As you know, I have recently decided to drink the kool-aid, set my riding boots aside and step out in booties more often. The look is actually perfect for spring. As the sun begins to shine more and the weather warms up, my clothes feel lighter and more springy when I’m not wearing leather boots that come all the way up to my knees. Once I was finally ready to embrace this shorter style of boot, I encountered a new problem – trying to figure out which socks to wear with booties.
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Like any self-respecting shopper with a computer and Prime membership, I took my search to Amazon. I discovered a few different types of socks that were short enough to remain hidden around the rim of the boots, each with a different price tag. Unsure of which pair to buy, I knew that there was only one way to proceed – buy them all and see which pair I liked the best.
If you’re been confounded by this very predicament (or if the ankle sports socks you have been using are no longer cutting it), rest easy. I did all the shopping for you and I talked Rob into taking a few photos so you can see what’s available for bootie socks and what might work best for you.
Let’s start with the lowest price and work our way up, shall we?
5 Pack of Tip-Toe Foot Liners
I purchased a 5-pack of the Tip-Toe Colorful Patterned Foot Liners for $9.99. They came in several different packs and they weren’t joking about the colorful part of their name. I’m a neutral girl so I decided to openly defy the title and spring for the mix of black and gray socks.
Price per pair: $2.00
These socks were cotton and comfortable. They had a lower cut than many other socks, so they conveniently stayed well-hidden in my booties. But that’s about all they did. Most of my booties have laces across the top and the socks didn’t do much to protect me from the discomfort of the tongue and laces pressing against the top of my feet. And when I removed the booties from my feet while wearing these socks, the socks slid right off my heel and hung from my toes. There just wasn’t enough sock to hold them in place. So, they weren’t exactly bad socks, but they weren’t amazing either.
3 Pack of OSABASA No-Show Socks
Next up was a pair of OSABASA Womens Casual No-Show Socks. These came in a 1-pack, 3-pack or 5-pack. I went the middle route and ordered a 3-pack of gray socks. (Although there were many pretty solid color sock options available.)
Price per pair: $3.33
The three-pack cost $5.50, plus an additional $4.50 shipping since they were not Prime-eligible. Definitely more expensive than the first pair I tried on, but they were also better quality. These socks were slightly thicker than the Tip-Toe Colorful Patterned Foot Liners, they provided slightly more coverage, and they had a few stripes of silicone in the heel to prevent slipping.
The silicone did it’s job and kept those socks firmly on my feet throughout the day (even when I removed my booties.) Since these socks provided more coverage, they were also more comfortable across the top of my foot, but they didn’t completely resolve the discomfort of my shoe’s tongue pressing across the top of my foot.
Which left only one pair to try on…
3 Pack of Bamboo No-Show Socks
The Bambu Women’s No Show Socks were priced at $16.99 for a 3-pack and they were the most expensive pair of socks I ordered during my little experiment. Like the OSABASA Womens Casual No-Show Socks, these also had a silicone strip along the back heel. These socks were made from bamboo fiber, which the product description claims to be softer and more durable than cotton. The style of the sock also provided more coverage than the previous 2 pair I tried on.
Price per pair: $5.66
Hands-down, these were the best socks I tried on. They had great coverage which finally protected the tops of my feet from the booties’ laces.
I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for and my little sock-buying experiment just re-affirmed that believe. The pair of bootie socks that was a “splurge” was the most comfortable to wear and instantly became my favorite pair.
My Next Pair of Socks to Wear with Booties…
But I have to admit, I was looking around on Grace and Lace (where I buy the top extenders I have been loving lately) and I found the most lovely pair of bootie socks I could ever dream of. These are officially on my wishlist!
All of my booties are tight around the ankle and I really think these socks will look best with a wide ankle style of bootie, like this gorgeous pair of Sam Edelman boots.
Yes, I think those socks and these booties will make a pretty stunning combo.
What’s your preferred sock to wear with booties? If I left something incredible off this list, please let me know in the comments. I’m all ears!
Rachel says
Ooh those look perfect for booties! Thanks for sharing this find!
Nancy says
I have 2 different pairs of bootie socks in my Amazon cart right now. You just saved me money by pointing me in the right direction. Thanks so much!!
Maria Gavin says
What great timing!
Jenn says
I am a firm believer as well that you get what you pay for! I stopped buying cheap socks and now only wear Feetures socks which are $12/pair! That’s insane, but they are the most comfortable socks ever and I’ve had them for years and they have yet to wear out. Thanks for sharing this! I’m going to try out the Bambu socks :)
Maria Gavin says
That is SO great to know! I will definitely have to look into those socks!
Sam says
I am excited to try these Bambu socks! I am always looking for low cut socks like this to wear with my many pairs of Sperry’s. Thanks for the recommendation :)
I also recently discovered the “World’s Softest Sweater Footsie”. They have great coverage and are very cozy. A bit pricey, but a favorite brand of mine for warmer socks (awesome quality that comes in several styles and crazy color patterns).
Jessica says
Hi Maria, this post further emphasizes are similarities! I bought the Osabasa no-show socks after purchasing my Vince Camuto Franell booties in fall 2015 and love them! The Bamboo socks also look great but my booties are notched in the front so those will likely get close to showing. And I love Amazon Prime! :)
~Jessica
Jan says
I took your advice, and it’s great. The bamboo socks are great. I so appreciate that you took the time to do this. Saved me a lot of time, trouble and money!!!
Jenna says
I bought the Bamboo too, but they haven’t lasted well. I have a small foot (6.5 shoe), but I have put holes through them! (I keep my toe nail nice too, lol!). Have you had this problem?
Maria Gavin says
It hasn’t happened yet with my Bamboo socks, but it has happened with many thin socks that I own. I’m sure it will happen at some point. I just haven’t worn mine often enough to wear through them yet. It’s annoying but a somewhat common problem for me.
Nick says
Hey Jenna and Maria,
I stumbled across this blog when looking to see if anyone was talking about our socks, and so glad I did!
Maria – Thank you for this detailed roundup and recommendation, as a small business we really appreciate it, and we’re really glad that you found the socks that work for you.
Jenna – sorry to hear about this. As Maria mentioned, it does happen over time with any socks but you shouldn’t be having a problem already.
Please send us an email at contactus@bambuwear.com with your full name or order number so we can get a free replacement sent out to you right away.
Have a lovely day everyone!
Nic
Bambuwear Customer Happiness
Jenna says
Wow! Thank you Nick! I sent you an email!
Maria Gavin says
Hi Nick, you have great timing! Thank you so much for your helpful response!
Suzanne says
Thank you for this article! Just ordered the Bambu for my booties and Osabasa for my tennies!!!
debbi says
I am late to the party here, but I was also looking for no show socks to wear with my bungee Skechers. I found some on Amazon that work for me, but I’ll give your recommendations a try. And I have a little hint. Sticky-backed Moleskin,a suede feeling skin protector/cushion, found in the foot-needs display aisle, usually in the pharmacy area. My shoes slip on and off since they have bungee cords and don’t tie, so I just stick a section on the underneath of the bungee tongue area and it stays put and covers the offending rubbing. Or, it can be stuck on the skin, which is what it’s made for, as a cushion.
Lindsay says
I’m curious if you have any trouble with those socks slipping down under your foot. I bought some different ones before finding this post and my socks always slide off and under my foot while wearing the boots. UGH – so annoying.
Thanks!
Nick says
Hey Lindsay,
It’s Nick here from Bam&bu. Sorry I didn’t see this message til now.
In the rare cases where the socks are slipping, we usually find a change in size can help a lot.
If you’re referring to Bambu socks that you purchased on Amazon, please get in touch via email ( contactus@bamandbu.com ) with your order number and shoe size.
With this info we’ll find a solution that works for you – either a free replacement, or a full refund.
If you’re referring to a different brand, i’d still encourage you to get in touch with them directly.
If socks are advertised as non slip, we think they should stay up on your heels all day long :)
Have a fantastic day!
Nick
Bam&bu Customer Happiness
Angela Bjornstad says
Nic:
I went to Amazon to buy some of these awesome socks reviewed here. However, I wear a size 10.5 to 11 (depending on the shoe) and I usually buy extended size womens socks. On Amazon, I saw small and medium sizes that went up to size 10; however, in one post on this forum, you recommended someone get a larger pair of socks, which lead me to believe that you may make larger sizes. I also looked for men’s socks, but didn’t find them either. Can you help me?
Angela Bjornstad
Nick says
Hey Angela,
We don’t currently make any socks larger than “medium 7.5-10” – however we’ve found that many of our customers with feet 10 and above can still get a great fit.
Also, we have recently discontinued our men’s socks to focus more on improving our women’s styles.
If you do decide to give us a try and they don’t fit as expected, you can get in touch with us at contactus@bamandbu.com and we’ll fully reimburse you.
Have a lovely day!
Nick
Bam&bü Customer Happiness
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Karen says
Wow I need these. My no show socks constantly sliding down is pretty much the bane of my existence.
Amrein Janice says
I’m looking for true bootie socks. A pair that comes over the ankle bones to prevent rubbing from boots
Sheila says
Hello and thank you Maria . I just left a question about these socks on Amazon . Just bought some toeless heel booties . My feet tend to slip down a bit . I’m just worried about them being so thin . Do you think they will work? Thank you .
Lola Zunker says
I have never understood why people spend from $50-$500 for a pair of comfortable shoes or boots then buy .99 socks or tube socks. I love my new Bam&Bu no show socks I purchased at Amazon based on your recommendation.
Maria Gavin says
I never thought about it like that before, but you’re totally right! So glad to hear you love the socks!