Becoming a fully-fledged yogi is an ongoing journey. You watch, practice and train hard during each session. You can have all the skill in the world, but if your sports gear isn’t right, it could seriously stop you from reaching your goals.
Finding the best yoga socks to support your practice is essential. But where do you start? Here’s what you should know.
WHAT ARE YOGA SOCKS?
First things first, let’s define what yoga socks are. Specifically designed for budding yogis, these garments are hard-wearing and come complete with gripping materials, e.g. plastic or rubber, on their soles.
In some cases, the socks will also separate the toes, which allows for an extra level of flexibility and movement during sessions. This feature proves particularly useful during asanas that include stretching out the toes for balance.
Yoga socks are also known as grip socks or pilates socks as they are often compulsory for reformer and megaformer pilates classes.
The type of yoga socks you choose will depend on your personal taste. Luckily, there’s a broad variety of styles and designs to suit every trend.
For instance, aside from the regular yoga grip socks, you can also get toeless yoga socks or open-toe yoga socks. What’s more, these sporty little garments come in a rainbow array of colours and tones too.
See our full range of yoga socks >
TYPES OF YOGA SOCKS
Wondering which yoga socks will suit you and your sessions? The variety of socks on the market is vast, but don’t let it confuse you. While there are many different terms that you will hear, the best thing you can do is keep things simple.
Two of the major types of yoga socks that you’ll come across as yoga grip socks and open-toe and heel socks.
Grip and Non-Slip Socks
Balance exercises and movements are the core of yoga. With that in mind, having yoga grip socks — or non-slip yoga socks, as they are sometimes called — could be a huge benefit.
These types of socks offer you a high level of friction on the ground thanks to the material that covers their sole. Put simply, they will help you stay stable as you move.
Open-Toe and Heel Socks
Open-toe yoga socks are what they say on the tin — socks that have no toes. You might also hear these socks referred to as heel yoga socks, as they only cover the heel of the foot.
Many of the standard asanas will involve stretching out your toes and foot muscles. Having open-toe yoga socks may allow you to move more freely during these activities.
Varying Sock Lengths
While many types of yoga socks simply cover the foot, you can get various lengths. In some cases, the yoga socks will be much longer and will cover the ankle or even the calf.
Deciding which style suits you is a personal choice. It could be worth trying out a couple of different lengths ahead of time before you make your decision.
CAN YOU WEAR NORMAL SOCKS TO YOGA?
When you first embark on your yoga journey, you may be tempted to wear normal socks. However, doing so is a real mistake and could hold you back. The major reason for this problem is that regular socks don’t have grip on their soles.
Should you choose to wear them, you will struggle to balance and may slip during asanas. To make matters worse, normal socks fail to give you the level of flexibility you need in your feet for yoga.
That could mean that you struggle to keep stable during your sessions and that you can’t extend your feet and toes as much as you need to do so. These issues — however minor they may seem — can truly stop you progressing in your practice.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF YOGA SOCKS?
Whether you’re first starting out in yoga or you’re a well-seasoned yogi, there are plenty of advantages to investing in a quality pair of socks. Let’s take a look at some of the major benefits that you will reap when you start wearing these garments.
- Stability and Grip
As we have already mentioned, the main benefit of yoga socks is extra grip. Should you choose a high-end pair of grip yoga socks, they will have special material on the sole. These socks aim to give you more stability as you’re moving and prevent falls.
- Prevent Injuries
Keeping your balance can be difficult, especially when you’re in standing poses such as Warrior Pose. Since grip yoga socks give you more stability, another benefit is that you will avoid unnecessary falls. Investing in quality socks is the only way to go.
- Align Your Posture
When you first start practicing yoga, one of the major challenges is aligning your posture correctly. Mastering poses takes time, dedication, and effort. Yoga socks help to keep your toes and feet in the right position, which in turn, allows you to get into the right pose.
- Helps Cleanliness
Of course, whenever you undertake a yoga session in a studio, you may need to share mats or perform asanas without mats. Wearing yoga socks means that your bare feet never touch the floor or a shared mat, meaning you can protect yourself from germs.
WHICH ARE THE BEST YOGA SOCKS?
There’s a broad variety of yoga socks in the UK, so how can you choose the right pair for your needs? Starting with trusted brands is one way to go. If you’re looking for high-quality yoga socks that stand the test of time, there are two brands we’d recommend.
Pointe Studio
Pointe Studio offers some of the best yoga socks in the UK. Featuring gorgeous colours and patterns as well as a range of design styles, it’s hard to go wrong here. Each pair of socks has a non-slip sole and a unique look.
As a bonus, some specialist yoga socks from this brand include extra features such as a strap.
Stance
Boasting originality and style, the Stance yoga socks enhance your connection with the ground. The yoga socks include traction padding and distraction-proof designs, meaning that you can focus on what really matters — your session.
These garments are also some of the best yoga socks in the UK; functional, attractive and classic.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST YOGA SOCKS FOR YOU
Looking for the right pair of yoga socks for you? Ultimately, this decision is all about personal preference. As a golden rule, we recommend investing in grip yoga socks that will give you the stability you need when practicing.
Think about the type of yoga you’re practicing when choosing your socks. If you’re a fan of Hot Yoga, investing in sweat-wicking fabric is a must. Then again, should you prefer slower-paced (and less sweaty!) classes, opt for toeless yoga socks or heel socks. Simple.
HOW TO WASH YOGA SOCKS
How you wash your yoga socks will determine how long they last. Ensure that you avoid using fabric softeners as it could break down the fibres, which make your workout wear stretchy and firm. Aside from that, follow our advice for washing your yoga socks.
- Grip Socks
Before washing your grip yoga socks, be sure to turn them inside out. Use a gentle cycle as you don’t want to hinder the fabric or material. For the best results, put the socks on a line to dry naturally or use a low-heat in the dryer. Avoid ironing or using bleach.
- Open Toe and Heel Socks
Open toe or heel socks can be washed on a 40 °C setting. Once again, you should avoid ironing or bleaching the socks. If you want the yoga socks to last longer, make sure you leave them to dry naturally, rather than in the dryer.
FIND THE PERFECT YOGA SOCKS NOW
Now that you’ve got the inside scoop on yoga socks, what are you waiting for? Use this guide to help you find the perfect pair of socks to support your goals. Why not take a look at our range today and find the best yoga socks for your needs?
See our full range of yoga socks >
Looking to fresh up your yoga gear? Check out our dedicated yoga clothes collection >
