The best grip socks for football aren't just so that players look fancy on the pitch - they can actually make a huge difference on performance levels thanks to the different technologies that have been developed over the years.
Preventing feet from sliding around inside the best football boots, grip socks enhance performance by offering a focused playing experience not filled with distraction. They also improve comfort, reduce the risk of blisters and make players even more confident that those sharp changes of direction will be as responsive as they'd like. After all, football is all about marginal gains, and grip socks can hold the key.
Accessories can also be essential for other players on the pitch - fortunately we also have guides on the best goalkeeper gloves, the best football boot insoles and the best football shin pads.
Since first coming into the market more than a decade ago, the popularity of grip socks has grown exponentially. Indeed, it's impossible to now go through a game at any level of football without a player wearing them in some format or guise - but with hundreds of different grip sock brands available, what are the best? Here, I break down the best options.
Best grip socks for football
Worn by superstars such as Heung-min Son, WeFoot grip socks are especially popular in South Korea and are my personal favourites to wear right now. They might not look all that impressive, but trust me, the performance levels on these are unmatched.
With grip pads on both the inside and outside of the socks, these not only stick to the inside of your football boots - they also latch onto the skin on your feet to keep everything firmly in place. The grip technology is inspired by the suction cups of an octopus, highlighting the innovation that WeFoot has attempted to great effect here. This also means that they work arguably even better when damp or wet through sweat or water.
Additionally, I found the socks to be really comfortable, while the anatomical design helped them fit perfectly as well. Customisation is possible, too, with the socks coming in various different thicknesses and lengths.
Nike has done things a lot differently with their grip socks. While most options focus on locking down just the sole and heel, Nike has woven its NikeGrip material into the sock in a 360-degree contouring pattern that sits on both the sole and top of the sock, ensuring there's minimal slippage whenever your foot is inside your boot.
This helped to provide a lockdown I have never felt before, and is something I'm truly a huge fan of. With the contouring running in different directions on each individual sock, there's an element of customisation available depending on where the player's desired direction of traction.
I don't rate these quite as highly as the WeFoot grip socks, however, because it felt like the NikeGrip Vapor Strike socks only worked when placed in the best Nike football boots - with NikeGrip elements also featured on the insoles inside the boots, there's a symbiotic relationship that isn't quite as evident when wearing the best Adidas football boots or best Puma football boots, for example.
As a result, I felt a lot less confident wearing these grip socks at all times, while the lack of colours is a hinderance when matchday rolls around and a colour match is needed.
The design is a lot simpler than other options on this list, but that's understandable when considering the Gain The Edge grip socks cost just £7.99. That's not to diminish from their quality either, with their design a great way to test out grip socks for first-time users.
Featuring cushioning, a sweat-wicking material and targeted compression throughout, the Gain The Edge grip socks also has several silicone nubs along the sole to help with traction and prevent any foot slippage. Though I found them a little loose to wear, they still performed as well as I would've wanted.
There's plenty of colours to choose from, too, so whatever colour your home and away kits are, you should be covered at such an affordable price.
Featuring stabilising compression zones, silicone nubs along the sole of the sock and the heel, an anatomical fit and a moisture wicking 3-layer construction, the Falke 4 Grip socks are extremely premium. As soon as I put them on my feet they felt comfortable and ready to grip the inside of my boots.
They may be relatively unknown, but that certainly shouldn't stop you giving these consideration.
What I did find, however, is that the silicone grip nubs are minimalistic so don't provide quite as much grip as other options do. Plus, I don't particularly like the aesthetic of the sock. Though that's only a minor issue, it's still something worth considering before spending your hard-earned cash.
Adidas’ venture into the grip sock industry is not one to be overlooked. Their socks are a more premium version of a lot of the traditional grip socks we see everywhere.
The sock has silicone heat printed nodules running along the bottom of the sock and also up the heel, a place where a lot of grip socks brands don’t include. I found this particular feature was a great addition, because it prevented any slippage and also ensured pushing off from a standing start worked a lot better than with regular socks.
The socks have an anatomical design to improve the fit and also do a great job of providing a greater level of underfoot traction compared to regular football socks. Adidas have the socks available in black or white and also offer a thin and cushioned version.
Having burst onto the scene more than a decade ago with the likes of Gareth Bale and Luis Suarez both wearing them, Trusox are without question the pioneers of the grip sock industry. The iconic design is still going strong, too, with plenty of other brands having attempted their best to copy them in recent times.
Indeed, Trusox has patented the grip technology used on their socks, meaning everyone else has had to attempt something slightly different. With suede-like grip pads on the inside and outside of the sock, Trusox aids with underfoot traction so much so that it feels like your feet are glued to your boots.
Plus, they come in an abundance of colours, thicknesses and lengths, meaning I'm never short of options when I want a new pair or want to try something slightly different to help with my perfect feel.
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.
