Walk into almost any reformer pilates, yoga or barre studio in Dubai or Abu Dhabi and you will see a rack of grip socks by the front desk. Most studios ask clients to wear them, and plenty of clients forget theirs. That small rack quietly becomes one of the steadiest retail lines a studio has.
This guide covers why studios sell their own branded grip socks, what separates a good grip sock from a forgettable one, how ordering with your logo works from 50 pairs, and how to work out your margin.
Why studios sell branded grip socks
- Hygiene and safety. Reformers, mats and studio floors are shared. Grip socks keep bare feet off the surface and stop sliding during footwork, planks and balance work.
- A product people actually need. New clients arrive without socks, regulars lose them, and walk in visitors need a pair before class. The demand comes to you.
- Your name leaves the building. A plain sock advertises nobody. A sock with your logo knitted in gets seen in other studios, at the gym, in Instagram stories and in every bag it travels in.
- A welcome gift that gets used. Many studios put a pair in an intro pack or a new membership, which makes the first class feel looked after.
- Retail income with little effort. Socks are small, do not expire and need no fitting room.
What makes a good studio grip sock
Clients judge your studio by the sock you sell them, so the basics are worth getting right.
- Grip where the foot works. The grip should cover the ball of the foot, the arch and the heel, not just a strip in the middle. We offer several grip patterns, so you can pick one that suits your classes and your look. For a closer look at the patterns, read our guide to custom grip socks for gyms and studios.
- A snug fit that does not twist. A sock that slides around the foot moves the grip away from where it is needed. Some stretch in the yarn helps. Our standard mix is 80% cotton, 17% polyamide and 3% elastane.
- The right height. Ankle socks are the classic studio choice and sit low under leggings. Half crew and crew lengths suit barre classes and cold air conditioned rooms, and give your logo more space to show.
- A logo that lasts. Printed logos crack and fade in the wash. A logo knitted into the sock is part of the fabric, so it stays sharp wash after wash. Every custom pair we make is knitted, never printed.
- Sizes for all your clients. Grip works on adult socks and on kids socks, which matters if you run kids yoga or family classes.
How ordering with your logo works
- Send your logo and an idea. Message us on WhatsApp with your logo, the colours you like and the sock length. Design help is included, so a rough idea is enough.
- Get a quote. We do not publish a per pair price, because it depends on quantity, length, colours and grip. Quotes come on WhatsApp, usually within an hour during the day.
- Approve a real sample. We knit an actual sample in about 3 working days, so you can feel the grip and check the colours on your own studio floor. The sample or deposit is 100 to 150 AED, and it is credited in full against your order.
- Production. Once you approve the sample, production takes 1 to 2 weeks.
- Delivery. We deliver anywhere in the UAE, and delivery is free from 500 pairs.
The minimum is 50 pairs per design, with up to 5 colours in the design. That is small enough for a single studio to test one design before committing to more.
How to work out your margin
Your price per pair depends on the details above, so here is how studios usually check whether a run pays for itself.
- Start from your cost per pair. Take your quoted price, add VAT as it applies to your business, and add any packaging you choose, such as a card sleeve or a small bag. Divide the total by the number of pairs.
- Set your shelf price by your clients, not by your cost. Look at what clients already pay for grip socks near you and where your studio sits. A boutique reformer studio and a community yoga space will price differently.
- Count the giveaways separately. Pairs in intro packs or memberships are marketing, not lost stock. Build their cost into the package price rather than the sock price.
- Check your payback point. Divide the total order cost by the profit on one pair sold. That is how many pairs you need to sell before the rest of the run is profit.
- Go bigger once the numbers prove it. Start with 50 pairs of one design. When they sell through, reorder in a larger run. From 500 pairs, delivery is free.
Simple ways to help grip socks sell
- Keep them at the front desk next to the booking screen, not in a back cupboard.
- Offer two lengths or two colourways, so regulars come back for a second pair.
- Add a kids design if you run kids or family classes.
- Release a limited design for a moment your clients care about, such as your studio anniversary or UAE National Day on 2 December. Order early enough to allow for the sample and 1 to 2 weeks of production.
- Let your instructors wear them in class and on social posts.
Get a quote for your studio
Socks Up is an Emirati sock brand from Abu Dhabi, selling since 2019, with more than 100,000 pairs sold and a 4.9 rating from 1,200+ reviews. You can see and feel our socks at our kiosk on the first floor of Yas Mall, in front of Toys R Us.
To start, send your logo on WhatsApp +971 55 539 2022, or read more on our custom socks page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order for custom grip socks?
50 pairs per design.
Can you put grip on kids socks?
Yes. Anti slip grip is available on adult and kids socks, with several grip patterns to choose from.
Is the logo printed on the sock?
No. Logos are knitted into the sock, never printed, so they do not crack or peel in the wash. A design can use up to 5 colours.
How long does an order take?
A real knitted sample takes about 3 working days. Production takes 1 to 2 weeks after you approve the sample, followed by delivery anywhere in the UAE.
How much do custom grip socks cost?
We quote every order on WhatsApp, usually within an hour during the day, because the price depends on quantity, length, colours and grip. The sample or deposit of 100 to 150 AED is credited in full against your order.
Do you deliver outside the UAE?
No. We deliver inside the UAE only, and delivery is free from 500 pairs.
Can you help with the design?
Yes, design help is included. Send us your logo and we will suggest a layout and colours for the sock.
