Sock Horse Sock Aid

I just bought my second one after my first one broke from too much bending leading to fatigue of the plastic. There is no question in my mind that the first one broke because I was using it incorrectly. Even with the first one breaking, I still ordered another because it was so handy for me. When I got the second one, I followed the directions and it was even easier to use and I don't expect the fatigue issue.For those curious souls, with my first one I had been putting the Sock Horse into the sock to where the sock totally surrounded the Sock Horse. All you should do is put the sock between the Sock Horse sides and put the top edge of the sock over the very top edge of the Sock Horse. Much easier to do and I don't think I'll get the same plastic fatigue breakage I got with my first one.Bottom line is that I fully recommend this item for anyone who has trouble reaching their toes to put on their socks.January 2020 Update: After 16 months, my replacement broke. The part that broke on the first one lasted fine as I am now using it per instructions. The second one broke right at the bottom of the shaft just as it appears in one of the pictures posted by someone else. Given the low price and for the convenience, I ordered two more right away. I was very pleasantly surprised to see that they have added more support to the spot where the 2nd one broke. I don't see anything in the description stating "new" or "improved" but it is improved and hopefully will last even longer.Given the fact that these are plastic, are not expensive at all, and are very, very useful, I have kept the rating as a "5" even with the prior breakage. I not only recommend them to friends and relatives, I have bought them as gifts.Also am very glad to see the upgrade made to provide more durability.I hope anyone who buys them is as pleased as I am.May 2021 Update - I mentioned in my last update that they had added an enhancement to the latest version to provide more support at critical stress points. I also mentioned that I bought two because of prior breakage but felt they were still worth it. The enhancement is working. I still have the two I bought with one just sitting in the closet waiting. I don't see any weakening of the product. I've gone from very happy to extremely happy.November 2021 Update - With the enhanced support at the former weak spot, I still am using the same one with one sitting in the closet.June 2022 Update - Finally broke another after quite some time. Should have known better but I pulled hard when trying to get a sock on a damp after-shower foot. The damper the foot the harder it is to pull up a sock. Glad I had my spare. I only remembered to update this review because I came here to order a new backup. Bottom line, the one that just broke lasted a long time with use at least twice a day. Well worth the cost.

While the plastic material of this product seems sturdy, it comes in 4 separate parts. The handle is in two sections that lock into place and are secured by a small plastic coupler or bracket that’s supposed to lock the two sections into place. This locking mechanism does not firmly lock in place. It slides into position easily, but I found that it slides out of place when trying to use the product to physically pull up the sock. If this lock mechanism clicked into place firmly, the product would work okay as designed. I’d recommend avoiding this product and purchasing a sock aid that uses the rope handles attached to a plastic sleeve which the sock slides onto. As designed this product was a disappointment and I returned it.

Due to back problems, reaching my feet to pull on my socks has become very difficult, and causes back pain that ruins my day. I tried one sock-assist device where socks were loaded to the bottom of it, but it was awkward and the sock slid off (of course!) as soon as my foot started into it. This Sock Horse is sensibly designed and well made to pull your socks completely on. I use it while standing, since I can't bend forward enough while sitting. My socks are the gold-toe brand with rather tight elasticized uppers that don't open widely. I load the sock over the non-slip upper tabs, with the heel to the rear, then pull the sock opening over my toes, then gently over my heel until it is fully in place. Luckily, my toe width is on the narrow side and my feet fit easily through the stretched opening of the sock. The Sock Horse comes with a rope-pull that some may find convenient depending on their level of disability. I think a looser athletic sock would work even easier, but that's not what I use. I've used it for about 10 days now. It's worked flawlessly and easily each day, and I attribute it to reduced back pain for the remainder of the day. A superior device!Addendum 2-26-22 - all of the above still stands, but other users reporting breakage were right. Because of those reports, I kept a duplicate spare on hand. Good thing. Despite gentle use of the original for a year, flex-fatigue cracks developed in the past couple of months, leading to breakage at the top of the sock form, heel-side. It would be nice if it didn't break, but I still wouldn't call it junk. Guess I can afford $10 per year if that is to be its useful life.....

It works as advertised. It also depends on what type of socks you use and how flexible you are. Of all the other devices advertise, this one is simple to use and it does the trick and could be the best device out there. They would have a perfect device if they put more time into its design and fixed some of its drawbacks. First thing...they need to make the handle longer. People with flexibility issues may find its not long enough. It should be long enough to work for anyone, no matter how big, short, or tall they are you should be able to reach your feet without a problem. To get around this, these idiots give you a rope to reach further? Stupid. Second thing....Why make the sock-anchor one piece? You have to bend the anchor to place the sock around it, thus not working well with different types of socks. Why not make the anchor adjustable to the size of the sock? Instead of forcing the sock to fit the device, make the device adjust to the sock. You should not have to use brute force to put the sock on the device. The video shows someone using their legs to squeeze it, which is not easy for some people, so you have to use your hands. Overall, it is a clever device and it does work. If they only fixed some issues with it, it would go from an "OK" device to the best device out there. For some people, this device may work great. For others, not so much, there are too many variables at play, but for $9. bucks its unfair to say the device does not work. It does for the right person. They just need to make improvements so it works well for everyone.