Are luxury Pilates socks worth the money?

By Ragan Mills, founder of Bodynam

Luxury Pilates socks are worth the money when the extra cost buys better grip coverage, a fit that stays put and construction that holds up wash after wash. If you're mostly paying for a logo or a print, a well-made studio basic will serve you just as well.

Here's how to tell which is which before you check out.

What you're paying for in a premium grip sock

Grip coverage. This is the biggest functional difference. Most grip socks stop short of the toes and the heel. A pair built for the reformer should carry grip to the parts of your foot that meet the footbar.

Fit and shaping. Sizing by shoe size, a shaped heel and a cuff that stays up without pinching all take more work to make. They're also what keep the grip where it belongs.

How the grip is laid down. Silicone in a considered pattern feels better underfoot than grip added as an afterthought. Turn the sock over and look closely.

Fabric and finish. Think of a soft, breathable knit, a clean toe seam and colors that don't fade to a muddy grey. You notice these details every time you put the pair on.

Design you'll actually wear. Grip socks spend a lot of time on view: in class, at the café after, in your bag. Wanting a pair that looks considered is a reasonable thing to pay for, as long as it isn't the only thing you're paying for.

What isn't worth paying extra for

• A logo alone. A familiar name on a basic sock is still a basic sock.
• Features you won't use. Straps, mesh and cut-outs are lovely if they suit your practice. If they don't, they're just more to fuss with.
• Big claims with nothing behind them. Words like "pro" or "advanced" tell you nothing. Look for specifics: where the grip is, how the sock is sized and how to care for it.

How to judge a pair in your first class

The real test happens on the reformer. In your first class, pay attention to:

1. Footwork on the heels. Does your heel stay planted on the bar, or does it want to roll?
2. Relevé. Do the toes and the ball of the foot feel secure?
3. Standing work. Does the sock stay in place when you lunge or pivot?
4. The end of class. Is the cuff still where it started? Has the sock twisted?

Then wash the pair as the care label says and wear it again. A pair worth the money feels the same in its tenth class as it did in its first.

Premium pairs and multipacks can both make sense

Multipacks are a sensible way to start. If you're trying Pilates for the first time, or you want spares to keep in the car, inexpensive pairs do the job.

A premium pair makes more sense once you're in class regularly. By then you know where other socks have let you down, and you want one or two pairs you'll reach for every time. Many regulars end up with both: a couple of favorites for class and a few spares in a drawer.

How many pairs you need

If you take one or two classes a week, two pairs is a comfortable rotation. Each pair gets time to air dry fully between wears, which is kinder to the grip. If you're in the studio most days, three or more means you're never washing on a deadline.

Where Bodynam fits

Bodynam is a premium grip sock made with the reformer in mind. Every pair has an elevated heel and full heel-to-toe silicone, so you stay planted from the first roll-down to the last.

• The Ankle, $24.
• The Crew, $26.

We keep the range focused: the same grip in an ankle and a crew height, with current shades shown on each product page. Shop on bodynam.com or Amazon. Shipping is complimentary over $40.

The only real proof is how a sock feels on the carriage, so we stand behind it. Grip it or send it back. 30 days. You cover return postage.

FAQ

Are expensive grip socks better than inexpensive ones? Not automatically. A higher price is worth paying when it buys grip coverage, fit and durability. Check where the grip sits and how the sock is sized before you decide.

How long should a premium grip sock last? It depends on how often you wear and wash it. Washing cold, turning socks inside out and air drying all help. Retire a pair when the grip looks smooth or starts to lift.

Can I return grip socks if they don't work for me? Policies vary by brand, so check before you buy. At Bodynam: Grip it or send it back. 30 days. You cover return postage.

Do premium grip socks work for barre and yoga too? Yes. A sock with full heel-to-toe grip works on a mat or studio floor as well as on a reformer.

What's the difference between The Ankle and The Crew? Height. Both have an elevated heel and full heel-to-toe silicone. The Ankle is $24 and The Crew is $26.

Keep reading

• What grip socks do Pilates instructors recommend?
• Which grip socks have the best grip on a reformer?
• The best grip socks for reformer Pilates: what to look for

About the author

Ragan Mills is the founder of Bodynam.