“Around the house, it is probably easier not to wear socks,” pediatrician Heather 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, and your 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. Price at time of publication: $44 Price at time of publication: $12 Price at time of publication: $22 Price at time of publication: $13 Price at time of publication: $16 Price at time of publication: $22 Price at time of publication: $13 Price at time of publication: $20 Price at time of publication: $17
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 in your 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.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Maya Polton is 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. “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.
