Compression Socks for Travel: The 10 Best for Women Over 60
Do long flights, road trips, and train rides leave your legs feeling heavy and swollen? Sitting in one position for several hours can cause fluid to collect in your lower legs, which may make your shoes feel noticeably tighter by the time you reach your destination. This is where compression socks come in handy. Designed to apply gentle, graduated pressure to your legs, they can help reduce swelling and support circulation while you’re sitting or standing for extended periods.
Top three compression socks for travel:
- BEST OVERALL – Sockwell Women’s Circulator – Comfortable 15–20 mmHg compression, a soft Merino blend fabric, and a stylish look make this a great all-around travel sock.
- BEST FOR LONG FLIGHTS – CEP Core Flight Tall Compression Socks – Firm 20–30 mmHg compression, cushioning, and breathable merino wool make these a strong choice for long-haul travel.
- BEST FOR WIDE CALVES – Levsox Wide-Calf Compression Socks – A roomier fit and moderate 15–20 mmHg compression make these a comfortable Choice when standard compression socks feel too tight.
Don’t know what mmHg is? Keep reading; I explain it further down in the article.
Compression socks are especially useful for travel days, when you may spend hours sitting on a plane followed by walking through a huge airport and standing in a security line.
What Are Compression Socks
Compression socks are specially designed socks that apply pressure to your lower legs. Unlike ordinary socks, they provide graduated compression, meaning they are tightest around the ankle and gradually loosen as they move up the leg.
This design is intended to encourage blood flow upward through the legs and help prevent blood from pooling around the ankles and feet. Compression socks can also help reduce the swelling and tired feeling that can occur after sitting or standing for long periods.
For travelers, knee-high compression socks are generally the most practical option. They’re easy to wear with pants, jeans, skirts, and even dresses.
Long-distance travel can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), particularly when you remain seated for 4 hours or more. The overall risk is generally small, but it increases when other risk factors are present. The CDC recommends moving your legs frequently and getting up to walk every hour or so during long trips. Some travelers at increased risk may also benefit from graduated compression stockings.
If you have a history of blood clots or have a medical condition that affects circulation, talk with your healthcare provider before choosing compression socks or a particular compression level.
What to Look for When Shopping for Compression Socks
Not all compression socks feel the same. The best pair for travel should provide enough support to be useful without being so tight or uncomfortable that you can’t wait to take them off.
Compression Level – mmHg
Compression is measured in mmHg, or millimeters of mercury. You’ll commonly see these levels:
- 8-15 mmHg: Mild Compression
- 15-20 mmHg: Moderate compression
- 20-30 mmHg: Firm compression
- 30-40 mmHg: Extra-firm compression
For many otherwise healthy travelers, 15 to 20 mmHg is a good starting point. The American College of Chest Physicians recommends properly fitted below-the-knee graduated compression stockings providing 15 to 30 mmHg at the ankle for long-distance travelers who are at increased risk of VTE (venous thromboembolism).
A higher number isn’t necessarily better. If you’re new to compression socks, a comfortable 15–20 mmHg pair may be much easier to wear for an entire travel day than a very firm sock.
Look for Graduated Compression
Make sure the socks provide graduated, not uniform, compression. They should feel snugger around your ankles and gradually loosen as they move upward.
Get the Right Size
This is one of the most important considerations. Compression socks are supposed to fit snugly, but they shouldn’t cause numbness, tingling, pain, or discoloration in your feet and legs.
Don’t automatically choose your usual sock size. Check the manufacturer’s sizing chart and, when required, measure your calf circumference. Some brands offer wide calf sizes, which can make a big difference in comfort.
Consider the Fabric
Travel can mean wearing the same pair of socks for many hours, so fabric matters. Merino wool can be a good choice for temperature regulation, while bamboo-derived and moisture-wicking fabrics can work well for warmer destinations. Cotton blends can feel soft and familiar, while synthetic blends often provide the stretch needed to maintain compression.
Pay Attention to the Top Band
A compression sock shouldn’t feel as though it’s cutting into your calf. Look for a comfortable cuff that stays in place without digging into your skin.
Best Compression Socks for Traveling
Here are ten compression socks worth considering for your next trip, from comfortable everyday options to firmer styles for travelers who need more support.
Sockwell Women’s Circulator – Best Overall
The Sockwell Women’s Circulator is a strong all-around travel choice. It combines moderate graduated compression with a merino wool and bamboo-rayon blend, along with arch support, a seamless toe, and a lightly cushioned sole.
Comrad Knee-High Compression Socks – Best for Long Travel Days
Comrades knee-high compression socks are graduated compression that is strongest at the ankle and gradually decreases up the leg. The brand also offers wide sizing, which can be particularly useful if standard compression socks feel restricted around your calves.
Bombas Women’s Everyday Compression Socks – Best for Comfort
Bombas makes compression socks that feel more like regular premium socks than medical garments. The everyday compression socks provide moderate graduated compression and cushioning designed for extended wear. They’re a particularly good option if you’re new to compression socks and don’t want something extremely firm.
Bombas makes compression socks that feel more like regular premium socks than medical garments. The everyday compression socks provide moderate graduated compression and cushioning designed for extended wear. They’re a particularly good option if you’re new to compression socks and don’t want something extremely firm.
Wellow Knee-High Compression Socks – Best Stylish Option
Compression socks have come a long way from the rather clinical-looking versions many of us remember. Wellow offers colorful patterns and contemporary designs along with graduated compression.
The brand’s socks come in a range of sizes, including wide options, and current testing found them comfortable for extended wear.
VIM&VIGR Cotton Graduated Compression Socks – Best for Fit
VIM&VIGR’s cotton compression socks received top marks in Good Housekeeping’s recent testing for fit, moisture management, and durability.
The cotton-rich construction makes them a good option for travelers who prefer the familiar feel of cotton over synthetic fabrics. These are the best compression socks if you don’t want heavy or overly technical-feeling socks.
CEP Core Flight Tall Compression Socks – Best for Long-Haul Flights
These compression socks are designed specifically for long flights and extended travel days. They provide 20–30 mmHg graduated compression to support circulation and help reduce the swelling and leg fatigue that can come with prolonged sitting.
Made in Germany, they feature a breathable merino wool blend, moisture-wicking fabric, anatomical cushioning, and an ergonomic toe box for added comfort.
Sockwell Women’s Elevation – Best Firm Compression
The Stockwell Elevation offers firm graduated compression along with arch support, a seamless toe, and a merino wool blend. It’s worth noting that 20–30 mmHg socks can be considerably more difficult to put on and take off than moderate compression styles.
This is a good choice if you already know that firm compression socks work well for you.
Levsox Wide-Calf Compression Socks – Best for Wider Calves
If you’ve ever tried compression socks that felt uncomfortably tight around your calves, look for a pair specifically designed with additional room.
Levsox offers a wide calf version with 15–20 mmHg graduated compression. These are an excellent option if you are plus-size and struggle to find comfortable compression socks.
Bombas Women’s Performance Compression Socks – Best for Breathable Support
Bombas’ performance compression socks provide the brand’s strongest compression, with graduated 20–30 mmHg support. They also include strategic cushioning and airflow zones.
This is a great option for travelers who have used compression socks before and prefer a firmer feel.
Viasox Compression Socks – Best for Fun Patterns
If the idea of wearing beige, medical-looking socks for your trip makes you sigh, Viasox is worth a look. The brand offers compression socks in a wide range of bright colors and patterns.
They are designed for all-day wear and come in multiple sizes, making them a great option for travelers who want something more cheerful than a traditional black or gray compression sock.
Read more: How to Travel Comfortably With a Friend Who Has Different Energy Levels
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Have you tried compression socks on a long flight or road trip? Did they make a difference? What’s your favorite brand of compression socks for travel? Do you prefer basic black and neutral socks, or would you wear a colorful or patterned pair? Tell us about it in the comments below.
