The ruling on wearing socks during الإحرام differs between men and women. For men, the أُسس السنة is to wear sandals (na'layn) that leave the ankles and the tops of the feet exposed. النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم) explicitly prohibited the muhrim from wearing khuffayn (leather socks/boots that cover the ankles), and by extension, scholars apply this to modern socks and enclosed shoes. If sandals are unavailable, النبي permitted wearing leather socks cut below the ankles.
الشيخ ابن عثيمين took a notable position regarding modern socks, arguing that if sandals are genuinely unavailable, a الحاج may wear regular socks without cutting them, as the reason النبي mentioned cutting the khuff was to make them resemble sandals. He reasoned that the concession is about necessity, and the cutting instruction was descriptive of what was practical with leather boots, not a separate obligation. However, the majority position, including ابن باز and the اللجنة الدائمة, follows the more cautious view that if sandals are unavailable, the socks or shoes should be cut below the ankle bone.
For women, there are no restrictions on footwear during الإحرام. Women may wear socks, shoes, boots, or any footwear they wish, as the الإحرام clothing restrictions for women only prohibit the niqab (face veil) and gloves. الشيخ ابن باز and the اللجنة الدائمة confirmed that women in الإحرام may wear whatever shoes and socks they normally wear. This is unanimously agreed upon by all four schools of jurisprudence.