This post is sponsored by ZenPaws Yoga Socks.
Have you ever been in a yoga class and just found your feet slipping all over the mat? Or maybe your feet just get cold? I have. Often! Which is why, as a yoga teacher, 9 times out of 10 I wear yoga socks during my yoga practice. Mostly admittedly because my feet are prone to just being cold, but once I get into a vinyasa flow I appreciate not sliding around on my mat. There are more reasons to wear yoga socks, but maybe you’re also asking yourself “what’s the difference between socks and yoga socks?”
What the heck are yoga socks?
If you’ve been to a yoga class, no doubt you’ll have seen someone wearing socks during their yoga practice. Yoga socks are like regular socks but they have little grippy dots on the underside to prevent you from slipping around on your mat. Some are toeless, some have toes, they can be all sizes, shapes, lengths and colors.
Why I use Yoga Socks
I’ve been wearing yoga socks during my practice since I discovered my first pair about 6 years ago. My issue was that my feet would slip on my mat. Despite the “no slip” mats claim, you can sometimes slip on the grippiest mat. Because your feet sweat during your practice. Or even grosser, you drip sweat on your mat and slip in your own sweat. I know, I know, it’s only just Spring but let me tell you that last week in Southern California it was 91° so trust me these are an all round addition to my practice. In Winter I wear them simply because I suffer from permanently cold feet. Simple to add socks and keep my feet a little warmer.
7 Reasons to use Yoga Socks
Still not sold on the idea? Here are 7 reasons you might consider using socks during your yoga practice:
- Cold Feet. Like I said this is a biggie for me. I like toasty feet, not blocks of ice. Our studio can be cold in winter. Plus the gym can be cold purely from the air conditioning.
- No Slipping. My yoga mat is definitely non-slip but the studio floor isn’t! I’ve almost gone head over heels walking across the gym studio floor. Lesson learned. These are also great for vacations, doing yoga on carpeted hotel floors.
- Protects your feet. Most yoga studios have a strict no shoe policy for the studio floor. If the thought of walking barefoot on a dirty floor gives you heebie jeebies then yoga socks are a great way to protect your feet from dust and grime.
- Hygienic. There are some nasty germs on gym floors. I don’t walk around the gym showers without my flip flops, why would I walk on the studio floor without protection?
- Cover Up. Some people just don’t like to be barefoot, or their feet to be on show. Or maybe you have a tattoo on your feet that you’re not sure others would appreciate? Perhaps you’d just feel more comfortable covering up with yoga socks?
- Staying in the moment. Yoga is about being present on your mat. That can sometimes be difficult if you’re thinking about your feet slipping and inadvertently doing the splits. Or if you’re thinking about how cold your feet are. For me wearing yoga socks takes me out of my own head and anxieties and helps bring me present on the mat.
- Fashion. Let’s face it, it’s just nice to wear something that’s a talking point. I get asked about my yoga socks often so it’s always a nice ice breaker for students. I admit to wearing my yoga socks around the house too as the dots can give a nice gentle massage when walking on tiled floor.
ZenPaws Yoga Socks
Recently, I got the chance to try out a pair of yoga socks from ZenPaws. Their yoga socks really got put through a rigorous test last weekend as I attended the Yoga Source conference at Yoga Nook for 12 hours of continuing education. Once the conference was over I was eager to get on my mat to try them during my practice. I tend to prefer a yoga flow so I set out to put these socks through their paces.
Grounded and gripped
The big test for me for yoga socks is how well they hold up during downward facing dog. Especially 3-legged-dog. Easier to slip with just one foot grounded. The ZenPaws socks held up really well. No slipping. I also love the way my feet felt super connected to the floor in pyramid pose. I felt strong and stable in the pose and was able to fully connect body and mind thanks to the grippy dots on the underside of the sock.
Toes or Toeless
My personal preference for socks during yoga is for toeless. Purely because I have small feet, and small toes. My husband calls them stubby toes. I like to call them petite! Socks with the individual full toes tend to be too big for my feet so I opt for toeless. Obviously as with all things that come into our home they have to be inspected thoroughly by Pixel, and he gave the ZenPaws a spotted paw of approval!
Open foot design
The ZenPaws were my first pair with the open foot design on the top. I liked this design feature a lot, which was unexpected as I tend to usually like a lot of arch support. It felt like it gave my feet more freedom and breathability but that could just be me. As for color, teal is one of my favorite colors, so it’s definitely got a thumbs up there.
No slip doesn’t just apply to mats and floors. Some poses require you to put your foot on your own body, like tree pose. You might find your foot slipping on your yoga pants in this pose. I definitely would have in these shiny reebok capri pants! Thankfully my ZenPaw yoga socks meant I could snugly place my foot into my thigh and keep it there! All in all, I really liked the ZenPaw yoga socks and wish they came in more colors so I could coordinate with my outfits.
Questions
Do you practice yoga?
Have you used yoga socks before?
Does being barefoot give you the heebie jeebies?
Trader Joe’s Black Bean Pasta Bowl
Debbie-jean Lemonte
I need to get these. Everytime I practice, I’m always slipping when I go into certain poses.
Di Hickman
They are so helpful!
Marcie
I love socks that separate toes! It’s like a mini stretch that relieves pressure!
Di Hickman
I admit I like the feeling of the dots massaging my feet 😀
Brittany
Oooh! I love these! I didn’t even know they had them! I am always slipping when I do yoga so this is definitely top of my list to get today!
Di Hickman
Yes they are great! Definitely a must if you’re slipping!
Christine
I haven’t been to yoga in awhile but I can’t say I ever noticed anyone using these. What a great idea though! I would def. wear them. I need something similar for my hands too!
Di Hickman
They sell gloves with the dots on too!
Lydia
I’ve never used this while doing yoga but I see the instructors using them almost every time. I need to invest!
Di Hickman
Yeah we have to walk on the floors more than you guys. I’ve slipped a couple of times at the gym… not now!
Holly
I’ve been thinking about getting some for a bit now. Your post has convinced me that I should!
Di Hickman
I’ve got about 6 pairs!
Kristin
OMG I have never seen these and wish I had. I love doing yoga but my feet slip so much you are right you lose the moment when you feel you might fall. I will be getting a pair of these ASAP!
Di Hickman
Glad to help!
Anna nuttall
I never seen socks like these before. they be really good for when I do Pilate. xx
Di Hickman
Yes they’d be great for pilates!
Melissa
Those socks look super comfy unfortunately I don’t do yoga. I do think those socks would be great for my cold wood floors in my house and would keep me from slipping.
Di Hickman
Yes, I wear them indoors on my tiled floors!
Jessi
Those look super comfortable! I have a pair that is similar that I got in a Fab Fit Fun box not too long ago and I really love them!
Di Hickman
They are very comfy!
Donah
These are a great idea 🙂 I usually wear socks since I am borrowing a mat. Do they come in other colors?
Di Hickman
This ZenPaws brand only has the one color, but yes you can get lots of colors/brands/styles
Amanda Love
I would much be more comfortable wearing socks than being bare feet. I thino yoga socks are definitely essential especially if you’re working out in a gym. I would prefer having these!
Di Hickman
Yes I use them at the gym more than the yoga studio.
Kori
I’ve thought about getting Yoga socks and gloves. My mat is awesome but my palms get sweaty and I start to lose my grip. Not fun when I’m trying to hold a pose!
Di Hickman
Exactly Kori! Hard to stay present when you’re slipping around!
Terri Steffes
I just started learning yoga and I do not wear socks. No one I have been around wears the socks either. I am going to bring it up in conversation and see what comes of it!
Di Hickman
hehehe maybe you’ll start a trend 😉
Janel
The socks are really cool now I want to pair. I don’t really do yoga but when I do exercises on the mat yes my feet are always slipping everywhere. I didn’t even know these kind of socks existed
Di Hickman
Good for pilates too! I also wear them around the house. I love that the grippy dots give my feet a gentle massage on the tile floor
Ana De- Jesus
I had no idea that yoga socks was a thing but it is great that you gives you better grip. Plus it is more hygienic which is perfect x
Di Hickman
Definitely having more grip is a good thing, esp in hot weather!
karen
Although I dont participate in Yoga, I have many friends who do and am totally sharing your post with them. I think your logic with Yoga socks is so smart – especially your point about being hygienic!
Di Hickman
Totally! I know some people are germ sensitive so makes sense to cover up!
Robin rue
I have never taken a yoga class so I didn’t know there were special socks for it. They sound super helpful!
Di Hickman
Good for home practice too Robin!