The 16 Best Padded Socks for Knee and Foot Pain
Editor's note: This article was last updated on January 16, 2023.
"I'll have to sit this one out."
It's a sentence you might find yourself saying more and more lately. If you find yourself sitting out of activities because you're worried about how your body will handle it, we want to introduce you to the best socks for knee pain on the internet. The right pair of socks could help you relieve pain in your knees, feet and even your back — without any extra doctor's visits or expensive treatments. No more literally sitting out when you could be up and living your life!
Switching to a padded pair of socks isn't going to add any extra effort to your routine — but it could have a major impact on your life. Your everyday comfort could quickly improve — and you could soon find yourself ready for hikes, sports and running around with active little ones again!
How We Curated Our List of the Best Padded Socks
The Cleveland Clinic notes that knee pain is often due to overuse, though injuries and arthritis are major causes as well. We took this into account when researching different socks. It's important to see a doctor for any troubling pains, but padded socks, in addition to other treatment, could provide notable relief in your knees, feet and back!
We took the following into account on our search:
Reviews — does the description match the user experience?
Special orthopedic properties and certifications
Anything that mentioned metatarsal foot pads for pressure relief
Arch support
Material — is it compressive? sweat-wicking? Anti-odor?
Style and sock heights
Value packs
Recognizable brands, including Allbirds and lululemon
Ready to see what we came up with? Shop below!
The Best Padded Socks for Knee and Foot Pain
1. OrthoSleeve FS4 Orthotic Socks
Great for Plantar Fasciitis
With light cushioning in the right places and different zones designed to support and comfort different parts of the foot, you could feel like a brand new you after a day in these socks. They're anatomically designed for the right and left foot, and they could help prevent/relieve plantar fasciitis!
Pros:
Medical-grade compression
100% money-back guarantee
Cons:
Might be hard to pick a size if you're between sizes
Available at: Amazon
2. Thorlos Max Cushion Distance Walking Ankle Socks
Padding on the Top and Bottom
That's right, these socks not only have padding under the heel and forefoot but on top of the foot as well for added comfort! They feature spandex in the arch for a better fit, and feature a smaller heel pocket and extra stretch at the ankle since they're specifically made for women's feet!
Pros:
Thorlos will donate $1 to the American Cancer Society per purchase
Available in multiple value packs
Cons:
Only for women
Available at: Amazon
3. lululemon MacroPillow Tab Running Socks, Medium Cushioning
Best for Runners
We all love lululemon leggings and belt bags, but the brand's socks are also a must-buy, in our opinion. These cushioned socks, designed for running, even add on a soft tab in back to protect your heel from blisters. They even have left and right toe construction for the best fit!
Pros:
3D-knit PerformaHeel™ creates a shaped fit and locked-in feeling
Available in two colors
Cons:
Pricier pick
Available at: lululemon
4. Peds Women's Memory Cushion Liner Socks
Best No-Show Socks
Wearing super low-top sneakers, or maybe a pair of loafers? If you don't want any fabric peeking out from the shoe collar but still want that extra layer of cozy comfort, these liner socks are an excellent buy. They're made with memory cushioning!
Pros:
Gel tab helps keep liner in place
Sustainable: Made with 80% recycled polyester
Cons:
Only available in two-packs
Available at: Target
5. Allbirds Anytime Ankle Sock
Best Sustainable Pair
Allbirds is known for making some of the comfiest sneakers on the planet, so it only makes sense that the brand's socks rock too! This cushioned pair, available in four size and colors, is made with recycled nylon for sustainability!
Pros:
Sizes cover sizes 5-14
Cushioned heel and toe
Cons:
Air dry recommended
Available at: Allbirds
6. Thorlos Max Cushion Hiking Ankle Socks
Best for Sweaty Feet
Hate having sweaty feet? These socks are made with moisture-wicking cool fibers to keep your feet feeling their best. There's a ventilation panel for extra breathability too! So good for working out, hiking or even just wearing on summer days!
Pros:
Stretchy yarn at ankle
Low-profile toe seam to avoid irritation
Cons:
Just one color
Available at: Amazon
7. Bombas Gripper Slipper, Double Cushion
Best Slipper Socks
Want a pair of socks you can wear at home to keep your feet warm, comfy and protected? These grippy-bottom slipper socks will keep you from sliding around hardwood floors too! The double-cushioned footbed and cozy brushed lining are just dreamy for lazy weekends and evenings!
Pros:
Machine wash, tumble dry
Eight color options
Cons:
Not vegan-friendly (made with wool)
Available at: Bombas
8. CWVLC 4-Pack Cushioned Compression Sport Socks
Best for Athletes
These socks feature cushioning and arch support, as well as moisture control to keep feet dry and odor-free, so you don't have to feel self-conscious, especially after a long game or workout. They also have excellent compression to reduce swelling!
Pros:
Specific left and right socks according to plantar structure
180-day warranty
Cons:
Only available in four-packs
Available at: Amazon
9. Toes&Feet Padded Anti-Slip Grip PiYo Socks
Best for Working Out
These socks have a padded footbed and also add on a non-slip grip sole for indoor use, whether you're doing yoga, dancing or just walking around the house. No more slips, no more pain!
Pros:
Provide extra cushioning for traditionally shoe-less workouts
Made with breathable cotton
Cons:
Not good for wearing with shoes
Available at: Amazon
10. Feetures Elite Max Cushion Ankle Socks
Like Walking on Clouds
These socks aim to deliver "plush comfort under every step." They're made with cushioning and targeted compression, and they even feature a seamless construction to help avoiding any chafing or skin discomfort!
Pros:
Made with post-consumer recycled yarns
Anatomical left-and-right shaping
Cons:
Lack of reviews
Available at: Amazon
11. Sockwell Featherweight Flair Moderate Graduated Compression Socks
APMA-Approved
A few years back, Sockwell's entire collection of graduated compression and relaxed fit diabetic-friendly socks earned the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance. This one features compression, a cushioned sole and Accu-fit Technology for all-day comfort, specifically for medical workers, retail employees, pregnant people and more!
Pros:
Four zones of compression
May help reduce the appearance/formation of varicose veins
Cons:
Very tall design may be less suitable for warm weather
Available at: Amazon
12. Lapulas Athletic Running Ankle Socks
Blister-Free Comfort
Along with the visible cushioning you can see on the soles of these anti-bacterial socks, they also feature heel tabs to help prevent blisters and friction, which is especially handy if you're breaking in a new pair of shoes. We love how the arch support targets plantar fasciitis pain and how breathable the mesh is!
Pros:
May improve circulation for improved performance and recovery
Popular with shoppers
Cons:
No individual pairs, just six-packs
Available at: Amazon
13. Darn Tough Vermont Coolmax Micro Crew Cushion Socks
Best for Boots
With mid-level cushioning and a taller rise, these socks will be the perfect companions for your hiking and snow boots. Shoppers are even saying they want them in more colors because they love them so much. Another cool thing is they're made to adjust to whatever the temperature is to keep you comfortable!
Pros:
Coolmax® fabric helps moisture easily evaporate
Seamless toe
Cons:
A pricier pair
Available at: Zappos
14. Amazon Essentials Women's 6-Pack Performance Cotton Cushioned Athletic Socks
Everyday Essentials
Swapping out your regular socks for pairs with zoned cushioning and premium cotton could be shockingly game-changing. With tons of reviews, different color accents in each pack and a design fine-tuned based on customer feedback, a pack of these socks is an easy choice, especially if you're new to padded socks!
Pros:
Very affordable
Mesh ventilation
Cons:
May not be cushioned enough for more serious pain/conditions
Available at: Amazon
15. Relaxife Toe Topper Liner Socks
Minimal Coverage
So, socks are great for sneakers and boots — but what if you want to wear slides or heels and still get that extra comfort? A more minimal design like this is the way to go. Show your toes and no one will know what's underneath the vamp strap!
Pros:
Can be worn with all types of "no-sock" shoes
Padding is very soft
Cons:
Some shoppers worry about future durability of the nylon toe strap
Available at: Amazon
16. SB SOX Compression Socks
With a reinforced and cushioned heel and more intense compression than other socks, this longer pair is especially nice if you're dealing with swelling and fatigue in your legs and feet. They're moisture-wicking, have arch support and even have shoppers saying they prefer them over some doctor-recommended alternatives!
Pros:
Plenty of color options
Number one bestseller in their category
Cons:
Not necessarily suitable for everyday life depending on your job/lifestyle
Available at: Amazon
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