Quick answer: Dr. Scholl's diabetic socks are non-binding, mostly polyester socks with a smooth toe seam, sold in crew, ankle and low-cut styles for about $2 to $2.87 a pair (prices checked October 2026). Mi Socks cost more, $5.42 to $9.99 a pair, but are cotton-rich and come in knee high and prints. On price alone, Dr. Scholl's wins.
Disclosure: We make Mi Socks, so weigh our picks accordingly. We are not connected to Dr. Scholl's, a trademark of its owner. We use only public product facts and say where Dr. Scholl's does better. No brand paid to be here, and there are no affiliate links. Prices checked October 12, 2026; they change often.
What are Dr. Scholl's diabetic socks?
Dr. Scholl's sells its sock range for people with diabetes as the Diabetes & Circulatory line, in men's and women's packs of 4 or 6 pairs. The socks are made under license: the Dr. Scholl's website sends sock shoppers to Loops & Wales, a Renfro Brands store that sells the full range.
That site lists these features for the men's crew:
- A "truly non-binding stay-up comfort top"
- An "Invisiseam ultra smooth, irritation-free toe seam"
- Cushioning "throughout the footbed"
- TempRite technology that "responds to your body temperature"
- 87% recycled polyester, 12% polyester and 1% spandex, Imported
The women's crew is 98% polyester and 2% spandex, and its listing doesn't mention cushioning. The brand says it adds DS Dry yarn to pull moisture away and an odor-control finish.
Dr. Scholl's vs Mi Socks: how do they compare?
The two everyday crew socks side by side, from each brand's published details:
| Feature | Dr. Scholl's Diabetes & Circulatory crew | Mi Socks crew and knee high |
|---|---|---|
| Top band | Non-binding stay-up top | Non-binding, loose-knit top band |
| Toe | Smooth toe seam (Invisiseam) | Smooth flat toe seam |
| Sole | Cushioned footbed (men's); no cushioning listed (women's) | Terry-cushioned sole on every pair |
| Main fiber | Polyester, no cotton | 80% cotton, 13% polyester, 5% rubber, 2% spandex |
| Extras the brand lists | TempRite temperature technology; moisture-wicking yarn and odor control on the women's crew | None |
| Lengths | Crew, ankle, low cut (women's) | Crew and knee high (knee high packs cost $1 to $3 more) |
| Colors | Mostly black and white; a navy mix on Amazon | Black, white and marble grey, plus stars, stripes and polka-dot prints |
| Sizes | Men's 7 to 12 and 13 to 15; women's 4 to 10 and 8 to 12 | M, L and XL (see our sock size chart) |
| Price per pair | About $2 to $2.87 | $5.42 to $9.99 |
| Where to buy | Walmart, Target, Amazon and the Dr. Scholl's socks site | misocks.co |
| Origin | Imported, per the brand's socks site | Imported |
The basic build is similar. The real differences are price, fabric, length and color.
How much do Dr. Scholl's diabetic socks cost?
Dr. Scholl's diabetic socks cost about $11 to $13.50 a pack, or roughly $2 to $2.87 a pair.
| Sock (where sold) | Pairs | Price | Per pair | Shipping (posted terms) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Scholl's men's crew, black (Amazon) | 6 | $11.82 to $12.98 | $1.97 to $2.16 | Amazon's terms |
| Dr. Scholl's men's crew, men's 7 to 12 (Walmart) | 6 | $12.98 | $2.16 | Walmart's terms |
| Dr. Scholl's men's crew, men's 7 to 12 (Dr. Scholl's socks site) | 6 | $13.25 | $2.21 | Free on orders $50 and up |
| Dr. Scholl's men's crew, men's 13 to 15 (Dr. Scholl's socks site) | 6 | $13.49 | $2.25 | Free on orders $50 and up |
| Dr. Scholl's women's crew (Dr. Scholl's socks site) | 4 | $10.99 to $11.49, by size | $2.75 to $2.87 | Free on orders $50 and up |
| Mi Socks 12-pack | 12 | $64.99 crew, $67.99 knee high | $5.42 crew, $5.67 knee high | Free on orders $19 and up |
| Mi Socks 6-pack | 6 | $35.99 crew, $36.99 knee high | $6.00 crew, $6.17 knee high | Free on orders $19 and up |
| Mi Socks single pair | 1 | $9.99 | $9.99 | $4.95 |
Six pairs of Dr. Scholl's cost about $13; six pairs of Mi Socks crew socks cost $35.99. If the lowest price per pair matters most, Dr. Scholl's is the better buy. For more brands, see our diabetic sock price guide. MediPeds, another mostly polyester brand, costs about the same, $2.38 to $2.56 a pair in Amazon 8-packs; see our MediPeds diabetic socks comparison.
Are Dr. Scholl's diabetic socks cotton?
No. The Dr. Scholl's crew socks we checked are almost all polyester, with a little spandex and no cotton. Mi Socks are the opposite: 80% cotton.
Which is better depends on your feet. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) suggests socks "made of a synthetic fabric or wool to wick away moisture." Polyester is a synthetic, so Dr. Scholl's is the closer match to that advice. If your feet sweat a lot, that counts in its favor.
Cotton feels soft and breathes, and some people prefer it next to their skin. It holds more moisture than polyester, so whichever you choose, change into a clean, dry pair every day. A 2026 systematic review found that the blend of fibers and the way a sock is knit both affect how it performs.
Is there a difference between diabetic socks and compression socks?
Yes. Diabetic socks, including the Dr. Scholl's Diabetes & Circulatory crew and Mi Socks, have loose tops that aren't meant to squeeze. NIDDK advises, "Do not wear tight socks or elastic stockings." Compression socks squeeze the leg on purpose, and the ADA says to ask your provider about compression socks or stockings.
One thing to watch with Dr. Scholl's: not every sock under the name is non-binding. The brand also sells graduated compression knee highs, and Medline lists a Dr. Scholl's diabetic crew sock with mild compression, so read the package, and wear compression only if your doctor advises it. Mi Socks are non-compression in every style. For more, see diabetic socks vs compression socks.
Do diabetic socks really work?
They do what they're built to do: stay up without squeezing, keep a rough seam off your toes and add some padding. Bigger promises have little research behind them, for any brand.
The 2026 systematic review in Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews looked at 17 commercially available diabetic socks, Dr. Scholl's among them. It concluded that evidence on diabetic socks "is limited" and that most companies' claims were not backed by research. That finding covers the whole category, and it applies to us too: Mi Socks have not been studied.
The ADA and NIDDK describe socks that fit well, aren't tight and are clean every day. The CDC says about half of all people with diabetes have some kind of nerve damage, and it advises checking your feet every day. That habit matters more than any sock.
Which should you pick, Dr. Scholl's or Mi Socks?
Pick by what matters most to you.
| If you want | Better pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The lowest price per pair | Dr. Scholl's | About $2 to $2.25 a pair in a 6-pack, versus $5.42 for our crew 12-pack |
| A synthetic sock for feet that sweat | Dr. Scholl's | Polyester, the closer match to the ADA's fabric advice |
| Ankle or low-cut socks | Dr. Scholl's | We make crew and knee high only |
| A longer return window | Dr. Scholl's socks site | 45 days from purchase, versus our 15 days from delivery |
| A non-binding knee high | Mi Socks | Same single-pair price as our crew (packs $1 to $3 more), in M, L and XL. Dr. Scholl's diabetes line has no knee high; its Blister Guard ones come in one size each |
| The feel of cotton | Mi Socks | 80% cotton, versus no cotton |
| Prints and colors | Mi Socks | Stars, stripes and polka dots, plus white and marble grey |
| Free shipping on a small order | Mi Socks | Free on orders $19 and up, versus $50 on the Dr. Scholl's socks site (Amazon and Walmart set their own terms) |
If you're happy with Dr. Scholl's, there's no reason to switch. Mi Socks make the most sense if you want a knee high, a cotton-rich sock or something more cheerful than plain black and white.
Where can you buy Dr. Scholl's diabetic socks?
In October 2026 we found them at Amazon, Walmart, Target, Medline and the brand's own socks site, Loops & Wales, which had the clearest size and fiber details. Fiber blends vary a little by pack, so check the label. For store brands, Dollar Tree and other places to buy, see our guide on where to buy diabetic socks.
Where Mi Socks fits
Mi Socks are non-binding comfort socks in crew and knee high, with a loose-knit top band that stays up without squeezing, a smooth flat toe seam, a terry-cushioned sole and a breathable cotton-rich blend. 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. Shipping is free in the US on orders $19 and up, so every pack ships free; a single pair ships for $4.95. You can ask for a return within 15 days of delivery.
The honest limits: we cost more per pair, and we don't make ankle socks. If that works for you, the Mi Socks 6-pack ($6 a pair) covers most of a week between laundry days. Shopping for a man? Browse our diabetic socks for men.
Frequently asked questions
Are Dr. Scholl's diabetic socks good for big feet?
Dr. Scholl's sells its men's crew and ankle packs in a 13 to 15 size, and Walmart lists a Dr. Scholl's big and tall crew pack. Our guide to the best diabetic socks for men compares other brands' biggest sizes. Mi Socks come in M, L and XL. Check our sock size chart before you order, and if you're between sizes, size up.
Does Dr. Scholl's make diabetic knee high socks?
Not in its diabetes line, which had crew, ankle and low-cut styles on its socks site in October 2026. Its Blister Guard line has two non-binding options: a men's over-the-calf 3-pack for $13.25 (men's 7 to 12) and a women's knee high 2-pack for $11.99 (women's 4 to 10). Most of its other knee highs are graduated compression socks, a different kind of sock to wear only if your doctor advises it. Mi Socks knee highs are non-compression. A single pair costs the same as our crew, and knee high packs cost $1 to $3 more.
Who should not wear diabetic socks?
Most people can wear them every day. The main exception: if your doctor has prescribed compression stockings, for example for swelling or vein problems, keep wearing those, because non-binding socks don't squeeze. The ADA says to ask your provider about compression socks or stockings if you have vein problems such as varicose veins, swelling in your leg or foot, or a history of blood clots in a deep vein. If your legs or feet swell for no clear reason, or the swelling comes with pain, redness or warmth, see your doctor.
How long should you wear diabetic socks?
All day, any time you wear shoes. NIDDK says to "wear shoes and socks at all times" and to choose clean socks that fit well, so put on a fresh pair every day.
What are three things you should never do with diabetic feet?
NIDDK lists several. Don't walk barefoot or in just socks, even indoors. Don't put a hot water bottle or heating pad on your feet. And don't cut corns or calluses yourself, or use over-the-counter removal products. Check your feet every day. NIDDK says to call your doctor right away about a cut, blister or bruise that doesn't start to heal after a few days, or skin on your foot that turns red, warm or painful.
What's the best brand of diabetic socks?
No study we found shows one brand works better than another; the 2026 review called the research limited. Look for what the ADA and NIDDK describe: a top that isn't tight, a smooth toe, light padding, a light color for easier foot checks and the right size. Then compare price per pair. For more brands, see our best diabetic socks comparison.
About this guide
Written by the Mi Socks team. We checked prices, fiber and sizes on October 12, 2026, with no coupons or subscriptions. We did not use star ratings or wear-test other brands. 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.
- Venkatraman PD, et al. Diabetic Socks: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Commercially Available Products. Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews, 2026;42(2):e70138.
- Dr. Scholl's. Shoes and Socks, Licensed Products.
- Dr. Scholl's product pages, checked October 12, 2026: Loops & Wales men's crew 6-pack, women's crew 4-pack, all Dr. Scholl's styles and returns; Amazon; Walmart; Medline.