Quick answer: Hospital socks are grip socks with rubber dots on the sole, handed out for traction on hospital floors, but reviews of the research call the evidence mixed and favor well-fitting shoes. Diabetic socks are built for fit, with a loose top, a smooth toe and a cushioned sole but no grip, so wear them with non-skid shoes or slippers. Keep grip socks for short trips when shoes aren't practical.
If you or a parent came home from a hospital stay with a pair of grippy socks, you may wonder whether to keep wearing them. Here is what hospital socks are for, what the research says, how they compare with diabetic socks, and the simple steps that make home safer.
What are hospital socks, and why do hospitals use them?
Hospital socks go by many names: grip socks, non-slip socks, anti-slip socks, slipper socks and traction socks. They are soft socks with rubber or silicone dots or treads on the sole, and some have treads on both sides so the grip stays underfoot if the sock twists.
Hospitals use them because falls on the ward are common and can be serious. AHRQ's patient safety primer on falls cites estimates that 700,000 to 1 million hospitalized patients fall each year, and says more than one-third of in-hospital falls result in injury. Providing safe footwear, not just advice about it, is one of the parts of successful hospital fall programs that the primer lists.
Some hospitals also use sock color as a signal. In one NHS trust's scheme, patients who are prone to falling get yellow socks and a yellow blanket, so staff can spot who needs help getting up, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton explains. Colors vary by hospital, so ask the staff what yours mean.
Do non-slip hospital socks work?
The evidence is mixed, and the reviews lean toward shoes.
- A 2017 literature review of six studies, in Geriatric Nursing, called the evidence for non-slip socks in hospitals inconclusive. The authors said the socks lack the qualities of proper footwear and could spread germs, and called a patient's own footwear from home the safest option.
- A 2021 rapid review of 14 articles, in the International Journal for Quality in Health Care, found that most hospital studies had negative or unclear results and a high risk of bias. Two lab tests found traction socks no safer than bare feet, and lab studies showed bacteria can sometimes be picked up from the socks. The authors found no strong evidence that the socks reduce hospital falls.
- A 2021 systematic review of seven studies, published in French in Recherche en soins infirmiers, was more hopeful: it found fewer repeat falls with non-slip socks. Even so, its authors still named footwear judged safe as the top choice.
So think of grip socks as a backup for a short trip to the bathroom, not a replacement for shoes. The same AHRQ primer notes that evidence on specific hospital fall programs has been mixed, which is why hospitals combine several steps.
How are diabetic socks different from hospital socks?
They do different jobs. A grip sock is about traction. A diabetic sock is about fit: the ADA suggests socks that fit well and aren't too tight, have some padding, and come in white or light colors so bleeding or drainage is easy to spot.
| What to compare | Hospital grip socks | Diabetic socks |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Some grip on smooth floors | Comfort without squeezing |
| Sole | Rubber or silicone dots or treads | Smooth, often cushioned, no grip |
| Top band | Varies by brand; some are snug | Loose and non-binding |
| Best use | Short trips when shoes aren't practical | All day inside shoes, and in bed if your feet get cold |
| Walking | Some grip, but not a shoe | Wear with non-skid shoes or slippers |
A diabetic sock is the better fit when:
- Your feet or ankles swell. A loose top leaves room, while a snug cuff can dig into puffy skin.
- Your feet are numb. NIDDK explains that diabetes can make you lose feeling in your feet, so you may not feel a tight band or a fold in the sock.
- You wear socks all day. Inside a shoe, a smooth toe and a cushioned sole matter more than grip dots.
Our guide to what diabetic socks are covers the features in more detail.
Can you wear grip socks and diabetic socks together?
Yes, but you rarely need to layer them. For walking, the simplest way to get both fit and grip is a diabetic sock inside a non-skid shoe or slipper. NIDDK says to wear shoes and socks at all times and not to walk barefoot or in just socks, even indoors, and the NHS suggests shoes or slippers that fit well, don't slip off and have a good grip.
If you do pull a grip sock over another sock, make sure both tops are loose and nothing bunches under your foot. With numb feet, look at your skin for marks or red spots when the socks come off. In the hospital, follow the staff's instructions, and ask whether you can wear your own well-fitting shoes or slippers, which the 2017 review called the safest choice.
Where Mi Socks fit in. We make Mi Socks, so weigh this part accordingly. Mi Socks have no grip dots. They are non-binding diabetic socks with a wide, loose top band that stays up without a tight elastic ring, a smooth flat toe seam and a terry-cushioned sole, in 80% cotton, 13% polyester, 5% rubber and 2% spandex. They are not compression socks or a medical device, and for walking they belong inside shoes or non-skid slippers. Choose crew or knee high in sizes M, L and XL, in solids and prints. One pair is $9.99, and a crew 6-pack is $35.99, or $6.00 a pair. US orders of $19 or more ship free, and unworn, unwashed pairs can be returned within 15 days. See our socks for seniors.
What are the best non slip socks for elderly people with swollen feet?
If you buy non slip or anti slip socks for elderly parents, or for yourself, check these things:
- A loose, wide top that doesn't leave a deep groove on puffy ankles. If it does, size up or choose a looser style.
- The right size. A sock that is too big can twist, which moves the grip off the bottom of your foot, and one that is too small squeezes. Our sock size chart shows how we size ours.
- Treads across the sole, or on both sides, so some grip stays underfoot.
- Dots that still grip. Check the sole after washing, and replace pairs whose treads have worn smooth.
For walking, swollen feet usually do better in shoes. The NHS suggests wide, comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole when your feet swell, and MedlinePlus advises shoes with low heels that fit well, and notes that rubber soles can help keep you from slipping. For wide feet, see our guide to socks for wide feet, and for sock picks, the best socks for swollen feet.
How can older adults stay safe from falls at home?
More than one out of four older people falls each year, but less than half tell their doctor, according to the CDC. Its fall safety steps include:
- asking your doctor to check your risk for falling
- having a doctor or pharmacist review medicines that can make you dizzy or drowsy
- having your eyes checked at least once a year
- doing exercises that make your legs stronger and improve your balance
- getting rid of things you could trip over, adding grab bars by the tub, shower and toilet, putting railings on both sides of stairs, and adding brighter lights
MedlinePlus adds good lighting on the path from the bedroom to the bathroom, and going slowly when you stand up. If putting on socks means bending too far, a sock aid can help; see our guide to sock aids for elderly adults. For everyday sock picks, see the best socks for seniors.
When should you see your doctor about falls or swollen feet?
- Call 911 if someone has fallen and may have hurt their head, neck, back or hip, or can't get up (NHS).
- Tell your doctor about any fall or near fall. MedlinePlus says to contact your provider if you have fallen or almost fallen.
- Contact your doctor right away about new or worse swelling in only one leg, or a swollen leg that is red or warm (MedlinePlus).
- Ask for an urgent appointment if you have diabetes and your feet, ankles or legs are swollen (NHS).
- Call your health care provider right away about a cut, blister or bruise on your foot that doesn't start to heal after a few days (NIDDK).
Frequently asked questions
Can you buy hospital socks to wear at home?
Yes. Grip socks are sold for home use. Use them for short trips when shoes aren't handy, and wear shoes or non-skid slippers for walking around the house.
Are grip socks OK for people with diabetes?
As a backup, if the top is loose and the size is right. NIDDK says to wear shoes and socks at all times, so don't rely on grip socks for walking, and check your feet every day.
Sources
- AHRQ Patient Safety Network. Falls (patient safety primer).
- Hartung B, Lalonde M. Non-slip socks and falls among hospitalized older adults: a literature review. Geriatric Nursing, 2017;38(5):412-416.
- Jazayeri D, et al. Benefits and risks of non-slip socks in hospitals: a rapid review. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 2021;33(2):mzab057.
- Pelliard T, Brika M, Rulleau T. Non-slip socks for frail older adults in short-stay hospital care: a systematic review (in French). Recherche en soins infirmiers, 2021;146(3):60-73.
- University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust. Think Yellow trial aims to support patients at risk of falls. August 2022.
- CDC. Facts About Older Adult Falls; Preventing Falls and Hip Fractures.
- MedlinePlus. Preventing falls; Foot, leg, and ankle swelling.
- NHS. Falls; Swollen ankles, feet and legs (oedema).
- NIDDK. Diabetes & Foot Problems.
- American Diabetes Association. 8 Tips to Protect Your Feet with Diabetes.
Written by the Mi Socks team. Sources checked October 2026. This guide is general information, not medical advice.