The 10 Best Baby Socks That’ll Actually Stay on
It’s a common question among new parents and parents-to-be: Do babies need socks? The answer is yes! They’re key to keeping those tiny tootsies warm, but baby socks are notorious for falling off. So which are the best baby socks to shop that’ll actually stay on? Here, we’ve rounded up some of our favorites. We’ll fill you in on the benefits of socks and what to look for, plus which pairs are worth adding to your cart.
In a word, yes. “In general, babies lose heat faster than adults, which can be even more apparent in premature and low-birthweight babies,” says Elizabeth Wisner, MD, a doctor at the Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. “In the first few weeks of life, it’s often recommended for babies to wear socks for this reason.”
Especially if you live in a cold climate, socks are key to keeping baby warm. But there are some times when being barefoot is preferable. “When infants are doing ‘tummy time’ or trying to crawl, being barefoot may be more helpful as it allows for more traction and foot flexibility,” notes Wisner.
Once baby is on the move, socks with grips can be helpful. “When you notice your infant pulling to stand or trying to walk, make sure to use socks with rubber grips to prevent slipping,” says Wisner.
Whether you’re looking for a no-show option or something more budget-friendly, you can shop the best baby socks below.
Best baby socks that stay on
Bombas have quickly become everyone’s favorite sock, and they without a doubt make the best baby socks that stay on. This 12-pack of socks is sure to please, with super soft cotton and the company’s Stay-On technology that cuts down on slipping and shifting (one of the most annoying features of many baby socks). Plus, the neutral detailing and colors ensure these socks can be worn with just about anything—including a onesie for that classic, adorable baby look.
Size range: : 0 to 6 months | Fabric: 76% Supima cotton, 22% polyester, 2% elastane
- 97 percent of parents say these socks stay on
- Seamless toe design for maximum comfort
- Bombas donates a pair of socks for every one you purchase
- Some customers indicate these socks are on the small side
Best baby socks for preemies
Babies already have little feet, but preemies seem to have impossibly tiny feet! If your little one was born early, or is just very small, be sure to shop these terry socks from Gerber. This set of six cozy, soft baby socks comes in special preemie sizing for a fit you can count on, even for the teensiest toes.
Size range: Preemie to 24 months | Fabric: 79% cotton, 11% nylon, 6% polyester, 2% Spandex, 2% rubber
- All pairs are white for easy pairing out of the laundry
- Parents say these socks run a bit small
Best baby socks for newborns
If you’re looking for options in a ton of colors and that are practically guaranteed to stay on, Robeez offers some of the absolute best baby socks around. They feature a special elastic gather at the ankle to ensure the socks are snug and stay put, plus non-slip grips on the bottom. Another genius design feature: Socks with a bunch of detailing are lined, so your newborn’s tiny toes don’t snag on the interior fabric loops. These are a favorite among The Bump editors! This particular six-pack has sweet subtle stripes—but if you’re not a fan of the palette, there are a bunch more options from Robeez to choose from.
Size range: 0-12 months | Fabric: Cotton, modal, nylon and spandex
- Stay-on elastic gather keeps socks in place
- Has the seal of approval from the American Podiatric Medical Association
- Material is thin and comfy
- Parents say these run small
- Elastic can be tight on chubbier ankles
Best Baby knee high socks
Baby knee high socks are a great option because you can pull them up high to keep your little one’s legs warm when they’re wearing a onesie, shorts or a baby dress. They can even protect little knees during those first few months of crawling too! This three-pack from Burt’s Bees Baby includes knee high socks that are cute, comfortable and stay put when pulled up.
Size range: 3 months to 5T | Fabric: 72% organic cotton, 26% recycled polyester, 2% Spandex
- Basic colors match with anything
- Attractive cable-knit detailing
- Available in a wide variety of sizes
- No additional colors available
Best baby no show socks
It’s not every day you find a set of baby no-show socks that also happen to be absolutely darling, but today is different! This six-pack of baby no-show socks features super sweet woodland creatures in a soft, neutral color palette perfect for little feet—and you can be sure they won’t awkwardly stick out of their shoes.
Size range: 0 months to 5T | Fabric: 72% organic cotton, 26% recycled polyester, 2% Spandex
- Attractive cable-knit detailing
- Available in a wide variety of sizes
- Material is thin
Best baby grip socks
Sticky Be makes some of the best baby grip socks out there. This six-pack of grippy socks are ideal for babies 6 months and older who may be pulling up, cruising or even taking those first steps, since they can help prevent slips and falls. Sticky Be socks feature generous grips that are well distributed along the entire bottom of baby’s foot, so you know they have the support they need.
Size range: 6 to 24 months | Fabric: 100% cotton
- Basic colors to match with a variety of clothing
- Available in other colors as well
- Pricey
Best organic baby socks
Made from 100 percent organic cotton and featuring the brand’s signature (and delightful!) brown bear, these baby socks from Gap are some of our favorites. They fit snugly and pull up super high to prevent slipping off, and they’re buttery soft for the ultimate comfort. This set of organic baby socks also features three pairs: two colored and one white.
Size range: 0 to 24 months | Fabric: 100% organic cotton
- Elastic around ankle allows for a secure fit
- Not available in other colors or styles
Best wool baby socks
For the ultimate warmth and comfort for your little one, turn to wool baby socks—just like the ones you’d wear in chilly weather. This five-pack from Nui Organics features merino wool socks that are warm but still breathable, moisture-absorbing and odor-resistant. We’re loving the beautiful, earthy colors that can match with most of baby’s clothing, and the rib knit that’s designed to stay on.
Size range: 0 to 24 months | Fabric: 85% merino wool, 10% elastic, 5% polyamide
- Temperature-regulating merino wool
- Naturally anti-bacterial
- Okeo-Tex 100 compliant
- Elastic can be tight on chubbier ankles
Best baby rattle socks
Babies love to explore their tiny feet, which is what makes baby rattle socks such an ingenious product. We’re obsessed with this adorable set of rattle socks featuring the beloved characters from Mo Willems’ books. Socks that keep baby simultaneously warm and entertained? We’re sold!
Size range: 0-12 months | Fabric: 71% cotton, 26% polyester, 3% Spandex
- Elastic cuffs help socks stay on
- Only one size available
- Hand wash only
Best budget-friendly baby socks
It’s understandable to not want to splurge on socks, which is why we’ve included this 20-pack as our pick for the best baby socks that are easy on the wallet. You’ll get 10 pairs of ankle socks and 10 pairs of crew socks in white, gray and black, so you can be sure a pair is always ready to go for baby. Parents love the two-style mix and the super-soft fabric—not to mention the price point!
Size range: 0 to 5T | Fabric: 98% Polyester, 2% Spandex
- Two different styles included
- Elastic cuffs help socks stay on
- Basic colors match with anything
- Material is thin
- Some reviewers say the elastic is too tight around the ankle
To help you find the best baby socks on the market today, we browsed lots of different options from the most trusted brands and retailers. We considered features like material, design features to keep socks from falling off, size range and price when choosing the best socks for baby. For each pair, we read user reviews to find out how the socks perform for other families and didn’t consider any baby socks with less than an average four-star rating. Given that The Bump writers and editors are parents themselves, we also included our own favorite baby socks that we’ve used and loved with our little ones.
Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.
About the expert:
Elizabeth Wisner, MD, is an allergy and immunology specialist at the Children’s Hospital in New Orleans.
Plus, more from The Bump:
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