Best Compression Socks For Travel: For Swollen & Painful Feet

Physix Gear Compression Socks for Men & Women

The Physix Gear socks are one of the most popular options out there. And for a good reason – they offer a heavy amount of compression, which is perfect for really long flights. They are made from Nylon and Spandex, and they are stretchy enough that they won’t be too tight on your legs.

There are two sizes to choose from – S/M and L/XL. The smaller size is best for shoe sizes 5.5-9 and calves up to 15 inches. The larger size is for shoe sizes 8-15.5 (14 for men) and calves up to 19 inches.

You can get these in a variety of accent colors, but the main body of the sock is usually black, with one nude and one white version. And you can pick up just a pair of tall socks, or you can go for a pair of tall ones plus a pair of short socks.

One downside to these socks is that they are a bit pricey when you look at what other sellers are offering. They cost some $20, and for that amount of money, you can actually buy a pack of 8 compression socks. So, it’s up to you – do you want 8 medium-quality pairs or one that’s really good?

Another thing worth noting about these is that they are machine washable. You can wash them on a gentle cycle with cold water, and then leave them to air dry. Do not put them in the dryer – the heat could melt away their stretchiness, and they wouldn’t be nearly as good at compressing your feet.

CHARMKING Compression Socks for Women & Men

The Charmking travel compression socks are perfect for those of you that like to wear colorful socks. They offer a medium level of graduated compression (15-20mmHg), which is great for travel.

And these are excellent value for money – they come in packs of 5, 7, and 8, with the most expensive pack being around $30. That’s less than $4 per pair of socks, which is a really good deal. And you can go for a pack of 8 really colorful socks, or a pack of 8 monochromatic socks, depending on what you prefer to wear.

They are made with 85% nylon, and they feel quite nice on your legs. The socks are neither slippery nor too hot, so you can easily wear them in the warmer weeks. That’s because of the breathable fabric they are made of, which manages to maintain your body temperature.

These come in two sizes – S/M and L/XL. The S/M size is the best option for shoe sizes 5.5-9 and calf circumference up to 15”, while the L/XL is going to be the best fit for shoe sizes 8-14 (or 15.5 for women), and calves up to 19”.

You can wash machine wash these travel compression socks, but only on a gentle cycle. They are not suitable for really hot water or the dryer, because they will loosen up and lose some of their compression ability. However, they are still some of the best compression socks in terms of color variety.

NuVein Sheer Compression Stockings

These knee-high compression socks are perfect for women who want to be comfortable and stylish while flying. You’re traveling for work and you need to dress professionally for your flight? No problem; pick up a pair of see-through compression stockings. They will keep your feet nice and tight and help with the swelling, and no one will be able to tell that they are not proper nylon hosiery.

These offer a medium amount of graduated compression, 15-20 mmHg. And they are made from 20 denier nylon, so they shouldn’t rip too easily. However, they are not as thick as some of the other compression socks you’ve seen here, and they will last you shorter.

Which is a shame, considering that they are not cheap at all. You get one pair of these, and it will set you back about $17. Considering that some other socks come in packs of 5 for the same price, that seems a bit expensive.

The NuVein travel compression stocking is available in two styles – closed-toe and toeless. The former is perfect for those of you that struggle with swelling in your toes. And if that’s not an issue you have, then you might as well go for the latter – that style is something you can easily wear with sandals.

But it’s worth it this is the style you are looking for. And another amazing thing about these is the size variety – they are available in sizes ranging from XS to 3XL. Meaning petite and plus sizes, in addition to regular sizes. You can check out a detailed size chart on their Amazon page.

Charmking Short Compression Socks

If you struggle with swollen ankles and feet, but no legs, after long flights, then you can consider short compression socks. These are great for warmer weather since they are much more breathable and lighter for your feet than knee-high socks. And you can easily pair them with shorter clothing, and you won’t look ridiculous.

The short socks by Charmking offer a moderate level of compression (15-20 mmHg). They are available in two sizes – S/M and L/XL. The good news is that you don’t need to worry about fitting your calves into these socks since they only come up to your ankles. Instead, you only need to focus on your shoe size.

The smaller size of these travel compression socks is best for men’s 5-9 and women’s 5.5-8.5 shoe sizes, while the larger fit men’s 8-14 and women’s 8-15.5 shoe sizes best. And since these are short socks, it’s not really an issue that they are only available in two sizes.

These socks are available in packs of 3, 6, and 7. You can choose between colorful and monochromatic packs, so there are plenty of color variations for everyone. And the value of these is excellent – a pack of 7 socks will still cost you less than $20, which is pretty amazing.

Unfortunately, there is no information on the exact material these compression socks are made from. I can only tell you that they are made from some synthetic blend, and definitely not from cotton.

Daily Use Tall Compression Socks

These compression socks are great for those of you that need more pressure in your legs to keep them from swelling. They offer a heavy level of compression (20-30 mmHg), which is not just suitable for long flights, but also for dealing with edema, varicose veins, or diabetes. If you struggle with any of these illnesses, then these are a great choice for your next flight.

The Daily Use compression socks are made from nylon, with a moisture-wicking interior. Their openings are non-slip, meaning that they will stay put until you decide to take them off. And they are very breathable, so your legs should not get too hot in them.

A downside to these travel compression socks is that there is no size variety. They are available only in one size, which is suitable for women’s shoe sizes 8-15, and calf circumference 14”-19”. For men, the calf size is the same, but the shoe size is 8-14. This is supposed to be size XXL, but it’s more like M/XL.

If you think these will fit you, then you should pick up a pack. They are great value for money because you get three pairs for some $15, which comes down to only $5 a pair. The color variety is not impressive, but it does exist.

You can wash these socks in the machine, but only on a gentle cycle. And you should hang them to dry – washing them at high temperatures and putting them in the dryer will cause them to lose elasticity, and king of defeat their purpose.

SB SOX Compression Foot Sleeves for Men & Women

Foot sleeves are a good option if your main problem is not swelling, but rather foot/heel pain. They will help alleviate any pain and make those long haul flights more bearable. These will also provide you with additional arch support, so they are easily combined with some less supportive shoes.

The level of compression is not specified, but judging from reviews I’d estimate that these socks offer a moderate level of compression – so 15-20 mmHg. They also feature an elastic opening that ensures they fit securely around your toes, but not so tightly that they make you uncomfortable.

And they are ribbed in strategic places, which really helps alleviate pain from plantar fasciitis.

There is a total of 4 sizes to choose from, which are appropriate for shoe sizes from 3 to 14. Be sure to check the size chart for these socks, to ensure you’re getting the ones that fit you well.

Unfortunately, there is no information on the exact material these socks are made from. But, I can tell you that they are made from breathable and moisture-wicking fabric, which will help your feet stay dry and cool.

You can machine wash these, but only with cold water. Do not wash them with hot water, and do not put them in the dried – exposure to high temperatures could melt away their elasticity and render them useless.

Overall, this is definitely a pair of compression socks that is not going to be a great fit for everyone, but an excellent option for those of you that really need something this specific.

Actinput Compression Socks For Women & Men

How about some colorful heavy compression socks? The Actinput knee-high socks offer 20-30 mmHg of compression, and they come in loads of different patterns. And they come in packs – you can get a single pair for less than $10, or you grab a pack of 3 or 6 pairs, which is pretty good value for money. 

Keep in mind that not everyone needs a high level of compression. These socks are best for people that experience a lot of swelling or struggle with some medical condition in their legs.

These compression socks come in only two sizes, S/M and L/XL. The smaller size is suitable for calf sizes 9”-15” and shoe sizes 7-10.5 (6-9.5 for men’s), while the larger size fits calf sizes 14”-19” and shoe sizes 9.5-13.5 (8.5-12 for men’s). Unfortunately, they are not available in petite or plus sizes.

The Actinput compression socks are made from a mixture of Nylon and Spandex, like most others. They have a non-slip cuff that will stay put while you’re wearing them, as well as a reinforced heel that provides some cushioning. The fabric they are made from is moisture-wicking and somewhat breathable, so your feet should stay dry.

And just like with all the other socks, you can wash these compression socks in the machine, but only with cold water. Washing them with really hot water and putting them in the dryer will cause them to lose elasticity, which would turn them into normal socks.

Thigh High Compression Socks Men & Women

Thigh-high compression socks are not for everyone – they are best for people who struggle with edema or varicose veins, which tend to hurt a lot after long flights. If that sounds like you, then these might just be the thing you need. But if that doesn’t sound like you, I recommend you check out knee-high or ankle-high socks instead.

Since these are pretty much medical compression stockings, you can wear them with skirts and dresses, and no one will be able to tell that you’re not wearing regular stockings.

They are available in closed-toe, footless and toeless versions, which is great. The latter version is perfect if you plan to wear these with open-toe shoes, and don’t have any issues with swelling in your toes.

The top band of these socks is reinforced with silicone, which ensures that they always stay in place. That’s a very useful detail since stocking rarely stays put without anything to hold them in place.

These compression socks are made from a mixture of nylon and spandex. The materials are anti-bacterial and breathable, so the socks should feel really comfortable and keep your legs cool and dry.

You can get these compression socks in 5 sizes, ranging from S to XXL. They are not available in petite sizes, but I think S should be a good fit for petite women since the socks are pretty tight.

They are machine washable only on a gentle cycle, and they are supposed to be air-dried. Putting these in the dryer or washing them at high temperatures will make them lose elasticity.

Ames Walker Compression Ankle Socks

Here’s a pair of ankle socks that provide you with a high level of compression. The Ames Walker socks offer 20-30 mmHg graduated compression, which is great for people who struggle with a lot of swelling in their feet and ankles. They are perfect for wearing shorts and skirts since they look just like any regular socks.

These are mostly made from Coolmax, which is a polyester blend known for its breathability and moisture-wicking properties. That means that these compression socks will be comfortable to wear in all temperatures.

There are two colors and four sizes to choose from. Unfortunately, they are not available in plus or petite sizes, but they’re only ankle socks – getting them in a size that corresponds to your shoe size will be fine. You can check the full-size chart on their Amazon page.

The Ames Walker compression socks are really high quality, but they are also a bit pricey. You only get one pair for a little under $13, which is a lot of ankle socks. However, they will last you a really long time, because they are made from durable materials.

And, as with other compression socks, they can be washed in the machine with cold water. Don’t put them in the dryer and don’t wash them with really hot water, because that can melt away the spandex in them, and cause them to lose all their elasticity.

Adenlina Foot Sleeves

The Adenlina foot sleeves offer a high level of compression (20-30 mmHg), and they are great for people who need lots of arch support. These foot sleeves are also suitable if you struggle with plantar fasciitis and heel pain, as they help relieve it. And especially if the pain gets worse after long flights.

They also alleviate any swelling in your feet and ankles, but won’t do much for swollen toes. You get a pack of three pairs for a little over $20, which is really good value for money. Especially because a single pair costs about $12, so you’re basically getting one pair for free if you buy a pack!

The sizing of these socks is a bit strange. There are four sizes total, but one of them is “one size fits all”. I don’t recommend picking that one up if you want the perfect fit. The other sizes are based on shoe sizes – 6-10, 6-13, and 9-14. There is a size chart on Amazon, but it’s a bit confusing.

The socks are made from Nylon, and they are very breathable. Their cuff is non-slip, and it will stay in place the entire time you are wearing them. And the diagonal and diamond knitting patterns of certain parts really help in providing arch support and alleviating pain in strategic places.

You can wash the Andelina foot sleeve in the machine, but only on a gentle cycle. Washing these compression socks with hot water and putting them in the dryer will cause them to lose elasticity and they will not be as effective anymore.