Quick answer: Grip socks, also called non-slip or hospital socks, have rubber treads on the sole that grab smooth floors. They're handy for short trips across a bare floor and for hospital stays, but they aren't shoes. MedlinePlus advises well-fitting, low-heeled shoes, noting that rubber soles can help keep you from slipping, and the NIDDK tells people with diabetes not to walk in just socks, even indoors.
Hospitals hand them out, and they're sold everywhere for older adults at home. Grip socks have their place, but they're easy to lean on more than they deserve. Here's what they do well, where they fall short, what health agencies say about footwear, and a safer everyday setup.
What grip socks are
Grip socks are ordinary socks with rubber or silicone dots or treads on the bottom. Some have treads on both sides, so they work no matter how they're pulled on. Hospital versions are often thick, stretchy and sized to fit many feet. Our guide to hospital socks vs diabetic socks compares them in detail.
Where grip socks help
- Short trips across smooth floors such as tile, vinyl or wood, where plain socks slide.
- Hospital and rehab stays, where staff may ask patients to wear them.
- Sitting or lying in bed, when shoes are off but feet still touch the floor now and then.
Where they fall short
- They aren't shoes. There's no support and little protection if you stub a toe or step on something. The NIDDK warns that people with diabetes could step on something and hurt their feet without feeling it.
- Treads wear and collect lint. Worn or dirty treads grip less, and wet floors are slippery in any sock.
- Carpet. Rubber treads can catch on carpet if you shuffle, so lift your feet as you walk.
- Fit. Many grip socks are one size, which can be tight on bigger or swollen feet. The NIDDK advises against tight socks for people with diabetes.
What health agencies say about footwear
- MedlinePlus advises older adults to wear shoes with low heels that fit well, and notes that rubber soles can help keep you from slipping. It also suggests removing loose throw rugs and keeping the path from the bedroom to the bathroom well lit.
- After knee replacement, MedlinePlus advises shoes that fit well and have nonskid soles, and no high heels or slippers while recovering.
- For people with diabetes, the NIDDK advises wearing shoes and socks at all times and not walking barefoot or in just socks, even indoors.
A safer everyday setup
- Comfortable socks that fit without squeezing.
- Well-fitting shoes or sturdy house shoes with low heels and rubber soles, kept by the bed for night trips.
- A clear, well-lit path to the bathroom.
- Grip socks only for short trips or in the hospital, sized so they don't squeeze.
If you're choosing for someone in a care facility, ask the staff what footwear they recommend, and label everything. See gifts for nursing home residents for labeling tips.
About Mi Socks
We make Mi Socks, so weigh this section accordingly. Mi Socks have no grip treads; they're everyday socks meant to be worn with shoes or house shoes. 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. Browse socks for seniors or wide calf socks.
Frequently asked questions
Are grip socks good for elderly people?
For short trips on smooth floors, they're better than plain socks. For walking around the house, well-fitting shoes with rubber soles are the better choice, as MedlinePlus advises.
Are grip socks safer than regular socks?
On smooth floors the treads add grip that plain socks don't have. They still aren't shoes, so they don't protect your feet from bumps or objects on the floor.
Can people with diabetes wear grip socks?
Yes, if they fit without squeezing. But the NIDDK advises people with diabetes not to walk in just socks, even indoors, so wear shoes too.
Should you wear grip socks to bed?
Some people do, so they're ready for night trips to the bathroom. Make sure they aren't tight. The NIDDK suggests wearing socks in bed if your feet get cold.
Sources
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Preventing falls.
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Knee joint replacement, discharge.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Diabetes & Foot Problems.
Written by the Mi Socks team. Sources checked October 2026. This guide is general information, not medical advice.