The 12 best thermal socks for kids in 2022: from school socks to welly socks
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AS the temperature starts to drop outside, it's a good time to start thinking about how to keep the kids warm, cosy and happy this winter.
Whether they’re cosying up indoors or running around at school, warm socks are an essential part of every child’s winter wardrobe.
So if you’re in agreement with Scandinavian parents who say that there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes, read on for our round-up of the best thermal socks for kids.
Thermal socks for your child should offer extra insulation and ideally, a bit of cushioning too, to keep soft young feet comfortable in sturdy boots and shoes.
Most thermal socks are made of wool or wool blended with man-made fibres to improve their durability, comfort and softness.
Read our full review below and our selection of the best thermal socks for children available to buy now and to suit a range of budgets.
Children's Heat Holders Thermal Socks
- Children's Heat Holders Thermal Socks, from £16.49 for 3 pairs at Amazon –
Brushed on the inside and with cushioned feet for extra comfort, these socks will quickly become cold-weather favourites – especially when winter boot weather arrives.
They work by trapping warm air close to the skin which helps to keep little toes feeling cosier for longer.
Available in eight colours, including a very jolly red and purple, snap up a couple of pairs to see your kids through the winter.
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ProETrade Toddlers’ and children’s wool socks
- Toddlers’ and children’s wool socks, pack of six, from £12.99 at Amazon –
Made from 80% wool and cotton with 20% polyester and spandex for stretch and durability, these cosy winter socks are perfect for wearing indoors and out.
The soft, breathable knit will keep your child’s feet from feeling the chill and the traditional Fair Isle-inspired pattern looks sweet and wintery too.
As with all wools, these socks tend to pill so wash them inside out if this is going to annoy you.
John Lewis Children’s thermal socks
- Children’s thermal socks, pack of three from £4 at John Lewis –
A bestselling product in John Lewis’s children’s department, these thermal socks come in school uniform-friendly navy, black and grey, and are a bargain at just £4 for three pairs.
Made from a durable blend of viscose, acrylic and polyester, they’re engineered to insulate feet against the cold while also feeling soft and cosy.
Falke Kids’ trekking socks
- Kids’ trekking socks, £14 from Falke –
If you like to get out into the great outdoors (or even just the blustery common) with your children in the colder months, trekking socks are a sound investment.
These top-drawer thermal socks from German knitwear brand Falke are made from a merino wool blend for insulation and comfort.
They’ll keep the chill from small feet, even if those feet intentionally gravitate towards muddy puddles and leaf pile-kicking.
Jojo Maman Bébé Fox moccasin slipper socks
- Fox moccasin slipper socks, £12 from Jojo Maman Bebe –
Keep your little one’s feet warm and toasty indoors or in their pram with these cute-as-a-button moccasin slipper socks.
Made from soft, non-scratchy cotton, they have an anti-slip suede sole that offers a good grip for new walkers, and for those who are walking already, they’re great for padding about the house in.
Hunter Original kids' boot socks
- Original kids' boot socks, £15 from Hunter –
Dedicated welly socks solve the perennial problem of socks not staying up properly inside your child’s boots.
The deep cuff at the top of these special welly socks wraps over the top of the boots to keep them where they should be, no matter how much running about they're subjected to.
Made from 100% polyester fleece, they’ll also keep your child’s feet snug and toasty.
Joules Fluffy Socks
- Joules Fluffy Socks, £7.95 at Joules –
Joules fluffy socks are a staple for children during the colder months. They are super soft, breathable socks that can be worn in boots or trainers while your child is out enjoying themselves.
These cosy socks are mid-length so they can be worn in wellies too.
They are available in three sizes: small, medium and large, so they are perfect for your kid's growing feet.
M&S pack of three thermal socks
- M&S pack of three thermal socks, from £7-£8 at M&S –
This three-pack of thermal socks from M&S are designed for children aged three to sixteen.
The black, classic design ensures they are smart enough to wear to school as well as on weekends.
Made from a blend of soft cotton and modal fabric, these socks offer comfort, warmth and some stretch room for your child’s feet to breathe it.
Thanks to M&S' Freshfeet technology, your child will also have odour-free feet all day!
There’s also a handy name tag to write your kid's name in to stop them from being misplaced.
Boden Ribbed socks
- Ribbed socks, 7-pack in multiple colours, £21 at Boden -
You can always trust Boden to add a splash of colour to dark winter days and kids will love to pick a pair of different rainbow-colour socks every day of the week with this seven-pair pack.
Polarn O. Pyret Thermal Merino Kids Wool Socks
- Thermal Merino Kids Wool Socks, £12 at Polarn O. Pyret -
Perfect for little feet, these warm woollen socks start for children aged just four months up to age 12 years.
Let the kids run riot outdoors while keeping their tootsies toasty with these non-itchy woollen thermal socks.
These socks from top kids clothing brand Polarn O.Pyret are breathable, wicking moisture away from the skin to make sure they're extra comfortable.
Sockshop Disney Star Wars Heat holder thermal socks
- Disney Star Wars Heat holder thermal socks, £8.99 at Sockshop -
If you have a Star Wars fan at home, they're sure to love these cosy 1.6 tog socks from Sockshop with a cute mis-matched design of everyone's favourite droids.
They are just as warm as thicker thermal socks but with more flexibility for everyday wear so they'll easily fit under boots and shoes.
As well as being warm, they're super soft and comfortable with extra cushioning inside.
Decathlon Quechua Children's Warm Hiking Socks
- Quechua Children's Warm Hiking Socks, £6.99 at Decathlon -
These Quechua kids thermal socks are perfect for active families who love outdoor sports and long walks whatever the weather.
Thanks to the high wool content and terry fast-drying fabric, these socks will keep little ones' feet warm and dry even in snowy or icy conditions.
These hardworking socks are available in a range of colours and patterns and sizes children's 6 to 11.5.
Where can I buy the best thermals socks for kids?
Thermal socks are a staple for every child during the winter months to give them an additional layer of warmth.
Thankfully, high-street favourites such as M&S stock multi-packs of smart, black thermal socks that are perfect for wearing to school and at home.
What are the best thermal socks for kids?
The best thermal socks for kids are the ones that trap air, release moisture and keep your child’s toes toasty warm.
Our personal favourites are the Heat Holder’s Ultimate winter thermal socks. With a small price tag of £5.99, these socks are made from yarn that was specifically developed for high-performance insulation against the cold.