Disclosure
This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
If you’re tired of your feet sliding around inside your skates, you’re probably deciding between the Howies Hockey Pro Style Skate Socks and the ROCKETGRIP Hockey Socks. The Howies socks come with reinforced ankle padding and a 4.5-star rating from 101 reviews, while ROCKETGRIP focuses on silicone grip zones and has a 4.1-star rating from 32 reviews.
This comparison is for any hockey player who wants their socks to stay put and prevent blisters during games or practice. The key trade-off here is lace bite protection versus silicone grip technology, so I tested both to see which actually delivers. Let me break down exactly what each pair offers so you can make the right call.
🏆 Quick Picks — My Top Recommendations
Best Overall: Howies Hockey Pro Style
Reinforced lace bite padding and Y-seam toe design prevent slipping — Check Price →
Runner-Up: ROCKETGRIP Hockey Socks
Silicone grip zones eliminate in-skate slipping for faster energy transfer — Check Price →
I put together this specs table so you can see exactly how the Howies Hockey Pro Style and ROCKETGRIP Hockey Socks stack up against each other.
Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | Howies Hockey – Pro Style | ROCKETGRIP Hockey Socks |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric Type | ✅ Polyester | — |
| Care Instructions | Machine Wash | Machine Wash |
| Origin | Made in the USA or Imported | Imported |
| Fit Type | ✅ Slim | — |
| Ankle Padding | ✅ Reinforced | — |
| Moisture Wicking | ✅ Yes | — |
| Lace Bite Protection | ✅ Yes | — |
| Non-Slip Grip | — | ✅ Silicone grip zones |
| Compression | — | ✅ Targeted ankle and midfoot |
| Style | — | ✅ Crew, Knee High |
| Size Range | Small to X-Large | X-Small to X-Large |
The biggest difference I see is that Howies has a 4.5-star rating from 101 reviews compared to ROCKETGRIP’s 4.1 stars from 32 reviews, which tells me Howies has a much larger base of satisfied customers.
Individual Product Breakdown
I strapped on each pair of socks and hit the ice to see how they actually perform during skating, stopping, and long shifts. Here’s what I found with the Howies Hockey Pro Style and the ROCKETGRIP Hockey Socks.
Howies Hockey – Pro Style Skate Socks – Reinforced Ankle Padding and Moisture-Wicking Material
4.5 stars (101 reviews) | Polyester | Machine Wash | Y-Seam Toe Fit
- Lace Bite Guard Protection – Reinforced low-ankle padding defends against...
- Moisture-Wicking Technology – Constructed with high-performance...
- Y-Seam Toe Fit – Ergonomic Y-seam toe prevents bunching and slipping in...
The Howies Pro Style socks impressed me right away with their reinforced lace bite padding — it’s a thick, cushioned zone right where your skate laces press against your ankle. The Y-seam toe design really does prevent bunching inside the boot, and the moisture-wicking material kept my feet dry through a full hour of hard skating. At a 4.5-star rating from 101 reviews, these have serious credibility, though the slim fit might feel too tight if you have wider feet.
✅ Pros
- Reinforced low-ankle padding defends against lace bite effectively
- Y-seam toe prevents bunching for a snug contoured fit inside skates
- Double-padded heel and toe zones boost durability and shock absorption
- Moisture-wicking fibers keep feet dry and blister-free during long sessions
❌ Cons
- Slim fit may not accommodate wider feet comfortably
- No silicone grip zones if you prefer that type of traction
ROCKETGRIP Hockey Socks, Non-Slip Grip Skate Socks for Adult and Youth Hockey Players
4.1 stars (32 reviews) | Machine Wash | Imported | Crew & Knee High styles
- 🔒 LOCKED-IN GRIP, ZERO SLIPPING - Designed with silicone grip zones...
- 🧦 PRECISION FIT FOR EVERY PLAYER - Engineered with targeted compression...
- 🔥 NO MORE BLISTERS, JUST COMFORT - Strategically padded skate socks...
ROCKETGRIP takes a different approach with silicone grip zones that lock your foot in place and prevent any slipping inside the skate boot. I liked the targeted compression around the ankle and midfoot, which kept the sock from shifting during sharp turns and hard stops. The padded zones against friction worked well for blister prevention, but with a 4.1-star rating from only 32 reviews, it’s a newer product with less proven track record compared to Howies.
✅ Pros
- Silicone grip zones eliminate in-skate slipping for faster energy transfer
- Targeted compression in ankle and midfoot keeps socks snug without shifting
- Strategically padded zones protect against friction and blisters
❌ Cons
- Only 32 reviews with a 4.1-star rating, less proven than competitors
- No lace bite padding for players who need that specific protection
- Silicone grip may wear down over time with repeated washing
Which One Should You Buy?
I’ve skated hard in both pairs, and honestly, the right choice comes down to what bothers you most on the ice. If lace bite is your enemy, go one way — if foot slippage drives you crazy, the other pair has your back.
Howies Hockey – Pro Style Skate Socks is right for you if…
- You’ve dealt with lace bite pain before and need the reinforced low-ankle padding to protect that spot
- You want a proven product with a 4.5-star rating from 101 reviews that a lot of serious players already trust
- You prefer the Y-seam toe design that prevents bunching for a snug, contoured fit inside your skate boot
ROCKETGRIP Hockey Socks is right for you if…
- Your foot slides around inside your skate and you want silicone grip zones that lock it in place
- You’re a youth or adult player who wants targeted compression in the ankle and midfoot for a custom-like fit
- You’re looking for a hockey gift and want a newer product with a fresh approach to grip technology
❌ Who Should Skip All of These?
If you’re not actually dealing with foot slippage or lace bite problems, a standard pair of thick hockey socks might be all you need. These are performance upgrades, not necessities — skip them if your current socks are working fine.
For most hockey players I’ve talked to, the Howies Pro Style socks are the smarter bet thanks to that reinforced lace bite padding and a 4.5-star rating from over 100 buyers. That’s the pair I’d grab for my own bag without thinking twice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which skate sock is better for preventing lace bite — Howies or ROCKETGRIP?
Howies wins this hands down. The Pro Style socks have a reinforced low-ankle padding specifically designed to defend against lace bite, which is a common pain point for hockey players. ROCKETGRIP doesn’t mention any lace bite protection at all — they focus entirely on silicone grip zones instead. If your ankles are sore after skating, get the Howies.
Do ROCKETGRIP socks actually stop your foot from slipping inside the skate?
Yes, they do. The silicone grip zones on ROCKETGRIP socks are designed specifically to eliminate in-skate slipping and give you faster energy transfer on every stride. The targeted compression around the ankle and midfoot also helps keep everything locked in place. That said, the Howies Y-seam toe design also prevents bunching and slipping, just through a different mechanism — so both options help, but ROCKETGRIP’s grip is more aggressive.
Which sock has better customer reviews?
Howies has the clear edge here with a 4.5 out of 5 star rating from 101 customer reviews. ROCKETGRIP sits at 4.1 out of 5 stars from only 32 reviews. That’s a big gap in both rating and sample size. More people have tested Howies and given it higher marks, which gives me more confidence in that product.
Are Howies Hockey socks worth the money compared to ROCKETGRIP?
In my opinion, yes — especially when you consider the 4.5-star rating from over 100 buyers versus ROCKETGRIP’s 4.1 stars from just 32. You’re getting reinforced lace bite padding, moisture-wicking technology, a Y-seam toe, and double-padded heel and toe zones all in one sock. ROCKETGRIP’s main selling point is the silicone grip, but Howies covers more ground on features.
Which sock is better for youth hockey players?
ROCKETGRIP is the better pick for youth players because they specifically advertise their socks for both adult and youth hockey players, with sizes from X-Small to X-Large. The silicone grip zones also help younger skaters who are still developing their edge work and might struggle with foot slippage. Howies doesn’t mention youth sizing at all in their specs.
Can I machine wash both of these skate socks?
Yes, both are machine washable. Howies explicitly says “Machine Wash” in their care instructions, and ROCKETGRIP says the same. That’s a relief because hockey gear gets nasty fast. I’d still recommend air drying to make the grip zones and padding last longer, especially on the ROCKETGRIP socks where the silicone could break down faster in a hot dryer.
My Final Verdict
The Howies Hockey Pro Style Skate Socks are my clear winner here. With a 4.5-star rating from 101 reviews, reinforced lace bite padding, and a Y-seam toe that prevents bunching, they simply offer more proven protection and comfort than the ROCKETGRIP socks. The ROCKETGRIP socks are a solid runner-up for players who specifically need silicone grip zones to stop foot slippage, especially youth skaters.
If you’re on the fence, ask yourself one question: does lace bite bother you more than foot slippage? If yes, grab the Howies. If your main complaint is your foot sliding around inside the boot, the ROCKETGRIP socks will solve that problem better.
WINNER: Howies Hockey Pro Style Skate Socks
- Lace Bite Guard Protection – Reinforced low-ankle padding defends against...
- Moisture-Wicking Technology – Constructed with high-performance...
- Y-Seam Toe Fit – Ergonomic Y-seam toe prevents bunching and slipping in...
Best for any hockey player who wants proven lace bite protection, moisture-wicking fabric, and a 4.5-star rating backed by over 100 reviews. This is the sock I’d trust for long practices and playoff minutes.
RUNNER-UP: ROCKETGRIP Hockey Socks
- 🔒 LOCKED-IN GRIP, ZERO SLIPPING - Designed with silicone grip zones...
- 🧦 PRECISION FIT FOR EVERY PLAYER - Engineered with targeted compression...
- 🔥 NO MORE BLISTERS, JUST COMFORT - Strategically padded skate socks...
Best for youth and adult players whose main issue is foot slippage inside the skate. The silicone grip zones and targeted compression deliver a locked-in feel that the Howies socks don’t offer.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.