Heading off on a flight soon? It’s smart to think about picking up the best compression socks for flying.
Let’s face it: sitting still for long periods isn’t great for your health, but most of us manage to stay active enough to dodge problems like Deep Vein Thrombosis.
However, there are times when staying on the move is tough, especially on lengthy flights or if you have certain health conditions.
That’s where the best compression socks for flying come in. They’re designed to boost circulation in your legs when you’re confined to a seat, making them a crucial item for regular travelers.
But the big question remains: is there a real difference among various types of compression socks, or will any pair do the trick?
Let’s explore that question.
Top 5 Best Compression Socks For Flying
3 Pack Copper Compression Socks
The 3 Pack Copper Compression Socks offer a blend of comfort, support, and functionality, suitable for both men and women. These socks are designed to improve circulation, reduce injury risk, and provide muscle recovery support, making them ideal for a wide range of activities and users.
Product Details
Made from premium nylon, these socks are gentle on the skin and ensure enhanced ventilation. The copper infusion adds to their functionality, helping in odor prevention. They come in a pack of three, allowing you to choose based on personal preference.
Performance and Comfort
The socks are designed to provide the right balance of warmth and compression. They promote blood circulation and oxygen flow, reducing fatigue and aiding in muscle recovery. This makes them versatile for fitness enthusiasts, marathon runners, office workers, pregnant women, and more.
User Experience
These compression socks are smooth and soft, preventing chafing and irritation, even with all-day wear. They are also machine washable and quick to dry, adding to their convenience.
Satisfaction Guarantee
The manufacturer prioritizes customer satisfaction, offering a full refund or free replacement for any dissatisfaction.
Technical Details
The package dimensions are 5 x 5 x 0.7 inches, weighing 7.41 ounces. The socks are designed for unisex adult use and have been available since August 2017. They rank highly in Health & Household and are particularly noted for their efficacy in diabetic care.
- Optimal Support: Balances warmth, compression, and comfort efficiently.
- Versatile Use: Suitable for various occupations and activities.
- Copper Infusion: Adds benefits like odor prevention and skin-friendliness.
- Comfortable Design: Soft fabric prevents chafing and irritation.
- Easy Maintenance: Machine washable and quick drying.
- Satisfaction Guarantee: Offers a refund or replacement for dissatisfied customers.
- Limited Variety: May have restricted color or style options.
- Compression Adjustment: Some might need time to adapt to the compression level.
- Size Precision: Ensuring the right fit requires accurate measurements.
Summary
The 3 Pack Copper Compression Socks are an excellent choice for those seeking comfortable, supportive compression socks suitable for a variety of daily activities and user needs. Their design, material quality, and customer-oriented approach make them a valuable investment for improved foot and leg health.
Physix Gear Sports Compression Socks
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5/5
Physix Gear Compression Socks are a fusion of style and functionality. Aimed at enhancing athletic performance and recovery, these socks offer gradient compression technology, a feature not found in ordinary athletic socks.
Product Details
The socks are made from a blend of 70% Nylon and 30% Spandex, ensuring durability and stretchability. They are easy to care for, requiring only a machine wash in cold water and a tumble dry on low heat. Proudly made in the USA, these socks come in a stylish gradient pattern.
Performance
Physix Gear Stamina Socks are designed to provide targeted support from the arch to the calf. This support boosts circulation, enhances oxygen blood flow, and aids in faster recovery. They are an excellent choice for anyone facing leg swelling issues or varicose veins, suitable for daily or nightly wear.
Sizing
The socks are available in multiple sizes for both men and women, ensuring a perfect fit for a wide range of foot and calf sizes.
Pros & Cons
- Enhanced Performance: The gradient compression technology boosts circulation and enhances performance.
- Versatile Use: Ideal for athletes, nurses, those with leg swelling issues, and for travel.
- Comfortable Fit: Available in multiple sizes, these socks cater to a wide range of users.
- Quality Material: Durable fabric blend offers longevity and comfort.
- Easy Maintenance: Machine washable, making them easy to care for.
- Stylish Design: The gradient pattern is visually appealing.
- Limited Color Options: While stylish, the range of colors is somewhat limited.
- Price Point: May be slightly more expensive compared to standard athletic socks.
- Compression Feel: For some, the level of compression might take time to get used to.
Summary
Physix Gear Compression Socks strike an excellent balance between style, comfort, and functionality. They are a commendable choice for anyone looking to enhance their athletic performance or seeking relief from leg discomfort. The ease of care and quality materials make them a worthy investment for long-term use.
Travel Compression Socks for Women & Men
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4/5
The Travel Compression Socks for Women & Men are a perfect amalgamation of comfort, support, and functionality, tailored for both genders. These socks are designed to enhance circulation, mitigate the risk of injuries, and assist in muscle recovery, making them ideal for a broad spectrum of activities and users.
Product Details
Crafted from a unique blend of lightweight, breathable, and sturdy fabric, these socks offer reinforced toes and heels for optimal fit, durability, cushioning, and sustained comfort, especially during travels. They are constructed to be a long-term companion for all your journeys.
Performance and Comfort
These socks are engineered to deliver the right balance of compression and warmth, promoting blood circulation and oxygen flow, thereby reducing fatigue and facilitating muscle recovery. This feature renders them versatile for various users, including fitness enthusiasts, marathon runners, office workers, and pregnant women.
User Experience
Designed with ergonomics in mind, these socks provide a smooth, perfect fit with the right amount of compression, ensuring mobility is not compromised. The fabric’s breathability and moisture-wicking properties keep the feet cool and dry, enhancing comfort during prolonged use.
Satisfaction Guarantee
The manufacturer places a high emphasis on customer satisfaction, offering a full refund or a free replacement for any unsatisfied customers, ensuring a worry-free purchase experience.
Technical Details
These socks come packaged in dimensions of 5 x 3.7 x 1.2 inches, with a weight of 2.4 ounces. They have been available since May 2019 and have earned a notable place in the market, particularly in the women’s compression socks category.
Pros & Cons
- Enhanced Comfort: Lightweight, breathable fabric with a perfect fit.
- Therapeutic Benefits: Aids in circulation, reduces swelling and discomfort.
- Versatile Use: Suitable for travel, office work, sports, and more.
- User-Friendly Design: Ergonomic fit with moisture-wicking properties.
- Customer Satisfaction: Full refund or replacement guarantee.
- Limited Style Variety: May have restricted color and design options.
- Compression Adjustment: Some users might need time to adapt to the compression level.
- Size Accuracy: Precise fitting is essential for optimal benefits.
Summary
Travel Compression Socks for Women & Men are an exemplary choice for those in search of compression socks that offer comfort and support suitable for various daily activities. Their thoughtful design, quality materials, and customer-focused approach make them a valuable addition for enhancing foot and leg health.
CHARMKING Compression Socks
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4/5
The CHARMKING Compression Socks are a fusion of style, functionality, and comfort, ideal for both men and women. These socks are expertly crafted to enhance circulation, diminish the risk of injuries, and support muscle recovery, making them perfect for a vast array of activities and users.
Product Details
Constructed from a high-quality blend of 85% Nylon and 15% Spandex, these socks offer exceptional flexibility and durability. The material is breathable, ensuring optimal temperature maintenance. With an emphasis on fashion, technology, and science, they deliver unparalleled triple comfort.
Performance and Comfort
Designed to strike a perfect balance between support and mobility, these socks are form-fitting yet allow for full range of motion. They are highly effective in promoting blood circulation and oxygen flow, which is beneficial in reducing fatigue and aiding muscle recovery. This makes them versatile for athletes, office workers, pregnant women, and various other active individuals.
User Experience
CHARMKING Compression Socks are crafted to be incredibly comfortable, providing a snug fit without causing chafing or irritation. They’re also easy to care for, being machine washable and quick to dry, enhancing user convenience significantly.
Satisfaction Guarantee
The manufacturer places a high value on customer satisfaction, offering a full refund or a free replacement in case of any dissatisfaction, ensuring a risk-free purchase.
Technical Details
These socks come in a package measuring 8.94 x 5.98 x 2.87 inches and weigh approximately 0.22 kilograms. They are suitable for unisex adult use and have been available since their launch. Their modern style and variety of sizes cater to a broad audience.
Pros & Cons
- Effective Compression: Ideal for improving circulation and muscle recovery.
- Versatile Use: Suitable for a wide range of activities and users.
- Easy Maintenance: Machine washable and quick-drying.
- Customer Satisfaction: Full refund or replacement guarantee.
- Limited Color Options: Predominantly available in black.
- Size Specificity: Accurate sizing is essential for optimal effectiveness.
- Compression Adjustment: May require an adaptation period for some users.
Summary
CHARMKING Compression Socks are an outstanding choice for those in search of compression socks that offer both comfort and support. They are ideal for daily wear and various physical activities, thanks to their superior design, material quality, and commitment to customer satisfaction.
SB SOX Compression Socks
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4/5
SB SOX Compression Socks, designed for both men and women, are a remarkable solution for those seeking enhanced blood circulation, reduced leg swelling, and minimized fatigue. These socks are engineered to offer optimal compression (20-30mmHg) while ensuring all-day comfort.
Product Details
The socks are made from a blend of 80% Nylon and 20% Spandex, making them both durable and flexible. They are imported and come in a black/beige color, offering a classic look suitable for various users.
Performance and Comfort
With a focus on improving blood circulation, these socks are perfect for alleviating leg pain, swelling, and fatigue. Their graduated compression design is ideal for anyone requiring extra foot and leg support, regardless of the activity. Additionally, the socks are lightweight and breathable, featuring reinforced/cushioned heel and toe support for supreme comfort.
Customer Feedback
These socks come highly recommended by customers who often return for additional purchases, a testament to their effectiveness and quality. The variety of available colors also adds to their appeal.
Fit and Sizes
A detailed size chart is provided to ensure a perfect fit. The socks are available in four sizes, catering to a wide range of foot and calf sizes. Accurate measurement of calf circumference is recommended for the best fit.
Technical Details
Packaging dimensions are 9.8 x 6.26 x 1.26 inches with a weight of 0.08 kilograms, making the socks compact and easy to handle. They are marketed for unisex-adult and women users, in a small size initially.
Pros & Cons
- Enhanced Circulation: Effectively boosts blood flow, beneficial for leg health.
- All-Day Comfort: Lightweight, breathable fabric with cushioning for prolonged wear.
- Reduces Swelling and Fatigue: Ideal for people who experience foot and leg discomfort.
- Customer Approved: High satisfaction and repeat purchase rate.
- Varied Sizing: Tailored to fit different feet and calves accurately.
- Stylish and Practical: Available in classic colors, suitable for various occasions.
- Limited Color Choices: While offering some variety, color options may be restricted.
- Adjustment Period: Some users might need time to get accustomed to the compression level.
- Size Chart Accuracy: Precise measurement is crucial for the perfect fit, which can be a challenge for some.
Summary
SB SOX Compression Socks are a solid choice for those seeking a balance between functionality and comfort in compression wear. Their design, material quality, and customer feedback underscore their effectiveness for improving leg circulation and comfort. Whether for sports, daily wear, or medical needs, these socks offer a valuable solution for improved leg health.
Buyer’s Guide to Compression Socks
The key factor when selecting a pair of flight compression socks is, at the risk of sounding obvious, the size.
Figuring Out Sizing
Compressions socks do not always use traditional shoe sizes, instead operating on a S/M/L basis, and given that by their very nature they will be a tight fit you’ll want something with a little wriggle room.
Compressions socks will never be the most comfortable footwear in the world by virtue of their very purpose, and you’ll want to avoid putting yourself in any kind of unnecessary pain; if the socks feel so tight that they are painful, they are too small, and considering that you’ll be expected to wear them for the full day of travel – not just during the flight – you’ll need to ensure they are appropriate.
The easiest way to judge the appropriate size of compression socks is to measure your ankle, then your thigh, then the length between the two; the packing of most of these socks will then advise you what size to choose based on these dimensions.
How Much Compression
Compression is also variable from pair to pair.
The lowest level of mmHg (millimeter of mercury, a measurement used by the aviation industry to measure air pressure) you’ll find on a pair of compression socks is 8, though some will raise as high as 40 – as you may have guessed, the sweet spot for most travellers falls in the middle at 20.
The chances are any requirement for a higher mmHg will be as a result of some kind of medical condition – if this is the case, always seek the advice of a healthcare professional before making an investment.
Material
Compression socks should look like a traditional pair of sports socks, but the material is where they differ.
Rather than straight cotton or nylon, a pair of flight compression socks will be made from a combination of spandex, lycra, nylon and rubber – with the spandex being the material that snaps around the ankle and keeps the socks tight.
Avoid Footless Models
There is one final thing to note when purchasing compression socks – avoid a footless model of stocking, or a sock that leaves the toe exposed.
These may be more comfortable and allow your feet to breathe a little easier, but they will also fail to fulfil the duty of the item in the first place.
If your foot is left exposed you will find that blood pools through inactivity, which will cause more harm than good in the longer term.
Enough of what not to buy, however; above are the best compressions socks for flying that you should consider buying for your next long haul flight.
Don’t forget to check out our guide on the best pillows for long flights and how to sleep better on a plane!
