I would say get the 9, I have never heard of sizibg down more than 1.5 sizes. If u wear a 9.5 size down to a 9, if u wear a 9 size down to a 8. I wear 7.5 womens sometimes 8, and I usually get a 7 in ugg boots. I have 8 pairs of ugg boots. Some of them years old, others as recent as dec 203, and I always get a 7. About wearing socks, they r made to be worn without, but I guess some people still wear them with socks.