If you are left scratching your head at why socks are such a big issue for some kids then you have never experienced a child in a full-on sock meltdown. When a child with sensory issues experience discomfort with how their socks feel…. how they bunch up, or have seams, or do not stay up or aren’t the right color, the feeling can intolerable. For them, it can feel like real physical pain and they do what any person would do who is in severe pain…. they kick, scream, thrash, cry and yell.

For my nine-year-old son Wyatt, who has high functioning Autism, comfortable socks are super important for him. The other day I noticed that his favorite McGregor Happy feet socks were all developing holes!  I tried to order more only to find McGregor had discontinued their kid’s line. I panicked, with visions of meltdowns. Then I rallied and after a week of careful research, I bought the four socks in this review.

Wyatt agreed to help out other kids and parents by helping me create a sock review and out of hardship the Best Kids, Socks for Sensory Feet Review was born!

1 # Darn Tough Hiss Micro Crew Light Sock – Kid’s Gray Large

Price: $13 US for one pair of socks
Fabric make-up: 74% Nylon 21% Merino Wool 5% Lycra/Spandex
Fabric thickness: medium
Texture: A bit rough on the outside but softer on the inside. After several washes, they soften up some. As with most patterned socks, there are some threads on the inside but Wyatt didn’t mind this. Also, the sock has such a firm feel on the foot that these threads do not bother my son because the sock does not move around. Also, they have some socks with less patterning (so fewer thread bits) so if it is a problem just get those ones.
How seamless are they? They are virtually seamless socks. The seam feels like a change in texture rather than a ridge. If you turn them inside out there is a thread coming from the end of the seam on both sides but that can be trimmed if needed. I think it all works for Waytt because once he gets the perfect sock placement the socks stay put. So things like changes in texture or threads that bother him on other socks do not bother him with these socks.
Stay up and bunchiness: These socks are the best on the list for staying up and staying put! No slipping, no bunching, and no blisters.
Rain boot test: These socks past the rain boot test with flying colors!
Durability: Darn-tough has a lifetime guarantee. A friend of mine had a pair that got holes after fives years. He returned them and they sent him new ones. So their lifetime guarantee and return policy is for real. So these socks are definitely the most sturdy on the list. The durability of these socks prevents I believe will help avoid meltdowns for Waytt. Change can be hard for kids on the Autism spectrum. Once they get used to a certain feel and look of a sock having to get new socks even if they are the same brand can be very upsetting. With this sock, they will have the same feel, and pattern until they grow out of them and need the next size up. For me, this is the best part of this sock.
Size: Fit as expected. Please note darn Tough has juniors sizes (9-kids to 6-youth US sizes) but does not have sizes for very small kids.
Color and style: Great fun patterns. Darn Tough does sell sock with less fancy patterns than the ones we bought and these have fewer threads on the inside.
Odor: Naturally Antimicrobial Mareno wool repels bacteria and odor
Sock Melt Down Prevention Meter: 10/10 in our house (but some kids might not like the threads on the inside and the subtle seam might not be subtle enough)
Summary: The most expensive sock of this review initially does not seem like the favorite because it was not as soft or seem-free and not completely seam-free. Although after much wear holds up better under scrutiny on many counts. In the end, these fun patterned socks that last forever, stay-put even after a good run and have tolerable seams are Wyatt’s favorite in the Best Socks for Sensory Feet Review.

2) Jefferies Socks Big Boys’ 9-1 Seamless Casual Crew (Pack of 3), Black, Small

Price: $10.99 US for three-pack ($3.66 US per pair of socks)
Fabric make-up: 76% Cotton, 22% Nylon, and 2% Spandex.
Fabric thickness: thin
Texture: Soft
How seamless are they? There is still a small seam. There are little bumps on each seam-end. If you turn them inside out there is a thread coming from the end of the seam on both sides which has been reported to bother some kids but can be trimmed if needed.
Stay up and bunchiness: The ribbing at the ankle is somewhat slouchy and they tend to slip down. They move around some which put them at risk for bunching up.
Rain boot test: These socks moved around in rain boots and slip off
Durability: They are reported to last over a year of regular wearing.
Size: Fit as expected
Color and style: Only dark of white socks to pick from in Jefferies’ seamless variety.
Odor: Not especially made for odor prevention although they are 75% cotton so should do okay on the smell front.
Sock Melt Down Prevention Meter: 8/10
Summary: The most economical sock of this review holds up reasonably well under scrutiny on many counts. Some parents say there were too many bumps and seems for their kids and others say these socks work well for sensitive feet. Not the right socks for those that want their socks to stay up in rain-boots.

3) Rambutan Kids (3 Pack) Comfort Seam Plain Color Bamboo School Socks (3-6 (Teens), Navy)

Price: $16.60 US for three-pack ($5.53 US for one pair of socks)
Fabric make-up: 75% bamboo, 22% polyamide, and 3% spandex.
Fabric thickness: Medium thickness
Overall comfort: Super Soft
How seamless are they? There is still a seam in these but it is hand stitched so you really can’t feel it. There are little bumps on each end side of the seams, but pretty much seamless across the toe area. If you turn them inside out there is a thread coming from the end of the seam on both sides which can be trimmed.
Stay up and bunchiness: They stay up fairly well and do not bunch up too much.
Rain boot test: They moved around a bit but generally stayed up.
Durability: Because they are so soft they tend to pill. The white ones seem to pill more than darker colors for some reason. One sock got a hole after going through its first wash.  But this might be an anomaly as the others are faring well.
Size: Fit as expected
Color and style: A few different colors and patterns.
Odor: These socks work wonders as a fix for smelly sweaty feet.” An Amazon reviewer says “It’s amazing how well they work at eliminating stinky feet!”
Sock Melt Down Prevention Meter: 8/10
Summary: These socks are super soft and almost seamless and they were initially Wyatt’s number one choice in the Best Socks for Sensory Feet Review.  The properties of Bamboo tends to reduce sweating and odder and so they are also the number one pick for sweaty/smelly feet. However due to to the fact that they pill and may develop wholes quick than other socks on the list they are not mom’s number one pick. The per sock price makes them one of the more economical socks on the list but if they do not last as long as the other socks on the list this their economical price may not pay out over time.

 # 4 SmartKnitKIDS Seamless Sensitivity Socks 3 Pack (Black/Charcoal/White, Medium)

Price: $27.95 US for three-pack ($9.31 US for one pair of socks)
Fabric make-up: 75% cotton, 23% nylon & 2% lycra
Fabric thickness: Thick
Overall comfort: Soft. Except for the top rim/edge of the sock which is scratchy. The way the socks are designed the top rim curls on itself covering up this scratchy bit.  They are a tube sock with no defined heel. If you turn them inside out they are the only sock in this review that does not have a thread coming from the end of the seams.
How seamless are they? These truly are seamless socks! There is a tiny bit of gathered fabric were the end-sides of the seem would usually be. There is a slight difference in the knit where the seam usually would be. Several Amazon reviewers said the little bumps on the side still made socks unwearable for their kids. And other reviewers said the sock where the only socks their kids could wear.
Stay up and bunchiness: Does not stay up under rigorous testing.  An Amazon review says “they were too big to stay pulled up the way she likes them”. Because they move around and are thick, uncomfortable socks-bunches can occur (how much this happens will depend on the type of show one wears)
Rain boot test: These socks moved around in rain boots a lot. The weave feels loose and more stretchy than the other socks and there is very little elastic at the top to keep the sock up.
Durability: They are thick socks that keep up reasonably well over time
Size: I used their size chart but the socks I ordered seemed a bit big for my son. If I was going to order again I would order a size smaller and I think then they might stay up better and might do better in the rainboot test.
Color and style: Only a few colors to pick from and no fancy patterns.
Odor: high-tech fibers wick away moisture ensuring a drier sock & therefore preventing stinky feet.
Melt Down Prevention Meeter: 7/10
A pricey sock which is truly seamless but seems to come with other issues. They have a top rim that is scratchy and they do not stay up in the rainboot test. Also, they seem to fit big. Wyatt in his Best Socks for Sensory Feet Review said that all the socks in this review are wearable but these were his least favorite. Please know, that even though Waytt did not like them many parents swear by these socks as being a lifesaver. It really depends on your kids and what their sock needs are.

Every kid with sensory issues is different.  Figure out what is most important in a sock for your kid and then make your best pick:

Sock priorities	o	Darn Tough Hiss Micro Crew Light Sock	o	Jefferies Socks Big Boys Seamless Casual Crew	o	Rambutan Kids  Comfort Seam  Bamboo	o	SmartKnitKIDS Seamless Sensitivity Socks
Fabric mix		74% Nylon 21% Merino Wool 5% Lycra		76% Cotton, 22% Nylon, & 2% Spandex		75% bamboo, 22% polyamide, & 3% spandex		75% cotton, 23% nylon & 2% lycra
_________o		______________		______________		______________		_____________
Seamless		Almost		Not quite		Almost		Yes
o		______________		______________		______________		______________
Compression		Offers some compression		No		No		No
oo		______________		______________		______________		______________
Loose/snug and does it bunch?		Snug. No slipping, no bunching, and no blister		Loose and bunches		Medium & only bunches a bit		Loose and can tend to bunch
		______________		______________		______________		______________
Hight		Crew		Crew		Sport		Kneehigh
o		______________		______________		______________		______________
Thick/Thin		Medium (Darn Tough also sells cushioned socks if your child likes thicker socks)		Thin		Medium		Thick
		______________		______________		______________		______________
Texture		Not that Soft  (but does soften up some with a few washes)		Soft		Very Soft		Soft
		______________		______________		______________		______________
Cool		Yes		Yes		yes		Yes
o		______________		______________		______________		______________
Warm		Yes		Not that warm		Yes		Yes
o		______________		______________		______________		______________
Order prevention		Merino wool Naturally Anti-microbial		Not made for odor prevention		Bamboo mix great for odor prevention		High-tech fibers wick preventing stinky feet.
o		______________		______________		______________		______________
Stay up		Very well		Not so much		Yes		No so much
o		______________		______________		______________		______________
Rainboot test		Stay put		Came off in the boot		Stayed up but moved around		Slipped own
o		______________		______________		______________		______________
Colors/ patterns		Fun Patterns		One choice in the seamless variety		Few different colors/ patterns		Only three colors
o		______________		______________		______________		______________
Durability		Last forever		Last about a year		Last about a year		Good durability
o		______________		______________		______________		______________
$s per pair		$9.31 US per		$5.53 US per		$3.66 US per		$13 US per
o		______________		______________		______________		______________
Cost per wear		Over time might be cheapest		Not sure		Not sure		Not sure
o		______________		______________		______________		______________
Sound		Sounds okay		Sounds okay		Sounds okay		Scratchy rim that folds over makes a funny sound
o		______________		______________		______________		______________
Fit		Fit as expected		Fit as expected		Fit slightly smaller than expected		Fit larger than expected
oo		______________		______________		______________		______________
Heal		Defined heal		Defined heal		Defined heal		Tube sock
o		______________		______________		______________		______________
Easy to put on		Require some pulling as they have a snug fit.		Easy to put on		Easy to put on		Super easy & no need to face right way (no heel)
o
Other notes		Due to the pattern, there are some threads on the inside. The distinct pattern makes them super easy to match up when sorting laundry.		NA		One sock got hole first wash but this might be an anomaly		Truly seamless and only socks some kids can wear who are super sensitive about seams

 

After you figure out, your child’s sock priorities then pick the socks that best deliver for your child needs. I recommend buying a trial pair. Once you find the sock that works for your kid then I think about buying a week’s worth if you are able… or maybe even two weeks worth!

Darn Tough Dot and Stripe Micro Crew Light Sock – Kid’s Aqua Medium

Darn Tough Indie Floral Micro Crew Light Sock – Kid’s Sky Large

Darn Tough Emoticons Micro Crew Light Sock – Kid’s Aqua Medium

Darn Tough Skulls Micro Crew Light Sock – Kid’s Black Small

 

 

Other socks Wyatt didn’t review that might work

Silky Toes Kids Bamboo Low Cut Cushioned Socks (Small (7-8), White)

Kids Boys 5 Pack Multi-Color No Show Cotton Socks (6-8T, Rainbow Pack of 5)

Maiwa Cotton Novelty Cats Seamless Girls Kids Socks 5 Pack (2-4 Years/14-16cm)

Child Ankle Socks Seamless Sport Cotton Socks kids Crew Socks Casual Thin Casual Socks for Summer 5 Packs For Boys and Girls Socks/Little Kid/Big Kid

HzCodelo Kids Toddler Big Little Girls Fashion Cotton Crew Seamless Socks -6 Pairs,Multicolor,Shoe size 10.5-13/M

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