8 Best Compression Socks for Travelers (2023)

05.09.2023 - 20:57 / cntraveler.com / Megan Spurrell / Star

For a long time, I thought compression socks were exclusively worn by nervous nellies worried about getting blood clots from sitting too long (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a very rare condition in which a blood clot forms in your leg and travels to your lungs). As a result, I never thought I had a need for them.

But then, a few years ago, my mom threw a pair of compressions socks in my Christmas stocking, knowing I had a few long-haul flights on the docket. I was an immediate convert. 

Compression socks are said to decrease your chances of DVT by keeping your blood pumping, but that claim isn't medically proven. What they actually do is help reduce swelling and that pins-and-needles feeling you get when sitting still for, say, a 14-hour flight or a day of working from home. They're tightest at the ankle and loosen as they get up to your knee, putting pressure on the veins, arteries, and muscles in your lower leg. That, in a very simplified way, pushes blood back to your heart to be pumped around more efficiently.

Depending on your comfort levels, you'll want to be sure you're getting the right millimeters of mercury, or mmHg. Medical-grade socks sit in the 20-30 mmHg range, while most casual socks (i.e. more comfortable) are still tight enough to encourage circulation at 15-25 mmHg. (The mmHg measurement calculates how much pressure is being exerted, technically on a column of mercury. It's complicated, but just know socks that are 30 mmHg are extra tight, while 10 mmHg means they're relatively loose.) Below, you'll find a few of Traveler editors' favorite pairs, plus more options we recommend from brands we trust. 

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

With a medium compression level of 15-20 Mmhg, Bombas Everyday compression socks are perfect for travelers who want something effective and supportive, but aren't so tight to the point of potential discomfort. “The way they increase circulation is supposed to help with jet lag, puffiness, and just feeling better after a long journey,” says senior editor Megan Spurrell. She recommends these for every five-hour-plus flight and though you have to fight a bit to get them on, they do the trick. “I swear they’ve helped me arrive feeling fresher than I used to,” Spurrell says.

These are my all-time favorite flying socks. They're made with moisture-wicking, odor-fighting fabric, which means you can pop your shoes off mid-flight without your neighbor 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.