Maybe you have felt your sock slide on the kitchen floor and thought, that was close.
The best non-slip socks for the elderly add grip on smooth floors, and they are one small step toward a safer home, though a doctor or physical therapist can advise on fall risk.
Below are my picks, with the downsides named, plus what to look for in the tread, fabric and fit, and a tool that helps you put socks on.
- Their rubber treads grip smooth surfaces.
- Look for all-around tread patterns that stay in place.
- Materials like cotton blends are soft and machine washable.
- Focus on non-binding openings for swollen feet.
- Proper fit ensures the grips make full contact.
- You want socks that are easy to get on despite dexterity issues.
- Find soft, stretchy fabrics that feel comfortable all day.
- Discreet styles prevent embarrassment, so you can wear them anywhere.
Recommended No Slip Socks
If you are looking for non-slip socks for yourself or a loved one, here are my top recommendations:
Pembrook Diabetic Ankle Socks
These Pembrook ankle socks come in a pack of six pairs, and they have rubberized grips on the bottom to help keep your feet from sliding on smooth, slippery floors.
They are made for people with diabetes, neuropathy, or people that suffer from swelling in the feet and ankles. The top is loose and non-binding, so it doesn’t squeeze around the ankle. That also makes them easy to pull on over swollen feet.
The fabric is soft against the skin, and the breathable mesh top helps keep feet dry. People with severe edema may find the loose fit a good match.
The grips are meant for walking and for sitting still, so they work for getting around the house or for a morning walk.
One thing to know: these are quarter length, so they stop at the ankle. If you want a sock that reaches up the calf, this is not the one. Sizing is also limited. The medium fits men’s shoe sizes 5 to 9 and women’s 6 to 10, so check your size before you order.
American Hospital Supply Grippy Socks
These grippy socks from American Hospital Supply come in a pack of 6 pairs in assorted colors. They are one size, made of a polyester and spandex knit with an elastic cuff.
They were made with recovery in mind. They suit someone who has trouble walking and needs a sock that grips for short trips, such as bed to bathroom, without putting on slippers or shoes.
The sole has a tread that adds friction on smooth floors. Inside, the socks have loops for a snug fit. The elastic cuff holds the sock in place without squeezing.
They are latex-free and breathable, so they work for people with sensitive skin and for general use around the house.
One trade-off: the details describe a tread on the sole, not one that wraps all the way around the sock. If a sock twists on your foot, the tread can end up off the bottom. If you shift around a lot or your socks tend to spin, keep that in mind.
A pack of six is also a lot of socks if you only want one or two pairs to try.
Vive Health Non-Slip Socks
If you are looking for a traditional-looking hospital gripper sock but want to step up the quality, here you are!
The Vive non-slip socks have the look you expect, but the fabric got a significant upgrade. These are made of a super-soft terry cloth lining that is moisture-wicking and breathable. There are 3 colors to choose from as well.
The tread pattern is secure and won’t wash or peel off like the pair you got from the hospital. But, the tread is only on one side, so make sure they stay oriented on your foot correctly and won’t spin around so that the tread is on top of your foot instead of under it.
Finally, these socks have a non-binding opening designed for all-day wear.
OLIKER Slipper Socks with Grippers
If you want a pair of grip socks that feels like a cozy slipper sock, the OLIKER set is worth a look. It comes with 4 pairs in grey, white, black and pink, so there is a spare pair when the first is in the wash.
The bottoms have small silicone dots for traction on hardwood and tile floors. Those are the surfaces where a quick walk to the kitchen can go wrong.
The inside is coral fleece, which is soft and meant to hold warmth without making your feet too hot. That helps on cold floors in winter. For more ideas along those lines, see our list of warm socks for seniors.
They also work as hospital-style socks after surgery, or as recovery wear around the house. They are made for light activity and relaxing, and they come packaged as a gift.
One thing to know: these are made for women, so they are not the pick if you are shopping for a man. Fuzzy socks are also built for indoors, so keep them for the house and not for outdoor walking.
FITFEL Pilates Socks with Grips
The FITFEL socks come in a pack of 5 pairs, with silicone grippers on the bottom. They are made for smooth surfaces like wood floors and tile, which is where many slips at home happen.
The fabric is a moisture-wicking blend meant to feel soft and stay breathable. They are a crew style sock, and the maker says they suit hospital stays and fall prevention at home as well as yoga, barre and ballet.
Five pairs is handy if you want a fresh pair ready every day, or a few to keep by the bed and a few by the chair.
One thing to know: these are marketed to women, and they were designed with studio workouts in mind. If you are shopping for a man, or need a very wide or specific fit, look closely at the sizing before you order.
Silicone grippers also wear down over time, so don’t expect them to grip forever. These are best for someone who wants a simple pair of grip socks for around the house.
Gripjoy Non Slip Crew Socks
These hospital socks provide traction on smooth floors. The grips on the socks are made to hold up with regular use.
Unlike some anti-slip socks, Gripjoy’s socks can be machine-washed and dried. These socks are also made from a luxury cotton blend, making them very comfortable.
While these socks aren’t the best choice for seniors who struggle with swollen feet (here are the best socks for elderly with swollen feet), they can be a great choice for both men and women.
The socks are thin enough to be worn beneath shoes, which means they can be discreetly worn all day.
Some reviewers say these socks are better than the ones given out in hospitals and rehab centers. The socks are available in a range of neutral colors.
ZAKASA Non Slip Grip Socks
Whatever socks you pick, the fit matters. A sock that slides around on the foot can’t grip the floor when you need it to.
The ZAKASA Non Slip Grip Socks have a widened rubber grip on the sole. It is meant for hard floors, tile, and laminate, and the larger grip pattern puts more of the sole in contact with the floor when you walk or stand.
They are made from 85% combed cotton, 12% spandex, and 3% elastic. The fabric is meant to wick away sweat and dry quickly, which helps if your feet get warm during the day. The grip on the sole also cuts down on rubbing inside shoes.
The listing names older adults, pregnant women, and people recovering from surgery. They are made for use at home, in hospitals, and in care facilities, and they come in men’s and women’s options.
One thing to keep in mind: these are a cotton blend made for indoor floors. If you need extra warmth or a sock that is meant to ease swelling, look at a different style.
Ozaiic Pilates Socks Non Slip
These socks come equipped with plenty of non-skid grips distributed all over the soles of the socks. The socks are abrasion-resistant and can be worn comfortably in any season.
The socks are made from a moisture-wicking material that dries quickly and is breathable.
Ozaiic’s socks are designed to fit men’s shoe sizes and will fit feet up to size 14. The grips on the socks are made from a non-silicone extremely durable material.
The makers say the grips are meant to keep providing traction with regular wear.
Vertkser Non Slip Grip Socks
These grip socks have silicone grippers on the sole, which give your feet something to hold onto on hardwood floors and other smooth surfaces. That can help prevent slips and falls around the house.
They are made from 85% cotton, 10% polyester, and 5% spandex. The cotton is soft, and the blend is meant to wick away moisture so your feet stay comfortable through the day.
There is a heel tab that makes the socks simpler to pull on. It also keeps the sock from slipping around inside a shoe, so they can be worn underneath shoes. The cushioned sole adds some padding underfoot.
Sizing runs from Medium (men’s 4 to 7, women’s 5 to 8) to Large (men’s 7 to 10, women’s 8 to 11) to Extra Large (men’s 10 to 13). They are sold as men’s socks, so women will want to match their shoe size to the chart.
The trade-off: these are listed as grip socks for hospital stays, post-surgery recovery at home, and workouts like yoga and pilates. If you need a loose, non-binding top for swollen legs, this is not the one to look at. They also won’t take the place of compression socks, and they aren’t made for chronic foot pain.
Vive Health Sock Assist And Remover
This is a different kind of sock helper. The Vive Health Sock Assist and Remover is a tool that lets you slide socks on and off without bending down or twisting to reach your feet.
It has a built-in hook that catches the edge of the sock so you can push it off without lifting your foot. It has smooth, rounded edges and works with dress, casual and athletic socks, compression stockings and hosiery. The gentle taper is meant to keep it from overstretching your socks.
It suits anyone who finds bending over to dress a chore, and that includes people who wear compression stockings every day. Less bending and twisting also means less time off balance.
The trade-off is that it won’t add any grip to your feet. You will still want non-slip socks once they are on, and you will need to learn the motion before it feels natural.
Summary & Final Recommendations
Many people fear falling, which can lead to depression and make seniors feel helpless.
The right socks can give you more grip on smooth floors. Wet floors are still slippery, so wipe up spills. Non-slip socks are one small step, and a doctor or physical therapist can advise on fall risk.
What do you think about anti-slip socks like these? Do you have another style you like and recommend? Tell me about it in the comments below!
