Size ranges in socks

Short answer: Socks are sold in ranges of four to five sizes. If you sit in the middle, the fit is perfect, and if you sit at the end, consider the next range. Look at both your shoe size and your foot before you choose.

Ranges of four to five sizes

Socks are not sold in every single size but in ranges of four to five sizes at a time. A sock in 40-44 therefore covers all shoes from 40 to 44. It is a practical way to sell socks, but it also means the fit is not identical for everyone in the same range.

Why ranges

A sock is stretchy and can therefore cover several shoe sizes. That keeps the range manageable and makes every size easier to stock. The drawback is that the fit is only perfect in the middle. At the ends of the range, the sock becomes slightly tight or slightly loose. See bamboo socks for men.

In the middle of the range

If your shoe size sits in the middle of the range, you get the best fit. The sock stays in place without squeezing, and it does not fold under the foot. Here the fabric is stretched just enough for the elastic to do its work. Once you find a size that fits, buy it again.

At the ends

If you sit at the end of a range, the sock may not fit quite right. At the top it can get tight, and at the bottom it can get slightly loose. If you sit on the border between two ranges, consider the next range and see whether the fit improves. See bamboo socks for women.

Wide or narrow foot

If you sit on the border between two ranges, choose the larger if you have a wide foot and the smaller if you have a narrow one. A wide foot fills the sock out and feels best in the larger size. It is a simple rule of thumb that works for most people.

What a too big sock does

A sock that is too big folds under the foot and slides down into the heel. Both cause blisters, because the fabric rubs the skin in the same places all day. A loose sock seems like a harmless detail, but it can make a long day in your shoes uncomfortable.

What a too small sock does

A sock that is too small tightens over the instep. It pulls at the toes and can give an unpleasant feeling of pressure when you wear shoes. The fabric is also stretched more than it is made for, which can wear the sock out faster. If you feel a tight edge, try the next size.

Feet of different sizes

If one foot is slightly larger than the other, choose by the larger foot. A slightly big sock is better than one that is too small, because a small sock tightens and pulls, while a slightly big one mostly sits a little loose. See bamboo tennis socks for men.

The first wash

Socks shrink slightly in the first wash. That is built into the range, so you do not need to choose a size up to compensate. Wash at 40 degrees and hang them up, and the sock keeps its shape best. Tumble drying makes it worse, so avoid it if you want to keep the fit.