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Best Sock Aids and Dressing Aid Kits: Five Compared
A sock aid is a curved plastic shell with two long cords. You slide a sock over the shell, lower it to the floor, put your foot in and pull the cords, so you never have to bend to your foot. It is one of the cheapest daily living aids, and the one people search for most after "rollator". It sits in a family of dressing tools, from reachers to long shoe horns, that are sold alone or in kits.
The five picks below run from a single sock aid to a seven-piece kit. All were in stock on Amazon for delivery to ZIP 10001 when we checked. We could not read any maker's own page, so every figure comes from the listing. Choose by what you actually need: if the problem is socks, buy the sock aid, and if it is a hip or knee, a kit may save you several separate purchases.
| Best for | Pick | Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Best sock aid | RMS Deluxe Sock Aid | Check price |
| Best for taking socks off too | RMS Sock Aid Kit | Check price |
| Best kit for the money | RMS 5-Piece Hip and Knee Kit | Check price |
| Most complete kit | RMS Premium 7-Piece Hip and Knee Kit | Check price |
| Lowest price per tool | Phantawell 6-Piece Hip Kit | Check price |
Best Sock Aids and Dressing Kits
Best sock aid
RMS Deluxe Sock Aid
- Handles
- Foam
- For
- Regular socks (title)
- Size
- 9.5 x 5 x 3 in (listing)
- Weight
- 6.4 oz (listing)
- Model
- BD15252
- Sold by
- My RMS Store
The RMS Deluxe Sock Aid is a plain shell with cords and foam handles, for regular socks. The listing gives 9.5 by 5 by 3 inches and a weight of 6.4 ounces.
The shell is soft, and the foam handles are meant for hands with a weak grip.
Why We Picked It
It does one job at a very low price, and 42,528 reviews average 4.5 stars, by far the most of any product in this guide. If the only problem is putting on socks, you do not need a kit.
What to Know Before You Buy
The listing text we read gave no bullets or price, so its price came from the search page and the sock types come from the title. The sister listing says its sock aid is not for compression socks, so check before you use it with compression stockings. It does not help with shoes or pants.
Best for: Someone whose only problem is putting on socks.
Skip it if: You wear compression stockings or also need help with shoes and pants.
Good for
- Very low price
- 42,528 reviews at 4.5
Watch Out for
- Only a sock aid
- Not for compression socks, per its kit listing
Best for taking socks off too
RMS Sock Aid Kit
- Pieces
- 2: sock aid and remover
- Foot width
- 5 in or less (listing)
- Not for
- Compression socks (listing)
- Size
- 18 x 5 x 3 in
- Weight
- 9.6 oz (listing)
- Sold by
- My RMS Store
The RMS Sock Aid Kit has two pieces: a deluxe sock aid with a foam handle and a tool for taking socks off. The listing says it suits foot widths of 5 inches or less.
The listing adds that it is not for use with compression socks or compression stockings.
Why We Picked It
Taking socks off is the other half of the problem, and this kit includes a remover shaped to give extra pull for weak arms. The listing says both pieces are smooth and flexible so socks do not snag. It has 5,303 reviews at 4.3 stars.
What to Know Before You Buy
The foot-width limit of 5 inches rules out wide feet, and the listing says it is not for compression stockings, which are a common reason for needing a sock aid. It costs twice as much as the sock aid alone, for one extra tool.
Best for: Someone who needs help with socks both on and off.
Skip it if: You have wide feet or wear compression stockings.
Good for
- Includes a sock remover
- Soft, flexible shell
Watch Out for
- 5-inch foot width limit
- Not for compression stockings
Best kit for the money
RMS 5-Piece Hip and Knee Kit
- Reacher
- 32 in with magnetic tip (listing)
- Sock aid
- 38 in foam handles
- Dressing stick
- 28 in
- Sponge
- 22 in long handle
- Shoe horn
- 24 in (18 in in one bullet)
- Sold by
- My RMS Store
This kit has five tools: a 32-inch reacher, a molded sock aid with 38-inch foam handles, a 28-inch dressing stick, a 22-inch long-handled sponge and a 24-inch plastic shoe horn.
The listing says the reacher has a magnetic tip, a dressing post and a clip to attach it to a cane, walker or bed rail.
Why We Picked It
It covers every item that University of Utah Health lists for joint replacement: a sock aid, a reacher, a long-handled shoe horn, a dressing stick and a long-handled bath sponge. With 8,125 reviews at 4.6 stars, it is the kit that matches the Utah list most closely.
What to Know Before You Buy
The listing gives the shoe horn as 24 inches in one place and 18 in another, so expect the shorter figure. It has no leg lifter. Utah says the equipment is optional, usually not covered by insurance, and that your doctor or physical therapist can recommend what you need.
Best for: Someone recovering from hip or knee surgery who wants the standard set.
Skip it if: You only need a sock aid, or want a leg lifter.
Good for
- Covers all five Utah-listed tools
- 8,125 reviews at 4.6
Watch Out for
- No leg lifter
- Shoe horn length is inconsistent
Most complete kit
RMS Premium 7-Piece Hip and Knee Kit
- Reachers
- 32 in and 19 in, rotating (listing)
- Leg lifter
- 42 in strap
- Sock aid
- Yes, foam handles
- Dressing stick
- 28 in
- Weight
- 2.2 lb (listing)
- Sold by
- My RMS Store
The Premium kit adds a second, shorter reacher and a 42-inch leg lifter strap to the 5-piece set. The listing gives a 32-inch and a 19-inch rotating reacher, a sock aid, a 28-inch dressing stick, a 22-inch sponge and a 24-inch shoe horn.
It weighs 2.2 pounds on the listing.
Why We Picked It
It has the best rating of the five, 4.7 stars from 7,209 reviews, and the most tools. The leg lifter helps with lifting a leg into bed or a car, and the short reacher is easier to use close in. The rotating jaws are described as giving better control.
What to Know Before You Buy
It costs a little more than the 5-piece kit for two extra tools. Utah's list does not mention a leg lifter, so check with your therapist whether you need one. As with all the kits, the figures are from the listing.
Best for: Someone who wants every tool in one box, including a leg lifter.
Skip it if: You only need the basics or a lower price.
Good for
- 4.7 stars, 7 tools
- Two reachers and a leg lifter
Watch Out for
- Costs more than the 5-piece
- Leg lifter not on the Utah list
Lowest price per tool
Phantawell 6-Piece Hip Kit
- Reacher
- 33 in foldable, rotating jaw (listing)
- Sock aid
- 45 in, 35.5 in ropes
- Shoehorn and stick
- 35.5 in, one tool
- Leg lifter
- 40 in
- Extras
- Back scratcher, loofah
- Sold by
- Phantawell Direct US
The Phantawell kit has a 33-inch foldable reacher with a rotating jaw, a 35.5-inch combined shoehorn and dressing stick, a 45-inch sock aid, a 40-inch leg lifter, a back scratcher and a loofah.
It costs less than the RMS 5-piece kit, with 5,247 reviews at 4.6 stars.
Why We Picked It
It costs less per tool than the RMS kits and includes a leg lifter. The combined shoehorn and dressing stick saves a piece, and the foldable reacher has a rotating jaw. It has 5,247 reviews at 4.6 stars.
What to Know Before You Buy
It has no long-handled bath sponge, which Utah lists, only a loofah and a back scratcher. It is sold by a third-party seller, Phantawell Direct US, and first appeared on Amazon in 2022. We found no maker page. The shoehorn and dressing stick are one tool, so both jobs cannot happen at once.
Best for: A low-cost kit with a leg lifter.
Skip it if: You want a long-handled sponge or a longer track record.
Good for
- Low price with a leg lifter
- Foldable reacher
Watch Out for
- No long-handled sponge
- Third-party seller, listing only
Compare the 5 Picks
| Pick | Pieces | Reacher | Sock aid | Leg lifter | Sponge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RMS Deluxe Sock Aid | 1 | No | Yes | No | No |
| RMS Sock Aid Kit | 2 | No | Yes, plus a remover | No | No |
| RMS 5-Piece Hip and Knee Kit | 5 | 32 in | Yes, 38 in handles | No | Yes, 22 in |
| RMS Premium 7-Piece Hip and Knee Kit | 7 | 32 in and 19 in | Yes | Yes, 42 in | Yes, 22 in |
| Phantawell 6-Piece Hip Kit | 6 | 33 in | Yes, 45 in | Yes, 40 in | Loofah only |
What University of Utah Health Says
University of Utah Health's page on adaptive equipment after joint replacement says the equipment is optional. It "is not required," but "may make your recovery easier and safer," and your doctor and physical therapist can recommend what suits you. It also says the equipment is not typically covered by insurance, so you would buy it yourself.
The page lists five tools. A sock aid helps you put on a sock safely. A reacher picks things up from the floor and helps you get dressed. A long-handled shoe horn lets you put on shoes while sitting or standing. A dressing stick helps with pants, skirts and zippers, and a long-handled bath sponge reaches awkward places while bathing.
The CDC says more than 1 in 4 older adults falls each year, and bending to the floor with a sore hip or knee is one of the moments where balance can fail.
Ask before you buy a kit. If you have had or will have a hip or knee replacement, your surgeon or physical therapist will say which tools you need and what movements to avoid. Buy before surgery if they advise it, and check any tool you buy against that advice.
How to Choose a Sock Aid or Kit
What Do You Need to Do?
If only socks are a problem, a single sock aid is the cheapest option. If a hip or knee means you cannot bend at all, a kit covers socks, shoes, pants, the floor and the bath.
Compression Stockings
The RMS sock aid kit says it is not for compression socks or stockings. Check a tool's listing before using it with compression stockings, which are tighter and harder to slide on.
Foot Width
The RMS kit listing says its sock aid suits feet 5 inches wide or less. If your feet are wider, look for a larger shell or ask a pharmacist or therapist.
Handle Length
The longer the cords or handles, the less you have to bend. The listings give 35.5 inches of rope on the Phantawell sock aid and 38 inches of handle on the RMS kit.
Leg Lifter
A leg lifter is a strap with a loop that helps you lift a leg onto a bed or into a car. The Phantawell and RMS 7-piece kits include one. Utah's page does not mention it, so ask your therapist.
Sock Aid Questions
How Does a Sock Aid Work?
You slide the sock over the shell, hold the cords, lower the shell to the floor and put your foot in. Then you point your toes and pull on the cords until the sock is on. Your physical therapist or occupational therapist can show you the technique.
Will Insurance Pay for One?
University of Utah Health says adaptive equipment after joint replacement is not typically covered by insurance, so you would buy it yourself. Rules differ by plan, so ask your insurer or your surgeon's office if you want to check. Some people buy the tools before surgery so they are ready on the day they come home, but only if their surgeon or therapist advises it.
Do I Need the Whole Kit?
Only if you need most of the tools. Utah calls the equipment optional and says your doctor and physical therapist can recommend what suits you. If only socks are a problem, a single sock aid is the cheapest option. If a hip or knee means you cannot bend at all, a kit covers socks, shoes, pants, the floor and the bath in one purchase.
Can I Use a Sock Aid with Compression Socks?
The RMS sock aid kit says it is not for compression socks or compression stockings. They are tighter and need a different tool, so check the listing of any sock aid before you use it with them. A pharmacist, a nurse or a physical therapist can recommend a donning aid made for compression stockings and show you how to use it.
What Size Foot Does a Sock Aid Fit?
The RMS sock aid kit listing says it suits foot widths of 5 inches or less. The other listings in this guide do not give a foot width in the text we read. If your feet are wide or swollen, check the shell size with the seller before you buy, and ask a therapist about a wider aid.
Can I Use a Sock Aid for Shoes?
No. A sock aid only helps with socks. University of Utah Health lists a long-handled shoe horn as the tool that lets you put on shoes while sitting or standing, and the kits in this guide include one. The RMS 5-piece kit has a 24-inch plastic shoe horn, and the Phantawell kit combines a shoehorn and dressing stick in one 35.5-inch tool.
Our Take
If socks are the only problem, the RMS Deluxe Sock Aid is the one to buy, with 42,528 reviews at 4.5 stars. The RMS Sock Aid Kit adds a remover for taking socks off, but not for compression stockings.
For a hip or knee, the RMS 5-Piece Kit matches University of Utah Health's list tool for tool, with 8,125 reviews at 4.6. The RMS Premium 7-Piece adds a second reacher and a leg lifter and has the best rating, 4.7. The Phantawell 6-piece is cheaper and has a leg lifter, but it drops the long-handled sponge and comes from a third-party seller.
The Bottom Line
The RMS Deluxe Sock Aid is the best single tool, the RMS 5-Piece Kit the best all-round kit and the RMS Premium 7-Piece the most complete. Choose the Phantawell for a lower price with a leg lifter. Ask your surgeon or physical therapist what you need before you buy, and check any sock aid against compression stockings. See also our guides to rollators and bedside commodes.