The best travel compression socks? Hope I didn’t lose you already. When planning a trip there are so many things to think about. If you’re like me you probably make lists and spreadsheets making sure not to forget anything. One of the things I most stress over is my feet. We love to walk and explore when we travel. It’s one of the rare times when I don’t even have to bother to look at my FitBit. So not having comfortable shoes and comfortable feet is a really big deal and can ruin an entire trip. I also love socks and have a complete drawer full of everything from cotton, wool to my favorite alpaca socks.
Women’s Compression Socks For Travel
I discovered what soon became my “do not leave home without them” travel item years ago on my first non-stop trip from Chicago to Beijing. 13 hours in a plane? I read all types of articles on deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which sounded really scary and was convinced I needed to be proactive since I was planning lots of long-haul travel in a relatively short period of time – over 100,000 miles to be exact. DVT is when a blood clot forms in one of your deep veins, or your legs when traveling and can cause leg pain, swelling or worse.
I discovered in my research that compression socks or travel socks, as they are now advertised, were an easy solution. My first pair of travel socks made their way to China and are still in my sock drawer today.
Back in those days, there weren’t a lot of choices in compression socks most of them were either black, white or heaven forbid that ugly beige that your Grandma might have worn. Today there are more brands, styles, designs, and colors than you can imagine.
We visited the International Travel Goods Show in March and I had the chance to meet many of the compression sock vendors and try out some samples.
After testing all these brands I can tell you that they all offer high-quality compression socks and I would recommend any of these brands if you’re looking for compression socks. They all have different styles and types of compression so are sure to get the one that best suits your needs.
Compression Sock Ratings
It’s important to get the right fit and the right compression rating. If you need medical-grade compression socks ask your doctor what he or she recommends, but typically it’s fine to use a compression rating of 15-20mmHg. The ratings let you know how tight the compression socks will squeeze your leg. You’ll probably also want a graduated compression sock, which means that the sock is tighter on your foot and ankle and gets looser as it goes up your leg. This helps promote circulation, reduce swelling, energize your legs, and protect and energize your legs during long-haul flights. It also helps even if you’re sitting at a computer all day.
Another benefit of compression socks is wearing them when you are planning on walking all day. When we have a long walking day of travel planned or are attending a trade show these socks not only help our feet by helping circulation but I’ve found that they help my back as well.
Travel Compression Socks
Zensah means “without” and this brand does a lot of work with athletes. Their goal is to ensure that each of their customers is “without limits.” This is one of the original compression sock companies so they have many product choices. Whether you’re walking, running, traveling, cycling, or hiking they have a sock for it. Their Fresh Leg Compression Socks are perfect for travel and all-day walking. They have a little extra padded arch support in the foot, are moisture-wicking, and have advanced graduated compression. For those who are a little more style-conscious, they have an argyle sock as well as a men’s and women’s dress sock. They also sell compression leg sleeves to wear with open-toed shoes or sandals. In my research, I also discovered that compression leg sleeves help with shin splints, which I suffered with for many years – wish I knew about them earlier! They also have a copper running sock that I’m going to need to try out.
Fun Compression Socks
Rejuva Health Socks what I love most about Rejuva is that the founder Kelsey Minarik came up with the idea of making more fashionable compression socks after she suffered from DVT after a long flight at the age of 21! Discovering that compression socks aided in her recovery, Kelsey set out to make compression socks not only more fashionable but more understandable to the consumer. Rejuva Socks has a full line of fashionable compression socks as well as many styles of compression leggings, tights, thigh highs, and pantyhose. They have by far the largest selection of fashionable styles, colors, and fabrics available. I tested a pair of the argyle compression knee highs shown above and they’re terrific. They’re made of a soft nylon-spandex, have graduated compression and a padded heel and toe – I really appreciate the extra support. Rejuva also has a handy sizing guide that helps you determine which size will work best for you. I like that you actually have to measure your legs to get the correct fit. To hear Kelsey’s story watch this sixty-second video and you’ll see her passion for creating the Rejuva brand and her need to help others avoid what she went through.
Vim & Vigr is another company that is fashion-forward in the compression sock market. They use several different fabrics – nylon, moisture-wick nylon, cotton, and wool in many patterns and colors to fit any busy lifestyle for men and women. They have an extensive selection of socks for women and also have a selection of women’s tights. All of their socks are 15-20mmHg which makes them great for wearing all day, every day. I tried the Women’s Mint and Black +Turquoise heel nylon sock and it was super comfortable for an everyday sock. I must say it looked great with my standard black pants!
Sockwell their Homegrown Wool Initiative “strongly supports American sheep farmers helped to create a market for wool sheared from free-grazing Rambouillet merino sheep. Producing beautiful, fine-micron wool here at home.” When I was walking at the International Travel Goods Show I was, of course, wearing my trusty compression socks. When I started talking to the gentleman at the Sockwell booth he insisted that his socks were better and made me change my socks right there in the booth! After first resisting, I had to admit they were pretty darn good socks. The pair I tried didn’t have the arch support but I’m guessing if they did they would be on par with my usual brand. Funny thing about these socks, when I was testing them a friend spotted them right away and knew the brand very well and loved them. Compression socks are the new black.
TravelSox this is the brand I’ve been using since the beginning of my compression sock discovery. Like the rest of the compression sock leaders, they have a wide line of compression socks for travel, work, medical and sports uses and have added more fashion-conscious designs. All their socks are made in Italy and have patented designs. I especially like the AB-X padding, which helps provide an additional cushion, which I like when I wear them as walking socks. I tried their new TSS6000 Soft Padding OTC and really like the new softer fabric. They also include their Silver DryStat anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral, which reduces foot odor and are quick drying, minimizing blisters meaning you can wash them out in the sink and be ready to go the next morning while traveling.
More compression with style these ATN Pride Socks are a fun way to brighten up your day. They are made from antimicrobial fiber and very soft and comfortable. I really appreciate the wide band top which helps keep them up where they belong.
One of the tricky things about compression socks is putting them on. Because they are tighter than “normal” socks it’s difficult if not impossible to just pull them on. Luckily, every compression sock vendor has a handy how-to guide on their site. Rejuva Health includes a handy instruction card in their hand-packed packaging. In case you’re wondering here’s a super quick video from Travelsox below on how to put them on easily.
Did I convince you that you need a pair or two of compression socks the next time you travel or have a lot of walking or work to do? I hope so. This is just a sampling of compression socks on the market there are many other brands and styles to suit just about everyone. Most compression socks run between $30-$35 USD per pair. Try them once and you’ll feel the difference.
QUICK BITE: Check out our research on the best travel compression socks. We’ll show you why you need to consider adding these game-changing socks to your travel must-have list.
27 Comments
Well described ! Keep up the good writing.
Thank YOU! I’m a compulsive travel reader/researcher and this is the first time I’m seeing mention of compression socks! It just happened I have just bought two pair, different brands, both 20-30mmHg. In more than 50 years of long-haul traveling by air, I haven’t had a pair. Yet, I’ve always had swollen legs and feet after flights, both at age 22 and 72. Hope this relieves the swelling. It’s amazing I haven’t had a stroke yet!?
Great article! If you’re looking for top quality (not made in China) at affordable prices with great designs, check us out! http://www.aftonsocks.com.
As a fellow compression sock enthusiast I liked your article a lot. I usually travel by plane and I find that my Travelsox are comfortable and do a great job of preventing swelling. I haven’t had any DVTs either, so I can recommend them.
Great article! I need to invest in some and did not realize there were so many to choose from!
I don’t feel that I need them just yet, but am pleased to see that they are now made with some fashion sense thrown in!!
Hi Karen! Check out Rejuva Health or Vim & Vigr they’re your best bet. Thanks for stopping by.
As long as we keep comfortable our aging legs can walk on. Thanks for stopping by Josie!
I love Thorlos for working out and walking too. Their padded socks are the best. Thanks for stopping by Gypsynesters!
Glad to hear it Johanna. You will definitely notice the difference right away. Thanks for stopping by.
So glad to help. Definitely pick up a pair before your next trip. You’ll be glad you did. Thanks for stopping by!
Funny my toes and feet just can’t handle flip flops. Even as a kid I just didn’t like them. You could wear the compression leg sleeves on a plane and take them off when you landed. That would give the the added circulation benefits of the compression socks.
Do they make anything that can be worn with flip flops? 😉 My preferred footwear, if I must wear anything at all.
What an informative post! I had no idea there were so many choices in compression socks. This is a great guide for first-timers.
Even though I don’t need compression socks at this point, I know people who do, and I found your report on them interesting.
Thanks for the brand comparisons. There are lots of articles out there on travel socks, but few actually mention brands. After my last trans-pacific flight, I could feel my legs swelling. I’ve got another one coming up and have been researching. This was well-timed and helpful.
This was such a helpful post … I’ve never thought about wearing them but I feel the time is nigh. The chart was really helpful, so too the descriptions about all the different sorts you can buy. I thought there was only one, the medical kind, in a kind of stocking colour but now I know they come in all shapes and sizes, I’ll be buying some 🙂
Don’t leave home without them. I love my Uniform Support from Thorlos, even though they are not called compression socks they do the trick. They also have a great line of padded socks for walking on cobblestone streets or hiking.
They should! There are many styles and many have great wicking properties. Try them!
Compression socks have made a huge comfort difference in my family. Getting the right fit is the key.
I wonder how they’d hold up in desert environments. It’s very difficult to justify anything on your feet in 40 degree heat.
Hi Sue,
Oh, the aging feet, knees, and legs.
Because of this, the title of your blog caught my eye immediately. Thank you. I will be getting some of these.
Swelling feet and ankles — Bye Bye!
I appreciate your review!
Josie
Never understood these things but after a long flight and walking at a tradeshow all day they really do make a difference. Nice to know that they come in some attractive styles now too!
Thanks so much for this. I need a new pair (bought my last 10 years ago) and wasn’t sure which to buy. Which ones look the most like nylon stockings? I ask since I wear them with my Arche flats which are a little “dressy” (rubber sole, soft sides that are flexible, great for traveling).
Compression Socks are not something I would of thought about putting on my list. I’ve taken a fair few long haul flights and I am lucky not to suffer from any problems…but I know quite a few of my family travelling companions would appreciate a good pair – and if they have a funky design then even better. Beats the granny, dull and medical looking ones! Never thought about wearing them outside of travelling though…like sitting at your computer…
Interesting article. I didn’t know there were so many types, colours and varieties of compression sock 🙂
I’ve never used compression socks, i heard about them but i didn’t feel like I need a pair. I’ll reconsider it
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