Baby feet get colder than ours- so why do they keep kicking off their socks? Even though your little one isn’t moving around much, finding a pair that stays put can be a parenting nightmare.
The best baby socks stay put. But how do you find the balance between socks that are too tight and socks that fall off? Elasticity improves the fit, while the material creates a breathable or warm environment. Some also have grippy bottoms, which are useful as your little one learns to take their first steps.
Let’s take a look at some of the top choices for the best baby socks.
Best Baby Socks and Baby Booties
Cheski Baby Boys Knee Socks (0-6 months)
Cheski Baby Boys Knee Socks is manufactured by the Cheski Sock Company, which was started by a mother who had trouble finding socks to stay on her baby’s feet. In addition to the knee-high boy design pictured here, these are available in different sizes and colors for boys and girls from 0-18 months.
The thing that sets Cheski baby socks apart from others is the extra elastic around the legs and ankles. The extra elastic stops them from sliding down and holds them to your baby’s legs without being too tight. Additionally, these don’t shrink, unravel, or lose elasticity after several washes.
Another nice feature of these socks is the length. The knee-high design is perfect for preventing your baby from ripping the socks off their feet. This means fewer lost socks and fewer frustrations for parents and warmer toes for baby.
Pros
- Extra elastic in the legs and ankles to keep the socks up
- Baby can’t pull them off as easily
- Available in sizes ranging from 0-18 months
- Good choice for boys and girls
- Elastics withstands washing well
Cons
- We couldn’t find any!
Luvable Friends Baby Basic Socks
Luvable Friends Baby Basic Socks are made of a blend of 73% cotton, 25% nylon, and 2% spandex, which allows for a lightweight, breathable sock. They are designed to fit babies between 6 months and 1 year of age.
One downside of this pair of socks is the confusion with the design. There are two different types sold. One is a thicker sock and one is a thinner sock. Though each serves its purpose, the product descriptions are the same and it can be hard to tell which one you are getting from the photo.
The longer design of these socks means you can let your little one wear them tall or fold them over. They are flexible at the top but hold their shape, so they will hug your baby’s legs without leaving marks even if they are a little chubby.
They have fun, kid-friendly designs as well as more plain grays and whites. These are good for the parent who is obsessed with keeping matching socks on their little one’s foot. For parents who aren’t so OCD, you may have fun mixing and matching the different designs.
Pros
- Wear tall or fold them over
- Fun designs and plain designs
- Breathable, lightweight, and stretchy
- Good pre-walking sock
Cons
- Can be hard to tell which socks you are getting when ordering online
Hudson Baby Essential Socks
Hudson Baby Essential Socks are a great gift for baby showers or when you don’t want to know the gender of your little one until they arrive. There are also more gender-specific options.
The thick, plush design is perfect when it is cooler inside or outside. They have soft, breathable cotton on the outside and terry lining on the inside. They reach calf-length, which is nice for keeping your little one’s entire foot warm.
Parents will also appreciate the elasticity of these socks. They stretch well but hold their shape so they do not fall off your little one’s feet.
They do run a little small-to-size. Parents should consider this when ordering. Since this is one of the more affordable options, however, you can easily buy the next size up too and have them ready when your little one grows out of these. You’ll go through a lot of clothes through the first year of your baby’s development.
Pros
- Gender-neutral, plain, and gender-specific options
- Good elasticity to fit your little one’s foot
- Terry lining on the inside is warm
- Breathable
Cons
- Runs small to size
Touched by Nature Organic Cotton Baby Socks
Touched by Nature Organic Cotton Socks are made of a blend of 78% organic cotton, 20% polyester, and 2% spandex, making them incredibly soft and stretchy. Even though they are stretchy, they hold their shape well once on your little one’s foot and when washed.
Something to note is that even though these are advertised as organic, they are not 100% cotton. The description is misleading, especially for parents looking for an organic baby sock.
These socks are also a little small to size, so you may want to order up. For example, a size of 6-12 months foot is better for a 0-6-month-old child. There are sizes for newborns, infants, and toddlers.
What parents will like is the design that clings to your baby’s leg. You can wear as is or fold them over. They are medium thickness, making them perfect for warmer months.
Pros
- Hugs your child’s foot
- Soft and stretchy
- Plain or colorful designs
- Medium thickness
Cons
- Socks run small-to-size
- Not 100% organic
Best Toddler Socks with Grips
LA Active Grip Ankle Socks
These LA Active Grip Ankle Socks are the most popular and best rated socks on Amazon, and for good reason!
The grip buds cover the whole base of the foot, unlike many non-skid socks. They have a handy little tab to pull up over the heel. They are thick, soft, and comfy. And they stay on your child’s feet without digging into their skin.
Pros
- Stay on!
- Tabs to help pull them on
- Thick and comfortable
- Some of the best gripping socks available
- Don’t leave a ring on the skin
- Lots of color choices
Cons
- Check the sizes to make sure you get the right one
Rative Non-Skid Crew Baby Socks
Rative Non-Skid Crew Socks have a taller design. They are made of 95% cotton and 5% spandex. This, paired with their medium thickness, makes them perfect for cool and warm weather.
The taller design of these socks makes them fit your little one’s feet well. They are also available in toddler sizes. However, these socks do run on the small side.
These socks have a knitted design and a grippy underside so they are non-slip. They do not wear down in the wash. Since they are medium thickness, the cotton/spandex combo lets them stretch for a better fit.
They are available in boy and girl options. However, you will need to look at them on separate pages, which can be an inconvenience to parents on the hunt for a baby sock. They have cute designs for either gender.
Pros
- Tall design prevents rubbing
- Soft and comfortable to wear
- Grippy design on the bottom of the foot
- Knitted design is durable
Cons
- Run on the small size
Squid Socks Claire Collection
Featured on Shark Tank, Squid Socks feature patented stay-on technology that really helps them stay on your child’s feet- even if an adult is pulling on the end of them. There are organic silicone ‘squiddy dots’ found on the upper cuff of each Squid sock that lets them grip your baby’s leg and makes them nearly impossible for babies to pull off.
The socks are made from 87% polyester, 10% nylon, and 3% spandex, which creates a stretchy but breathable fabric that holds up well in the wash. These are also moisture-wicking. You can buy Squid socks in several designs for boys and girls, as well as unisex designs, which is nice for parents who want to be surprised by the gender of their baby. The company also rolls out new designs regularly.
Squid socks also feature a unique shape that curves inward around the natural arch of your baby’s foot. Sizes range from 0-6 months to 2T-3T. Another nice feature is the grippy bottoms, which is especially important as your child begins taking their first step to avoiding some slips and falls.
One thing to note is that the socks are a little bit tighter than others in similar sizes. You may need to size up a few months when buying, however, with the silicone technology, the extra room still allows the sock to grip your child’s leg so they cannot pull it off. The Squid Socks company also recommends that you do not allow your child to wear these socks at night.
Pros
- Silicone dots grip baby’s leg so they cannot be pulled off
- Grippy bottoms
- Available in a wide range of designs
- Sizes 0-6 months up to 2T/3T
- Soft, stretchy design
- Holds up well in the wash
Cons
- A little tight
- Should not be worn at night
Hudson Baby Unisex Baby Cozy Fleece Booties
If you are looking for a classic baby bootie the Hudson Baby Unisex Baby Cozy Fleece Booties with non-skid bottoms are one of my favorites and super popular on Amazon as well.
The 1-inch velcro makes it easy to put these on and they stay on. Your toddler may be able to get them off eventually but that’s what toddlers do.
There are non-slip, grip lines on the bottom to keep the baby’s feet from sliding on hard surfaces.
These come in 25 different colors and styles. Your baby might like the cute animal face choices.
Pros
- Very soft
- Warm from the thick fleece
- Easy on and off with velcro
Cons
- May collect pet hair
Simple Joy Baby and Toddler Crew Socks
These Simple Joy Baby and Toddler Crew Socks are in fact, simple joys. They are a basic crew sock with non-stick bottoms. These socks are popular and best sellers but run big in size so watch for that.
They come in packs of 12 pairs with a couple of different variety packs as well as a light muted color pack.
Pros
- Good value and quality
- Stay on well
- Grip the floor moderately well
Cons
- Run quite a bit too big
Comparing the Best Baby Socks
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Simple Joy Baby and Toddler Crew Socks | 9.9 | 9.6 | 23.10 |
| LA Active Grip Ankle Socks | 9.5 | 9.6 | 18.25 |
| Rative Non-Skid Crew Baby Socks | 9.7 | 9.6 | 16.99 |
| Hudson Baby Essential Socks | 7.6 | 9.4 | 15.99 |
| Touched by Nature Organic Cotton Baby Socks | 9.5 | 9.6 | 12.99 |
| Luvable Friends Baby Basic Socks | 7.2 | 9.4 | 9.99 |
| Hudson Baby Unisex Baby Cozy Fleece Booties | 3.9 | 9.6 | 9.99 |
| Cheski Baby Boys Knee Socks (0-6 months) | - | 10.0 | - |
| Squid Socks Claire Collection | - | 9.2 | - |
FAQs for Baby Socks
Why are babies’ feet so cold?
Think about the number of times that you get up to take care of your little one during the day. You’re constantly moving, right? Babies’ feet get cold easier because they have small bodies and are not moving around as much.
A lot of their heat often escapes through their heads and feet, which is the reason you should try to keep socks or baby booties on your little one, especially during cooler months.
How do I know that my baby is warm enough?
Your baby’s small body has a lot of trouble keeping itself warm, especially during cooler months.
You can check your baby’s body temperature by touching their foreheads and neck. If they are especially cool or hot to the touch, you may want to take steps to regulate your little one’s temperature. A space heater can work wonders in the nursery, without the need for a bunch of extra clothing.
You should also consider how comfortable your child is. If they are sleeping, playing, or eating contently, instead of being fussy or whining, they are probably comfortable.
Does my baby need to wear shoes?
The socks you choose for your baby are important because you should let them go barefoot (or wear socks) whenever possible. This helps them build strong ankles and better arches.
When they do need shoes (like when they are outside), choose something made from a flexible, breathable material. Opt for canvas, cloth, or leather instead of plastic. Baby socks with grips are also a great choice once your little one starts walking.
We’ve got a full breakdown of the best baby and toddler summer shoes.
Something else to keep in mind when choosing baby shoes is the height of your little one’s socks. Even when they are soft, shoes might rub your little one’s feet in all the wrong places. Cut back on irritation and the possibility of blisters by being sure you choose socks that sit higher than your child’s shoe.
What type of baby socks should I get?
Before your little one is on the go, the best baby socks are those that will stay snug on their feet. You don’t need anti-skid or any other features — just something sufficient for the weather. You may want to choose a thinner sock during summer and a thicker sock during the winter months.
Once your little one is moving around, you’ll want to choose socks that are better for walking. Pick a sock that has an anti-slip grip on the bottom. This will stop your child from slipping and sliding before they learn to get their balance. It can also make it easier for them to push around walkers and other baby toys.
Final Take
Ideally, choose several of the best baby socks when stocking your little one’s sock drawer. You’ll want thick socks for the winter, thin socks for spring and summer, and socks with grips for when your child starts walking. Plus, you can never have too many since they are constantly getting lost or eaten by the dryer.
