Non-slip and hospital socks

A sock bought to stop somebody falling.

A non-slip sock carries a silicone tread printed onto the sole. It grips polished floors that ordinary socks slide on, which is why hospitals, care homes and hotels buy them by the thousand rather than by the pack.

This is the one construction in the catalogue with a safety purpose rather than a comfort one. That changes what matters: coverage, durability through industrial washing, and being able to tell sizes apart at a glance.

Tread coverage and pattern. Full-sole coverage grips best. A pattern of dots or bars uses less silicone and stays more flexible. Grip concentrated only at the ball of the foot is the cheapest and the least useful.

One side or both. Tread on both faces means the sock cannot be put on inside out by mistake, which matters when someone else is dressing the wearer. It also doubles the printing.

Wash regime. Industrial laundry runs hotter than domestic. State the temperature and the expected number of cycles, because that is what determines whether the silicone stays bonded or peels.

Size identification. Institutional buyers usually want a different colour per size. Decide the colour-to-size map early: it affects yarn ordering and it is difficult to change once a facility is used to it.