Sock-eating booties - YouLookFab Forum

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Sock-eating booties

Gracie

Veteran

I have two pairs of leather booties (Clarks, Kenneth Cole), with about 1" flat heel. They fit well, not too loose, definitely not tight. Whenever I wear them with ankle or knee-high socks, they start "eating" the sock down... as I walk, the back of the sock starts sliding down towards my heel and bunching up under my foot. Has anybody had this happen? Is it the socks weight/finish (cotton mostly), the inside material of the bootie?... tips other than adding an insole? Thanks!

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from Gracie

Fruitful

Veteran

Oh yeah, I've had this happen. It sucks. I don't know the answer. I do find some socks do better than others though. Or bare feet.

Gigi

Veteran

I recently had this problem, and it was due to the new socks I had bought. They didn't have much elastic up at the top to keep the sock up. I exchanged them for a different style at the store (I complained), and the new style had tighter elastic at the top. Then I didn't have a problem. I don't know if the weight of the sock was also an issue--the problem socks were quite thin. Interestingly, the booties I was wearing when I noticed the problem were Clarks also--Saphire Athena, I think. But I've worn those shoes since with different socks and didn't have a problem.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ugh. I have had this experience often. But I've never been able to identify why. It happens to me with taller boots, too. Typically it is the sock. Some socks do this more than others. It is worst with mostly cotton socks, especially thinner ones. Or socks with too much acrylic. I don't have this problem with thin Smartwool socks or socks that have a more elastic construction to them.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have this problem with one particular pair of booties -- low-heeled Asos studded ones -- combined with certain socks. A combination of insoles, and taller socks that are not so soft and with stronger elastic at the top helps. But sometimes I forget and use untested socks with the booties -- halfway through the day, I swear I'm going to put a note in my sock drawer to remind me which ones work!

FlorenceFearne

This drives me nuts, especially with really tall laced up boots. There's nothing like having to undo 20 eyelets worth of doc marten only to pull up your sock... and then have it slither right back down. So far, I've found the worst socks are the really thin ones. My thicker, nubbier knee socks with a wide band at the top do best. I also wear the ankle height athletic socks with a 1 inch cuff at the top, and those stay pretty well put.

PamelaK

I had this problem in athletic shoes, booties and tall boots. Smartwool (or similar REI etc) are the only the socks that stay up for me without uncomfortable elastic at the top.

deb

Veteran

I have this problem whenever I wear socks with any shoe type. I always figured it was the shape of my foot.

Adelfa

Veteran

I have this problem too. Haven't figured anything out.

Gracie

Veteran

I'm glad I'm not alone. FF, I'm glad I don't have to undo all those eyets – I'll stop complaining now! My best solution has been to just yank the socks off and yeah, put them in my purse.

Thank you for the sock recs. The athletic socks with the wide cuff sound appealing as tight elastic below my knee makes me itchy and uncomfortable and leaves unslightly marks.I will look up REI, Smartwool, and nubby, thicker socks.

But first I like to try Janet's idea of putting a note with the pair that "goes with those booties." I have to do some matching up and if I find a pair that I own that works, I will just stuff them in the booties.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

This TOTALLY drive me NUTS.

I have had to go with kid's socks because they have smaller tubes :3

donnat

Veteran

I have to say, this drives me nuts and i dont know the answer. I end up taking off the socks. Sorry i am no help.

JAileen

Veteran

I was going to New York for Thanksgiving a few years ago and to make sure my feet didn 't get cold I bought a bunch of Smartwool washable wool socks. I couldn't walk across the street without them falling down.They looked nice but drove me crazy!!!!! I gave them away after we got back. Now I have a bunch of Thorlo light hiking socks. I wear them everyday and they work in my Frye boots and never fall down. Life is too short to have socks that annoy you.

Neelie

Veteran

Have you tried running socks? They are 2 layers (to prevent blisters) but they stay put really well. I think they only come in ankle length, but they won't show anyways. I get them at a running store.

Greyscale

Veteran

I was about to recommend Smartwool and I see that someone already said that up-thread. The thin ones fit well inside dressy shoes. Because they're elaborately shaped and come in different sizes, they stay on your feet remarkably well. They're expensive ($12-$20 depending on the style) but because they're wool, they last really well and I have even been known to wear the same pair more than once between washes, thanks to wool's amazing anti-stinky properties.

I just bought the tiny ballet flat liners from Smartwool, and they don't stay on my feet as well as their shaped socks, but they're still better than any of the usual nylon ones.

Greyscale

Veteran

(I missed the comment with bad Smartwool experiences - I didn't mean to negate that. Maybe they fit some foot shapes better than others.)

Gracie

Veteran

Thank you all for the most recent recommendations, I'll add Thorlo light hiking socks and maybe kids' tube my list to check out on my next shopping trip. Thanks Greyscale for the detailed info. Neelie, I haven't tried running socks because I'm thinking they all are white and rather see black or brown inside my booties, but I'll keep my eyes open for them to see if they come in dark colors.

El Cee

Veteran

I hate when that happens. Have you tried foam insoles (like Odor Eaters or other similar brands). They seem to lessen slippage for me.

Gracie

Veteran

El Cee – there's no room for insoles in the booties, they fit *just right*. Thanks for the suggestion.