The 13 Best Diabetic Socks of 2024 (2024)

• Our Picks

• How We Selected

• What to Look For

• FAQs

• Why Trust Verywell Health

These crew socks by Doctor’s Choice are our top pick for several reasons: They keep feet comfortable and dry by using fast-drying, moisture-wicking fabric and are non-irritating and non-binding. Made from a polyester blend, they stretch well to hug your feet without being too tight, and they’re designed to be worn day after day without creating any irritating friction or disrupting your circulation.

We love that these diabetic socks are available in multiple colors, including standard colors such as white, black, and gray, and fun colors such as blush pink and lavender.

Doctor’s Choice diabetic crew socks are our top pick for larger foot sizes, with only slight variations in size between their men’s and women’s options. They are loose enough around the calves to keep your circulation flowing but not so loose they can’t stay in place with long-term wear. They also help regulate the temperature of your feet and prevent blisters and irritation.

In addition, these diabetic crew socks are designed with fast-drying, moisture-wicking fabric to keep your feet dry and comfortable all day long. Like the women’s diabetic socks by this brand, these diabetic socks are offered in four neutral colors.

Falari Physicians Approved Diabetic Socks come in a 12-pack that is budget-friendly, no matter what color you choose. These socks are made with cotton, but they also contain polyester and elastane to prevent them from absorbing too much moisture or stretching out beyond use. This blend also provides a thick fabric that can help cushion feet during wear.

These socks have a toe seam that may be irritating to some and tends to run small—but they are a functional and affordable option for diabetics who need to keep a lot of socks on hand without breaking the bank.

A lot of diabetic socks can look like gym socks, which is fine if that’s what you’re looking for, but it’s always nice to have other dressier options. The EMEM Apparel Diabetic Dress Crew Socks fill that need. These socks come in dark brown and khaki, featuring a fine ribbed texture to fit seamlessly into your work or special occasion wardrobe without looking out of place. We love that they are lightweight and soft, machine washable, and made with 17% polyester for an extra bit of moisture-wicking.

Because of their light and breathable material, they may not provide enough cushioning for some. But if you’re looking for a discreet, non-bulky diabetic sock to wear with dress pants or business casual clothes, we think these are your best bet.

These socks are bright and playful, with vivid colors and eye-catching patterns that are perfect for pairing with athletic wear when you’re working out. The viscose/bamboo construction means they’re soft, stretchy, and breathable. Additionally, their non-binding top helps promote good circulation during physical activity.

One of our favorite features is that these diabetic socks also feature extra padding along the entire sole, not just the heel and toe, making them extra comfortable to wear when you’re out walking, jogging, playing tennis, or even simply spending the day on your feet at home. “High-pressure areas like the ball of the foot or the heel can benefit from extra padding,” says surgical podiatrist Dr. Lonny Nodelman. They also come in multiple color options, including bright colors, so you can have some fun mixing, matching, and creating different fashionable looks.

These low-cut diabetic socks by OrthoSleeve are a perfect fit for people with edema, neuropathy, and diabetes thanks to their circulatory benefits, bamboo charcoal fibers, and cushy padding. While we selected these for the best “low-cut” diabetic socks, we also believe this is the best option for the best “no-show” socks due to the design. They are snug without being constrictive, regulate temperature, reduce foot pain, and hug your feet for all-day comfort.

If you're looking for a diabetic sock that has maximum breathability, Yomandamor's Cotton Diabetic Socks may be your best option due to the cotton and elastane blend of these socks. They're made of just enough cotton to keep them cool on your feet but not so much that they'll get bogged down with sweat and moisture. The mesh design allows for extra airflow, reducing smells and keeping feet dry and clean. They feature a seamless toe and a non-binding cuff, so they're not likely to cause irritation, friction, or endless rubbing.

"The number one thing I look for is where the seam of the sock is located," says podiatrist Dr. Patrick McEneaney, CEO of Northern Illinois Foot and Ankle Specialists. "When the seam is at the tip of the toe, it can cause pressure on the toes; in diabetic patients who may not have normal sensation, they can potentially get ulcers or sores on their toes."

One of the most important features we looked for when selecting our favorite diabetic socks was flexibility and stretch capabilities. Any sock made with elastane is built to stretch, but these bamboo diabetic socks by Yomandamor have a much higher elastane percentage than many of their competitors, coming in at 30%. With the rest of the fabric being bamboo, these socks can maintain a soft, stretchy feel throughout the day. They fit comfortably without cutting off circulation around your calves and ankles, and the seamless toe allows them to be worn more comfortably under most shoe types.

The fit and style of the Yomandamor socks are exactly what Dr. McEneaney says you should look for when choosing a pair. “I like to see kind of a uniform fit to the sock [without] extra fabric or bands in the arch that causes compression or that are tighter around the ankle.”

Needing diabetic socks shouldn’t mean you’re stuck with frumpy, medical-grade crew socks. Debra Weitzner Diabetic Socks are built for comfort, with moisture-wicking polyester, soothing aloe, and antimicrobial protection to ward off itching and irritation with long-term use.

We especially like that even though the tops of these socks are loose-fitting, they won’t slouch down or lose their form throughout the day. That means you’ll be comfortable in more ways than one: no binding or constricting and no floppy fabric sliding down around your ankles.

Created specifically for people with diabetes, Dr. Scholl’s Circulatory Socks win us over as the best diabetic sock for circulation due to their construction and material.

They have an extremely stretchy, non-binding top that doesn’t pinch or squeeze the leg uncomfortably, cushioned soles so you can stand for long periods without aggravating the heels of your foot, and have moisture and odor control properties. Keep in mind there is a toe seam, so these socks aren’t seamless, but the top-of-the-line construction makes them comfortable and great to wear.

These diabetic socks come in various sizes, ankle and crew cut, and black and white colors.

We love OS1st WP4 Wellness Performance Socks for sensitive feet because of the extra padding and cushion in the heel and toe of the socks. These diabetic socks were created for athletes, so they are comfortable when running, jumping, and moving around a lot. Using a micro-nylon and spandex blend, they’re made to be extra soothing and accommodating by targeting and treating the feet and associated symptoms in the feet that can be due to diabetes, neuropathy, and edema.

These diabetic socks come in a range of sizes from small to 2XL and several color combinations: white, navy, gray, and black.

OrthoSleeve Diabetic and Neuropathy Non-Binding Wellness Socks are designed for people who experience neuropathy due to and independent of a diabetes diagnosis. We like that they offer support and comfort through a moisture-wicking fabric blend of nano-bamboo charcoal. We picked this diabetic sock as the best diabetic sock for neuropathy because of how soft, comforting, and supportive the sock is, which is necessary for people with neuropathy. Neuropathy in the feet can lead to more calluses, blisters, and at times bleeding and foot pain. That’s why it’s so great that the WC4 diabetic sock is anatomically designed for your left and right feet, with a unique seamless toe and heel pockets with contoured padding that cradle and soothe your feet.

Sizes range from small to 2XL and come in varying colors and cuts: white, navy, charcoal, black, and brown, and no-show and crew cut. They also have extra wide options as well.

FuelMeFoot’s compression socks are our pick for the best compression socks for people with diabetes. They provide just the right amount of support by being copper infused, which provides warmth, compression, and comfort. They’re soft and comfortable and help improve energy while preventing swelling. We love that they’re equally great to sleep and be active in because they help accelerate the removal of lactic acid, which helps you recover from your workouts. They use a graduated compression structure, where it’s tightest around the foot and is 20% lighter around the cuff (which is non-slip). It has 15 to 20 mmHg of compression, giving you much-needed relief.

Coming in packs of three, they're available in small to extra large and in multiple colors from black, white, and funky colors like neons as well.

How We Rated Diabetic Socks

Frequently Asked Questions

• How can I prevent and alleviate neuropathy in the feet?

  Along with seamless socks and sturdy shoes,Dr. Adimoolam says that withgood diabetes control,neuropathy can be prevented by taking prescribed diabetes medications and focusing on a healthy lifestyle.

  People with diabetes should make regular foot exams a top priority, Dr. Adimoolam says. “The most important step in diabetes foot care is performing daily foot exams. Examine your feet daily with a mirror to be aware of any cuts, calluses, etc. If your feet are dry, make sure to moisturize them daily to prevent skin breakdown or breakage. Also, avoid cutting nails too deep, which can lead to cuts and infection."

• How often should diabetic socks be worn?

  The whole point of finding the right shoe or pair of socks when you have diabetic neuropathy or poor circulation is to protect the feet. But how often should these items be worn?

  According toDr. Kor, your feet don’t know the difference between a slab of concrete outside and your dining room floor. “I tell patients that they should not do any prolonged walking, climbing, or standing in their home without a good supportive shoe or sandal. As much as possible, patients should wear shoes with socks in the home.”

  So what’s the simple answer? “People with diabetes should wear socks daily, regardless of the day's activities,” says Dr. Nodelman, since going barefoot is not recommended—especially if you have significant neuropathy.

• What do diabetic socks do?

  “Ideally, diabetic socks are supposed to keep pressure and friction off the feet so that people don't develop sores,” says Dr. McEneaney. “That pressure can be from the seam at the end of the sock, or it can be from moisture and friction.”

  Good socks should provide a nice interface between you and the shoe while protecting you from external elements as well. But it’s important, Dr. McEneaney adds, to understand the difference between diabetic socks and compression socks; they serve different purposes.

  “If you're diabetic and you have swelling in your legs, you're better off working with a compression sock versus a diabetic sock,” he explains, "and if you have poor blood flow, you should consult your physician before you wear a compression sock.”

• Are white or black diabetic socks better?

  Ultimately the color of the diabetic sock you choose is up to your personal preference, however, a white or lighter sock is recommended, so you have a better gauge of bleeding, especially if the sock does have a seam.

• What is the difference between a compression sock and a diabetic sock?

  Ultimately, diabetic socks and compression socks could be useful for people with diabetes and neuropathy, however, there are some differences in how the socks aid you. A diabetic sock is designed to provide more comfort due to the sensitive nature of the skin on the feet, at times accompanied by neuropathy. A compression sock reduces swelling by compressing the foot, ankle, and leg. Both are great choices, however, we recommend you pick a style of sock based on your health needs so you can get the targeted relief you deserve.
  

• What is diabetic neuropathy?

  Diabetic neuropathy is extreme or severe nerve damage in the body due to diabetes. While not all people with diabetes live with neuropathy, the risk of it developing does increase the longer one has lived with the diagnosis. Several factors, such as glycemic control, age, and smoking, can heavily impact the risk of developing neuropathy. Symptoms can include numbness and loss of protective sensations, burning and tingling in feet, loss of balance, the appearance of deformity in the foot, hot and cold sensitivity, and more.

  Learn More:Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: Causes, Symptoms, and Outlook

• What should I expect to spend on diabetic socks?

  You can find amazing diabetic socks from under $10 to upwards of $30. Material, cut, and at times, size ultimately impacts the price of diabetic socks. Our picks for the best overall diabetic sock for small feet,Doctor’s Choice Women’s Diabetic Crew Socks, and best overall diabetic sock for large feet,Doctor’s Choice Men’s Diabetic Crew Socks, come in at $20.

The Best Socks for Sweaty Feet of 2024