Tennis grip socks: the best socks for tennis players in 2026

You take a quick step to the side, brake hard and feel your foot slide forward in your shoe. After a long match on a hard court you have a blister under the ball of your foot or on your toes. Sound familiar? Then you are probably looking for the best tennis socks to keep your foot still. Below you read what tennis asks of your feet, what to look for in grip socks for tennis and which sock from GT Sport Selection fits.

What does tennis ask of your feet?

Tennis is mostly short, explosive movements in every direction. With every shot your foot takes forces from the side, the front and the back. So it can move inside your shoe, even when the shoe fits well.

Side steps and the split step

Before almost every shot you do a split step: a small hop just before your opponent hits the ball. Then you push off sideways towards the ball. During that sideways push, your foot wants to slide to the outside of your shoe. The less room it has, the more direct your push-off feels.

Sliding on clay

On clay you slide into the ball on purpose. Your shoe slides over the court, but your foot should stay put inside the shoe. If your foot slides forward too, your toes hit the front of your shoe. Your recovery after the shot feels less stable as well.

Hard stops on hard courts

A hard court gives a lot of grip between sole and surface. So your shoe stops abruptly while your foot keeps moving for a moment. That sliding causes friction in the same spots: under the ball of your foot, on your toes and at your heel.

Long matches and heat

A three-set match easily takes one and a half to two hours. In summer the court is in full sun. Your feet sweat and damp skin rubs sooner. What is no problem after ten minutes can turn into a blister after ninety.

What do tennis grip socks actually do?

Tennis grip socks hold the sock in place in your shoe so your foot slides less. The grip under the sole holds the sock against the insole of your tennis shoe. Because a grip sock fits snugly around your foot, your foot also slides less inside the sock.

Good to know: a grip sock does not change the grip of your shoe on the court. That depends on your outsole and its pattern for clay, hard court or grass. The grip sock only works inside the shoe, between your foot and your insole.

There is no research on grip socks in tennis specifically. There are two small studies in team sports. In the study by Apps and colleagues (2022) with 20 recreational team sports players, the friction of the grip sock was almost twice that of a regular sock (1.17 against 0.60). The players ran a 26 metre slalom slightly faster and their forefoot slid less inside the shoe when braking.

A second study by Friedl and colleagues (2023) with 12 recreational footballers found no clear drop in sliding and no faster time. Neither study looked at injuries or at tennis. So the evidence is limited. Read how grip socks work in our guide what are grip socks.

What should you look for in tennis socks?

Look mainly at fit, grip, height, material and size. A good tennis sock fits snugly, does not fold and sits in your shoe without pinching.

• Snug fit: a grip sock only works when it fits tightly. Room in the sock is room for your foot to slide.
• Grip under the sole: the grip should hold the sock against your insole, especially under the forefoot where you push off.
• Height: an ankle sock is airy and disappears in a low tennis shoe. A higher sock puts fabric between your ankle and the edge of your shoe.
• Material: polyamide and elastane keep the sock tight and in shape. Cotton feels soft and absorbs moisture.
• Size: choose the size that matches your shoe size. If you are between two sizes, take the smaller one. For wide feet the larger size is better.

Which grip socks are best for tennis?

For most players the GT Ankle Grip Socks are the best socks for tennis. If you want a higher sock or need a smaller or larger size, choose the Classic GT GRIP Socks. This table puts them side by side.

Feature	GT Ankle Grip Socks	Classic GT GRIP Socks
Height	Ankle height	Higher sock
Price	€20	€25
Sizes	EU 38-42 and 43-47	EU 34-37, 38-42, 43-47 and 48-52
Colours	White and black	Ten colours, including white and black
Material	70% polyamide, 25% cotton, 5% elastane	Polyamide with breathable mesh zones, reinforced toe
Grip	Silicone hexagons on the outside of the sole	Silicone hexagons on the outside of the sole
Inside of the sole	Terry cloth for cushioning	Terry cloth for cushioning

GT Ankle Grip Socks: made for tennis

According to the product page, the GT Ankle Grip Socks are made for padel, tennis and badminton. During sideways stops the grip keeps your foot in place in the shoe. The sock reaches ankle height, so it sits light and airy in a low tennis shoe.

The build is the same as the Classic: silicone hexagons on the outside of the sole at the forefoot and heel, a midfoot without grip pads and terry cloth on the inside for cushioning. The GT Ankle Grip Socks from GT Sport Selection cost €20, are made of 70% polyamide, 25% cotton and 5% elastane and come in white and black, in sizes EU 38-42 and 43-47.

Classic GT GRIP Socks: if you want a higher sock

If you want a sock that comes up higher, choose the Classic GT GRIP Socks. The silicone grip pattern sits on the outside of the sole, against the insole of your shoe. Most of the grip is on the forefoot where you push off, with extra grip on the heel. The midfoot is a breathable zone without grip pads.

The inside of the sole is terry cloth for cushioning. That is pleasant on hard courts, where you brake a lot. The Classic costs €25 and comes in ten colours and four sizes, from EU 34 to 52. If your size is below 38 or 48 and up, the Classic is the only one of the two that fits.

What are the best tennis socks to prevent blisters?

Socks that stay in place help most: when your foot slides less, there is less friction and so fewer blisters. Blisters in tennis mainly come from repeated rubbing in the same spot, combined with heat and moisture. A sock that is held in your shoe and fits snugly takes away part of that rubbing.

A grip sock is not a miracle cure, though. Your shoe size, your laces and how new your shoes are also matter. For a long match, bring a second pair and change when your socks are soaked. Read more about causes, prevention and care in our article on blisters.

What does a grip sock not do?

A grip sock keeps your foot in place in your shoe. That is where it stops. So be realistic about what to expect:

• It gives no extra grip on the court. For that you need the right tennis shoe for your surface.
• It does not turn a shoe that is too big into one that fits.
• It is not an insole and not an ankle brace. It is sports equipment, not a medical device.
• It does not protect you from getting hurt. No sock can promise that.

If you have pain or ongoing problems in your foot or ankle, see a doctor or physiotherapist. Grip socks also have downsides, such as the tight fit and the price. We list them honestly in our article on the disadvantages of grip socks. Not sure you need a grip sock at all? Read the difference between grip socks and normal socks.

Grip socks for tennis or padel: what is the difference?

There is little difference: both sports ask for lots of sideways stops and short sprints. That is why the GT Ankle Grip Socks are made for both. The courts differ a lot, so you choose different shoes. But inside the shoe the same thing happens. Read more in our article on the best padel socks.

Conclusion

Tennis asks a lot of your feet: side steps, slides, hard stops and long matches in the heat. Tennis grip socks keep your foot in place in your shoe and reduce friction. For most players the GT Ankle Grip Socks are the logical choice. If you want a higher sock, the Classic fits better. All models are in our grip socks collection.

Shipping is free from €45 in Belgium and the Netherlands and from €50 in the rest of the EU. Outside Belgium and the Netherlands, allow a few extra working days for delivery. If a size does not fit, you can return it within 30 days under our returns policy.