Socks for narrow feet

Short answer: If you have narrow feet, a sock that is too large folds in the shoe, and the folds cause pressure and rubbing. Choose the smallest range your shoe size falls in, and a sock with a little stretch that shapes itself to the foot.

Folds cause pressure

Excess fabric gathers under the foot and over the toes and forms a ridge you can feel all day. In close fitting shoes, that ridge is pressed against the skin with every step. It is rarely a problem in the morning, but after a few hours it can rub and leave sore spots.

Choose the smallest range

Socks are sold in ranges of two to three shoe sizes. If you are on the border between two ranges, choose the smaller one when your foot is narrow. A slightly snug sock sits smoothly, while a slightly large one folds. Read more about the ranges in sock sizes.

The knit

A sock with a little stretch shapes itself to the foot and takes up no more room than it needs. That makes it better suited to narrow feet than a stiff sock that keeps its own shape. Bamboo viscose is soft and follows the foot when the knit is dense. See bamboo socks for women.

The heel must fit

The heel of the sock should sit around your own heel. If it sits under the foot, the sock is too long, and fabric gathers at the ankle and toes. It is a quick check the first time you put on a new sock, and it tells you whether to go down a range.

For low shoes

In low shoes and ballet flats, a footie that is too large slips into the heel, because not enough fabric sits close. A footie in the smallest suitable range, with grip in the heel, stays in place better. See bamboo footies for women if you need a sock for summer shoes.

For men

The same principles apply to men with narrow feet. Choose the smallest range your shoe size falls in, and avoid socks that fold over the toes. See the matching styles in bamboo socks for men, where the ranges are listed in the product description.

The shoes

A narrow foot often slides a little back and forth in the shoe. A sock that sits smoothly gives better grip than one that folds. Try your shoes with the sock you plan to wear, and notice after a few steps whether it lies flat.

Washing and drying

Wash the socks at 40 degrees and let them air dry so they keep their shape. Heat from the tumble dryer wears on the elastic and can make the fit uneven. Hang them up after washing. Read more in the washing guide.

When to replace the sock

A sock with a slack cuff slips, however well it fitted at first. With narrow feet you notice it sooner, because there is already a little extra fabric. Replace the whole stack together when the cuffs start to give. See all bamboo socks for women.

A few tests

When you try a new sock, look for folds over the toes, a heel in the wrong place and a cuff that does not lie flat. Walk in your shoes for a few minutes. If you feel no ridges under your foot, the sock fits, and you can order more pairs in the same size.