There is no denying that one of the biggest changes in soccer cleat 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 soccer cleats, grip socks enhance performance by offering a focused playing experience that avoids distraction. Accessories can also be essential for other players on the field - fortunately we have guides on the best goalkeeper gloves, the best soccer cleat insoles and the best soccer shin guards.
The quicklist
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.
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.
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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 soccer cleats, 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 grip socks has been an extensive project for our expert in all things related to soccer accessories and technology, with the miles put in over the course of a number of practice sessions and games to truly ascertain a product's performance levels. Our expert also wears multiple different soccer cleats with the socks to ensure they can come to a conclusive, water-tight decision.
The key areas focused upon were comfort, lockdown and slippage inside the cleat, with all those elements helping to determine a true level of performance. While brands often champion the best technologies and latest ideas, our expert tester cuts straight through the marketing jargon to what they actually feel like. Then it's presented in simple, cleat-cut advice aimed at players of all levels.
How to choose the best grip socks
In all honesty, it comes down to personal preference. One grip sock might be perfect for one player but not suited to another, though there's certainly a lot more convergence when it comes to grip socks as opposed to soccer cleats for example. Soccer cleats are often varying in quality, while grip socks are largely all decent enough - though it's still the case that some are a lot better than others.
We would also recommend trying socks on first to ensure they properly fit you and work with the shape of your foot. This is imperative when it comes to grip socks, because some size ranges are quite large and specific elements won't work as they're intended if the socks don't fit correctly.
There's still scope to customise when it comes to different socks, too. Brands offer varying thicknesses, 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.
Best Grip Socks For Soccer: FAQs
What are the best grip socks for soccer?
There's no one definitive answer, as different soccer players 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 soccer 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.
Do grip socks really help in soccer?
Yes. Soccer is a game of fine margins and grip socks can give you a subtle advantage. Grip socks add stability to your foot within your soccer 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.
Does Lionel Messi wear grip socks?
Lionel Messi is known to wear grip socks, often under his club socks, to enhance the grip his foot has within his cleats and prevent them from slipping around. This is also to add comfort. However, the brand of grip socks Messi likes to wear isn't clear, but he's not the only pro soccer player to wear grip socks, as many do.
Are grip socks actually worth it?
Absolutely, they can be. While they're not for everyone, Grip socks can enhance performance by providing added grip to your foot and preventing movement within your soccer cleats. This gives you a better feel during quick turns of movement and pace on top of the comfort they can provide. Both pros and amateurs use grip socks, so yes, they can be worth it, depending on your preference.
