Outdoors & Fitness
The Best Grip Socks for Pilates and Barre: 4 Compared (and One to Skip)
We compared four grip socks on grip design, fibre blend, sizing, toe style, care instructions and returns.
The short version
The Arebesk Classic Women's Crew Grip Sock is the pick: 80% cotton and 20% spandex, a patented grip with extra silicone on the ball and heel where you push hardest, four sizes with a published US and EU shoe-size chart, and a wash bag included. The Pointe Studio Happy Full Foot Grip Sock is the second buy, with a cotton, nylon and spandex blend, a cushioned terry footbed, compression arch support and sizes up to a women's 13. The ToeSox Full Toe Bellarina suits people who like a five-toe sock, with GOTS organic cotton and a Mary Jane cutout, but only two sizes. Skip the Sticky Be Socks Be Strong Grip Socks: the product page lists mantras and a short description but no fibre content and no size chart. Best for: Pilates, barre and yoga regulars.
Our picks at a glance
- Arebesk Classic Women's Crew Grip Sock - Buy. A cotton-rich crew grip sock with extra silicone on the ball and heel and a published size chart.
- Pointe Studio Happy Full Foot Grip Sock - Buy. A cushioned full-foot grip sock with arch compression and the widest size range here.
- ToeSox Full Toe Bellarina Grip Socks - It depends. A five-toe, Mary Jane grip sock in organic cotton, which is either the ideal fit or an acquired taste.
- Sticky Be Socks Be Strong Grip Socks - Skip. A mantra-printed grip sock sold on inspiration, with no fibre content or size chart on the page.
The verdict in 30 seconds
What mattered most
- Fibre blend
- Grip design
- Toe style
- Height
- Support features
- Sizes
Grip socks have gone from a studio requirement to a fast-growing fitness category, driven by the reformer Pilates boom. Most studios require them for hygiene and safety, and the differences between pairs are practical: where the silicone grip sits, what the sock is made of, whether it has a five-toe or closed-toe design, and whether the sizing matches your foot. Some brands publish all of that, and some publish only a slogan. We compared four popular grip socks.
A cotton-rich crew grip sock with extra silicone on the ball and heel and a published size chart.
Best for: Reformer and barre regulars who want the grip exactly where they push.
- A patented grip design with extra silicone on the high-contact areas, the ball and the heel of the foot.
- 80% cotton and 20% spandex, in four sizes from XSmall to Large, with a chart mapping Small to US women's 6 to 8 and Medium to 8.5 to 10.5.
- Every pair comes with a signature wash bag that Arebesk says helps preserve the sock and the silicone.
- Large tops out at a US women's 12.
- No arch support or cushioning is described.
- Return terms are on a separate policy page rather than the product page.
- Crew height is warmer than an ankle sock in a hot studio.
A cushioned full-foot grip sock with arch compression and the widest size range here.
Best for: Longer classes, larger feet and anyone who likes some cushioning underfoot.
- 55% cotton, 40% nylon and 5% spandex, with combed cotton, a cushioned terry footbed and moisture wicking.
- Compression arch support and a full-foot grip, with a ruffle cuff.
- Three sizes covering US 5 to 13, with clear advice to size up if you are between sizes.
- Returns are limited to 14 days and only for unworn, unwashed pairs with tags.
- Pointe Studio recommends a warm delicate wash, and line or low-heat drying, so care is a little fussier.
- The snug, supportive fit may feel tight to some until it stretches with wear.
- The happy-face motif will not suit everyone.
A five-toe, Mary Jane grip sock in organic cotton, which is either the ideal fit or an acquired taste.
Best for: People who already like toe socks, or who want toes to spread on the reformer.
- A five-toe design that lets toes spread naturally, with a raised heel tab to protect the Achilles.
- 80% GOTS certified organic cotton, 16% polyester and 4% elastane, with a patented non-slip grip sole and an arch support band.
- Strategic cutouts in a Mary Jane style for breathability, and a fitted heel to stop bunching and twisting.
- Only two sizes, Small for US 6 to 8 and Medium for 8.5 to 10.5.
- Five-toe socks take longer to put on and do not suit everyone's toes.
- The cutouts leave more of the foot exposed than a closed sock.
- Returns are not described on the product page.
A mantra-printed grip sock sold on inspiration, with no fibre content or size chart on the page.
Best for: Gift buyers who care more about the message than the specification.
- A full-toe, short crew design with a non-slip grip sole.
- Printed with a daily mantra, which some people genuinely enjoy.
- Sold in a wide range of designs and in men's, kids' and baby versions.
- The product page lists no fibre content.
- No size chart or shoe-size mapping appears on the product page.
- No description of where the grip is placed or how it is made.
- No care or warranty information is given on the product page.
| Criteria | Classic Women's Crew Grip Sock Top pick | Happy Full Foot Grip Sock | Full Toe Bellarina Grip Socks | Be Strong Grip Socks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Buy it | Buy it | It depends | Skip it |
| Best for | Reformer and barre regulars who want the grip exactly where they push. | Longer classes, larger feet and anyone who likes some cushioning underfoot. | People who already like toe socks, or who want toes to spread on the reformer. | Gift buyers who care more about the message than the specification. |
| Price tier | $ · budget | $ · budget | $$ · mid-range | $ · budget |
| Fibre blend | 80% cotton, 20% spandex | 55% cotton, 40% nylon, 5% spandex | 80% organic cotton, 16% polyester, 4% elastane | Not published |
| Grip design | Patented grip, extra silicone at ball and heel | Full-foot grip | Patented non-slip grip sole | Non-slip grip sole, placement not described |
| Toe style | Closed toe | Closed toe | Five-toe | Full toe |
| Height | Crew | Low, with ruffle cuff | Low, Mary Jane cutouts | Short crew |
| Support features | None described | Compression arch, cushioned terry footbed | Arch support band, raised heel tab | None described |
| Sizes | XS, S, M, L (to US 12) | S/M, M/L, L/XL (US 5 to 13) | S, M (US 6 to 10.5) | No size chart on page |
| Care | Wash bag included | Warm delicate wash, line or low heat | Gentle wash inside out, line or low heat | Not stated |
| Returns | Policy page | 14 days, unworn with tags | Not stated on the product page | Not stated on the product page |
Which one is right for you?
- Reformer and barre regulars who want the grip exactly where they push. Buy it Arebesk Classic Women's Crew Grip Sock
- Longer classes, larger feet and anyone who likes some cushioning underfoot. Buy it Pointe Studio Happy Full Foot Grip Sock
- People who already like toe socks, or who want toes to spread on the reformer. It depends ToeSox Full Toe Bellarina Grip Socks
- Gift buyers who care more about the message than the specification. Skip it Sticky Be Socks Be Strong Grip Socks
How we judged the field
Five things decide whether a grip sock works on the reformer. The first is grip design: where the silicone sits and how much of the sole it covers. The second is fibre blend, which decides comfort, stretch and durability. The third is fit and sizing, because a sock that twists moves the grip away from where you need it. The fourth is toe style and height, from five-toe to closed-toe and from low to crew. The fifth is care and returns, since silicone grips wear out if washed badly and sizing is hard to judge online.
The field splits between targeted-grip crew socks, cushioned full-foot socks, five-toe socks and fashion-first socks sold on prints and messages. We took one of each and judged them on what each maker actually publishes.
The Arebesk Classic Women’s Crew Grip Sock is the pick because it puts the grip where it counts. Arebesk describes a patented grip design with extra silicone on the high-contact areas, the ball and the heel, which are exactly where you push on a footbar or hold a barre position. The sock is 80% cotton and 20% spandex, so it stretches for a snug fit without feeling synthetic, and it comes in four sizes with a chart mapping Small to US women’s 6 to 8 and Medium to 8.5 to 10.5, with EU equivalents. Each pair includes a signature wash bag that Arebesk says protects the sock and the silicone. The limitations are minor: Large tops out at a US women’s 12, there is no arch support or cushioning, the crew height is warm in hot studios, and returns are on a separate policy page. For grip where you need it and clear sizing, it is the one to buy.
The Pointe Studio Happy Full Foot Grip Sock is the more cushioned alternative. It is 55% cotton, 40% nylon and 5% spandex, with combed cotton, moisture wicking and a cushioned terry footbed, plus compression arch support and a full-foot grip. Pointe Studio publishes three sizes covering US 5 to 13, the widest range here, and advises sizing up if you are between sizes or want a relaxed fit, noting the sock will stretch slightly with wear. Care is a warm, delicate machine wash inside out, with line drying or low heat. The trade-offs: returns are limited to 14 days and only for unworn, unwashed pairs with tags, and final sale items cannot be returned. The snug fit takes a few wears to settle, and the smiley motif is a matter of taste. For longer classes and larger feet, it is excellent.
The ToeSox Full Toe Bellarina is the specialist choice. Its five-toe design lets toes spread and move naturally, which many Pilates and barre regulars prefer, and it adds a raised heel tab to protect the Achilles, a patented non-slip grip sole, an arch support band and a fitted heel that stops bunching and twisting. The fabric is 80% GOTS certified organic cotton with 16% polyester and 4% elastane, and the Mary Jane style has strategic cutouts for breathability. Care is a gentle machine wash inside out, with line drying or low heat. The drawbacks are the flip side of the design. Only two sizes are offered, Small for US 6 to 8 and Medium for 8.5 to 10.5. Five-toe socks take longer to put on and do not suit every foot, and the cutouts leave more skin exposed. If you like toe socks, it is a lovely pair.
The Sticky Be Socks Be Strong Grip Socks are sold on a feeling rather than a specification. The product page describes non-slip grip socks with inspirational daily mantras, a full-toe, short crew design and a sticky bottom for barre, Pilates and weekends at home, and the brand sells many prints plus men’s, kids’ and baby versions. What the page does not give is the information you need to choose a pair: no fibre content, no size chart or shoe-size mapping, no description of where or how the grip is applied, and no care or warranty details. That may be a website gap rather than a product flaw, but grip socks are a fit-dependent product, and buying without a size chart is guesswork. The three socks above publish their blends, their sizing and their care, and they are easier to buy with confidence.
Arebesk Classic Women’s Crew Grip Sock vs Pointe Studio Happy Full Foot Grip Sock: which should you buy?
Arebesk and Pointe Studio are the two to choose between, and the split is targeted grip against cushioning. Arebesk concentrates extra silicone on the ball and heel, uses a cotton-rich blend and includes a wash bag. It suits people who want a secure, precise grip on the footbar and carriage.
Pointe Studio adds a cushioned terry footbed and compression arch support, uses nylon for durability and offers sizes up to a US 13. It suits longer classes, larger feet and people who like more structure. If grip precision is your priority, buy Arebesk. If comfort over a long session matters more, buy Pointe Studio.
What to look for
- Check where the grip sits: the ball and heel matter most on a reformer.
- Read the fibre blend: cotton for comfort, nylon for durability, spandex for stretch.
- Use the size chart: a sock that twists moves the grip away from your contact points.
- Decide on toe style before you buy: five-toe socks feel very different from closed-toe ones.
- Follow gentle care: heat and fabric softener wear down silicone grips.
- Check returns before buying: fit is hard to judge online and some brands limit returns.
Our final take
Grip socks are a small purchase you use constantly, so fit and grip placement matter more than prints. Arebesk is the pick for its targeted ball-and-heel silicone, cotton-rich blend, size chart and included wash bag. Pointe Studio is the cushioned alternative with arch compression and the widest size range. ToeSox is the choice for five-toe fans who want organic cotton. Sticky Be’s mantra socks may be fine on the foot, but a grip sock page with no fibre content and no size chart leaves you guessing.
Questions, answered
Why do Pilates studios require grip socks?
For hygiene and safety. Shared reformers and mats are cleaner when people are not barefoot, and silicone grips reduce slipping on the carriage, footbar and floor. Many studios will sell you a pair at the desk, but buying your own lets you choose the fit and the grip style.
Toe socks or closed-toe grip socks?
It is mostly preference. Five-toe socks, like ToeSox, let toes spread and grip individually, and many dancers and Pilates regulars love them. Closed-toe socks are quicker to put on and feel like normal socks. If you have never tried toe socks, a closed-toe pair is the safer first buy.
Where should the grip be?
Under the parts of the foot that push hardest: the ball and the heel. Arebesk adds extra silicone in exactly those areas, while full-foot grips, like Pointe Studio's, cover the whole sole. Both work; targeted grips feel less sticky when walking between stations.
How do I wash grip socks without ruining the grip?
Turn them inside out, use a gentle cycle and avoid high heat, which can degrade silicone. ToeSox and Pointe Studio both recommend line drying or low heat. Arebesk includes a wash bag to protect the grips. Skip fabric softener, which can leave a coating that reduces grip.
What size grip sock should I buy?
Use the maker's chart and your shoe size, because a sock that is too big twists and a sock that is too small pulls the grip off-centre. Pointe Studio recommends sizing up if you are between sizes. If a brand publishes no size chart, as with the Sticky Be pair we checked, you are guessing.
Deciding between the top two? See our head-to-head: Arebesk Classic Women's Crew Grip Sock vs Pointe Studio Happy Full Foot Grip Sock.
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