Sock Aids: Putting Socks On Without Bending

By Scott Smith. Last reviewed 22 October 2026.

How Does a Sock Aid Work?

You slide the sock over a curved gutter or frame until the toe sits at the end, then hold the cords or handles, drop the aid to the floor in front of you and put your foot into the opening. As you pull on the cords, the aid slides out and the sock rolls up over your heel and ankle. It takes a little practice, and most people find it easiest sitting on a firm chair or the edge of the bed.

What Types Are There?

Which Sock Aid for Compression Socks?

A sock aid for compression socks needs to be firm enough to hold a tight stocking open while you push your foot in. Soft fabric aids often collapse under the pull of medical hosiery. Rigid frames, some wide plastic gutters and dedicated stocking frames work better. Many people still find compression stockings hard to manage, and a donning glove or a slippery foot sleeve can help. If you have been prescribed stockings, ask the nurse or pharmacist who fitted them which aids they suggest.

Do You Need One After a Hip Replacement?

After a hip replacement, many people are asked not to bend the hip beyond a right angle or cross their legs for several weeks. A sock aid lets you dress your feet within those limits, which is why it is usually part of a hip kit along with a long handled shoe horn, a grabber and a raised toilet seat. The hospital occupational therapist will often show you how to use one before you go home. It is worth practising before the operation if you can.

How Do You Use One?

1. Sit on a firm chair or the edge of the bed with your feet flat.
2. Gather the sock over the aid until the heel sits at the back of the gutter.
3. Hold the cords and lower the aid to the floor in front of your foot.
4. Slide your toes into the opening as far as they will go.
5. Pull steadily on the cords so the aid slides out and the sock comes up.

Is Fabric or Plastic Better?

Fabric aids are gentle on the legs, fold into a bag and suit loose everyday socks. Plastic gutters are a little firmer, slide off the heel easily and are easy to wipe clean. Rigid frames take more space but hold the sock open well, which helps with thicker or tighter socks. Look at the cords too. Long cords with loops are easier for people with weak hands, and foam handles suit those with arthritis in the fingers.

What About Taking Socks Off?

Most of these aids only help with putting socks on. To take them off, people often use a dressing stick or a long handled shoe horn to push the sock down over the heel. Some kits include a hook for this. Slip on shoes with elastic laces save bending as well.

Choosing Footwear That Helps

Putting socks on is only half the battle if shoes are hard to manage too. Slip on shoes, or shoes with touch fastening straps or elastic laces, avoid the need to bend and tie. A long handled shoe horn guides the heel in while you stay upright, and many come with a hook on the other end for pulling the shoe off. Shoes with a firm heel counter are easier to slide into than soft ones that fold over. If your feet swell during the day, look for adjustable straps rather than fixed laces, and put shoes on in the morning when feet are smallest. People with diabetes should check that new footwear does not rub, and ask a podiatrist if unsure.

Other Dressing Help

Clothing with wider openings, elastic waists and magnetic fastenings can save effort, and our guide to adaptive clothing for wheelchair users looks at the options. For washing your feet without bending, see our bathroom aids guide. The daily living aids page covers more small aids around the home. An occupational therapist can suggest aids if dressing has become hard for any reason.

The aids below were in stock when we checked each listing. Compare the type with the socks you wear most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Get One on the NHS?

Often, yes, after hip surgery or an occupational therapist assessment. They are also low cost to buy, so many people buy a spare to keep in a travel bag or at a relative’s home.

Will It Work with Tights?

Some will, one leg at a time, but tights are fiddly. Flexible gutters usually work better than fabric ones.

Is It VAT Free?

It can be when bought by a disabled person for their own use, if the seller offers VAT relief. You usually confirm your eligibility with a short declaration at checkout.

Can I Use One Standing Up?

It is safer to sit. Standing on one leg to dress the other foot raises the risk of a fall.

How Long Does It Take to Get Used to One?

Most people get the knack within a few tries. Practise with a loose, thin sock first, then move on to thicker socks or stockings once the movement feels natural. If it still feels awkward after a week, a different type may suit you better.