Clothing > Basics
11 Best Men’s Compression Socks for Travel, Work & Sports
On a trip last year to Hawaii, I made a terrible discovery: when I’m sitting for long stretches in cramped airplanes, my feet tend to swell up. PAINFULLY.
If you’ve ever experienced the numbness, burning, and pain that comes from sitting with swollen feet stuffed into too-tight shoes, you’ll know exactly how miserable that particular flight was.
After returning home—and knowing my wife wanted to travel more over the next few years—I knew I had to look into a solution for this very uncomfortable problem.
A few minutes of research and I discovered compression socks.
- You’ve got options. If your circulation problems are in your feet, compression socks work best. If your issues are in your legs but your feet have no problems, you can find compression sleeves worn from ankle to knee. Or, if the problem is more widespread, you can find knee-high compression socks (aka, compression stockings) to give you more pressure across your entire leg.
- Better circulation and athletic performance. Pressure on your feet and legs increases the blood flow in your lower limbs and encourages faster circulation of the blood back up to your heart. For athletes, it’s believed that compression socks can also reduce cramping, particularly when running, and can accelerate post-workout recovery.
- Choose the right compression. People with a history of blood clots typically need compression between 40 and 50 mmHg, while compression between 30 and 40 mmHg is used for those with severe swelling and pain. On the lower end of the spectrum, socks with compression less than 20 mmHg will typically be used for athletes, workers, or air travelers who need only light pressure. Between 20 and 30 mmHg is useful for people with varicose veins, DVT, and light swelling.
What do compression socks do?
Compression socks apply pressure to your feet and legs to reduce swelling, improve blood flow, and prevent pain.
They’re typically used by runners, nurses, cops, athletes, and people who have circulation issues, and it turns out they work great for longhaul air travel, too.
I’ve spent the last year testing every single pair I could get my feet into, researching dozens more, and reading over hundreds of reviews.
My research has led me to put together this list of the absolute best compression socks for every activity, from work to sports to travel.
Accurate fit, a no-friction seamless design, four zones providing firm compression, and natural odor-controlling and thermoregulating properties make these a pair of socks you’ll be glad to wear day after day.
Sockwell Elevation Firm Compression Socks
The medium compression (20-30 mmHg) makes these socks ideal for everything from training to flying to medical conditions.
Accu-fit technology and the four compression zones guarantee they’ll stay comfortable on your feet, and the seamless design prevents rubbing and friction over long hours of running or training.
Thanks to the high-performance yarn, your feet will stay cool, dry, and fresh. Great for nurses, retail workers, and athletes.
Fuel Me Foot Copper Compression Socks (3-pack)
Copper-infused fabric provides light (15-20 mmHg) compression and a design well suited to runners, athletes, CrossFitters, and bodybuilders.
The no-slip design stays firmly in place no matter how hard you run, jump, or train, and the reinforced heel and toe reduce blisters.
You’ll particularly love the integrated arch support—great for high-impact sports and fast-paced activities. They’re also one of the most affordable options on our list.
CEP The Run Tall Compression Socks
If you want full coverage from your knees down, these knee-high compression socks are just the ticket.
The medium (20 to 30 mmHg) compression is amazing for runners looking for that edge in their next race, as it’ll improve circulation and combat muscle fatigue.
The no-slip fit, flat seams, stay-in-place, and blister-reducing design will keep your feet comfortable as you put miles of trail, road, or track behind you.
Dickies Light Comfort Compression Socks
For the working man, you won’t find a better, tougher pair of compression socks to pair with your work boots.
Made with a blend of synthetic fibers, they’re moisture-controlling, odor-reducing, lightweight, breathable, and have enough cushioning in the footbed to reduce the fatigue of spending all day on your feet.
The compression is very light (just 8-15 mmHg) but enough to improve your circulation and keep you comfortable.
Bauerfeind Sports Compression Lower Leg Calf Sleeves
Want compression for your calves but not your feet? Give this sleeve a try. It provides the pressure between your ankle and knee to improve circulation without interfering with free movement of your foot.
I typically wear mine with my running shoes or gym shoes, and they’re incredibly comfortable and provide an excellent boost in circulation, speeding up post-workout recovery after a brutal leg day session.
SONORAN Merino Wool Compression Socks (2-pack)
Nothing beats Merino wool for quality, comfort, versatility, and durability—which is why I fell in love with these compression socks from the first day I tried them on.
The wool is blended with synthetic fabrics that make them more flexible and adds light compression, but they’re warm enough to wear all winter long when snowshoeing, hiking, and snowboarding. Just all-around cozy and highly effective.
Swiftwick ASPIRE TWELVE
As much as I love my Lululemon socks, these are the pair I recommend as the best for runners.
They’ve got a lot of details I really appreciate: ankle height, a Y-heel contour that keeps the socks clinging to my heels, a mesh footbed that improves breathability, a seamless toe, a ventilated upper, and a lightweight fabric that is moisture-wicking and quick-drying. Just amazing all around.
Physix Gear Compression Socks
Got varicose veins causing you pain or worried about your feet swelling up? Give these socks a try.
They deliver medium compression (20 to 30 mmHg) that will alleviate any swelling or pain, enhancing your blood flow and accelerating recovery after long days on your feet.
Their high quality and reasonable price tag makes them a pair I’ll happily recommend to anyone.
CHARMKING Compression Socks (8-pack)
What I love most about these basic socks is just how colorful and eye-catching they can be. Don’t get me wrong: the durability is unquestionable, the comfort as good as I could ask for, and the light (15 to 20 mmHg) suitable for everyday activities. But no other compression sock I’ve tested comes in as many bright, striking colorways as these. They’re just a comfortable, colorful addition to your outfit.
GOLDTOE Mild Compression Over The Calf Socks (3-pack)
The last thing I want to worry about when hiking, running, or cycling is my socks sliding down my calves. It’s uncomfortable and, worse, compromises the compression when I need it most.
Thankfully, these socks are built with a stay-up design that will never sag or slide. The non-restrictive heel and toe also makes them incredibly comfortable to wear with hiking boots, snowboard boots, and steel-toe work boots.
Lululemon MicroPillow Compression Socks
Runners, these socks were built just for you. Lululemon crafted these compression socks specifically for those who run long distances (10K+), with a breathable mesh construction, odor-resistance, light cushioning to reduce impact, reflective details to keep you visible at night, a 3D knit performance heel so your feet don’t slide around in your socks, and light compression that will improve circulation withour restricting your movement.
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