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Home / Blog / Clothing and Style

5 Ways to Fold Socks for Storage & Travel (Save Space)

Published on July 28, 2021 by Ryan Hallstrom · Clothing and Style May contain affiliate links (what's this?)

Have you ever thought about how you fold your socks? Could there be a better way? Here’s a sock folding method for any situation.

Table of Contents

  • #1 The Basic Roll
  • #2 The Ranger Roll
  • #3 The Kondo Fold
  • #4 The Cross Fold
  • #5 The No Show Sock Fold
  • Final Thoughts on Sock Folding

Kondo method socks standing up
Kondo sock fold method

While your socks may not attract as much attention as other, more visible articles of clothing, wearing the wrong pair of socks can ruin an otherwise stellar outfit.

Once you’ve mastered the art of choosing the right socks for every occasion you should protect your investment by folding and storing them properly.

If you’re like me, your mom taught you how to fold the “Inside-Out Potato Method” as a kid.

Inside out sock potato
Inside out sock potato method

While this certainly works to keep everything in your sock drawer separated into pairs, it’s not very good for your socks (not to mention that piles of “sock potatoes” are hard to organize). This method will quickly stretch out their elastic.

#1 The Basic Roll

This is perhaps the easiest way to keep your socks organized and avoid stretching them out.

When To Use the Roll Method

Use the Roll Method when speed is more important than space. If you have a lot of room in your sock drawer and just want a simple, no-nonsense way to keep your socks organized without damaging them, the Roll Method will get the job done.

How To Roll Your Socks

Lay your socks on top of each other on a flat surface. I find that a hard surface like a desk or dresser is easier to work on than a soft bed.

Roll method step 1
Basic roll step 1

Roll your socks from the toe to the top.

Roll method step 2
Basic roll step 2
Roll method completed roll
A completed roll

That was easy!

#2 The Ranger Roll

While the Basic Roll will keep your socks separated, the fold is easily undone. With the Ranger Roll, your socks will always stay together.

When To Use the Ranger Roll

The Ranger Roll gets its name from the US Army Rangers. As Rangers are often on the move, it makes sense that this method is ideal for folding socks to save space while traveling.

It is the best way to pack socks when preparing for a business trip, for a long hike, or for vacation. Plus, the Ranger Roll works great for boot socks.

U.S Army ranger rappelling
The Ranger Roll is popular in the US military | Source: Wikimedia

You could think of the Ranger Roll as an improved version of the “Inside-Out Potato Fold.” This method does tend to strain the elastic of your socks over time, but that shouldn’t be too much of a problem if you only use it when traveling.

How To Ranger Roll Your Socks

Lay your socks on top of each other on a flat surface with the bottom of the sock facing up.

Ranger roll step 1
Ranger roll step 1

Roll your socks from the toe to the opening.

Ranger roll step 2
Ranger roll step 2

Once you reach the top of the sock, hold the roll together while keeping the top layer free.

Ranger roll step 3
Ranger roll step 3

Fold the top layer around the roll.

Ranger roll step 4
Ranger roll step 4

Tuck in any loose ends.

Ranger roll step 5
Ranger roll step 5
Ranger roll completed
Completed Ranger Roll

Packing Tip: When trying to save space in your travel bag, pack your socks last. They can easily fit into small gaps.

#3 The Kondo Fold

Marie Kondo is a world renowned organizing guru. My favorite part of her bestselling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up was her description of how to fold socks.

When To Use the Kondo Fold

The Kondo Fold is the best way to fold socks when you don’t have a lot of space. This method allows you to stand socks up on their side, making them easy to store in a drawer or basket at home. This is my favorite way to keep socks organized.

Sock potato pile vs organized sock drawer
The Kondo Fold allows you to organize your sock drawer, saving you time getting ready in the morning.

If you are traveling and want to keep your socks together, you should probably choose another fold.

How to Kondo Fold Your Socks

Lay both socks on top of each other on a flat surface.

Kondo fold step 1
Kondo fold step 1
Kondo fold step 2
Kondo fold step 2

Fold the heel of the socks up.

Kondo fold step 3
Kondo fold step 3

Starting at the toe, fold the bottom third of the sock.

Kondo fold step 4
Kondo fold step 4

Continue folding in thirds until you reach the top of the sock.

Kondo fold completed
A completed Kondo Fold
Kondo fold short socks
Kondo fold short socks

Tip: You may find it easier to fold short socks in half rather than in thirds.

#4 The Cross Fold

Slightly more challenging than the previous methods, this fold only works with longer socks.

When To Cross Fold Your Socks

If you feel like you’ve mastered the other methods and are feeling ambitious, you might be ready for some “sock origami.” Like the Kondo Method, the Cross Fold won’t wear out your socks’ elastic and allows for easy organization.

How To Cross Fold Your Socks

Lay your socks on top of each other on a flat surface to form a cross.

Cross fold step 1
Cross fold step 1

Fold the toe of one of the socks towards the middle of the cross.

Cross fold step 2
Cross fold step 2

Tuck it in.

Cross fold step 3
Cross fold step 3

Fold the top of the sock towards the middle of the cross.

Cross fold step 4
Cross fold step 4

Tuck it in.

Cross fold step 6
Cross fold step 5

Repeat with the other sock.

Cross fold completed
A completed cross fold
Cross fold short sock tuck in
Cross fold short sock tuck in

Tip: For ankle socks you can tuck in the toe into the opening to help keep them together.

#5 The No Show Sock Fold

No show socks pose unique challenges for folding. Being so small, they require their own folding method.

How To Fold No Show Socks

Lay the socks on top of each other on a flat surface with the tops facing up.

No show fold step 1
No show fold step 1

Move the top sock forward slightly in the toe direction.

No show fold step 2
No show fold step 2

Roll the socks from the toe to heel.

No show fold step 3
No show fold step 3

Tuck the roll into the heel of the bottom sock.

No show fold step 4
No show fold step 4
No show fold step 5
No show fold step 5
No show fold completed
A completed No Show Fold

No show socks fold so compactly that they can be hard to keep track of.

Final Thoughts on Sock Folding

While using the right folding method for the right situation may not seem like a big deal, folding your socks the wrong way can lead to overstretching, which can cause even the best socks to become misshapen and less comfortable over time.

Whether it’s cheap cotton gym socks or expensive silk dress socks, folding your socks properly will help extend their life and help you stay looking sharp.

Clothing and Style no show socks, socks

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About Ryan Hallstrom

TMM's Senior Editor, Ryan Hallstrom is from Horseheads, NY, the only town in America named in honor of military packhorses. When he’s not writing about menswear, Ryan enjoys reading, whittling, running, and perfecting his penmanship.

Background: In 2021, Ryan graduated from Brigham Young University where he majored in American Studies and Russian. Before completing his schooling, he had a wide range of job titles including finish carpenter, usher, elevator operator (yes, that’s a real job), landscaper, tour guide, and more.

In January 2022, Ryan began working full-time as The Modest Man’s Senior Editor. In this role, he not only edits all articles prior to publication but also is a frequent contributor to the blog. He enjoys crafting in-depth product reviews (often testing items in extreme environments), helpful self-improvement articles, and detailed clothing guides.

His interest in men’s style stems from the examples of men in his family:

“Growing up, a lot of the men I looked up to dressed well. My dad is always clean-shaven and makes sure that he looks presentable before heading out the door, and my grandfather, who owned and operated a dairy farm, usually wore work pants with a sharp crease and a button-up work shirt.”

However, it wasn’t until the end of high school that Ryan began to care about how he looked. Gradually, over the next few years, he started to dress better and learn about style. “Finding clothes that fit helped me to become more confident. I find that when I try to dress well, I feel better.”

Expertise: Ryan has loved writing since an early age, and in college began contributing to and editing for university publications. After college, he began freelance writing and editing. He’s written from blogs and magazines such as Real Men Real Style, Life in the Finger Lakes, and Gentleman Within.

An avid traveler who spends plenty of time outdoors, Ryan appreciates clothes, footwear and accessories that can take a beating. His reviews often include long-term, thorough testing in extreme weather conditions.

Ryan has also spent more time in a suit and tie than most guys, so he's well qualified to write about classic menswear, business casual and formalwear.

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    Got questions? Want to share your opinion? Comment below!

  1. GEGJr says

    August 5, 2021 at 9:57 pm

    For my over calf socks I use a modified version of the Kondo method. First lay the sock flat so that the hill is facing up instead of in the traditional boomerang shape. I do the same for the other sock and lay them facing each other with the heals facing each other. I then fold the toe up one-fold and then the top down one-fold. The I fold both folds toward each other. that allows me to stand the folded sock either on its side or stand up on open end. I use old shoe boxes to put my socks in so they stay organized.

    For my no shows I put one inside the other and fold in half then lay them on top each other keeping like colors in the same stack rather than trying to stand on their sides.

    Reply
  2. Joe says

    August 1, 2021 at 9:38 am

    I use the ranger roll method for my athletic socks even when I’m storing them in the drawer. For my nicer dress socks I use the “potato method” that you described. While I agree that both of these methods do stretch out the socks a little bit, it’s really minimal. It doesn’t seem to stretch them anymore then wearing them does.

    Reply
  3. Jack Mosier says

    July 29, 2021 at 12:46 am

    Best article on sock folding I have ever read! I am looking forward to trying out the cross fold.

    Reply

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