When I walk into my mat or reformer Pilates class, I always bring a pair of socks to change into. I don’t like to wear my everyday cotton socks for workouts since they tend to slide around in them. Instead, I wear Pilates-specific socks, which typically have grips on the bottom that are designed to keep you from slipping.
And while you can technically do Pilates barefoot (depending on the practice and studio), most teachers require you to wear socks since it’s more sanitary and safer since the grips reduce the risk of injury. Regular cotton socks can get sweaty and move around, which is very dangerous when using any type of machine, according to Bekah Kilisnki , vice president of operations and lead coach at Form50 , a workout studio in New York City and Miami. To help you find the best Pilates socks for you and your practice, I spoke to two experts about what to consider when shopping as well as how to make them last.
SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best Pilates socks | The best Pilates socks | How to care for Pilates socks | Why trust NBC Select? When curating this list, here’s what experts recommended I focus on: The below list is a compilation of expert recommendations, NBC Select-staff favorites and highly rated options that align with experts’ guidance. Best overall: Tavi Savvy Grip Socks Tavi socks keep snug to your foot and last a long time, says Alavi-Parham. These low-rise socks have a compression arch support band, which helps them support your feet and maintai.
