The Importance of Wearing Socks – Should Kids Wear Socks with Grippers or No Grippers?

January 21, 2023 Socks Juan Valenzuela 58 - Comments

The importance of wearing socks is clear: They help prevent the formation of blisters and the build-up of bacteria inside the shoes. Socks also help protect your children’s feet from getting foot infections. I am going to show you a list of the most comfortable socks for kids (seamless and breathable), and also explain whether your child should wear socks with grippers or not.

Socks separate your kids’ feet from the shoe and help avoid irritation and infections, but they also help parents realize if their children’s feet are sweating too much. Without socks, parents wouldn’t know whether their children’s feet are sweating excessively. Before I show you a list of breathable and seamless socks, I want to answer the question of whether children should wear socks with or without grippers.

When Should Children Wear Socks Without Grippers?

If your little ones are walking barefoot around the house —as recommended for healthy foot development— they are going to need a pair of socks to protect their feet from the cold. Have you noticed how some socks have grippers on the bottom? If you don’t know what I mean by “gripper socks”, take a look at the picture below which shows a pair of kids’ socks with grippers on them:

Children should only wear socks with grippers when they are not wearing shoes. The main reason for this is that the grippers will stick to the insoles of the shoes, preventing your child’s feet and toes from moving freely. Babies and toddlers move their toes as a way of exercising their feet, that’s the reason why it’s so important to not constrict this toe movement. If your child’s toes are cramped inside the shoes, this can also lead to the formation of blisters.

When Should Children Wear Socks with Grippers?

If your children are not wearing shoes, like when they are walking inside the house, you can definitely provide them with socks that come with grippers, as they will provide your children with better stability and prevent them from falling. Gripper socks are ideal for babies or toddlers who are learning how to walk. The grippers will help make your toddler feel more stable when walking.

What Fabrics Should Socks Be Made of? – Let’s Find Out!

When looking for your kids’ socks, it’s critical that you always take into account the type of fabric used. The fabric will have an impact on both the comfort and durability of the sock. The most common and popular fabric is cotton. However, this doesn’t mean that cotton is the best fabric for your kids’ socks. While cotton allows the foot to breathe and it tends to absorb moisture, it doesn’t dispel it. This means that your child might walk around for longer periods of time with socks that are damp.

The 3 most recommended sock fabrics are:

1️⃣ Merino Wool

2️⃣ Acrylic

3️⃣ Bamboo

These fabrics dispel moisture and allow your child’s feet to stay dry during the day. 

Are Seamless Socks Better Than Regular Socks?

Seamless socks are highly recommended for foot comfort especially for children who have sensitive feet, another name for this type of sock is hand linked seams. Some children feel every bump and lump as soon as they put their socks on. If this is the case with your child, you need to find a pair of seamless socks and you will notice they make a tremendous difference in how the socks feel on your kids’ feet.

I also always recommend parents look for seamless socks since they are great for children who struggle with “bumps” and “lumps”. Certain socks claim to be seamless but they are actually not 100% seamless. I will make things easier for you and provide you with a selection of the best kids’ socks that are seamless, comfortable, provide good cushioning and dry reasonably fast.

I have put together a selection of children’s socks that are seamless, durable, and breathable. These socks will keep your kids’ feet healthy and prevent blisters, the buildup of bacteria inside the shoes, and foot infections. Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases.

The Best Kids’ Socks – Seamless, Breathable, and Durable

Baby Sizes

  • Order these socks made by Epeius on Amazon
  • 76% combed cotton, 21% polyester and 3% spandex
  • Seamless cable/ribbed knit knee high socks for babies
  • Breathable
  • Machine wash
  • Order these socks made by SeriSimple on Amazon
  • Smooth toe seam provides less irritation and bulk for sensitive toes and feet 
  • Made of 82% bamboo and 18% elastane
  • Order these socks made by Jefferies on Amazon
  • 73% Cotton, 23% Nylon, 4% Spandex
  • Seamless toe linking construction eliminates bulky toe seam 
  • Machine wash
  • Order these socks made by Jefferies on Amazon
  • Seamless smooth toe provides optimal comfort and less irritation
  • Stay-up top prevents slipping on legs
  • Machine wash

Toddlers and Older Children’s Sizes

  • Order these socks made by Rambutan on Amazon
  • Made with premium bamboo  (naturally moisture wicking)
  • Seamless
  • Machine wash
  • Order these socks made by SeriSimple on Amazon
  • Made with premium bamboo  (naturally moisture wicking)
  • Seamless
  • Machine wash 
  • Order these socks made by SilkyToes on Amazon
  • 80% Rayon from Bamboo, 10% Polyester, 5% Nylon, 5% Spandex
  • Cushioned sole to keep your child’s feet comfortable
  • Machine wash 
  • Order these socks made by Bamboo Sports on Amazon
  • Made with premium bamboo  (naturally moisture wicking)
  • Soft and durable
  • Order these socks made by SeriSimple on Amazon
  • Premium breathable,super soft and comfortable fabric
  • Medium thickness suitable for all seasons
  • Machine wash 
  • Order these socks made by SilkyToes on Amazon
  • Bamboo socks are naturally moisture wicking so that your child’s feet stay dry
  • Cushioned sole to keep your child’s feet comfortable
  • Machine wash 

If the socks that your child is currently wearing are too large, the excess should be folded up over the toes (not under the toes) since this will allow the socks to adjust to the proper fit as the foot moves inside the shoe.

How to Get the Correct Sock Size for Your Child? – Get It Right!

I always explain to parents that getting the correct sock size has the same importance as getting the correct shoe size.

If the socks are fitted too short, they will end up constricting your kids’ toe movement and make your kids’ toes overlap and rub against each other —this can lead to blisters— On the other hand, if the socks are fitted too long, they will end up bunching up below your kids’ feet and your child will feel uncomfortable and refuse to wear them.

You should always ignore the label that reads “sock size” or “age guidelines”. To provide your child with the correct sock size, you must always look under the label “shoe size” in the socks’ tags. This is the most effective way to find your child’s correct sock size. Take a look at the image below for clarification:

What Are the Best Socks for Kids with Sweaty and Smelly Feet?

Sweaty feet is an issue that spans all age groups. The best way to deal with sweaty – and in some cases—stinky feet is by wearing breathable socks. Even if your kids’ feet are not prone to sweating excessively, moisture on the skin can create a myriad of problems, such as blisters, the growth of odor-causing bacteria, and fungus, such as Athlete’s Foot.

Synthetic socks are the worst since they don’t dispel moisture nor allow the foot to properly breathe. A little synthetic fiber it’s okay, but I advise against synthetic materials if your kids’ feet sweat too much. Cotton is a wonderful fiber, however, it does not dispel moisture as well as other fibers.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you are having trouble finding a particular shoe or sock style for your child.