Written by Anna Wenner, freelance writer, accessibility advocate, giant nerd.
Updated April 19, 2024
Those with peripheral neuropathy are likely familiar with the frustration of searching for the perfect socks. Seemingly minor elements like seams and loose threads can make a sock not only uncomfortable, but downright dangerous for those who don’t have feeling in their feet. Even among the best socks for neuropathy, the wearer's needs can vary drastically.
I helped my mother navigate her chemo-induced neuropathy and saw the impact that simple socks had on her life. Finding the right socks gave her more comfort, reduced pain, and had a noticeably positive effect on her daily activities.
However, finding these perfect neuropathy socks required lots of trial and error. Because of this, I wanted to help ease the process for anyone else if I could. I combined some of our prior best picks with research from experts and users to find the best socks for neuropathy on the market right now.
Best Diabetic Socks
Pembrook Diabetic Crew Socks
If you’re looking for socks specifically designed with neuropathy in mind, Pembrook Diabetic Socks are one of the best choices available. These socks offer a lightweight, breathable fabric that fits well but doesn’t leave any indents on the legs or feet. Though the socks stay in place for most, they do not add any compression or extra binding that could worsen existing blood circulation issues.
In particular, this is one of the best neuropathy sock options for those who often have swollen legs and feet that want to avoid any extra pressure on already painful areas. They have all the best features of diabetic socks, with a soft and smooth fabric that may feel like you’re not wearing socks at all. They also breathe well, helping your feet stay dry to promote good foot health.
The biggest disadvantage of these socks is their lack of durability compared to others on this list. The soft and breathable fabric lends itself more easily to snagging than tighter knits, and some buyers noticed holes appearing sooner rather than later. However, coming in at roughly $4 a pair, these socks won’t break the bank and still provide the relief you’re after. For most folks, the chance of a shorter lifespan for these socks didn’t outweigh their value and possible health benefits.
Pros
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Non-binding top prevents indents
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Soft, breathable fabric
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Stretchy non-rubbing material, ideal for swollen feet
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Comparatively affordable
Cons
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Plain, mostly neutral color options only
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Not as durable as others on list
Buy now at Amazon
Best Compression Socks
Figs Compression Socks
For some with neuropathy, wearing compression socks is the best way to combat symptoms like swelling and fluid retention. They encourage improved blood flow and help the process along. While we have a whole article on the benefits and best options when it comes to compression socks, our top choice from Figs is worth a second mention.
Compression socks are notorious for being a struggle to pull on, which isn’t a huge shock, considering their primary purpose is to provide the tightness necessary for proper compression. However, for those with neuropathy and/or other conditions like arthritis affecting their hands, this aspect may become especially tricky.
It can also prove a balancing act to slide compression socks over numb feet, as wearers and caregivers must be especially careful not to catch or injure any toes in the process.
Figs compression socks solve this issue while still providing the compression level and comfort you’d expect. Their easy-on-and-off design is well worth the somewhat hefty price of $28 for those who may face dexterity difficulty. Plus, they come in various fun colors and patterns, making the concept of wearing medically necessary socks more fun and less of a chore.
The featured socks are sized for women, but there are Figs for men as well.
Pros
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Easy to pull on
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Soft, breathable fabric
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Heel and toe padding
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Tons of color and pattern options
Cons
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Won’t fit everyone
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Expensive
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Cannot be returned
Buy now at Figs
Best Slipper Socks
Dosoni Winter Fuzzy Slipper Socks
By far, my mother’s favorite neuropathy-friendly footwear were her warm slipper socks, like the Dosoni Slipper Socks. Forget walking on sunshine—for her, it was much preferred to walk on clouds. The fleece lining is comfortable, soft, and it provides much-needed cushioning on painful days.
One of the best features of these Dosoni socks is how warm they keep the wearer. For many, neuropathy is accompanied by chills or cold intolerance, so walking on chilly floors can pose a problem. My mother had an extreme version of this cold sensitivity thanks to her chemo treatments. She found these socks were thick enough to withstand our tile floors in winter without letting the icy sensation leak through to her feet.
The level of foot protection these socks offer is also impressive. On swollen feet days when no other sock would do, my mother would often wear her pair of slipper socks in place of shoes around the house. This involved navigating around our 100-pound puppy, who was notorious for stepping on feet when he got too excited. These socks stopped the worst of any mishap and protected her feet from well-meant but heavy puppy paws while also keeping her toasty warm.
While the Dosonis are technically sized for women, these men’s slipper socks from Simiya offer many of the same benefits.
Pros
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Extra padding from extra-warm fleece lining
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Soft, comfortable inner fabric
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Non-slip soles
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Protect feet when not wearing shoes
Cons
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Not as breathable as many
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Can’t be worn with most shoes
Buy now at Amazon
$16.75 from Walmart
Best Value
Sooverki Knee High Compression Socks
When money is tight, it’s often not feasible to pay $20+ for individual pairs of socks. This is especially true for those who expect to wear neuropathy-friendly socks every day, as these socks can often wear out more quickly than standard socks due to the materials they’re made of.
While the Sooverki Compression Socks aren’t the absolute best socks for neuropathy, they’ll do well for most people in a pinch. Available in sets of three, these socks come in at a little over $4 a pair, making them an affordable alternative to some of the pricier spends out there. Overall, the compression and fit is comfortable for most buyers. However, pay close attention to the seam when you order your first pair, and make sure it isn’t causing any rubbing or blisters on your toes.
One of the reasons this is our top pick for a budget-friendly sock is that returns are easy and encouraged for any customer who isn’t 100% satisfied with their purchase. This means you can order a test set to ensure they fit safely and comfortably, confident that, if they don’t, you can return them and get your money back.
Pros
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Affordable compared to other compression socks
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Good color options (as well as plain white to quickly detect injuries)
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Works for a variety of foot and leg sizes
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Easy returns
Cons
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Seam in toe may rub for some
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Durability isn’t as high as more expensive competitors
Buy now at Amazon
Best Shorter Socks
OrthoSleeve Wellness Care Socks - No Show
Medically designed socks often default to calf-length and thigh-length designs. While these may be necessary for some situations, for hotter months or subtler looks, there are some great shorter sock options out there. The OrthoSleeve Diabetic Wellness Socks are some of our favorites in this category.
Available in crew and no-show varieties, these socks are a great addition to any wardrobe. They provide the comfort you’d hope for in socks designed for neuropathy, without adding the extra heat of their longer cousins. Even better, because they’re specifically made to be moisture wicking, they can keep your feet dry in the hottest of summers, while still offering circulation support and contoured padding to keep your feet healthy.
Pros
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Shorter sock design
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Moisture wicking
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Soft, comfortable, and padded fabric
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Seamless and non-binding
Cons
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Figuring out the correct size can be tricky
Buy now at Amazon
$29.99 from Walmart
How We Evaluated The Best Socks For Neuropathy
The selection of socks featured in this article is based on thorough market research by our experts, who have experience with neuropathy as a caretaker. From reading product reviews on retail sites, we assessed each pair of socks based on factors such as comfort, ease of taking on and off, protective capability, neuropathy-specific features like moisture wicking and anti-slip, as well as price.
In the future we plan to test more neuropathy-friendly socks and assess them in accord with Reviewed standards.
What You Should Know About Buying The Best Socks for Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy manifests in various ways depending on the person and cause, but it often leads to pain, weakness, and/or numbness in the extremities, such as a person’s feet. For those with neuropathy of the feet, extra care must be taken when choosing socks and shoes to make sure they help alleviate symptoms and prevent possible injury.
Each person has different needs and preferences to consider when choosing neuropathy-friendly socks, but these factors are a good place to start when searching for the very best pair:
- Non-elastic tops
- Seamless design
- Soft, smooth inner material
- Cushioning material
- Moisture-wicking/breathable fabric
In addition, if you are shopping for a person who may not reliably check their feet regularly for injuries or other problems, it’s worth prioritizing white neuropathy socks over fun prints. This lets caregivers see any bleeding or injuries immediately, even if the wearer doesn't notice them or communicate them to you.
Do diabetic and compression socks help with neuropathy?
Both diabetic and compression socks can help with neuropathy, but they’re actually designed for opposite purposes. As such, it’s important to understand the difference when making your selection.
Compression socks are designed to increase blood flow by providing a tighter fit to the feet and legs.
On the other hand, diabetic socks are designed to be loose, particularly around the top, where many standard socks have tighter elastic. Diabetic socks aim to prevent interruption of circulation, reduce swelling, and relieve pain by reducing pressure on your feet.
Often you’ll see both diabetic and compressive stockings listed as ideal for neuropathy, which can feel confusing. However, the reason for that is simple: They’re both designed to feature smooth fabrics, prevent rubbing, and promote overall foot health. If you’re not sure which style is best for you, consider talking to your doctor for advice. They’ll be able to help you decide which neuropathy sock best matches your symptoms.
More Articles You Might Enjoy
- The Best Shoes For Neuropathy
- The Best Boots For Neuropathy
- The Best Gloves For Neuropathy
- The Best Non-Slip Shoes
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time. The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.
Meet the tester
Anna Wenner is a freelance writer and photographer with nearly a decade of editorial experience. Anna's work always has one thing in common: helping her readers live safe, fulfilling lives.
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