Stomper Joe, formerly Jays Barely There is a Chicago based brand that is now discontinued. Balega is a viable alternative.
100% invisible no-show socks, made with 90% bamboo, Stomper Joe is the perfect pair of no-shows for loafers and especially sneakers.
Before we start, you can check out my comprehensive no-show socks roundup which includes all of the no-show socks I’ve worn and tested over the years.
And now let’s get into this Stomper Joe No-Show Socks Review.
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Stomper Joe: A Quick Background
Stomper Joe was founded in 2013 as Jays Barely There. They quickly grew to introduce a range of no-show socks for men which became one of the best selling socks of its type. Tee name was changed to Stomper Joe in 2015 in response to customer feedback.
A Primary Focus
They originally perfected the no-show sock with their high quality materials over the past 20 years.
Style & Design
Unlike other socks, Stomper Joes’ blend of premium quality cotton allows your feet to breathe and remain cool yet still have enough elasticity to grip your foot. Their extra-large silicon grip is ideal for staying up all day long with your sneakers.
Material
90% Bamboo, 6% Polyester, 3% Rubber, 2% Spandex
1. Comfort & Fit: 5/5
Stomper Joe’s no show socks are primarily made of bamboo, so these socks are ultra soft, comfortable and breathable — albeit being on the thicker side like pile fabric socks.
2. Design & Style Options: 4/5
With Stomper Joe you have a choice of bamboo or cotton socks. Although they have no patterned socks, they offer your basics of black, white, gray and tan, which is all you need really. It’s great to have many different colors to choose from so that you can wear whichever color blends in with your shoe color.
3. Does it Slip?
No, the grip holds firm and the socks stay up all day.
4. No-Show Test: 1/4
The socks are visible with 3 out of the 4 test shoes with exception to the canvas Vans. Stomper Joes are on the thicker side and so I would wear these primarily with sneakers anyway. Finally, here are some lower cut no shows that are appropriate for shoes with vamps as low as ballet sneakers.
5. The Bottom Line: 4/5 ★★★★
For sneakers, Stomper Joe are some of the best on the market in terms of comfort and fabric quality. They’re definitely my favorite pair of no-shows to wear with sneakers. For loafers and boat shoes not so much. The no-show test really hurt Stomper Joe here, if they were a bit lower cut, I’d give them a 5 out of 5.
Currently, the socks are coming in at $15.99, for 9 pairs.
All in all, I’m not sure what happened to them over the past few years, but it seems that the current iteration isn’t up to the standards of Stomper Joes of the past, at least according to the Amazon reviews. But at 9 pairs for under $16 it’s worth a flyer.
Why Wear No-Shows?
No More Stink Feet
If you want to avoid the stank, no-show socks are the answer. Just say no to athlete’s foot and fungus feet. Ew.
Fresher Shoes
In addition to rotating your shoes daily and making use of sneaker balls, rocking no show socks are a surefire way to keep your footwear smelling fresh all summer long.
Stay Stylin’
There’s a reason that this stylish guy’s secret has become a summer staple. The sockless look has been on trend for a while now and isn’t going away anytime soon. Rock this look and you automatically get the style points.
Qualities of Best No-Show Socks
1. Comfy
Of course comfort is king here. You want for the socks to fit well and hug your feet without feeling restricting. The best no show socks feel like you’re wearing nothing at all and offer multiple sizes to guarantee a proper fit. As with shirts and jeans, the fit of your socks should be tailor-made. Socks with simple design and a seamless toe are what to look for.
2. Lighter
It’s summertime and the more lightweight and breathable your socks, the better off your feet will be. I prefer lightweight fabrics since more often than not I’ll be wearing my no-shows in the summertime and I want my feet to keep cool as possible.
3. No-Slipping
There’s nothing more annoying than the feeling of a no-show sock that won’t stay put. All of the no show socks tested in this round-up have an elastic arch band and a rubber non-slip heel, which helps to keep the socks secured around your foot. But that doesn’t guarantee no-slip since factors such as the rubber gripper, fabric weight and sock size play a role. Just because a brand says ‘no-slip’ doesn’t mean it won’t slip.
4. No-Showing
Of course this is a primary purpose of this article. Does it show? The whole reason for wearing them is to keep our feet and shoes fresh, and just as importantly, remain invisible. The best no show sock brands have a variety of designs ranging from a low-cut, mid-cut and high-cut for different types of shoes and sneakers.
5. Affordability
And finally, price always plays a role. It’s all about value here and if I can save some money, all the better. I don’t mind paying a bit more for higher quality. But some socks are a bit pricey and that can hurt their bottom line.
The Shoes I Tested
Sperry Boat Shoes
The ubiquitous Sperry Top-Sider boat shoe is one of the most iconic and popular summer shoes out there. And while most Sperrys would be okay to wear sockless because of their leather lining, some, like the canvas pair in this test have a fabric lining, thus suitable to pair with no show socks.
Classic Vans
These canvas Vans sneakers have a low-profile making them the perfect test sneaker. If the socks aren’t visible here, then they’ll most likely remain invisible on any other low-top sneakers.
Cole Haan Bit Loafers
Loafers are some of the lowest profile shoes a man can wear. They’re one of my favorite shoe essentials for all stylish men, so naturally they’re a part of this no show sock test.
Jay Butler Penny Loafers
I had to include what are perhaps loafers with the lowest cut that I know of. The vamp of the shoe is much lower than your typical penny loafer, making these shoes the perfect test shoe. If a pair of no-shows don’t show in a pair of Jay Butler loafers, then they won’t show in any other shoe.
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The best no-show sock brands offer a range of cuts from low-cut to mid-cut and high-cut socks good for wear with everything from boat shoes, loafers and espadrilles to moccasins and sneakers.
How to Care For Your No-Show Socks
Before we conclude, I thought it was a good idea to quickly go over some no-show sock care tips.
- Machine wash with like colors
- Keep them out of the dryer (tumble dry low if necessary)
- Avoid bleaching or ironing
And finally, mind your fabric weights. A heavier weight fabric is more appropriate for chunkier sneakers whereas a lightweight fabric is better for canvas sneakers, boat shoes and loafers.
In Conclusion
I have a couple of closing thoughts on no show socks that I wanted to share, not that this article isn’t already long enough.
1. One Size Fits All Is A Lie
When it comes to fit, there’s no such thing as one size fits all, especially when it comes to shoe sizes. Which is why I’m skeptical anytime I see a no-show sock brand with one size. Oftentimes they’re too big and bunches up around the heel and ankle when I try to slip my shoes on. And even worse, these one size no-show socks are prone to slip much easier than properly sized ones.
2. Fabric Weight Matters
I’ve found that the thicker the sock the higher probability for it to slip, whereas lighter the fabric the less prone to slipping.
3. The Best No Show Sock No-Slip Grip
For the most part every brand’s silicone grippers hold well, but the best hold come from Sheec’s extra thin hybrid solid/crosshatch grip. Boardroom Socks, Feetures and Pair of Thieves also offers a similarly strong grip. The next best are the brands with 3 band silicone grippers.
And finally, FITS Socks takes the cake with their fully knitted, one-piece construction. The seamless design eliminates the need for a silicone grip and the socks still stay up. Now that’s a win-win.
Before You Go
Check out these other top rated no-show sock reviews:
- Pair of Thieves No-Show Sock Review
- FITS Socks No-Show Sock Review
- Feetures No-Show Sock Review
- Stance No-Show Sock Review
- Sheec No-Show Socks Review
- Uniqlo No-Show Socks Review
- Falke No-Show Socks Review
- Boardroom Socks No-Show Socks Review
What are your favorite pairs of no-show socks?
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