We’re back again!
If you’re like us, you’ve probably seen new grip sock brands popping up left, right, and centre—but let’s be real, a lot of them are just Alibaba or Temu knock-offs with a fancy label. Don’t stress though—you’re in good hands.
We’re current footballers (and we’ve even got a rugby lad in the crew), and between us, we’ve tried almost every semi-decent pair of grip socks on the market. Yep, even the $2 pairs from AliExpress.
So let’s jump straight in. Here are our picks for the 10 Best Football Grip Socks!
#10 - FLY GRIP SOCKS
In 2021, this New Zealand based grip sock brand Fly Grip Socks joined the NZ market. They’re still expanding, but you’ll spot them on U17 NZ reps and even some Premier League academy players. They have plays in the football National league and Rugby scene rocking their grip socks.
Pros
✔️ Available in multiple colours
✔️ Unique grip pattern
✔️ Locally found in New Zealand
Cons
❌ No small or kids sizes
❌ Low heel cut
❌ Thin material—many players prefer thicker socks
#9 - GAIN THE EDGE
UK-based Gain The Edge is probably one of the most well-known grip sock brands due to their aggressive online marketing. You’ll see EPL players rocking them and influencers promoting them hard. But despite the hype, quality-wise they land somewhere in the middle.
Pros
✔️ Affordable price
✔️ Multiple colourways
✔️ Trusted by EPL and pro players
Cons
❌ Short lifespan—grip wears quickly
❌ Long shipping times to NZ and AUS - rest of the world is good.
❌ Flooded with knockoffs on Alibaba and Temu—making it hard to tell what’s legit
#8 - TAPEDESIGN
Tapedesign has been one of the big names in the grip sock game. Worn by international pros and often seen all over social media. But their explosion in popularity also brought with it a ton of cheap replicas that diluted the brand’s rep.
Pros
✔️ Budget-friendly
✔️ Multiple sizes and colours
✔️ Endorsed by elite players
Cons
❌ Not as grippy as newer tech
❌ Lots of fakes that feel identical
❌ Lifespan isn’t great
#7 - APEX PRO 3.0 (APEXSOX)
Apex Pro 3.0 is a fresh UK-based brand that’s making waves in Europe. Their tech-heavy language and slick branding have drawn attention, even if their social presence is a bit quiet. They’ve gained a strong following thanks to their clean design and high-performance pitch.
Pros
✔️ Athletic look and feel
✔️ Custom grip pattern unique to Apex
✔️ Quality sock base with good support
Cons
❌ Sock quality has been inconsistent between batches
❌ Only available in black and white
❌ Heavy use of technical terms can be confusing to the average athlete
❌ Design looks a bit bulky in comparison to other brands
#6 - GRIP STAR
Grip Star Socks was founded in Australia in 2019 and is now a staple across the NRL, A-League, NPL, AFL, and even netball. They've even expanded into high-vis grip socks for tradies! You’ll find them on the feet of stars like Reece Walsh from the Brisbane Broncos.
Pros
✔️ Strong, simple design
✔️ Worn in multiple pro sports codes
✔️ Australian-based and trusted locally
Cons
❌ Higher price tag despite basic tech
❌ Uses general grip pad layout like many replicas
❌ No unique features that stand out tech-wise
#5 - STEPZZ
Aussie-based Stepzz has gained a lot of traction in New Zealand ands Australia over the past two years. From grassroots footy to professional players, they’ve carved a place in the market with their comfy, low-key design. The founder gained popularity from his social media posting and podcasting that helped enhance the brand image.
Pros
✔️ Comfy fit—great for long sessions
✔️ Simple and minimal look
✔️ Wide colour range
Cons
❌ International shipping can be pricey
❌ Lacks newer grip tech compared to newer competitors
#4 - NIKE GRIP SOCKS
Before the grip sock boom, Nike Grip Socks were the go-to. Trusted by athletes simply because of the name, Nike offered one of the few high-performance socks before the wave of boutique brands. After 2019 alot of new small grip sock brands entered the market as better alternatives.
Pros
✔️ Comfortable and athletic aesthetic
✔️ Multiple sizing options
✔️ Global brand trust
Cons
❌ High price tag for average performance
❌ Counterfeits and fakes are everywhere
❌ Lacks technical innovation compared to smaller, newer brands
#3 - PURE GRIP SOCKS
American-based Pure Grip Socks are known for quality and variety, being one of the first to combine grip socks and sock sleeves (footless socks) in their range. Pure Grip socks have great range of grip socks - with a huge following in USA and Canada.
Pros
✔️ Lots of colours available
✔️ Sell sleeves and grip sock combos
✔️ Good quality grip pads
Cons
❌ Long shipping times from customer reviews
❌ Basic grip pad tech
#2 - TRUSOX
The OGs. Trusox built the foundation for the modern grip sock movement. Their distinctive design and elite athlete endorsements put them on the map. But in today’s market, many small brands have caught up—or even surpassed them—when it comes to performance and comfort.
Pros
✔️ World-renowned
✔️ Used by top-level athletes in football, rugby, and more
✔️ Established grip tech
Cons
❌ Frequently copied
❌ Pricey (and many say not worth the extra $$)
❌ Basic grip layout by today’s standards
#1 - BEST GRIP
100% Kiwi-owned, Best Grip is one of the fastest-growing grip sock brands in the world. Headquartered in Auckland and Melbourne, they’ve become a favourite among athletes across Oceania—and are now expanding rapidly into the USA and Europe.
Their socks feature advanced XCore™ Grip Pads, tested in high-performance settings and built for explosive movements and quick direction changes. More athletes are making the switch to Best Grip.
Pros
✔️ Reliable grip pattern with excellent grip
✔️ Built to last through matches and washes
✔️ High-quality base sock for durability
✔️ 20-25% Discounts available for bundles and promotions
Cons
❌ Limited small sizes (currently only black, white, and green)
❌ Stock is limited at times.
Summary
There you have it - our Top 10 Grip Socks for Football in 2025. Whether you play football, rugby, netball, or any other sport that involves sharp movements, traction and grip are key. Over the last few years, more NRL and Super Rugby athletes have started wearing grip socks, proving they're not just for footballers.
Every brand has its pros and cons, and finding the right grip sock depends on what you value most—comfort, traction, price, or durability.
Did we miss any brands you rate? Let us know who we should include next year.
#BecomeTheBest
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