Pilates workouts have been on the rise lately, with many reformer-pilate clubs opening worldwide and many wall pilates videos online. Pilates is great because it works all your body muscles in one workout, making you leaner, stronger, and more flexible.
You can wear your regular workout clothes to practice Pilates, but for better stability and grip, you should practice it barefoot or, if you go to a class, in Pilates socks with a grip.Â
It is good to use Pilates socks for safety, comfort, and performance during Pilates sessions. Here’s why you should use them and what makes a good Pilates sock:
Why Use Pilates Socks:
- Grip & Traction: Pilates socks typically come with non-slip grips on the bottom, which help provide stability, especially when performing exercises on smooth surfaces like a reformer or mat. This can prevent slips and falls, making your movements safer.
- Hygiene: In studios or gyms where equipment is shared, socks offer a hygienic barrier between your feet and the surface, reducing the risk of contact with bacteria helping reduce exposure to foot fungus
- Foot Support: Pilates socks often have arch support, enhancing comfort and supporting the feet, reducing strain during various exercises.
- Temperature Control: They help keep your feet warm during sessions, especially in colder studios, without compromising your grip like regular socks.
What Makes a Good Pilates Sock:
- Non-Slip Grips: High-quality grip patterns on the sole are essential. Look for silicone or rubber grips that cover a wide area of the sock, especially under the toes and heels, to maximise traction.
- Breathable & Moisture-Wicking Fabric: The fabric should be lightweight and breathable to prevent sweating and discomfort. Cotton-blend or synthetic moisture-wicking materials are ideal to keep your feet dry.
- Snug Fit & Comfort: A good Pilates sock should fit snugly around the foot without being too tight or loose. Many come with elastic bands or additional support around the arches to prevent slipping off during exercise.
- Open-Toe or Closed-Toe Design: you might prefer open-toe socks for more toe flexibility or closed-toe designs for full coverage and warmth.
- Durability: The socks should be made from materials that can be washed frequently without losing grip, elasticity, or shape.
- Ethically produced: Ethically produced socks should prioritise sustainable materials, fair labour practices, eco-friendly production processes, and community support. When choosing ethically made socks, it’s essential to research the brand’s transparency regarding their sourcing and production. Look for certifications like Fair Trade, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), and B Corp to ensure the socks are genuinely produced with ethical practices.
Wearing Pilates socks can improve your stability, prevent injuries, and stay comfortable during workouts.
Just so you know, this post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you buy through them at no extra cost to you. For more details, please check out my Affiliate Disclosure. Thank you for supporting Barefoot Basil.Â
The best Pilates sock brands:
Toesox – these patented design socks have the largest variety of separate toe pilates socks with grip. Ethically sourced & made w/ certified GOTS organic cotton.
Tucketts – patented toeless grip socks that combine passion and beliefs: barefoot workouts, following nature, a love for colourful socks, sustainability, and, most importantly, helping people make a positive impact.
Tucketts is a women-owned and operated small business based in the US. The original patented toeless grip socks allow your toes to move freely and fully engage in your movements with confidence and stability.Â
Sustainably and ethically made in Colombia.
Tavi – good quality, very cute pilates socks if you are not into toe socks and don’t mind your toes together.Â
Sticky Be Socks is a fantastic female-owned brand of grip socks. Their unique point is the different afformations, which make you smile and inspire to workout and be happy.Â
The Best Pilates Socks With Open Toes
Toesox Half Toe Elle Grip Socks
Price: $26
Elle’s elastic crisscross design keeps the sock snug on the foot through all activities and is the perfect grip sock for yoga, Pilates and barre. Features ToeSox patented non-slip sole for secure footing on any surface. It is made with super soft, organic cotton in a variety of colours.
Gaiam Women’s Toeless Pilates socks
Price: $14.98 for 2 pairsÂ
Gaiam’s Toeless Yoga Socks offer slip-resistant performance specially created for Pilates practice. They combine the toe-wiggling freedom of being barefoot with the slip-free security of your yoga mat.
Injinji Grip Toeless Mini-Crew
Price: $14
The Grip Toeless Mini-Crew Pilates socks have silicon grip coverage underfoot with your toe’s natural grip strength for improved stability during studio workouts. The five-toe sleeve design allows for a natural toe splay.Â
The Injinji x Pointe Studio series is a collab between Injinji and Pointe Studio, a San Diego-based sock company that makes fun and functional grip socks for studio workouts such as Pilates, yoga, and barre.
Tucketts Allegro Toeless Non-Slip Grip Socks for Women – Pilates Socks
Price: $17.99
If you are too lazy for separate toe boxes but like your toes free when practising pilates, these pilates socks are perfect for you. I love these pilates socks as they are so quick to put on, I will say that sometimes my little toe feels a it cramed in.Â
The Best Separate Toe Pilates Socks
Ozaiic Yoga Socks for Women with Grips, Non-Slip Five-Toe Socks for Pilates
Price: $14.99 for 2 pairsÂ
I love these affordable pilates socks. Elastic band keeps them on your feet throughout the workout. Made of premium quality combed cotton and 100% silicone gel grips on the bottom, performance for the perfect exercise accessory.
Toesox Low Rise Full Toe Grip Socks – Non-Slip Pilates Socks
Price: $16.00
The Toesox Low Rise yoga socks are ready for all your barefoot activities, and they are packed with a protective punch for everything from your toes to your arches to your heels. A raised heel tab pads the Achilles tendon, and arch bands provide pressure to lift and support.
77% Organic Cotton, 19% Polyester, 4% Elastane
The Best Regular Pilates Socks
TAVI Women’s Emma Non-Slip Pilates Socks
Price: $16.00
Emma Grip Socks have a less-is-more attitude with their sweet Mary Jane style. Their low design hugs the foot just below the ankle while the grip sock pattern safely moves you through your Pilates classes.
Emma pilates socks contain 62% Organic Cotton, 20% Nylon, 11% Polyester, 4% Elastane, and 3% Elastodiene.Â
Gaiam Yoga, Barre, Pilates Socks
Price: $9.98
These pilates socks feature crisscross top straps that help keep them in place and prevent them from sliding around on your feet while exercising.Â
Alo Yoga WOMEN’S PIVOT BARRE SOCK
Price: $28
The no-show Pivot Barre Sock has no-slip grips, cushioning soles and fit-perfecting elastic straps to stay comfortable through every workout.
- Ideal for studio classes
- No-slip grips
- Cushioning soles
Breathable nylon, polyester & spandex with silicone grips
Cute Pilates Socks
Lucky Honey The Harlow Sock – Grip Sock
Price: $18
An ankle-length slip-on style in a unisex style from Lucky Honey NYC. Designed for easy comfort and extra cushion with a terry bottom of the sock. Featuring the signature hexagonal grip coating to keep your stance protected. Now in an adorable ankle-grazing style with embroidered designs!
Fabric Content: 85% Cotton, 10% Coolmax Wicking Technology, 5% Spandex
Arebesk Anna Bow – Grip Socks
Price: $22
It might not be the most practical, but they are definitely very cute pilates socks!
A one of a kind grip sock style from Arebesk! An ankle design with a statement bow detail on the back! Now available in White with black bow, or pink bow. This brand of grips will elevate your workout style. Perfect for pilates, barre and yoga.
Each pair of socks comes with a drawstring mesh bag to store.
Fabric:Â 75% cotton, 15% Spandex, 10% Elastane
Check out the Simply Workout Website if you are after Pilates socks with a wow factor and love having choices. They stock hundreds of unique Pilates socks with grip.Â
The Best Long Pilates Socks
AloYoga Women’s Strappy Siren Grip Sock
Price: $47
This limited edition Alo Yoga Pilates socks in sweet pink are every girl’s dream sock. They are so beautiful, almost too precious to work out in. They are extremely soft and have fantastic grip. You can were them scrucked up or straightÂ
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Toesox Full Toe Crew Grip Socks
Price: $26
Not too short, not too long, the ToeSox Crew Grip Sock is the Goldilocks of socks. At mid-calf height, it’s flattering, warm, and looks awesome with biker shorts.
Tucketts Crew Toeless Non-Slip Grip SocksÂ
Price: $18.99
Committed to sustainability, Tucketts uses eco-friendly practices in the production of our socks, including recycled materials and minimizing waste. Each pair is thoughtfully produced to reduce the environment’s impact while maintaining high-quality standards.
Here is my top list of practical and cute Pilates socks. With the weather getting colder, I love wearing Pilates socks when working out, but also at home.Â
Have you worn any Pilates socks and loved them? Comment below, as I love trying out different brands and designs.Â
Silvija Meilunaite PN1-NC, is a certified nutrition coach and a writer in the nutrition and self-improvement field with a passion for exploring science-based knowledge focusing on holistic health and plant-based nutrition.
Featured in the Wellness on Time magazine.
