Diabetic Socks You'll Actually Love Wearing

A good diabetic sock is mostly about what it doesn't do: it doesn't squeeze, rub or bunch. When you compare pairs, start with these five things.

• Top band. Look for a loose, non-binding top that stays up without digging into your leg. If a sock leaves a deep line by the end of the day, the band is too tight.
• Toe seam. A smooth, flat toe seam lies against your toes instead of forming a ridge you can feel.
• Sole. A cushioned sole adds soft padding under your foot while you walk and stand.
• Fabric. A breathable cotton-rich blend feels soft and is easy to wash. Mi Socks are 80% cotton, 13% polyester, 5% rubber and 2% spandex.
• Fit. Choose your sock size by your usual US shoe size. If you are between sizes, or your feet swell during the day, size up.

Diabetic socks are not compression socks. If your doctor has told you to wear compression stockings, follow that advice. Light colors like white also make it easier to notice a mark on the sock during your daily foot check, which the American Diabetes Association suggests.

Both lengths have the same loose top, smooth toe seam and cushioned sole, and both come in the same M, L and XL sizes. The only difference is how far up your leg they go.

• Crew socks reach mid-calf. They go with sneakers, walking shoes and everyday wear, and they are the easier pair to pull on.
• Knee high socks end just below the knee. They cover more of your leg under pants and add a layer of sock between your leg and a tall boot.

If your calves are wide or your legs feel fuller by the evening, either length can work, because the top band is knit loose instead of tight. Plenty of people keep a few pairs of each: crew for most days and knee high for boots and cooler weather. If bending down is hard, crew socks are quicker to pull on, and a sock aid can help with either length.

Plan on a clean, dry pair every day, and a fresh pair during the day if your socks get damp. If you do laundry once a week, that means at least 7 pairs. Ten to 12 pairs gives you room for wash days, a spare in your bag and a pair to change into after a long walk.

Socks also wear out. Replace a pair when the top band stretches out, the heel gets thin or the cushioning feels flat. Buying a pack is the simple way to keep enough on hand: a 6-pack covers most of a week, and a 12-pack covers almost two weeks between loads of laundry.

Prices vary a lot by brand, fabric and pack size, so compare the price per pair rather than the price of the package. A higher price does not always mean a softer top band or a better fit. Because you wear a clean pair every day and replace them as they wear out, the price per pair adds up over a year. Mi Socks cost the same in Crew and Knee High, and the price per pair drops as the pack gets bigger:

US shipping is free on orders of $19 or more, so every pack ships free. A single pair on its own ships for $4.95. Unworn socks can be returned within 15 days.