The Best Baby Socks to Keep Those Tiny Feet Cozy and Protected

Bombas Baby’s First Year socks really stay on

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Baby socks are so cute and also, sadly,soeasily lost. Whether you have a brand new baby or a cruising toddler, little socks will make their way into (and mysteriously out of) your life, so finding something you like and can buy several pairs of will be helpful. Choosing the right socks for those newbaby feetdepends on their age, the climate you live in, and their stage of development.

Reviewed & Approved

TheBombas Baby First Year Sock 8-Packcomes with two styles, both of which are specially knit to stay on little feet, with a cute cuff and a seamless toe. For older babies, we also love the soft and comfyOzaiic Ankle Socks, which have grips that are thin enough to fit into shoes.

“Around the house, it is probably easier not to wear socks,” pediatricianHeather Shafi, MD, tells Verywell Family. But when it’s chilly out or your kiddo is wearing shoes, socks are an important layer to protect the feet from blisters, the elements, and anything else. Look at materials, style, value, andyour baby’s comfort(’cause they’ll let you know!) when you stock up on socks. For this list, we researched socks in a variety of styles, prices, and materials, all of which have a reputation for quality and for staying on tiny toes.

Here are the best baby socks for your needs, lifestyle, and budget.

Best Overall: Bombas Baby’s First Year Sock 8-Pack

4.9
Bombas Baby’s First Year Sock 8-Pack

Bombas

Pros
  • Multi-pack has two styles to try

  • Stay-up design

  • A pair donated for every purchase

Cons
  • Limited color options

What do buyers say?20+ Bombas reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.

Adult fans of Bombas will be pleased to know this company has successfully entered the baby sock market. Stock your baby’s dresser drawer with this cute eight-pack that includes four pairs of newborn socks and four pairs of grippy socks for babies 6 months and older. The second size is great for little ones who may begin standing or pulling themselves up. The socks are knit with a precise tension and stretch that helps them stay on without being too tight. This also makes it harder for little hands to yank them off, and Bombas always donates one pair of socks for every pair purchased.

Material:77% cotton, 21% polyester, 1% spandex |Size range:0–6 months to 6–12 months |Washing instructions:Machine washable

Best for Newborns: Out of Print Very Hungry Caterpillar Rattle Socks

Out of Print Very Hungry Caterpillar Rattle Socks

Out of Print

Pros
  • Entertaining

  • Two designs

  • Introduction to Eric Carle’s great book

Cons
  • Machine washing not recommended

因为他们没有把他们的脚在鞋子,新的borns don’t necessarily need socks. “Footie pajamas would be a better option to keep in heat,” Dr. Shafi tells us, but that doesn’t mean your baby isn’t entertained by their own feet. That’s where the genius ofrattle sockscomes into the picture. Simply slip these adorable cotton-poly-blend socks over your baby’s feet (or even over their onesie-covered feet) and let them enjoy what happens as they kick around the strawberries or caterpillars and hear the noise they make—learning their first lesson incause and effect.

Material:71% cotton, 26% polyester, 3% spandex |Size range:0–12 months (one size) |Washing instructions:Hand wash recommended

Best for Preemies: Gerber Terry Socks

Gerber Terry Socks

Gerber

Pros
  • Preemie sized

  • Affordable

Cons
  • Only one color

Tiny babies have tiny feet, so it can be tricky to findsocks in their size. Thankfully, this Gerber six-pack comes in preemie size, so your babe’s feet will be covered in super soft and warm terry cloth. Only available in white, the socks can be pulled up or rolled down. Consider them a cozy swaddle for the littlest feet.

Material:80% cotton, 17% nylon, 3% spandex |Size range:Preemie to 24 months |Washing instructions:Machine washable

Best for 6-Month-Olds: Hudson Baby Knee-High Socks

Hudson Baby Knee-High Socks

Hudson Baby

Pros
  • Affordable

  • Comes in pack of eight

  • Don’t fall off

Cons
  • Knee-high may be too warm

At 6 months old, your curious baby is in the prime phase of pulling their socks off. Make that job a little harder for them with these super cute knee-high socks. We love that these are available in three sizes and eight pattern options. As Dr. Shafi reminds parents, “[Socks] are easily lost, so I would make an economical choice.” This pack includes eight pairs at an affordable price, so if you lose one or two socks, it won’t be the end of the world.

Material:73% cotton, 25% nylon, 2% spandex | Size range: 0–6 months to 12–24 months |Washing instructions:Machine washable

Best for Summer: Jumping Beans 10-Pack Crew Socks

Jumping Beans 10-Pack Crew Socks

Jumping Beans

Pros
  • Affordable multi-pack

  • All white makes for easy laundry

Cons
  • No color options

Summer months may call for a few wardrobe changes throughout the day as kids move from bare feet to sneakers to sandals and possibly back. These short white crew socks are easy to put on, so they’re a perfect choice for hot summer months. The thin fabric keeps feet protected and cool, and the affordable 10-pack is a simple way to stock your sock drawer. Since they’re all white, there’s no stress about matching socks once the laundry is done.

Material:Cotton, polyester, spandex blend |Size range:3–12 months to 2–4 years old |Washing instructions:Machine washable

Best for Winter: Zutano Cozie Fleece Baby Booties

Zutano Cozie Fleece Baby Booties

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros
  • Lots of color options

  • Can be worn alone or over socks

  • Snaps keep them on

Cons
  • Sizing variations can be hard to distinguish

Many parents of winter babies will tell you to skip the socks and go right for these well-loved booties. They can be worn alone, over socks, or coveringfootie clothing. We love the range of sizes and 37 color options, so there’s an option for everyone. With a combination of elastic ankle and a two-snap strap, these booties really do stay on better than any others.

Material:70% cotton, 30% polyester |Size range:3 months to 24 months |Washing instructions:Machine washable

Best for 12-Month-Olds: Old Navy Unisex Crew Sock 8-Pack

Old Navy Unisex Crew Sock 8-Pack

Old Navy Unisex Crew Sock 8-Pack

Pros
  • Affordable

  • Multiples sizes

Cons
  • Not especially warm

Simplicity at its finest, these crew socks are affordable and come in packs of eight, so it’s easy to stock up. The rubber soles feature some slip protection but won’t be noticeable in shoes. The sock size is printed on the bottom, which is a helpful reminder when you’re ready for the next size up. Choose from all-white socks for easy laundry matching or two other color combinations.

Material:73% cotton, 25% polyester, 2% spandex |Size range:0–6 months to 4/5T |Washing instructions:Machine washable

Best for Toddlers: EZ Sox

EZ Sox

EZ

Pros
  • Pull up loops for toddlers

  • Four pack of socks

Cons
  • More expensive

When your toddler enters the “I can do it myself” phase, arm yourself with these cute socks that feature loops on either side, making it a much easier process for little hands to pull on their own socks. Since toddlers are always on the go, these also have non-skid grips on the bottom. Each pack comes with four pairs of socks, and the styles range from colorful mermaids to plainer socks.

Material:80% cotton, 17% polyester, 3% spandex |Size range:1–3T–5 to 9 years |Washing instructions:Machine washable

Best Non-Slip: Zaples Baby Non-Slip Socks

Zaples Baby Non-Slip Socks
socks.

Zaples

Pros
  • Grip over full sole

  • Affordable multi-pack

  • Very cute designs

Cons
  • Reports of shrinking after wash

We love these non-slip ankle socks for early walkers up through fast-moving toddlers. Unlike other non-slip socks, the grip dots extend from toe to heel, helping to keep them from sliding on wooden floors or steps. Meanwhile, the ankle socks have enough elastic at the top to keep them from slipping off, too. They’re also thin enough to fit into shoes and to please any littles that are fussy about having something on their feet.

Material:Cotton blend |Size range:0–6 months to 4–7 years |Washing instructions:Machine washable

Best That Stay On: Bombas Toddler Calf Sock

Bombas Toddler Calf Sock

Bombas

Pros
  • Stay up

  • Unique patterns

  • Seamless toe

Cons
  • Expensive

Toddlers will be lucky to have their very own pairs of Bombas socks. Not only are they beautiful, but these socks also feature the same honeycomb arch support as the brand’s adult socks, providing some support as they maintain a good fit around the foot. Around the ankle, these socks feature what Bombas calls “stay-up technology,” referring to the fact that they're knit with just enough stretch and tension to stay on and up without being too tight.

Material:74% cotton, 18% polyester, 7% spandex, 1% nylon |Size range:5–8.5T (one size) |Washing instructions:Machine washable

Final Verdict

For socks that are most likely to stay on, we loveBombas. They are on the pricey side, so for a more economical option, something like theOld Navy Unisex Crew Sock Eight-Packwill do nicely. If you hate sorting socks, buy only one color for all your kiddo’s socks.

How We Selected the Best Baby Socks

While we have shopped for plenty of kids’ socks, we also researched a lot of sock offerings. We aimed for sites that offered a variety of styles and sizes, affordable prices, and comfortable socks that promise to stay on. Other factors included our pediatrician’s recommendations, shipping and return policies, and affordability. User reviews (and complaints) were also helpful in finding brands that live up to their promises of quality, accurate sizing, and customer service.

What to Look for in Baby Socks

Materials

Select a material that is soft and comfortable on your baby’s feet. Picking fabric that can be machine washed and dried will make your life much easier and save time and energy, two precious resources for new parents.

Style

The best style is one that your kiddo comfortably wears. Keep an eye on thick seams that may bother delicate feet. By design, longer socks are harder to pull off. If socks seem to disappear inyour laundry, aim for packs of socks in all one color, so you’ll always have a match.

Special Features

Certain features may make socks more (or less) appealing to your kiddo. “A sock that goes mid-calf height is less likely to fall off,” Dr. Shafi reminds us. If your baby wears socks in the house and is beginning to walk, grips on the bottom may make them less prone to slip and fall.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are babies supposed to wear socks?

    This is a personal choice that depends on what works for you and the climate you live in.

    “Small babies that don't walk yet can keep their feet warm with onesies, but small socks will usually come off due to them rubbing their feet or crawling.” It’s easier to rely on footie pajamas covering those tiny toes than baby socks that infamously fall off.

  • What features make socks stay on?

    Longer socks are harder for kids to remove. Also, some have extra elastic to keep the sock on more securely. While it should fit well, avoid socks that are too tight. You’ll know if a baby’s sock is too tight “if they leave significant marks on your child's feet or ankles,” says Dr. Shafi.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Maya Poltonis a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 12-year-old son, 9-year-old son, and 5-year old daughter. Maya’s kids are all super active, and the number of socks in her laundry is insane. She has transitioned her sons to all black or white socks, but her daughter loves all kinds of colorful socks, which is a big pain when it comes to sorting laundry. Maya has one rule about socks: You cannot wear them outdoors without shoes.

ByMaya Polton
Maya has more than 15 years of experience in digital media and communications and specializes in writing about family, food, and lifestyles. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Tufts University and a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University.