FourFourTwo has found the best football grip socks on the market and located some of the best deals, too. There is no denying that one of the biggest changes in football boot accessories over the past 15 years is the introduction of grip socks. Where once it was only a few brands, there are now several on the market, and seemingly every major brand has its own version.
Preventing feet from sliding around inside the best football boots, grip socks enhance performance by offering a focused playing experience that avoids distraction. Accessories can also be essential for other players on the pitch - fortunately we have guides on the best goalkeeper gloves, the best football boot insoles and the best football shin pads.
The quick list
These might just be the best grip socks on the market. Absurdly popular in Japan, the awesome fit and durability means they are worn by at least half of the players in the country's men's and women's national teams.
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The grips take inspiration from an octopus, but WeFoot certainly aren't suckers. One of the newest brands in the grip-sock space, but one of the best on the market.
The Pro 3.0 Grip Socks reflect Apex's constant desire for improvement. The fit is better than before, the socks are grippier and the overall quality has increased. Just a very solid, comfortable product.
More models
These grippy, thin and lightweight socks are popular with the pros. There is also a version specifically for female players, which is welcome, as women are often ignored in the grip sock space.
Havo is the newest brand on the market and is set to launch in the coming weeks. These socks have gone through a thorough testing period, producing a great product which is cushioned, comfortable and designed to resist wear and tear.
Best fit
Tabio Sports is a Japanese brand that creates and produces everything in-house. It owns the factories where its product is made, meaning it has more direct control over the quality of its socks.
Tabio is absurdly popular in Japan, with the socks worn by both pros and non-pros alike in droves, plus at least half of the players in the men’s and women’s national teams. This is all without these players being sponsored. The socks themselves feel premium but are cheaper than others on the market.
For me, they are the best grip socks on the market. This is mostly down to the awesome fit, which feels supportive, as well as the durability. I still have the first pair I bought close to eight years ago, and while the grip is mostly gone, the overall fit remains good. The two main drawbacks are that the grip is not particularly strong and can wear out quickly.
However, because the fit is so good, I would personally argue that this negates some of the need for stronger grip, as just like football boots, a good fit goes a long way with performance.
Best grip
WeFoot is one of the newest brands in the grip sock space, but that should not dissuade you from getting a pair. The brand hails from South Korea, and as expected of a Korean brand, it packs a lot of quality and tech into its socks.
The grips not only take inspiration from octopuses’ suckers, but the material is taken from the material used for shock absorption in LCD TVs and smartphones. All of this is to say that WeFoot has quickly become one of the strongest competitors on the grip sock market.
This is for good reason. The socks are comfortable, have a good fit and offer a lot of grip. One of the more impressive things about the sock is it seems to be even better when wet, and yet the material is good at getting rid of moisture. Like their counterparts Tabio from Japan, a large number of South Korea’s national players wear the socks, even without sponsorships. And also like Tabio, they are one of the best grip socks on the market.
Best for comfort
Apex is one of those brands I appreciate a lot, because its constantly trying to make better products. One of the things I have noticed over the years is that a lot of brands will make a grip sock, and then that’s it. No new iterations, nothing - but Apex looks at what it has done previously and continues to try to improve again and again.
Its newest Pro 3.0 Grip Socks continues this trend. The fit has been improved, they are grippier and the overall quality has increased. They are thicker than some other socks on this list, but they make up for that by being very comfortable. I also appreciate the extra heel cushioning as I sometimes get heel pain, so any extra comfort is a bonus.
While some may be bothered by the lack of internal grips, I do not mind it here as it means the overall comfort is better. It is also nice that the toe is a seamless construction as that means there is less chance for blistering, which is an issue I have found among the market’s biggest brands. It is just a solid, very comfortable sock.
Thinnest
Teqnigrip has become more and more popular over the past few years among pros, seemingly because the socks are grippy, thin and lightweight.
The brand makes its yarns from a mix of materials, including silicone, in order to enhance grip - without the need for bumps or anything added on. The socks seem simple in design, and yet they work really well as there is no need to reposition grips or anything to feel like you get the optimal grip.
On a separate note, I appreciate that the brand also has a women’s-specific sock, as female players are often ignored in the grip sock space. The overall fit of the sock is nice, and I really like how thin it is. The only major downside - besides the shipping cost - is it does not feel as premium as other socks on this list. However, if you just want something that is lightweight and you don’t think about when wearing, the Teqnigrip is probably the way to go.
The Crowd Pleaser
We finish with the newest brand on the market. Havo has recently completed a very successful Kickstarter campaign and is poised to launch in the coming weeks.
The brand has gone through a thorough testing period, and because of this, it has come up with a great sock. The sock is nicely cushioned, yet does not feel overly thick. The material has a nice compression to it, but also does not feel too tight.
One of the things I personally appreciate is the location of the grip zones, as it feels broad without feeling over the top. The only major downside is that I personally do not find the socks to be that grippy. They are comfortable, but I was expecting a bit more grip.
However, I cannot deny that the overall sock is a good addition to the market. This will hopefully keep pushing brands to develop even better products. In general, they might be one of the easiest socks to recommend as there is still some grip available, but Havo has not forgotten about the other aspects of what makes a good sock.
How we test grip socks
Testing of grip socks is carried out by our expert in all things football-technology, who tries on as many pairs over the course of a number of training sessions and games to truly ascertain the performance level of each product.
Factors to consider in the performance of each grip sock centred on comfort, lockdown and, of course, grip, with the expert considering the claims made by each brand to cut straight through to the crux of how they actually feel while playing football. This helps with simple yet detailed advice for players of all levels.
How to choose the best grip socks
Unlike with football boots, grip socks are all a lot closer aligned in what they offer players, though there are some that are certainly a lot better than others.
Key factors to consider are choosing socks that actually fit your feet, otherwise the specific elements you're wanting to gain an advantage from simply won't work as well. Some brands offer a different thickness to their socks - so if you prefer more cushioning, a thicker sock is better. Similarly, some players prefer a lightweight, minimalist feel - therefore, thin socks are more suited.
It really all comes down to personal preference.
Best Grip Socks For Football: FAQs
What grip socks do footballers use?
There's no one definitive answer, as different footballers trust different brands of grip socks. Big-name manufacturers have reliable grip socks, like Nike and Adidas, and their options have featured in our guide to the best grip socks for football in years past. If you're looking for grip socks specialists, you might want to consider Apex or WeFoot, they feature in our guide to the very best available, above.
What brand of grip socks are best for soccer?
In our guide to the best grip socks for football, six different brands featured, so it's tricky to have a definitive "best brand". However, Tabio grip socks sit at the top as the best overall. We also think the WeFoot Air Grip Socks are the best you've never heard of.
WeFoot has continuously impressed us with their grip socks and now their Air socks are a further improvement on some previous options. As you'll see above, we praise their great comfort, the variety in sock length and the fact that they offer grip on both the inside and outside of the sock.
Do grip socks actually work in football?
Yes. Football is a game of fine margins and grip socks can give you a subtle advantage. Grip socks add stability to your foot within your football cleat and stop your foot from sliding around. They can also add comfort, which you may not get from a cleat alone. So, if you're looking for a competitive edge in training or in-game, grip socks can provide that.
What are the best value grip socks?
If you're looking for the best value grip socks on the market, we think you should opt for the Apex Pro 3.0 Grip Socks as they offer internal and external grip and a personalised fit and above all else, they deliver on performance. Not all socks on the market do this and the Apex Pro 3.0 Grip Socks do this at an affordable price.
