To determine the most effective socks for compression, we spoke with those who wear them in various situations: during pregnancy, when exercising during running, after exercising, traveling, and even just because. After looking through a myriad of pairs, we’ve compared 18 pairs of socks since 2017 and came across five that fit comfortably (yet nevertheless surprisingly simple to put on) They also keep their elasticity after several washes, and are available in a variety of sizes and shades. Some are even elegant, too.
Our top picks include a soft but snug blend of bamboo and merino from Sockwell as well as a sturdy budget choice, Go2Socks a stretchy blend of cotton and nylon from Comrad with a stylish modern style; ultra-comfy socks from Dr. Segal’s which are extremely simple to put off and on as well as socks made by Vim & Vigr, a brand that offers nearly every possible size for calf and foot (in various fabrics as well as colors and patterns). We’ve sorted our selections by looking at the socks with the highest compression first as well as those that are smaller, looser fittings further down.
Who should purchase compression socks?
There are two primary motivations for wearing compression socks: either because your doctor has suggested you wear them or you are comfortable wearing them.
Compression socks are constructed of elasticized material that squeezes your legs with the intention of improving circulation. In general evidence for the benefits of compression socks are mixed. However, as it’s been checked with your physician if suffer from circulation or skin issues, “there’s no downside in wearing socks,” dermatologist Bruce Katz who is at the Icahn school of Medicine in Mount Sinai, told us.
The doctor may recommend wearing compression socks due to one of a variety of reasons. They may help reduce swelling after surgery. They’ve been shown to decrease the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during flights, and decrease the chance of complications following treatments for DVT. Compression could help heal from certain skin ailments such as rashes that cause leg ulcers. Additionally, (though there’s no definitive evidence from science) there’s a possibility that compression can be beneficial for treating varicose veins.
This guide, however, is specific to compression socks intended to be worn for non-medical reasons. (Unless your doctor informs you that any type of compression socks is suitable We recommend following their specific guidelines when choosing the right ones.) The non-medical use of compression socks is to wear socks to help you relax on the plane, or after a workout or during shifts where you’re in your shoes. While compression socks don’t work as magical, they can provide a relaxing experience.
What do you think about running? Compression socks are known for enhancing performance and decreasing fatigue, however a brief unpublished study suggests the opposite. Researchers at Ohio State University’s Ajit Chaudhari along with his colleagues arranged for 20 runners to do 30 minutes of grueling exercise in compression socks and another without compression socks. They also measured how high the runners could leap after their run, compared with prior to it, a measure of their exhaustion. The compression socks didn’t provide an obvious benefit.
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Other excellent compression socks
A tester’s lower limb wearing the Signature Compression Lily Trotters Socks in black, with bright pink and blue dots and an edgy pink toe and the top edge scallop.
If you’re looking for compression socks that aid you in running stylishly There’s a good chance you’ll like Lily Trotters Signature Compression Socks. We’ve previously named Lily Trotters a pick in this article, but after nearly two decades of washing and wearing the same pair of socks, we discovered that Lily Trotters became notably stiffer and more worn-looking than other pairs. Also, one test participant wore holes in her soles after just a few months of wearing. But the Lily Trotters are a good option for a compression sock because of the synthetic material (they’re 93 percent nylon and 7 percent spandex) and a tight fit around your foot. They are available in a variety of neon colours that can assist runners with their visibility. They also come with solid black and polka dots and a variety of other prints. Some have outdoor icons that resemble the look of the hiking socks you’ll find at REI. Be aware that although our choices are mostly non-specific to gender however, the design on a few of them is distinctly feminine. The compression range is between 15 to 20 millimeters in height.
If you’re in search of an sock for skiing that has compression the Icebreaker ski+ compression Socks available in both men’s and women’s designs are costly and fill somewhat special for this list, however the ski socks do need to stand out from the typical compression socks. Skiers can easily shell out more than $100 creating the inside of their boots to accommodate their feet. Nothing other than an extremely thin–almost slippery–form-fitting sock will prevent blisters.
The soles on the socks are made to fit both right and left feet separately with no fabric sticking out of the toes. The material is lightweight, and a majority of skiers we have met prefer wool socks due to the fact that they wick naturally and don’t smell in the same way. The socks contain 54% merino, combined with synthetics for strength.
Even even if you’re not a professional skier If you’re looking for a slim, well-shaped socks, these are the perfect fit around your toes of any we’ve have tried.
$30 from Sockwell
We like them because: Sockwell Lifestyle Firm Compression Socks are available in women’s and men’s designs, are comfortable and are made from a luxurious Merino-wool blend. They feel and fit more comfortable than other socks of their price and are the cheapest Merino-blend compression socks on the market.
The Sockwells we love the most are those with a strong compression (20 to 30 millimeters Hg) composed of merino along with rayon made from bamboo (a soft and cozy synthetic). It is a light socks and is slightly thicker to it (though not enough to classify the cushioning). The brand also offers more lightweight socks.
The sock shaft isn’t coiled around the knee in a way that is uncomfortable and there’s not any excess material on the top of your toes (though there’s a bit) which means they’re comfortable. In both female and male versions, the socks come in two sizes: M/L and S/M for women’s versions, and M/L or M/XL in men’s models. And while we’d like to have more sizes there was no issue making these fit the feet of our test subjects.
A tester’s lower leg sporting lower leg socks. Sockwell compression socks with an terra cotta blue green, gray and stripe pattern.
Sockwell Men’s Up Firm Gradually Compressed Socks with a color of Black. Photo: Sarah Kobos
A tester’s lower leg in socks from Sockwell compression socks in a muted violet in a pattern of purple.
Sockwell Women’s Step-Up Compression Socks that are Firm in Plum. Photo: Sarah Kobos
The instructions suggest air drying the socks, however we rinsed them dry them and put them into machines nonetheless. They performed better than other merino socks, and there was the slightest stretch on the top of the cuff. We believe that if you are able to air dry these socks socks, they’ll last an extended time.
Sockwells are available in eight styles in women’s sizes, and four men’s sizes, and with a range of neutral colors, so they’re suitable for an everyday casual outfit.
Some flaws, but not a deal-breaker: One of the most common criticisms we can make of Sockwells is that they’re somewhat difficult to pull off in comparison to other choices. However, there are only two compression-level sock choices in this list including the Sockwells are among the two. Based on our experiences with this level of compression We’re not too surprised that they require a bit of more effort to pull on.
Compression level: 20-30 millimeters Hg
Maximum calf size: 16 1/2 inches
Material: The Elevation model comprises 31% merino Wool 31% rayon derived from bamboo 30% nylon and 88% spandex. Other options from Sockwell are similar however, they differ in the amount of synthetic material. For women, the New Leaf style is a non-cushion socks (the other styles include all cushion-less styles).
Other compression options include women’s moderate Compression Socks (43 models 15 to 20 millimeters Hg) and Men’s Moderate Compression Socks (16 styles 15 to 20 millimeters Hg) none of which we’ve tried.
Firm compression, inexpensive (yet long-lasting): Go2Socks Compression Socks
The Go2Socks are compression socks with the grey and black argyle design, with the logo of the brand visible on its sole.
Our top pick
Compression Socks by Go2Socks
A solid budget option
The most inexpensive pair of socks we came across, they are a good height for calf. They appeared brand new after a few washings and a dryer.
$19 from Amazon
$18 at Walmart
What we love about them The comparatively low-cost Go2Socks Compression Socks come out of the dryer and washer appearing to have just come from the box. They’re also priced to beat – they cost almost three times less than other socks in this list (though their style isn’t for everyone and they can bunch around feet).
These are sock with a firm-compression (20 to 30 millimeters Hg) which are made from nylon. They’re thin socks with no cushioning and surpass other cheaper alternatives. The shaft of the sock is sized appropriately without being too big. They come in four different sizes: M, S L, XL, and. The XL size is also able to accommodate up to 21 inches of size calf, which is uncommon (something that top-quality sporting brands, that have socks priced at $50 or more usually advertise about).
A tester’s lower leg in the Go2Socks compression sock in an argyle grey and black pattern.
Go2Socks Compression Socks in Black Argyle. Photo: Sarah Kobos
A tester’s lower leg sporting these compression socks with bright candy-hued stripes.
Go2Socks Compression Socks in Stripes. Photo: Sarah Kobos
There are 31 distinct designs and colors to pick from that include nine solids and numerous variations of dots. Certain color combinations cover the logo of the brand on the top, creating a subtle appearance.
There are some flaws, but they’re not major issues. The first indication that these aren’t expensive socks is the size of fabric that covers the toes, which is where the seams join. If you wear shoes that are tight fitting or are looking for an athletic sock that needs an improved fit for your feet to avoid blisters, they could cause friction in the toe region.
The design and colors aren’t exactly the most elegant but not caring about it is also a matter of aesthetics. Maybe these are the socks you need.
$29 from Comrad
We like them because: Comrad Knee-High Compression Socks immediately caught our attention due to their contemporary design. We were also shocked to learn how well they held against drying and washing.
Comrad Knee-Highs is a medium-firm compression socks (15 to 25 millimeters Hg) composed of spandex and nylon. They are thin and feature no cushioning. However, the heel and toes have a more robust fabric (for the durability). The sizing for unisex is wider than other alternatives, offering the total of six sizes and this is the exact number that is offered from Vim & Vigr, another brand that we suggest, which has an extensive size range.
A tester’s lower leg in Comrad Knee-High Compression Socks, which have an intricate stripe pattern with dark, thin lines over the background of tan.
Comrad Knee-High Compression Socks in Charcoal/Grey Stripes. Photo: Sarah Kobos
A tester’s lower leg in socks from Comrad Knee High. They are the color of a light pinkish-tan with an orange stripe at the top of the socks.
Comrad Knee-High Compression Socks in Rose. Photo: Sarah Kobos
We love the shelf-life of this pair. The socks did not show any obvious damage following a run through the dryer and washer (as for every compression sock, instructions say to dry in air) without cracks in the cuff and no damage or rips to the material. After a couple of washes, they were in good condition.
The Comrad socks are available in four modern styles that include stripes, solids colors, color blocks, and ombre styles. Each comes in around 30 different combinations of colors.
There are some flaws, but they’re not major issues It’s a difficult sock for you to pull on at all, especially for something that falls within the range of compression that is firm. We think the constant elasticity is the reason this sock lasts during the washing cycle. It could be a good option to avoid if your have trouble fitting compression socks.
Dr. Segal’s Energy Compression Socks
Socks that are comfortable for wear all day long
It is easy to put on and put on This pair of cotton-blend socks have a soft feel and a noticeable feel next to skin.
A mere $30 at Dr. Segal’s
We like them because We like them because The Dr. Segal’s Energy Compression Socks are like an easy, gentle hug to your calves. We immediately noticed how simple to put them on–much more than the other socks we’ve tested. And, consequently the comfort they provided to wear for a long time.
They Energy socks is a medium-strength compression socks (15 to 20 millimeters Hg) comprised from nylon, cotton, and Lycra. The socks that are very thin and without cushioning, are perfect for relaxing in the home or working at home. Also, if are wearing boots for winter that have plenty of padding, which is difficult to get your feet into, these socks are smooth enough to help your feet slide right in.
The shaft of the sock doesn’t get tangled together in a way that makes knees uncomfortable and the socks fit snugly around the feet which eliminates any extra fabric at the point where the seam joins (a usual feature of lower-end choices). They are available in four unisex sizes: M, S L, XL, and S. Although there are two distinct tabs for shopping on the site one for men as well as one specifically for females, both lead to the same webpages.
A tester’s lower leg in the Dr. Segal Energy Compression Socks in black with tiny gray polka dots as well as an edging of gray at the top of the edge.
Dr. Segal’s Polka Dot The Black Energy Socks. Photo: Sarah Kobos
A tester’s lower limb wearing the Dr. Segal Energy Compression Socks in sunset tones and brown toe, heel and the top band.
Dr. Segal’s Striped Sparkling Energy Cotton Socks. Photo: Sarah Kobos
Did we dry them with air, in accordance with the instructions for care? No, of course it wasn’t. However, a single pass through the dryer and washer resulted in very little damage and resulted in very barely visible warping of all cotton socks. The company also offers more robust socks.
There are 18 patterns and solids you can pick from mostly horizontal stripes with different widths, as well as patterns with houndstooth, polka dots along with a trippy color space.
There are some flaws, but they’re not major issues Since these socks are made of cotton we believe that they will stand up better when you don’t put them in dryers. The socks will remain worn them and wash them, and will keep an eye out for any quality problems.
$36 from Vim & Vigr
We like them because What we like to love about Vim & Vigr is the huge choice of options it provides with more fabrics as well as more compression levels and a wider range of sizes than any other brand, with the exception of Comrad.
We tried the moderate-strength compression socks (15 to 20 millimeters Hg) made of a cotton blend. With their thin material and lack of cushions, these socks tick all the boxes to ensure the right fit, which includes no bunching below the knee, and no excess between the feet and toes. They also performed excellently in our test of washing, warping little (as most cotton socks do) however not in a surprising way.
A tester’s lower leg in the Vim and Vigr Compression Socks. The socks are vintage-looking patterns consisting of orange, blue as well as oatmeal stripes.
Vigr & Vigr Compression Socks (15 to 20 millimeters Hg) in Thick Stripe Oat & Orange. Photo: Sarah Kobos
A tester’s lower limb wearing the Vim and Vigr Compression Socks, which have an brown, aqua as well as oatmeal stripes.
Vim and Vigr Compression Socks (15 to 20 millimeters HD) available in Brooks Stripe Grey. Photo: Sarah Kobos
There are a lot of options. Apart from the cotton option, it is possible to also choose a sock made of nylon or a merino-merino blend. There are three levels of compression that include the medium (15 to 20 millimeters Hg) and hard (20 to 30 millimeters Hg) and extremely robust (30 -40 mm Hg) the latter being a range that is typically prescribed by a doctor instead of being wearing lightly. The sizes available are 6 available, comprising S M, L, S as well as wide-calf versions each of them, ranging from 21 to inches (the widest width available). For medium-compression, there are a variety of options we found 20 distinct colours and designs. In total the selection is greater than any other brand we’ve reviewed.
Some flaws, but not a deal-breaker: It’s possible that the exact mix of design and fit that you’re seeking might not be in stock. For instance, the high-compression socks do not come with a merino blend. We’re certain that the broad selection of options available this site will help a lot of people make their own choices.
We are the reason you should be able to trust us.
To find out the reason why the majority of people use compression socks, and figure out what constitutes a great pair, we dug through hundreds of reviews from customers and spoke to about a dozen Wirecutter users who regularly wear them.
We talked to Ajit Chaudhari, an associate professor of orthopedics, physical therapy mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering at Ohio State University, who examines the effects of exercise compression. (Although Chaudhari designs his own research, Chaudhari has received funding from Nike who sell compressive socks.) We also spoke to Bruce Katz, a professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, about when and why he counsels certain people to use compression socks.
Former staff writer Shannon Palus is a distance runner and frequent traveler. being a resident of New York City, she is often walking.
Former staff writer Eve O’Neill was on the team that covered outdoor and travel at Wirecutter She studied and dissected the finer aspects of the best socks, while looking at around 200 pairs while writing reviews.
What we used to select and test
Four of our top picks for the best compression socks. They come with a range of patterns and colors.
We began with a huge assortment of long-length socks. (We did not consider socks with compression or sleeves when we wrote this article.) While compression socks are available in various lengths but the knee-high cut will be the most commonly used and should be suitable for the majority of people. In comparison to thigh-high compression socks they are generally more comfortable for people to slip on.
The most widely available compressive socks’ strengths are 10-20 mm Hg (which is considered moderate) and 20-30 millimeters (which is considered to be firm). Millimeters of mercury or mm Hg is an indication in blood pressure. If you experience compression greater than 30 millimeters, you’ll have go to a specialist store to ensure that you get the perfect fitting.
Socks that have the same rating may feel different. They may feel looser or more snug due to many reasons, ranging from fabric to knit to size of your leg. Due to this, certain brands, like Nike do not give an overall compression rating.
Compression socks typically have graduated, which means that they are tenseer on the bottom than the top, so that they do not block circulation. All the socks we tested were graduated socks.
When it comes to compression socks costing under $25, they typically follow the shoe size (for the most expensive compression socks, calf width and length measurements are more typical). Although certain socks we evaluated had measurements of calf size on their charts of sizing, it is not uncommon to have only one size range for calf that corresponds to the shoe size, which makes the measurements for calf length not that helpful. We tried to pick socks that were at minimum three sizes. But ultimately, the elasticity the fabric played a large role in what had of an impact on how the sock fitted in the first place, so smaller sizes weren’t an issue.
Furthermore, a majority of these socks are non-sex regardless of whether there are separate men’s and women’s pages on the website. So, the fit was determined by the height of the sock and the way in which you cut the box for your toes.
We didn’t really think about the material, as it’s a matter of personal preference. What you’d like in compression socks could be based on the way they feel on your skin or the way you’d like to clean them.
Compression socks can range from $45 to $50. A lot of the more expensive pairs are advertised as athletic socks or provide an increased level of compression due to medical reasons. However, there are plenty of high-rated pairs of socks priced at $35 or less which is why we chose to concentrate on. However, one user who claimed to wear compression socks every day for over 20 years, told us that they paid more than $60 on a pair. According to this reader’s report, “The cheap ones don’t last for as long or have the same fit.”
We walked over 18 pairs socks that were highly rated that met our standards and compared the firmness of their feel and what the material was like, and if there was any sort of bunching at high points of leg as well as around the feet. We cleaned each pair at least twice to determine the ones that warped or have lost their stretch. Although most brands advise air drying socks however, we also threw our test socks in a dryer to see if they’d stand up to people who would throw them into the dryer (purposefully and not). We compared our notes with customer reviews and listed other choices (and size of the feet) by our editor.
The contest
This medium strength Sockwell Incline Compression Socks for males and females feature the most cushioned sole that you can feel and not just a thicker weaving over the feet. Sockwell’s concept of a running socks. However, unlike an sock for skiing there’s no standard way to make a running sock be designed to fit. Certain people prefer cushioning, and others don’t. If you’re specifically looking for a compression sock that is specifically designed for running but don’t know the initial opinion of what you’d like to fit, we’d suggest starting with the Sockwell compressive sock that is firm. It’s the same sock, but without the cushioning added and with a greater compression (20 to 30 millimeters Hg) that we’ve seen that a lot of runners prefer.
Figures Compression Socks for men and women are compression socks made for medical practitioners in mind. the adorable illustrations of doctors treating pills, llamas, and body parts are awe-inspiring. But, they did suffer a lot when washed, which is unusually so for socks made from synthetic materials. One test participant commented, “I’d be disappointed if something I loved so much was worn out fast.” Overall the fit is very comfortable and, if you’re a fan of patterns they can be cleaned them by air drying (which is the method Figs suggests).
The SB Sox are a budget unisex compression choice (20 to 30 millimeters Hg) which we had recommended in a previous version this guide. However, we have decided that the Go2Socks are more suitable. They are longer and are much more comfortable (the SB Sox run ultra-long and tend to bunch around the knee) Also, there are more sizes to choose from.
It’s true that the unisex Comrad Merino wool Compression Socks performed the worst in the wash and dryer. The toes and heels looked a bit ragged and dirty after only one wash. Merino is generally a mess in dryers and washers and Comrad recommends air drying and air-dry, so this shouldn’t come as surprising. However, other socks — including the nylon-spandex socks we suggest–affected lesser wear during our tests.
Ostrichpillow creates a pair of Bamboo Compression Socks with sort of a color-blocked contemporary style. The compression is minimal with a range of 8 to 15 millimeters Hg. However, like many other socks, these didn’t hold against the washing machine and we doubt they’ll last long. If you’re looking for a lightweight compression, this one is among the smallest of the ones we examined.
We did not test Bombas Compression Socks (15 to 20 millimeters Hg) due to the fact that we’ve seen how fast the regular pairs degrade. This is why we weren’t sure if the compression model would stand in the same way, with regard to quality, as other alternatives.
Blitzu Compression Socks offer some compression to the foot and some feel to be comfortable. After just one use and a wash it became apparent that the bottom part of the sock began piling. Additionally, there’s just one size that women can wear (the medium and small sizes are sizes 5-11) This means that people who have smaller feet might not feel any compression.
Physix Gear Sport Compression Socks look very similar in design and packaging, as well as size and color choices to our budget-friendly choice Go2Socks. However, they’re a bit longer and more expensive.
A less-compression version of our choice Sockwell’s Circulator Graduated Compression Socks designed for women and men are available in a broader selection of colors than their firm versions. However their compressive range (15 to 20 millimeters HG) did not feel as snug as the top part of the socks began to feel slightly loose and warped after only several days of wear.
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