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Compression socks are the wellness product you didn’t know you needed. These tight-fitting stockings, designed to add pressure to the calf and ankle while gradually loosening all the way up to the thigh, are not just for people on long haul flights who are concerned about the extremely rare condition deep vein thrombosis. There is, in fact, a slew of health benefits to be gained from wearing these, both in flight and on the ground, as a result of improving blood circulation.
GP Dr Farah Ahmed says “compression socks can reduce leg swelling and fatigue, especially for people who stand or sit for long periods, whether you’re on a plane or working in the office. They can also help to manage symptoms of varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency and play a role in supporting post-workout recovery by improving blood flow and reducing muscle soreness.”
The reason compression socks are designed to be tightest around the ankle and lower half of the leg is to put pressure on the veins, arteries, and muscles that can help to push blood back to your heart to be pumped around more efficiently. There are different strengths of compression to choose from, referred to as millimetres of mercury, or mmHg.
Dr Ahmed advises: “For flying, most people only need mild compression, which is around 15–20 mmHg. You can buy these over the counter at pharmacies or online. Stronger compression, above 20 mmHg, is usually only needed if a doctor recommends it for specific medical conditions like varicose veins or poor circulation.”
The mild compression socks are still tight enough to improve blood flow and reduce the risk of blood clots on long flights, if that’s something you’re concerned about, but they’re still fairly comfortable – you probably won’t really notice them once you get into your in-flight film.
Below, you'll find a few Traveller editors' favourite pairs, plus more top picks we recommend from brands we trust.
Should everyone wear compression socks when flying?
The vast majority of people will be totally fine flying without compression socks, however, they might make long journeys more comfortable. Dr Ahmed says, “wearing compression socks is a good idea for some people, especially on flights longer than four hours. They help keep your blood moving and can lower the risk of blood clots in your legs. This is especially important if you have had a blood clot before, are pregnant, take the pill or oral HRT, are overweight or have limited mobility or a medical condition that affects circulation.
What is the best level of compression socks?
The lowest level compression socks, between 10 – 20 mmHg, are best suited to most people. Stronger compression (20mmHg and above) is generally only recommended if a medical professional has advised you to wear these.
How many hours a day should you wear compression socks?
It’s generally recommended to wear compression socks for eight to 10 hours per day, or at least for the duration of your travel or period of inactivity, especially if the flight is over four hours.
Dr Ahmed explains that if you’re wearing compression socks on the advice of your doctor, or for a specific medical condition, duration depends on individual need. She says, “People with varicose veins or oedema (leg swelling) may be advised to wear them for most of the day, removing them before bed. They are also commonly used after surgery, and the recommended duration may vary depending on the protocol (sometimes 24 hours or for a few days). Always consult your doctor to find out what’s best for you.”
Is there a downside or risk to wearing compression socks?
Generally speaking, compression socks offer benefits over risks if used appropriately. But Dr Ahmed says there are some potential problems to be aware of. “Possible issues include skin irritation or discomfort if worn too long or they're incorrectly fitted. Improper sizing can cause constriction or worsen circulation and rarely they can cause nerve damage or pressure sores if worn continuously without breaks. The only time compression socks might not be safe is if you have poor blood flow in your arteries, such as in a condition called peripheral arterial disease (PAD).”
Editor favourites:
Comrad Compression Socks
With a 15-25 mmHg rating, making these mid-level compression socks, you’ll feel a fairly tight squeeze when you finally manage to wriggle your way into these, but once they’re on you get used to it pretty quickly. Before long, you’ll have been enjoying your in-flight movie for 30 minutes and you won't even feel them around your legs. Not only are these socks effective, but they come in a wide range of styles and colours too so they’re a pleasure to wear and you could even get yourself a selection if you become a daily wearer. Former Traveler US editor, Meredith Carey has settled on the Comrad socks as her number one pick.
"These are my all-time favourite flying socks. They're made with moisture-wicking, odour-fighting fabric, which means you can pop your shoes off mid-flight without your neighbour catching a single whiff. Like most effective compression socks, these require a little elbow grease to get on – they're supposed to be tight after all – but once you've been enjoying your in-flight movie for 30 minutes or so, you won't even feel them around your legs. (They're that middle ground of 15-25 mmHg.) They also don't bunch or slip, a small detail that makes a huge difference if you've ever spent an inordinate amount of time hiking your socks up under your trouser legs. Besides the health benefits, they're just generally well-designed. They're available in neutral colour combinations and striped patterns, and look freakishly similar to your average pair of dress socks. Meredith Carey, former Traveler US editor
Despite being a last-minute Amazon Prime buy, senior commerce editor Madison Flager has come back to the FuelMeFoot Compression Socks time and again. The almost entirely positive 50,000 reviews weren’t wrong, these high compression stockings (20-30 mmHg) work brilliantly, are comfortable to wear and look pretty good too.
"My go-to compression socks were a total last-minute buy. A few days before flying to South Africa – on a lengthy New York-to-Nairobi-to-Cape Town flight path – I realised I should probably bring a pair along to wear on the planes. This pair was available on Amazon Prime, and had a 4.4 star rating from more than 50,000 reviews, so I went for it. They turned out to work extremely well, and I've worn them on every international or cross-country flight since. At 20-30 mmHg, the knee-high socks do take a bit of effort to pull on, but are not overly tight, and I can feel the difference in my calves almost immediately. I went for a classic striped design, but you can order them in a whole host of colours and patterns. Madison Flager, senior commerce editor
As mentioned above, most people don’t require heavy duty compression socks – usually a light 8-15 mmHg will do nicely. This pair from Ostrichpillow are exactly that, and they’re made from stretchy Bamboo material too, for extra comfort. Former Traveler US editor, Meredith Carey says these are the perfect everyday compression socks as they’re easy to get on and a pleasure to wear.
"I don't get up nearly as much as I should working from home (or on planes, for that matter), so wearing these while I sit at my desk means that I don't get that pins and needles feeling from sitting still for so long. They're also the plushest pair I've tried, thanks to their breathable, bamboo and recycled polyester fabric. While I'd probably pick up something more compressive for long-haul flights, these are easy on and easy off and are my go-to for shorter flights. M.C.
If you’re ever in a dilemma about which product is best to buy, Amazon bestsellers are often a good bet. These socks sold on the marketplace giant have racked up over 60,000 ratings, with an average rating of 4.4 stars, so it’s clear they’re impressing a lot of people. These are medium compression socks (15-20 mmHg) which makes them ideal for long-haul flights, running, cycling, or for anyone with a job that requires long days on your feet, like nurses or stylists. A big selling point for us is that they’re made from a breathable blend of fabrics, as well as being non-slip and comfortable to wear all day. Choose this three-pair pack in a variety of colours, with three size options meant to fit most travellers.
You might have noticed that Lululemon is a brand featured across many Traveller product roundups. They’re a firm favourite of our editors and readers alike, and just like their activewear, shoes, jackets and bags, their compression socks have delivered too. Going above and beyond boosting wellbeing on a flight, these knee-high socks are relied upon by many athletes too, to provide support during long runs and speed up recovery. Lululemon's MicroPillow compression socks are designed with runners in mind, offering light cushioning and reflective details. The light compression works to hug your muscles while boosting energy and support as you move.
With an incredible 84,000 ratings on Amazon and an average score of 4.5 stars, these high compression socks are clearly an essential for many people out there. The 20-30 mmHg level makes these the perfect pick for travel days, long-distance runs, or maternity wear, to boost circulation and oxygen blood flow, and promote faster recovery post-workout. They’re knee-high and they are very tight, so it takes some effort to get these on and a little time to get used to the squeeze, but the shock absorption pads and cuffed leg tops make them comfortable to wear.
These have a high price tag compared with others on the list, but that’s because the Sockwell Graduated Compression Socks are made with quality merino wool and bamboo rayon weave. If you’ve read our hiking socks guide, you’ll already know that merino wool is the best material for a comfortable, breathable, sweat-wicking sock, and bamboo is thermoregulating too, so we think they’re well worth a splurge.
Available in a selection of colours and patterns, they look pretty cute for compression socks too, but they’re all function, with a high level 20-30 mmHg and four compression zones, pinpointing targeted areas rather than just generally tightness. The high mmHg means these aren’t going to be right for every day wear for most people, but they are an excellent choice for long flights, or any occasion you’ll be sat for long periods of time. Amazon reviewers suggest that they’re tighter than most compression stockings with strong arch support, and retain their shape well, even after considerable use.
Offering a 15 – 20 mmHg compression, arch support and seam-free toes, these socks were built for comfort, which is something that can be lacking in other options. Made from 53 per cent combed cotton with patented FreshTek technology, these also provide exceptional moisture and odour control, if that’s something you’re concerned about. As well as providing the wellness benefits of compression, wearing this pair will also minimise impact when hiking, walking or running, thanks to the targeted cushioning and engineered arch support.
Founded in 1895, FALKE is a globally renowned hosiery and sock brand that has a proven track record of exceptional craftsmanship and innovative design. With this in mind it’s no wonder that their knee high compression socks have made the cut here. Showcasing the high quality materials and attention to detail you’d expect from this brand, the Vitalize socks have a compression strength of 12 – 16 mmHg (other, higher options also available), created with a unique 3D knitting technology to stimulate circulation, improve oxygenation and offer a bit of leg shaping too.
We love the Trtl neck pillow, so while you’re grabbing one of those be sure to put a pair of these fun compression socks in your basket too. The bright, playful designs to choose from immediately set these apart, but it’s the COOLMAX technology, stretchy LYRCA knit and choice of three compression levels that make these a great pick. Happy customers say that these are unusually comfortable for compression socks, making them perfect for long haul flights and everyday wear.
