How do I find socks that fit?

March 7, 2021 11:03 PM

I cannot for the life of me find socks that fit and don't constantly get twisted around my foot or slip down. I wear women's 9.5 shoes but have very wide ankles and calves, so socks that fit my foot generally don't fit my ankles/calves (even with folding them down), and socks that seem to fit both always end up twisting around or slipping down my foot, which is uncomfortable and irritating. What are your favorite crew socks for wide ankles? Merino preferred, but I'm open!

You may be considering suggesting socks with no ankle or a very short ankle, but unfortunately I hate them and strongly prefer a crew sock, even if I have to fold it down because it's not wide enough to fit my calf.

I'm more willing to entertain the idea of plus-sized knee socks, though I worry that's too much material or too many layers for me and my sensory issues.

posted by rhiannonstone to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (15 answers total)

Response by poster: I should have included: Smartwool socks are the worst offenders (I've tried both M and L sizes, in many different styles), and Darn Tough socks in size L (M doesn't fit at all) start off strong but start slipping after a few wearings.
posted by rhiannonstone at 11:06 PM on March 7, 2021

Have you looked at sock dreams? they let you sort by shoe size and calf measurement, and the socks are very nice.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 12:00 AM on March 8, 2021 [1 favorite]

Have you considered socks made for diabetics? they are usually non-constricting, etc.
posted by Cranberry at 12:52 AM on March 8, 2021 [2 favorites]

Have you tried men's socks?
posted by DarlingBri at 2:27 AM on March 8, 2021

Another vote for trying men's socks.

They're cotton, but the best I've found are the men's Pair of Thieves socks at Target. The cushion ankle are my personal favorite, but the cushion crew also work fine once folded down.
posted by pie ninja at 4:03 AM on March 8, 2021

I have your feet and I love Balega socks. I wear the low ankle ones but they have crew socks too.
posted by headnsouth at 4:46 AM on March 8, 2021

I have had some luck with Swiit socks from Dueple. They're a little tight on me at the top, but I am very, very fat, so you might find them even better. They come in various sizes to match your shoe size, which I think makes a difference in them staying put.
posted by jacquilynne at 6:22 AM on March 8, 2021

This is kind of a sideways answer, but if you have any interest in knitting, you could knit your own to suit. My father had long narrow feet but his ankles swelled late in life so I wound up knitting him a full sock wardrobe. (This is a pretty slow way to solve your problem, but could be fun?)
posted by chocotaco at 7:00 AM on March 8, 2021 [1 favorite]

I'm a guy, and I usually get Danish Endurance dress socks or Hanes Comfort blend Max Cushion, though I also like Dickies Crew Style Work Socks.

The Danish Endurance dress socks are merino wool blend, so they stood up well to my delivery driver job for 18 months. Did end up losing a couple to holes tearing. I'm in a cool/warm climate so I don't need maximum thickness cushioning (I have insoles in my shoes for that), and I also used Lock-laces (flexible shoe-laces) so the shoes are not constricting.
posted by kschang at 11:04 AM on March 8, 2021

These diabetic socks from Dr Scholls might do the trick. The tops are very soft and stretchy but clingy enough that they don't fall down. The foot has some stretch to it as well, but has some shape and structure to it that might prevent it from twisting around on you.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 11:10 AM on March 8, 2021

I have the same size feet 'n' stuff as you (actually often wear a women's 10), and Darn Tough medium work perfectly for me. Are you super sensitive to snug-fit socks?
posted by nosila at 1:18 PM on March 8, 2021

Sock Dreams also has a variety of sock garters and sock glue. (Might depend on your sensory issues though, the idea of sock glue makes my skin crawl.)
posted by yeahlikethat at 2:49 PM on March 8, 2021

For merino socks, I've had very good luck with these. Magically, they are never tight, but never saggy. I tossed all my other warm socks and replaced them with these. Life is good.

For a lighter weight sock, these are almost as good. They are a wee bit snug for the first few wearings, then they're perfect for a long while, then the tops eventually get saggy. Good enough for long enough, for the price.

I think one reason that these socks are working so well for me is that I never put them in the dryer. Wash in warm or cold water, hang to dry.
posted by Corvid at 3:54 PM on March 8, 2021

I gasped when I read the beginning of your question. I didn't know this is a problem other people have! And that it might be solvable! And I too wear a women's 9.5 shoe! So I have no wisdom to offer and am instead eagerly reading others' answers. But I will add that my ankles are pretty narrow (duck feet!) and this happens to me in socks of all kinds - crew, knee, ankle, etc so I don't think this is about foot shape or sock length.
posted by Viola Swamp at 6:20 PM on March 8, 2021

My Bombas merino calf socks have quite a bit of stretch in the calf and don't slip down. Their size guide puts you at a women's M but you might try both M and L and even men's M to see what works best for you, they claim to have a good return policy.
posted by doift at 6:22 PM on March 8, 2021