Quick answer: The best diabetic socks for men have a loose top, a smooth toe, a padded sole and the right size. For work boots, pick a cushioned sock that rises above the boot; for dress shoes, a thinner one. Prices checked October 2026: about $2 to $18 a pair, with Mi Socks at $6.00 a pair in a crew 6-pack.
Disclosure: We make Mi Socks, so weigh our picks accordingly. No brand paid to be here, and there are no affiliate links. Prices were checked October 2026 on each brand's site, or on Amazon and Walmart where noted. Prices change, so check before you buy.
What kind of socks are best for diabetic feet?
There is no official standard for a "diabetic sock," and the advice is the same for men and women. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) describe what to look for:
- Fit: the ADA suggests socks that "fit well and aren't too tight," and NIDDK says to choose "clean, lightly padded socks that fit well."
- Seams: NIDDK says "socks with no seams are best."
- Fabric: the ADA suggests "a synthetic fabric or wool to wick away moisture."
- Color: the ADA suggests white or light-colored socks "to make it easy to spot any bleeding or drainage."
Socks are one part of foot care. The CDC says about half of all people with diabetes have some kind of nerve damage, and advises shoes and socks at all times, never going barefoot, and checking your feet every day, even if they feel fine.
Diabetic socks for men compared (prices checked October 2026)
For each brand we picked its closest men's or unisex everyday sock, worked out the price per pair, and noted its biggest men's size.
| Sock (as sold) | Pairs | Price | Per pair | Main fiber | Biggest men's size listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Scholl's men's non-binding cushioned crew (Amazon) | 6 | $11.23 to $12.98, by color | $1.87 to $2.16 | 98% polyester | Shoe size 13 to 15 |
| Hugh Ugoli unisex cotton diabetic crew | 4 | $19.96 | $4.99 | 80% combed cotton | X-Large |
| Mi Socks 12-pack | 12 | $64.99 crew, $67.99 knee high | $5.42 crew, $5.67 knee high | 80% cotton | XL (see our size chart) |
| Mi Socks 6-pack | 6 | $35.99 crew, $36.99 knee high | $6.00 crew, $6.17 knee high | 80% cotton | XL (see our size chart) |
| Doctor's Choice men's full cushion crew | 4 | $24.99 | $6.25 | Polyester and spandex, no cotton | X-Large |
| Dr. Scholl's diabetic crew, size 13 to 15 (Walmart, Marketplace seller) | 4 | $24.99 | $6.25 | 98% polyester | Shoe size 13 to 15 |
| Orthofeet casual/dress diabetic socks | 3 | $29.99 | $10.00 | Rayon (viscose) blend with cotton | XL, men's 12 to 15 |
| Diabetic Sock Club men's non-binding crew | 3 | $29.99 | $10.00 ($8.33 or $6.25 in sale bundles of 6 or 12) | Cotton (no percentage listed) | X-Large, 12 to 14 |
| Thorlo men's moderate cushion crew | 1 | $17.99 | $17.99 | 83% acrylic | XL (chart tops out at men's 13 to 15) |
Every brand here sells a loose or non-binding top, so price mostly buys fabric, padding and pack size. A week of socks costs about $13 to $15 from Dr. Scholl's and about $126 in Thorlo single pairs, before shipping.
What is the best brand of diabetic socks for men?
No single brand is best for every man. Here is our pick for each need, including where others beat ours.
| If you need | Our pick | Also consider |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest price per pair | Dr. Scholl's 6-pair crew, about $2 a pair | For cotton: Hugh Ugoli's 4-pair crew at $4.99 a pair, Diabetic Sock Club's men's 6-pair Amazon pack at $5.00 a pair, or the Mi Socks 12-pack at $5.42 a pair |
| Work boots and long shifts | Thorlo moderate cushion crew | Doctor's Choice full cushion crew, $6.25 a pair |
| Feet that sweat | Thorlo (acrylic) or Dr. Scholl's (polyester) | Doctor's Choice (no cotton) |
| Dress shoes | Orthofeet casual/dress, sold as a thin sock | Mi Socks All Black 6-pack, if your shoes have room for a cushioned sole |
| Big feet | Thorlo or Dr. Scholl's, both listing men's 13 to 15 | Orthofeet XL, men's 12 to 15 |
| Tall boots | Mi Socks knee high, same single-pair price as crew (packs $1 to $3 more) | Any over-the-calf style with a loose top |
What are the best diabetic socks for work boots?
Boots mean a stiff collar, a toe cap that doesn't stretch, and long hours on hard floors. Look for:
- Height above the boot. The sock should rise above the boot, so the collar presses on fabric, not bare skin. For tall rubber or logger boots, that means a knee high.
- A loose top. A non-binding top doesn't add a second tight band above a laced boot.
- A padded sole. In a small 2005 study in Diabetes Care, 19 people with nerve damage in their feet, 15 of them men, had about 9% lower total in-shoe foot pressure in multilayer padded foot-care socks than in ordinary supermarket socks. The authors said more study was needed. The study did not test Mi Socks or any sock in our table.
- Room for your toes. Safety toe caps don't stretch, so a thick sock can crowd your toes. The ADA suggests about a thumbnail's width between your big toe and the end of the shoe. Try boots on with your socks late in the day, when NIDDK notes feet are largest.
- Fabric for sweat. The ADA warns that extra moisture can lead to skin breakdown and suggests synthetic fabric or wool. Pack a dry spare pair for long shifts.
Two habits from NIDDK: check inside your boots for pebbles before putting them on, and wear new boots for only a few hours at first, then check your feet for sore areas. If a boot leaves a blister or sore that isn't healing after a few days, or skin that turns red, warm or painful, NIDDK says to call your provider right away.
Can you wear diabetic socks with dress shoes?
Yes. Dress shoes fit close, so a thick cushioned sock can make them tight; Orthofeet sells its casual/dress sock as a thin sock for dress, casual and athletic shoes. Most dress socks are also black or navy, while the ADA suggests light colors so bleeding or drainage is easy to spot. If you wear dark socks to work, the evening foot check matters even more. The CDC suggests a mirror for the bottoms of your feet, or asking a family member to help. See why diabetics wear white socks.
What size diabetic socks should men with big feet buy?
Sock sizes are not shoe sizes. Most diabetic socks come in letter sizes that each cover a span of shoe sizes, and the spans differ by brand: Thorlo's and Dr. Scholl's charts go up to men's 15, while Diabetic Sock Club's X-Large stops at 14. Check each brand's chart against your shoe size. If your feet are wide as well as long, see our guide to socks for wide feet.
A sock that's too small pulls tight across your toes; one that's too big bunches inside a boot, and NIDDK warns that with nerve damage you may not know you hurt yourself. Mi Socks come in M, L and XL, and our sock size chart matches each size to men's and women's shoe sizes. More in how diabetic socks should fit.
Should men with diabetes wear compression socks?
Only if a provider suggests it. Diabetic socks are loose by design, and compression socks squeeze on purpose. The ADA says to ask your provider about compression socks or stockings if you have venous insufficiency, swelling in your leg or foot, a history of a blood clot in the leg, or if you walk or stand a lot. That last one covers many men who work on their feet, so ask at your next visit. If your doctor has prescribed compression, keep wearing it. Mi Socks are not compression socks.
Swelling is a reason to see your doctor, not just to change socks. MedlinePlus says to contact your provider right away if a swollen foot or leg is red or warm, or if swelling is new or worse in only one leg.
Where Mi Socks fits
Mi Socks are non-binding comfort socks in crew and knee high, sized for men and women. The loose-knit top stays up without squeezing or leaving deep marks. They have a smooth flat toe seam, a terry-cushioned sole, and a breathable cotton-rich blend of 80% cotton, 13% polyester, 5% rubber and 2% spandex, and they are imported. Crew costs $9.99 for 1 pair, $21.99 for 3, $35.99 for 6 and $64.99 for 12; knee high costs $9.99, $22.99, $36.99 and $67.99. US shipping is free on orders $19 and up, so every pack ships free; a single pair ships for $4.95. Returns are accepted within 15 days. Packs come in All Black, All White, a Classic Mix of black, white and marble grey, or a Prints Mix.
The honest limits: our socks are cotton-rich, not the synthetic or wool fabric the ADA describes, so if your feet sweat heavily in boots, Thorlo or Dr. Scholl's may suit you better. The cushioned sole also makes them thicker than a dress sock.
Most men want 7 to 12 pairs: a clean pair every day, plus spares for sweaty shifts. If our mix suits you, the Mi Socks 6-pack ($6 a pair) covers a six-day work week, and the knee high 6-pack is $1 more for taller boots. See every option in our diabetic socks for men collection.
Frequently asked questions
What do diabetic socks help with?
They are made to be comfortable without squeezing, with a loose top, a smooth toe and padding underfoot. They don't treat diabetes or nerve damage. A 2026 systematic review found the studies of diabetic socks were of poor quality, and that commercial socks advertising new fibers had no trial evidence behind those claims. Think of them as one part of foot care, with daily foot checks and shoes that fit.
Is there a difference between men's and women's diabetic socks?
Mostly size and color. Many diabetic socks are unisex; men's versions often come in bigger sizes and darker colors. Buy by your shoe size on the brand's chart, not by the label on the pack.
Who should not wear diabetic socks?
Most men can. If your doctor prescribed compression stockings, keep wearing those, because diabetic socks don't squeeze. If a doctor or nurse is caring for a sore on your foot, ask them what to wear over the dressing. Mi Socks are 5% rubber, so with a latex allergy, ask your doctor first.
Are cotton diabetic socks OK if my feet sweat?
Cotton is soft and breathes, but it holds moisture, and the ADA suggests synthetic fabric or wool to wick it away. If your feet sweat a lot in boots, pick polyester, acrylic or wool. Whatever the fabric, change into a clean, dry pair every day.
Can men wear diabetic socks to bed?
Yes. NIDDK says to wear socks in bed if your feet get cold, and not to put a hot water bottle or heating pad on your feet. Skip compression socks at night unless your doctor says otherwise.
Does insurance pay for diabetic socks?
Original Medicare doesn't cover socks: Medicare.gov lists therapeutic shoes and inserts under Part B for people with diabetes and severe diabetes-related foot disease, when a doctor certifies the need. Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra benefits, and some include diabetic socks in their over-the-counter catalogs, so check yours. Many HSA, FSA and HRA plans reimburse diabetic socks, but IRS Publication 502 doesn't list socks by name, so your plan decides.
About this guide
Written by the Mi Socks team, prices checked October 12, 2026. We did not use star ratings and did not wear-test other brands. See also the best diabetic socks. Mi Socks are non-compression comfort socks for everyday wear. They are not a medical device and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Check your feet every day, and see your doctor or podiatrist about any cut, blister or sore that isn't healing. See our medical information page.
Sources
- American Diabetes Association. 8 Tips to Protect Your Feet with Diabetes.
- NIDDK. Diabetes & Foot Problems.
- CDC. Diabetes and Your Feet.
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Foot, leg, and ankle swelling.
- Garrow AP, van Schie CH, Boulton AJ. Efficacy of multilayered hosiery in reducing in-shoe plantar foot pressure in high-risk patients with diabetes. Diabetes Care, 2005.
- Venkatraman PD, et al. Diabetic Socks: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Commercially Available Products. Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews, 2026.
- Medicare.gov. Therapeutic shoes & inserts and Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage.
- IRS. Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses.
- Product pages, checked October 12, 2026: Dr. Scholl's men's crew on Amazon, Dr. Scholl's diabetic crew, size 13 to 15, on Walmart, Hugh Ugoli, Doctor's Choice, Orthofeet, Diabetic Sock Club, Thorlo.