Quick answer: The easiest socks to put on have a wide, stretchy opening, a loose top band with no tight elastic ring, a soft knit with some give and a length you can reach, which for most people means crew rather than knee high. Our pick is the Mi Socks Non-Binding Crew Sock, $9.99 a pair, with a loose top band that won't dig in. Size up if you are between sizes, sit down to dress, and if bending is hard, use a sock aid.
For a lot of older adults, socks are the hardest part of getting dressed. Stiff fingers, a sore back or hip, swollen feet or a recent surgery can turn a ten second job into a struggle. A few features make a sock much easier to get on, and a few habits make the job safer. Here is what to look for, how to put socks on with limited reach, and how to help someone else.
What makes a sock easy to put on
- A wide opening and a loose top band. A narrow, tight cuff is the hardest part to stretch over the heel. Look for a top that opens wide and doesn't snap back hard. The NIDDK also advises people with diabetes not to wear tight socks.
- Stretch through the leg and foot. A knit with a little spandex gives as you pull. A sock with no stretch has to be worked on an inch at a time.
- The right size. A sock that is too small fights you the whole way. Choose by your shoe size, and size up if you are between sizes or your feet are bigger by evening. Our sock size chart shows how.
- A length you can manage. Crew socks end at mid-calf, so there is less to pull. Knee high socks cover more of the leg but take more pulling, so make sure the top is loose. See can diabetics wear knee high socks?
- A clear heel. A sock with a shaped heel pocket shows you which way it goes, so it lands right the first time.
- A smooth, soft inside. A flat toe seam and soft fabric mean less tugging and adjusting once the sock is on.
How to put on socks with limited reach or stiff hands
- Sit down. Use a sturdy chair or the edge of a stable bed, never standing on one foot. After hip replacement, MedlinePlus says not to dress standing up.
- Bunch the sock first. Gather or roll the sock down to the heel so you only have to work it over your toes and heel once, then unroll it up the leg.
- Use a sock aid if bending is hard. A sock aid holds the sock open while you slide your foot in and pull it up with the cords. MedlinePlus lists a reacher, a long-handled shoehorn, elastic shoelaces and an aid to help you put on your socks as tools that keep you from bending too much after hip surgery. Our guide to sock aids for the elderly covers the types.
- Pull with your palms. If your fingers are stiff, hook your palms or the heels of your hands inside the top band and pull up evenly on both sides.
- Smooth every wrinkle. A fold under the toes or heel can rub. The NIDDK notes that people who have lost feeling in their feet may not feel a pebble inside a sock or a blister on the foot, so check by look and by hand.
- Follow your surgeon's order of dressing. After hip surgery, MedlinePlus says to put pants, socks or pantyhose on the leg that had surgery first.
Helping someone else put on socks
Let the person do what they can, and hand them the sock already rolled down to the heel. For someone with memory loss, the Alzheimer's Association suggests laying out clothes in the order they go on, handing over one item at a time, and choosing fabrics that are soft and stretchable.
Socks time is also a good time to look at the feet. The NIDDK advises checking feet every day, including between the toes, and using a mirror or a helper if bending is hard. Look for redness, blisters, cuts or marks from the last pair, and tell their doctor about anything that doesn't go away.
Easy-on checklist
| Check | What you want |
|---|---|
| Top band | Opens wide, stays up without squeezing, leaves no deep ring |
| Fabric | Soft, with some stretch |
| Length | Crew for the least pulling; knee high only with a loose top |
| Size | By shoe size; size up when in doubt |
| Inside | Smooth toe seam, no loose threads |
About Mi Socks
We make Mi Socks, so weigh this section accordingly. We don't sell sock aids, but our socks are easy to get on: Mi Socks have a wide, loose top band that stays up without a tight elastic ring, a smooth flat toe seam and a terry-cushioned sole. They come in crew (ends mid-calf) and knee high (just below the knee), in sizes M, L and XL on our sock size chart. The fabric is 80% cotton, 13% polyester, 5% rubber and 2% spandex; ask a doctor first if you have a latex allergy. They are not compression socks and not a medical device.
A single pair is $9.99. Crew packs are $21.99 for 3 pairs ($7.33 a pair), $35.99 for 6 ($6.00 a pair) and $64.99 for 12 ($5.42 a pair); knee high packs cost $1 to $3 more. Orders of $19 or more ship free in the US, so any 2 pairs or more ship free. To return unworn pairs in their original packaging, contact us within 15 days of delivery. Start with crew socks or browse socks for seniors.
Ready to shop? See easy to put on socks.
Frequently asked questions
What socks are easiest for elderly people to put on?
Socks with a wide, stretchy opening, a loose top band without a tight elastic ring, a soft knit with some stretch, and crew length. Choose them by shoe size and size up if you are between sizes.
Are crew or knee high socks easier to put on?
Crew socks, because there is less sock to pull up. Knee high socks work too if the top is loose, but they take more reaching.
How can I put on socks without bending over?
Use a sock aid. You slide the sock onto the aid, drop it to the floor, put your foot in and pull the cords. MedlinePlus recommends a sock aid, a reacher and a long-handled shoehorn after hip surgery.
Should I buy socks a size bigger so they go on easier?
If you are between sizes or your feet are bigger by evening, yes. Don't go so big that the sock bunches under your foot, since wrinkles can rub.
Do loose-top socks stay up?
Many are knit to stay up without a tight ring. If a pair keeps sliding into your shoe, try a smaller size. Read do loose-fitting socks stay up?
Sources
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Taking care of your new hip joint.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Diabetes & Foot Problems.
- Alzheimer's Association. Dressing and Grooming.
Written by the Mi Socks team. Sources checked October 2026. This guide is general information, not medical advice.