminine look to plain yoga socks. A standout feature is the ballet-inspired design with a low-cut sock style and crossover elastic straps, which allows users to focus more on their practice and poses rather than their feet. The clever design of these yoga socks mean they are both comfortable and supportive, and still allow your feet to breathe.
Pros
- Available to buy in a pack of two, three and four
- Variety of colours to ensure you never get bored of your yoga socks
- Comfort-oriented design
Cons
- Limited size choice
The best toeless yoga socks
Tucketts' yoga socks have an interesting feature - they are toeless. This makes them a great choice for yogis who prefer to feel connected to the ground whilst reaping the benefits of both grip and stability. The toeless design allows your toes free movement and like other socks on this list, the non-slip grip on the sole means you have excellent traction during your poses.
Pros
- Made from eco-friendly materials, including recycled cotton, making them a sustainable option for the more conscious customer
- Easy to put on as your foot goes through a smaller hole at the heel
Cons
- The toeless style isn't for everyone
The best yoga socks for affordability
www.decathlon.co.uk
KIMJALY offers yoga socks with individual toe pockets to get your muscles working from head to toe. The design of these yoga socks is reminiscent of the TOESOX ones, with the toe pockets and the silicone dots on the underside to ensure maximum grip. Available in three different sizes to accommodate everyone, these yoga socks are a must if you’re a yogi on a budget.
Pros
- Thick material to keep your feet warm
- Features cotton-elastane toe pockets to free up your toes
Cons
- Lack of colour choice
The best yoga socks for grip
uk.shop.gymshark.com
Gymshark may not be the first brand that springs to mind when you think of yoga socks, but their its Studio socks offer both cushioning and reliability. Gymshark’s version of yoga socks feature a silicone grip sole and an internal silicone grip inside the heel, to make sure all areas of your foot feel supported. The design itself is simple, with the front of the foot emblazoned with a large Gymshark logo.
Pros
- Elasticated strip across opening to ensure the sock remains on during practice
- Additional internal silicone grip inside heel
Cons
- Only available in black
The best aesthetic yoga socks
redirect.viglink.com
Alo Yoga is an activewear brand that aims to spread mindful movement and bring yoga to the world. These socks are claimed to be a ‘must for studio classes’, with features like no slip-grips, cushioned soles and crossover thick elastic straps lending them to challenging yoga sessions. We think the Pivot Barre sock resembles a ballet slipper, and with the light pink colour ‘Pale Mauve’ as our favourite, Alo Yoga is certainly ticking the box for most aesthetically pleasing yoga sock on the market.
Pros
- ‘No show’ style for versatile wear
- Made from breathable nylon, polyester and spandex
Cons
- On the pricier side of yoga sock
- Limited sizing, only a S-M and M-L available
The best half toe yoga socks
www.decathlon.co.uk
For yogis seeking a more minimalist approach, these half toe socks are a superb pick. TOESOX have created yet another pair of innovative yoga socks which eliminate the bulk of traditional socks, meanwhile still allowing a layer of protection and ensuring firm footing when in pose. The half toe design lets your toes breathe, and the moisture-wicking fabric will keep your feet dry and comfortable. Available in various colour combinations from grey and lime to pink and blue.
Pros
- Half toe design allows for grounding during poses
- Features a variety of foot support including Achilles padding, a fitted heel and heel tab
Cons
- It can take time to break in the half toe material.
The best closed toe yoga sock
Unlike other yoga socks on our list, Rymora's Grip socks are more reminiscent of a trainer sock, as they feature a closed toe design. With these socks your feet remain covered, clean and blister-free as the Grip socks are made from a premium cotton blend, ensuring a cocoon of comfort and breathability too. The elastic fibres in the sock will help with strength and elasticity, establishing a seamless partnership of both softness and stretch - exactly what you're looking for in a pair of yoga socks. Also to mention is Rymora's added extra-thick fabric around the heel and toe areas to enhance the sock's fit and increase durability so you can get wear after wear out of its socks.
Pros
- Closed toe, anti-slip design to amplify friction
- Reinforced fabric around the heel and toe areas
- Sold in a pack of two to ensure you always have a pair ready for your next yoga class
Cons
- Machine washing is not recommended
FAQs
Are yoga socks a good idea?
For most dedicated yogis, yoga socks are a good idea. They provide added support and traction during practice and saves you from slipping on your mat.
Saying that, there are a couple of different factors to consider, like the type of yoga you practice. Some users enjoy the feeling of bare feet on the mat as it fully grounds them – if that’s you, yoga socks might be a no-go. , however, if you suffer from specific foot conditions, get chilly feet or generally have trouble with finding your balance on the mat, yoga socks might be more beneficial.
Our advice would be to test them out to establish whether they suit your own personal yoga needs.
What kind of socks to wear for yoga?
Yoga is an exercise centred around balance and movement, so for practice it’s a good idea to wear socks that have silicone dots on the underside or non-slip features. These socks with extra grip can help to provide two key elements to yoga – traction and stability.
You could also opt for socks made from breathable materials to keep your feet comfortable and dry during your session. Alternatively, for the more understated yogi, opting for a half toe sock will give you a greater range of motion and increased balance as you have the ability to spread your toes and use them for their primal purpose – to grip.
Is it okay to do yoga with socks on?
Usually, it is okay to do yoga with socks on, although there may be a few exceptions like hot yoga. But not just any sock will do - everyday socks don’t tend to have the added features like rubber dots on the bottom or toe pockets which are needed to support yoga practice. So, if you’re going to do yoga with socks on, it’s a good idea to invest in a pair of yoga socks.
Alternatively, a lot of people do yoga barefoot to have that contact with the floor for stability and grounding.
Why do yoga socks have a hole in the top?
You will often find yoga socks with a hole in the top to help with ventilation and means your feet don’t get overly hot while practising. The danger with letting your feet overheat is that your feet will begin to slip within your socks and will destabilise your poses and interrupt your flow.
Gemma Lavers is a fitness writer for What's The Best. When she’s not travelling or writing, Gemma loves spending her weekend completing home workouts, or attending yoga, Pilates or Zumba classes.
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