In the same way you have different shoes for different occasions, your sock collection is probably more diverse than you think. You’ve got everyday socks, no-show socks, dress socks and, of course, fun socks that you wear whenever you’re in the mood.
While all these socks have fashionable purposes, there’s one type of foot covering that has functional benefits, too. Enter: compression socks.
You can buy compression socks at big retailers such as Amazon and at specialized sites such as the FSA Store, and depending on your health needs, you may benefit from wearing them.
According to Juliana Conte, a certified personal trainer specializing in corrective movement, “Compression socks provide pressure to your feet and legs to improve circulation. For some medical conditions like lymphedema.”
Different compression socks offer different amounts of pressure, which is measured in mmHg (the same scale used when measuring your blood pressure).
“For everyday wear, aim for 15 to 20 mmHg of pressure,” Dr. Leada Malek, certified sports physical therapist, told the New York Post. “For medical grade, it would be a bit higher.”
To find the right pair for you, Conte advised meeting with your doctor and getting your calves and feet measured by a specialist.
“Everyone has a different use for compression socks and that use should be ultimately guided by their medical doctor,” Dan Ginader, doctor of physical therapy, told the Post.
So if you’ve determined that compression socks are right for you, check out Dr. Malek’s recommendations below to get an idea of the kinds of socks that could work best for your needs. For more info on how to use compression socks, read our FAQ with Conte, Dr. Malek and Ginader.
“These are meant for everyday wear,” said Dr. Malek. “They’re also thin and lightweight, but not too tight although they provide enough compression for a long day of standing on your feet.”
Labeled a medical grade class II product (meaning they should be used with guidance from your physician), these socks are designed to apply pressure around your ankles and then gradually ease upward to reduce swelling and promote circulation. Made with 10% Spandex, these maintain their shape and support after repeated use. According to the product description, the brand also developed them in partnership with vascular surgeons and vein clinics.
Available in a wide range of men’s and women’s sizes, as well as an all-black option and some striped options.
Bombas’ socks have been featured in our roundups for best women’s socks and best men’s socks, and their dual focus on quality and fashion have earned them a spot among the best compression socks, too. They’re made with a blend of Supima cotton, polyester, elastane and nylon, and they feature both Bombas’ Stay Up technology and Honeycomb arch support.
“This brand offers a variety of socks and many colors and patterns to choose from,” said Dr. Malek. They’re available in men’s and women’s sizes, and they provide a medium amount of compression pressure.
The primary fabric in these socks, polyamide, is also commonly found in stockings, tights and yoga pants. It provides superior flexibility while retaining its shape, which makes it a smart choice for compression socks that will see a lot of movement.
Dr. Malek recommended these graduated compression socks for runners because, in addition to being elastic enough to withstand regular exercise, they’re also durable enough to hold up to longer distance running. Plus, their breathable fabric means you can wear them in warm and cold seasons.
In her recommendation, Dr. Malek called out the “durable compression sleeves” and “high length” as exceptional qualities of these socks. Their compression zone is focused around the heel to avoid applying too much pressure to your toes, and with over 59,000 five-star Amazon ratings, they’re clearly a popular pick.
“Compression socks can help with circulation issues when fitted correctly,” said Dr. Malek, reminding that it’s important to make sure your socks aren’t overly tight. “Don’t forget to ask your doctor if these are right for you if you’re searching for circulatory assistance,” she added.
If you mostly need pressure around your ankles and heels, then these shorter compression socks are a fitting choice. They were designed with runners in mind, so their lightweight and breathable fabric keeps your feet dry. Their Y-shaped heel also hugs your foot snugly to maintain compression in an important area.
“Firm support and moisture management make these a great option,” said Dr. Malek. She also noted that they’re available in various heights, including a 4-inch tall trail running version for an even shorter option.
Dr. Malek recommended these compression socks for wearing after a workout because they apply graduated compression that’s firmest around the heel and ankle, then tapers off toward the calf. That design is intended to improve circulation, which the brand claims reduces muscle fatigue and soreness.
“These are thin and breathable but still padded for all day comfort,” Dr. Malek said. Plus, they have a sleek and sporty look, so they blend in with the rest of your exercise clothing.
These are the only compression socks on Dr. Malek’s list that contain wool in their fabric, which makes them a smart choice for wearing in cold weather. They have a turn welt top — meaning the top cuff appears to be folded over — to stay in place on your calves, and they also offer arch support on the bottom.
“These offer a higher level of compression to help get you through the day,” Dr. Malek told The Post. “They’re also made with a blend of merino wool, which can be lightweight with a slight thickness, but provide warmth.”
Below, three physical therapy experts — Dr. Leada Malek, Dan Ginader and Juliana Conte — answer the most common questions about compression socks so you can understand how and when to use them.
“Compression socks aid with circulation,” said Ginader. “The pressure from the socks allows for increased blood flow and helps blood get back up the veins on their way to the heart.”
“From the medical standpoint, compression socks have been used to help prevent deep vein thrombosis and [help] with chronic venous insufficiency,” said Dr. Malek. “But interest has spread into sports medicine, and now athletes use them as a tool for improving performance or accelerating recovery from training or competitions.”
“People wear compression for many different reasons, ranging from athletic performance and recovery to serious medical conditions like lymphedema, lipedema, venous insufficiency and diabetes,” said Conte. “Compression minimizes the stagnancy of harmful substances we need to eliminate from our bodies and also promotes the flow of new oxygenated blood for cellular healing and repair.”
“A lot of people will also use compression socks when they are in a situation where blood flow would be limited because of long periods of sitting and being still, like on an airplane,” said Ginader.
Dr. Malek added that while some people wear compression socks to reduce soreness after exercising, the evidence to support that is limited.
“Compression socks should feel snug but not tight,” said Ginader. “The goal is to increase circulation, so if you feel like the sock is so tight that it is cutting off that circulation, you need a looser pair.”
When you’re shopping, Conte advised that you be measured to get the best fit instead of picking out a pair based on your shoe size. “Always measure circumference at the appropriate landmarks, like the ankle and calf,” she said.
Conte also added that when you remove your compression socks at the end of the day, they should only leave minor marks that are consistent all the way around your calf. “You should never have a tight band that creates a deep indent or a lump of swelling. If you are losing feeling anywhere, your compression may be too tight,” she said.
“The duration someone wears compression depends on the reason that they are wearing it. Compression socks can be safely worn all day,” said Conte, adding that for lymphedema patients, all-day wear is usually required.
“Wearing them to sleep, however, is rare,” said Ginader. That’s because when you’re sleeping, your body is horizontal and has an easier time circulating blood throughout your veins.
“Everyone is a good candidate for benefitting from wearing compression socks,” said Conte. “The less obvious reasons would be preventative, recovery, pregnancy, standing for long periods of time and flights. The more obvious reasons would be someone exhibiting problematic symptoms such as pain, visible swelling or discoloration of the limb.”
“Anyone with sensory impairments or severe cardiovascular issues should take caution if seeking this garment out,” said Dr. Malek.
Ginader added that while compression socks are safe and comfortable for almost anyone, “if you are wearing compression socks, you should have a specific reason for doing so.”
“The main concern would be wearing socks that are too tight. If the socks are too tight then instead of increasing circulation, they will actually decrease circulation,” said Ginader.
Dr. Malek agreed that “choosing the right fit and size and duration is key, depending on your purpose for wearing them.”
To figure out which pair is best for you, Conte recommended meeting with a knowledgeable fitter and a physical therapist to help you find the right ones.
“For example, my compression socks are a custom class three, 34 to46 mmHg flat knit that extends from an open toe all the way to the top of my leg,” said Conte. “And I have a separate toe piece that provides compression to each toe individually. Without it my toes would swell like little water balloons and the pain is intolerable. I say this to caution people to make sure they are wearing the right compression for them.
“Be sure to monitor your skin after trying them, especially if it’s dry due to chafing or skin irritation,” said Dr. Malek.
Conte acknowledged that finding the best compression option for you can be frustrating and disappointing. “Compression isn’t the most comfortable to wear,” she said, “but it allows millions to live a more functional life. The patients around the world are grateful for the developments in compression over the years, and we are eagerly waiting for more developments in compression that will allow us to live better.”
Check out the New York Post Shopping section for more content.