LIFE & CULTURE

Make The Most Of Your Pilates Workout With The 5 Best Pilates Grip Socks

Pretty and practical.
Getty, Georgiy Datenko

As self-professed Pilates princesses we’re grateful to partake in a form of exercise that asks little from us when it comes to investing in gear.

Truly embracing the princess persona, we simply turn up looking cute in our matching activewear sets ready to sweat it out on the mat or reformer.

For those truly dedicated to the art of Pilates, however, there is one accessory that can help give your workout a little boost: Pilates grip socks.

Anyone who’s tried downward-facing dog in regular socks will know it can be slippery business on the wrong surface. And, for those who prefer reformer Pilates, balancing on a moving surface brings another level of peril.

Grip socks may not sound like an exciting purchase, but they can play a vital role in improving your positioning, movement and balance. 

2024’s top Pilates Grip Socks

  1. High Heel Jungle Pilates Grip Socks from $45.00 at The Iconic
  2. Performance Studio Sock, from $9.99 at Cotton On
  3. Alo Yoga Women’s Pulse Grip Sock, from $48 at Alo Yoga

The Best Pilates Grip Socks Of 2024

The High Heel Jungle Pilates Grip Socks incorporate elements of balletcore with a ribbon criss cross across the front of the foot and a low toe. They feature fool foot silicone grip and and elevated arch support. Each pack comes with two pairs, pictured here are the ballet pink and blush set. Also available in black and grey. They are $45.00 for a set at The Iconic.

01

High Heel Jungle Pilates Grip Socks

from $45.00 at The Iconic

Best for: Practical and pretty

Perfect for barre, these on-point grip socks can incorporate “ballet core” into your workout. With a criss-cross ribbon feature, these socks don’t sacrifice performance for pretty, with a full-sole silicone grip and elevated support. Each pack comes with two socks.

Sizes: One size

Colours: Ballet pink and blush or black and grey

Materials: 75% Cotton, 15% Polyester, 10% Spandex

Key features:

  • Full sole silicone grip
  • Breathable open front
  • Arch support
  • Two pairs per pack
  • On-trend crisis-cross ribbon feature
The affordable Performance Studio Sock from Cotton On comes in a range of shades including black, white, radiant rasberry (a bright true pink, pictured) and windsurfer, a pale blue. There is one to match any active wear set. They feature a low ankle, breathable anti-odour fabric and arch support.

02

Performance Studio Sock

from $9.99 at Cotton On

Best for: bargain

Coming in a range of colours to complete your matching activewear set, these socks also have anti-odour properties, arch support and non-slip grips.

Sizes: One size

Colours: Black, white, radiant raspberry, windsurfer (blue)

Materials: 73% Cotton, 24% Polyester, 2% Elastane, 1% Elastodiene

Key features:

  • Anti-odour
  • Non-slip
  • Arch support
  • Four shades
  • Made with a minimum 20% recycled polyester from post-consumer waste
The Women's Pulse Grip Socks are crew style socks with ultra comfortable with terry cushioned toes for gripping the foot bar during pilates, compression ribbing over the foot arch and the grippiest of bottom grips. Other than comfort our favourite element here is the chic transparent mesh strip detail at the ankle. $48.00 from Alo Yoga.

03

Alo Yoga Women’s Pulse Grip Sock

from $48 at Alo Yoga

Best for: luxe

Trust the yoga and pilates-obsessed designers at Alo Yoga to create the perfect grip sock. These crew-style socks are ultra comfortable, with terry cushioned toes for gripping the foot bar during pilates, compression ribbing over the foot arch, and the grippiest of bottom grips. Other than comfort, our favourite element here is the chic transparent mesh strip detail at the ankle.

Sizes: S/M and M/L

Colours: Black and white

Materials: Combed terry cotton, nylon, lycra

Key features:

  • Terry cushioned toes
  • Compression ribbing on arch
  • Bottom grips
  • Mesh detailing on ankle
These crew style pilates socks for women from Amazon hit lower mid calf and have a sporty two stripe feature (think a feminine take on the football sock). Pictured are some of the shades including black, grey, white, pale pink and pale lilac. $35.99 from Amazon.

04

Pilates Socks For Women

from $35.99 at Amazon

Best for: value

Crew socks have had an unexpected sartorial resurgence of late, so if you want to channel Princess Diana or Hailey Bieber for that matter, these grip socks are for you.

Sizes: One size

Colours: black, lilac, pink, grey, white

Materials: 80% Cotton, 20% Spandex, foot 100% silicone

Key features:

  • Breathable and sweat-absorbant fabric
  • On trend crew sock style
  • Elastic interior with double loop design
  • Silicone footpad
With a simple, minimalist design you'll feel like the coolest girl in the studio wearing these half-crew socks from Aje Athletica ($30.00). The striped cuff is ribbed for comfort and the triangular grips on the soles provide extra security. Pictured are the white socks with black stripes.

05

Aje Athletica Half Crew Grip Sock

from $30 at Aje Athletica

Best for: minimalist style

With a simple, minimalist design you’ll feel like the coolest girl in the studio wearing these half-crew socks from Aje Athletica. The striped cuff is ribbed for comfort, and the triangular grips on the soles provide extra security.

Sizes: One size

Colours: white and black

Materials: 85% cotton, 15% spandex

Key Features:

  • Breathable cotton
  • Triangular grips
  • Mid rise crew sock
  • Strip detailing
This Australian-made pilates sock brings plenty of fun to the pilates party. Its bespoke swirling orange design on the foot adds plenty of grip. The breathable white 100% cotton weave fabric is luxe and plush, and the splash of colour at the base will elevate any pilates or yoga session. $24.99 at The Iconic.

05

Leelo Active Design Collection Grip Socks

from $24.99 at The Iconic

Best for: a spirit of adventure

This Australian-made pilates sock brings plenty of fun to the pilates party. Its bespoke design on the foot adds plenty of grip. The breathable 100% cotton weave fabric is luxe and plush, and the splash of colour at the base will elevate any pilates or yoga session. We particularly love that these socks come in a range of sizes.

Sizes: XS/S, S/M, M/L

Colours: Orange

Materials: 100% cotton, silicone base

The Lululemon Find Your Balance Studio Tab Sock features grips along the inside and outside of the foot, not just the bottom, so you’ll feel confident and secure completing even the most complicated manoeuvre. The top of the foot features breathable mesh fabric for a sweat-free feel. Pictured here in vibrant Rasberry Cream, a orange sock with rasberry ribbing and grips. $25.00 at Lululemon.

06

Lululemon Find Your Balance Studio Tab Sock

from $ 25.00 at Lululemon

Best for: extra grip

With grips along the inside and outside of the foot, not just the bottom, you’ll feel confident and secure completing even the most complicated manoeuvre in these socks from leisurewear masters Lululemon. The top of the foot features breathable mesh fabric for a sweat-free feel.

Sizes: Small, Medium, Large

Colours: Rasberry Cream, Black

Materials: 95% Nylon, 5% Elastane

What To Look For In A Pilates Grip Sock

You can find pilates grip socks in various styles, from classic crew socks to low-ankle sports socks and even trendy ballet-inspired styles. You’re sure to find a look that works for you. But what are the non-negotiables in a Pilates grip sock? We made these selections based on specific parameters.

We looked soft, high-quality material that cushions the foot and won’t get itchy or stretch quickly (an ill-fitted Pilates sock can put you at risk of slips on the reformer machine). Arch support will make your workout more comfortable, particularly if you have low arches, and breathable fabric reduces odour and sweat. Finally, we looked socks with plenty of grips! Density ensures enough stability on the reformer bed or during yoga.

Thank us later!

Do You Need Grippy Socks For Mat Pilates?

While many Pilates and yoga mats may feel like they provide enough grip that you could go without, it is recommended to wear grip socks for extra support in your balance and to prevent any slips (particularly if you’re working up a sweat).

Do Pilates socks work?

In short, yes! The small grip dots found on the bottom of Pilates socks help keep your feet in place while performing movements such as planks and lunges. Considering the importance the placement of your legs and feet play in certain Pilates and yoga positions, the benefit of grip socks are not to be underestimated. 


Looking to save money on pilates grip socks? Check out our coupon codes for The Iconic , Lululemon and more.


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