Shoe liners, footies, invisible socks, no-show socks... whatever you want to call them are a great invention. They make it look like you're not wearing socks, which is a popular look at the moment, and it's better for your feet than actually going barefoot. They prevent you from sweating in your shoes, making it more hygienic and most importantly reducing the chances of creating an unpleasant shoe odour.
However, I've found that a lot of them don't really fit very well. They slip off your heel, move down your foot causing discomfort. The only way of really finding out if they are any good is if you wear them yourself so it's difficult to tell before you make that purchase.
The best way to know if they will be any good is by looking out for the following features:
Size
I've bought a great number of shoe liners over the years and have discovered that the best ones are those that are sized.
Heel Grip
The best kind of heel grip is the thin non-silicone type, the silicone grippers aren't great, they can loose their grip over time so I would recommend not having any lotion or oils where the gripper will be and to avoid using washing detergent when washing them.
So after trying and testing a great number of styles and brands I've whittled it down to 6. Here are my top 6 recommendations available on Tights Dept. which are mostly unisex, so guys I hope you are reading this too! Starting with the best:
1. Omsa - Feet Care Cotton (unisex)
Hands down these are the best shoe liner on the market! I wear them all the time, I even wear them running and in the gym as I like a light sock. They are a light cotton, come halfway up the foot and have a thin smooth silicone free gripper patch on the heel.
Available in nude and black, in sizes S/M (35-38), M/L (39-41) and XL (42-46) and cost €5.95. Buy them here. They are also available in a twin pack in white, black and nude, buy them here.
2. Omsa - Ballerina
These are the next best shoe liner. They are very similar to the previous style but are lower on the foot and are a lighter weight. They are also cotton and have the same smooth non-silicone gripper patch on the heel.
Available in nude, in sizes S/M (35-38), M/L (39-41) and cost €5.95. Click here to buy.
3. Trasparenze - Poppy
These are a great fashion footie that can change the look of any shoe, especially a plain pump. Its criss-cross straps keep them in place, preventing them from slipping off the heel and it's also a nice design feature. They also have an openwork lace style pattern making them light an airy.
Available in black and white, click here to buy.
4. Ysabel Mora - Pinki Invisible (unisex)
These are a sports liner sock, are made of cotton and have a silicone gripper on the heel. They have a built in elasticated panel/band across the middle of the foot which helps to keep them in place. As I said before, the silicone grippers aren't the best but if you keep your heels free from any lotions or oils they are the next best to the Omsa Feetcare range.
Available in black and white, in both women's and men's sizes. Buy them online here.
5. Bonnie Doon - Sneaker Socks (unisex)
Very similar to the previous socks from Ysabel Mora only they are a little lighter and have a wider strip of silicone on the heel.
They're available in black and white, in both women and mens sizes. Click here to buy.
6. Toe Cover Socks
Toe cover socks or toe toppers are great for wearing with open back shoes like mules, clogs and sling-backs. They help prevent sweat and blisters, are made of cotton.
They are available with or without grippers on the sole, in single packs and twin packs and colours black and nude. Click here to buy.