Grip socks: frequently asked questions

Everything you want to know about grip socks for Pilates, reformer, yoga and barre. Answered short and honestly by the PLTÉ team. Can't find your question? Get in touch.

What are grip socks and what are they for?

Grip socks are socks with a non-slip layer on the sole. That grip keeps your foot planted on the reformer and on the mat, so you don't slide mid-movement. They are worn mainly for Pilates, reformer Pilates, barre and yoga, and many studios require them for hygiene.

Why do you wear grip socks for Pilates?

Pilates is all about control and stability. Without grip, your feet slide on the reformer or the smooth mat, which throws off your posture and balance. Grip socks give you a fixed point of contact, so you can sink deeper into an exercise without worrying about slipping. They also keep your feet warm and are more hygienic than bare feet in a shared studio.

Are grip socks required for reformer Pilates?

At many reformer studios, yes. Reformer Pilates works with a moving carriage and spring tension, where grip under your foot directly affects your safety and technique. More and more studios make grip socks mandatory. Our grip socks for reformer Pilates have an extended grip pattern that runs further than standard grip socks, exactly where you place your feet on the reformer.

What size grip socks do I need?

PLTÉ grip socks come in two sizes: S for EU shoe size 35 to 39 and M for EU shoe size 40 to 44. In doubt between two sizes? Choose the smaller one. A snug sock gives the best grip and stays in place.

What are PLTÉ grip socks made of?

Our grip socks are made of cotton, polyamide and elastane. Cotton feels soft and breathes, polyamide adds strength and shape retention, and elastane gives the light compression that wraps the sock around your foot without squeezing. The grip itself is a silicone print on the sole.

How do I wash grip socks without damaging the grip?

Wash your grip socks at 30 degrees and turn them inside out before they go in the machine. That protects the grip. No tumble dryer and no ironing, as heat degrades the silicone layer. Air drying keeps the grip intact the longest.

When should I replace my grip socks?

As long as the grip still holds and the sock fits snugly, keep wearing it. Replace your grip socks when the silicone print starts to feel smooth or when the elastic stretches out and the sock starts slipping down. With regular use, a good pair of premium grip socks typically lasts one to two years.

Can I use PLTÉ grip socks for yoga and barre too?

Yes. The same extended grip pattern that works on the reformer also holds you in a yoga flow or during barre. The socks are designed for any studio workout where grip and stability matter. For hot yoga, where many people prefer more skin contact, it remains a matter of personal preference.

What makes PLTÉ different from cheap grip socks?

Three things. The grip pattern runs further than on a standard grip sock, giving you more points of contact. The fit is snug with light compression, so the sock doesn't shift in your shoe or on the mat. And the finish is studio-grade: colours that belong in the studio and fabric that keeps its shape class after class. PLTÉ is designed in the Netherlands and worn in Pilates studios in the Netherlands and Belgium. Read our story.

How do I keep my grip socks from slipping down?

Choose the right size and go one size down when in doubt. The light compression in our grip socks is there precisely to prevent slipping. If a sock still slips down, it is usually too big or the elastic has stretched after long use.

Are grip socks a good gift?

For someone who does Pilates, reformer, yoga or barre, grip socks are one of the nicest small gifts there is. They get used often, last long and feel luxurious without being expensive. A set in two colours from The Mono Collection is a safe choice that looks polished.

What do PLTÉ grip socks cost and how fast is delivery?

A pair of PLTÉ grip socks costs €18.95. Shipping within the Netherlands is free from three pairs. We usually process your order within one to two working days, often the same day, and ship from our warehouse in the Netherlands to the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the rest of the world. Read more on our shipping page.

Can I return the socks if they are not for me?

Yes. You can return or exchange your order up to 30 days after delivery. On top of that, you have a 14-day statutory cooling-off period, no reason needed. Unworn socks in the original packaging can simply come back. How it works is on our Returns & Exchanges page.

Can my studio or shop stock and resell PLTÉ?

Yes. Pilates, yoga and barre studios, gyms and physio practices, concept stores and other business outlets buy from us at studio prices, starting at 20 pairs. You can split those 20 pairs freely across colours and sizes, and shipping is free from 20 pairs. See the options on the page for studios and retail.

How does ordering work as a studio partner?

Get in touch and we'll send you a sample with the studio prices. If it's a fit, you place a first order from 20 pairs, which usually reaches you within a few working days. After that you reorder through your own partner portal, where you see your prices and order on invoice.

Can my studio get grip socks with its own logo?

Yes. Through our co-design programme you design a grip sock with your own logo together with us, in colours that match your studio. Your logo can be woven in, embroidered, or worked into the grip pattern on the sole. It is a separate track from buying the collection, with its own timeline from design to delivery. See how it works on the page grip socks with your own logo.

Shop all PLTÉ grip socks

What is PLTÉ?

PLTÉ is a Dutch brand of premium grip socks for Pilates, first and foremost on the reformer, and also for yoga and barre. We are a sock brand, not a Pilates studio. The name stands for Power Lives in True Élegance.

Who is behind PLTÉ?

We are Svenja and Nuradin. Svenja couldn't find a Pilates sock that stayed in place and looked good too, so we decided to make one ourselves. Together with a Pilates studio, we developed the sock you buy from us today. PLTÉ is based in Geleen and we ship from our warehouse in the Netherlands.

Where can I buy PLTÉ?

Online at plte.nl, with shipping to the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the rest of the world. Our socks are also available in studios and shops in the Netherlands and Belgium: Studio 33 Pilates (Sittard, Beek and Roermond), Pura'Mi (Brunssum), Pilates met Yvonne (Landgraaf and Heerlen), Studio REFORM (Weert), Six Senses and Studio Mari-Lou (Maastricht), LEEF Pilates (Oirsbeek), MediSport (Geleen) and Eunoia (Kinrooi, Belgium).