The Best Socks for Neuropathy of 2023

By far, my mother’s favorite neuropathy-friendly footwear was her extremely warm slipper socks, similar to the Dosoni Slipper Socks. Forget walking on sunshine—for her, it was much preferred to walk on clouds. The fleece lining is comfortable, soft, and provides much-needed cushioning on painful days.

One of the best features of these Dosoni socks is how warm they keep the wearer. For many, neuropathy is accompanied by being easily chilled or cold intolerance, so walking on chilly floors can pose a problem. My mother had an extreme version of this cold sensitivity thanks to her chemo treatments, and she found that these socks were thick enough to withstand our tile floors in winter without letting the cold leak through to her feet.

The level of foot protection these socks offer is also impressive. On swollen feet days when no other sock would do, my mother would often wear her pair of slipper socks in place of shoes around the house. This involved navigating around our 100-pound puppy, who was fairly notorious for stepping on feet when he got too excited. These socks stopped the worst of any mishap and protected her feet from well-meant but heavy puppy paws while also keeping her toasty warm.

While the Dosonis are technically sized for women, these men’s slipper socks from Simiya offer many of the same benefits.

If you’re looking for socks specifically designed with neuropathy in mind, Pembrook Diabetic Socks are one of the best choices available. These socks offer a lightweight, breathable fabric that fits well but doesn’t leave any indents on the legs or feet. Though the socks stay in place for most, they do not add any compression or extra binding that might worsen existing blood circulation issues.

In particular, this is one of the best options for those who often have swollen legs and feet and want to avoid any extra pressure on already painful areas. They have all the best features of diabetic socks, with a soft and smooth fabric that can feel as though you’re not wearing socks at all. They also breathe well, helping your feet stay dry to promote good foot health.

The biggest disadvantage of these socks is their lack of durability compared to others on this list. The soft and breathable fabric lends itself more easily to snagging than tighter knits, and some consumers had trouble with holes appearing sooner rather than later. However, coming in at roughly $4 a pair, these socks won’t break the bank and still provide the relief you’re after. For most buyers, the potential of a shorter product lifespan couldn’t outweigh the cost and benefits.

For some with neuropathy, wearing compression socks is the best way to combat symptoms like swelling and fluid retention. They encourage improved blood flow and help the process along. While we have a whole article on the benefits and best options when it comes to compression socks, our top choice from Figs is well worth a second mention.

Compression socks are notorious for being a struggle to pull on, which isn’t a huge shock considering their primary purpose is to provide the tightness necessary for proper compression. However, for those with neuropathy and/or other conditions like arthritis affecting their hands, this aspect may become especially tricky. It can also prove a balancing act to slide difficult compression socks over numb feet, as wearers and caregivers must be especially careful not to catch or injure any toes in the process.

Figs compression socks solve this issue while still providing the compression level and comfort you’d expect. Their easy-on-and-off design is well worth the somewhat hefty price of $28 for those who may face dexterity difficulty. Plus, they come in a variety of fun colors and patterns, making the process of wearing medically necessary socks more fun and less of a chore.

The featured socks are sized for women, but there are Figs for men as well.

When money is tight, it’s often not feasible to pay $20+ for individual pairs of socks. This is especially true for those who expect to wear neuropathy-friendly socks every day, as the socks can often wear out more quickly than standard socks due to the materials they’re made of.

While the Sooverki Compression Socks aren’t the absolute best socks out there for neuropathy, they’ll do well for most people in a pinch. Available in sets of three, these socks come in at a little over $4 a pair, making them an affordable alternative to some of the pricier spends out there. Overall, the compression and fit is comfortable for most buyers. However, pay close attention to the seam when you order your first pair, and make sure it isn’t causing any rubbing or blisters on your toes.

One of the reasons this is our top pick for a budget-friendly option is because returns are easy and encouraged for any customer who isn’t 100% satisfied with their purchase. This means you can order a test set to make sure that they fit safely and comfortably, confident that, if they don’t, you can return them and get your money back.

Medically designed socks often default to calf-length and thigh-length designs. While these may be necessary for some situations, for hotter months or subtler looks, there are some great shorter sock options out there. The OrthoSleeve Diabetic Wellness Socks are some of our favorites of this variety.

Available in crew and no-show varieties, these socks are a great addition to any wardrobe. They provide the comfort you’d hope for in socks designed for neuropathy without adding the extra heat of their longer cousins. Even better, because they’re specifically made to be moisture wicking, they can keep your feet dry in the hottest of summers while still offering circulation support and contoured padding to keep your feet healthy.