11 Best No-Show Socks That Actually Stay in Place
That's right: These top-tested picks won't slide down into your shoes.
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There's nothing worse than a no-show sock that continues to slip off your feet, even after countless adjustments throughout the day. But nothing ruins the look of cute, white sneakers or flats like ugly, bulky socks. While you've considered going sockless, the potential for painful blisters and smelly feet is far from appealing. Luckily, no-show socks have come a long way, and things like silicone grips and well-fitting designs exist. To make sure you aren't led astray, we've tested more than 18 different popular styles in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab to find which ones will actually stay on your heels.
Our top picks:
Beyond working with hundreds of consumer testers who try the socks in their daily lives, we put them through the wringer in our Lab to determine the best socks you can buy. Our picks ahead are from top performers in our recent socks tests, popular brands online and styles with innovative features. And since we all have shoes where regular socks just won't cut it, the styles below include no-show options for almost every occasion.
Popularized by the TV show Shark Tank, Bombas socks are soft, lightweight and fit into shoes well. They come with silicone grippers in the back and an elastic band around the ankle, so they’ll actually stay on your feet. Plus, for every pair purchased, Bombas donates a pair to a homeless shelter.
Our testers dubbed these “the perfect no-show socks” and gave them a perfect rating for staying in place. "I love these socks!" said one tester. "[They're] so thin and breathable, yet substantial enough to stay put." They also earned high scores for their abrasion resistance (meaning they didn't pill easily) in our durability tests. That being said, they shrank a bit after multiple washes, so consider sizing up if you're at the end of the size range.
| Sizing | Small (4-7.5), Medium (8-10.5), Large (11-13) |
|---|---|
| Materials | 55% cotton, 33% polyester, 7% nylon, 5% spandex |
| Features | Silicone heel grips, thick elastic ankle band |
Wernies Women's No Show Socks (8 Pack)
For just about $2 a pair, these no-show socks are made of a cotton-poly blend with a bit of added spandex for a super soft yet stretchy feel. Popular among reviewers for their secure fit, they've got over 70,000 reviews and an average 4.5-star rating on Amazon. To help keep them in place, each sock has three non-slip silicone grips on the heels.
We're still in the process of testing these, but, so far, our reviewers are impressed. One shared, "I like the classic, lightweight feel and stay-put fit."
| Sizing | 5–8 or 8–11 |
|---|---|
| Materials | 80% cotton, 17% polyester, 3% spandex |
| Features | Silicone heel grips |
Bombas makes our list again, but this time for its well-known cushioned no-show socks. This pair is thicker than our other picks because of the cushioned sole, but it still has the stay-in-place features we love. It even converted a few testers into loyal fans. One said, "They are the nicest no-show socks I’ve ever worn, and I want to throw all of my old socks away and fill my hosiery drawer with only Bombas."
The cushioned sole was also a hit among our reviewers during long days on their feet. Tested said they didn't feel sweaty in warm, summer weather. For a true no-show look, we found these were best suited to higher-cut shoes like sneakers and heeled booties.
| Sizing | Small (4-7.5), Medium (8-10.5), Large (11-13) |
|---|---|
| Materials | 86% cotton, 12% polyester, 2% spandex |
| Features | Silicone heel grips, thick elastic ankle band |
Stance Cotton No Show Socks (3 Pack)
While we always look for no-show socks that feel comfortable and stay on your feet, no pair has impressed our consumer testers quite as much as this one from Stance. Testers said they fit like a second skin. Those with sizes 5 and 6 feet were surprised by just how well the small size fit.
One tester commented, "I like how thin and lightweight they feel, and the cushioned toe is a nice touch, especially with my dress shoes." The back heel can be a little low for some sneakers, so we recommend pairing these with oxfords, low-cut sneakers and clogs.
| Sizing | Small (5-7.5), Medium (8-10.5), Large (11-13.5), X-Large (Men's 14-16) |
|---|---|
| Materials | 57% cotton, 39% nylon, 4% elastane |
| Features | Silicone heel grips, compressive band around the center |
Bella Moda Lace Casual No-Show Socks (5 Pairs)
Fashion meets function with these stylish socks. They peek out of flats slightly to show just a hint of lace, and they have cushioning in the heel to keep your shoes super comfy. The silicone rubber nubs on the bottom prevent sliding out of your shoe or bunching.
Some reviewers noted that they used to wear more expensive styles, but these are their new favorites. And while they're great for flats, our testers also found themselves reaching for these to pair with loafers and even sneakers. But those with larger feet may find the material, albeit stretchy, too delicate to stay on their feet.
| Sizing | One size (no sizing info available, but reviewers find them comfortable up to a size 10) |
|---|---|
| Materials | 95% cotton, 5% spandex |
| Features | Silicone grips on bottom |
Quince Lightweight Organic No-Show Socks (4 Pack)
This lightweight pair of no-show socks was a tester favorite with standout scores for staying in place and comfort. Made of a blend of organic cotton, polyester, nylon and spandex, testers called these socks “buttery soft” and said they were the perfect medium between too thin and too thick. Several even shared that they planned to purchase a few more pairs.
While this pair earned high scores across the board for comfort and fit, we found that the size range wasn't the most accurate. Some size 9 testers felt like the XS/S size socks were a bit too snug on their feet while those with size 6 feet thought they were too baggy before a few washes.
| Sizing | XS/S (5.5-9), M/L (9.5-13), XL (13.5-17) |
|---|---|
| Materials | 50% cotton, 26% polyester, 21% nylon, 3% spandex |
| Features | Silicone heel grips, thick elastic ankle band |
Comrad Combed Cotton No Show Socks
It can be challenging to find a true no-show sock for slip-on shoes, but this pair from Comrad stayed hidden in most lower-cut shoes. One tester said, "They were truly no-show, staying hidden inside my Vans slip-ons." Others agreed, giving the socks high scores for how well they fit and stayed in place, thanks to the compressive band around the middle of each sock.
Because of the slightly cushioned sole, some testers found these socks a little warm for summer weather, so they’re best saved for slightly breezy days in the fall. Pair these with espadrilles, oxfords, sneakers or higher-cut loafers.
| Sizing | Small (4-6), Medium (6-10), Large (10+), XL |
|---|---|
| Materials | 65% cotton, 30% nylon, 5% spandex |
| Features | Silicone heel grips, compressive band around the center |
Feetures Elite Max Cushion No Show Tab
If you’re in search of no-show socks that’ll wick away your sweat and prevent your feet from getting blisters, this pair from Feetures offers all that and more. While they aren't truly no-shows, the heel tab provides much-needed protection from friction around the ankle. The targeted compression and added cushioning also ensure your feet will feel comfortable all day long.
Testers applauded these socks for keeping their feet dry during high-intensity workouts. Stefani Sassos, GH Nutrition & Wellness Lab Director, said, “These are the best workout socks I have tried! They really moved with my foot and felt like one with my body.” In the Lab, they scored well in our moisture-wicking tests.
| Sizing | Small (4-6.5), Medium (7-9.5), Large 10-13 |
|---|---|
| Materials | 74% polyester, 21% nylon, 5% spandex |
| Features | Heel tab, targeted compression around inner foot |
Saucony No Show Cushioned Invisible Liner Socks (8 Pack)
Featuring subtle cushioning along the entire sole, these socks are great for pairing with your favorite walking shoes. They're just the right thickness, and they have a large silicone band around the heel to minimize slippage.
Testers loved wearing them in all kinds of sneakers, including lace-up Vans and low-top Converse. One commented that they felt soft and comfortable and kept her feet from feeling sweaty feet. They're available in both neutral shades and colorful patterns, making them a fun yet practical gift. The caveat is that they didn't perform as well as other socks in our Lab's durability tests.
| Sizing | 4–7, 6–10 or 10–13 |
|---|---|
| Materials | 97% polyester, 3% spandex |
| Features | Silicone heel grips, compressive band around the center |
HUE Cotton Toe Topper (3 Pack)
Think you can't wear socks with open-heeled shoes? Think again. These toe toppers are perfect for wearing with mules since they cover just the ball of your foot and toes, leaving the heel exposed. Made with a blend of cotton, nylon and spandex, they're breathable yet snug.
Our testers welcomed the extra layer of protection and added comfort, especially with heeled open-back shoes, and some even wore them on top of their normal socks for extra warmth. If these peak out of your backless shoes, try folding back the cuff slightly for a true no-show look.
| Sizing | One size |
|---|---|
| Materials | 69% cotton, 28% nylon, 3% spandex |
| Features | Elastic cuff at end |
Love the look of a nice pair of loafers but hate how stiff they feel? The right pair of no-show socks can make all the difference. This low-cut pair stays hidden in loafers, thanks to the deep-cut design. To help stay on your feet, this style uses more spandex for stretch than our other picks, along with a thick elastic ankle band and silicone heel grips.
While we haven't tested this pair yet, the design is thoughtful and has earned over 30,000 Amazon reviews and an average of 4.5 stars. Make sure to dry these socks on low or no heat, to preserve the integrity of the high spandex content.
| Sizes | 5–7, 7–8, 8–10 or 10–12 |
|---|---|
| Materials | 80% cotton, 20% spandex |
| Features | Silicone heel grips, thick elastic ankle band |
How we test no-show socks
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Labs tests all types of socks, from warm socks and fuzzy socks to socks for hiking and socks for running. In recent years, we've tested over 80 different styles, both in our Lab and with hundreds of consumer testers to find the best socks for every type of occasion. In just our tests of no-show socks, we collected and analyzed more than 1,500 data points.
For this test, we worked with consumer testers to provide firsthand feedback on attributes like fit, comfort and cushioning as well as how the socks performed over time, including if they stayed in place or if they ran hot. In the Lab, our analysts looked at any stay-in-place features such as silicone heel grips and tested for abrasion resistance, bursting strength, moisture management and shrinkage using specialized equipment and industry standards for quality. Our experts also tried these socks with a variety of shoes to determine which socks were truly no-show options.
Here, our bursting machine pulls up the fabric of a cut-up, no-show sock with increasing pressure to measure the strength needed to "burst" the material.
What to consider when shopping for no-show socks
When you're shopping for no-show socks, there are a few factors you should consider before purchasing a new pair or two.
✔️ Materials: Most no-show socks are made with cotton or polyester — and sometimes a blend. Cotton has a soft, natural feel that's popular for socks, while polyester is moisture-wicking to prevent sweaty feet during a workout.
✔️ Stay-in-Place Features: To prevent slippage, look for no-show styles that have silicone grips or elasticized hemlines. Features like heel tabs and compressive bands around the middle of each sock will also help socks stay put. Certain styles may have multiple sizes to choose from to achieve a more snug fit, which is especially helpful if you have smaller or larger feet than average.
✔️ Cut: Some no-show socks are low-cut and can fit almost any type of shoe, but if you wear mostly higher-cut shoes, you might be better off with an option that comes up a bit higher, especially if the interior of your shoes can be abrasive on your skin.
✔️ Cushioning: If you plan to be on your feet for the whole day or work out in your no-show socks, consider opting for a style with added cushioning for a little extra support.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Grace Wu is a Textiles Product Review Analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute who had all but given up on the concept of no-show socks before overseeing our recent in-Lab and consumer tests. Prior to joining GH, Grace earned a Master of Engineering in Materials Science & Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University.
Emma Seymour also contributed to this story. She's a Senior Textiles Product Analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she has written multiple features about socks, including assessments of warm socks, compression socks and hiking socks. She has a degree in fiber science and apparel design from Cornell University. As a lifetime sewer with previous product-development experience, she has a strong fashion background with expertise in proper fit and construction.
Grace Wu (she/her) is a product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Prior to starting at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master of engineering in materials science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degrees, Grace worked in research laboratories for smart textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.
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