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Figs were the best that we tested. The nylon/lycra blend makes the socks thin, comfortable, and firm. They also come in several, stylish patterns. Read More
Physix compression socks are a nylon/spandex blend that offers 20-30 mmHg of compression. The cuffs can be a little tight, though, and the feet loose. Read More
These socks offer more moderate compression, which may or may not be what you're looking for. Either way, you'll love the warm merino wool blend. Read More
Unlike others in the market, these socks are meant for everyday wear, not physical activity. They're pretty thin and not too tight. Read More
The compression you'll feel with these socks will be remarkable. It may help you forget how much you paid for them. Read More
Typically, doctors don’t prescribe clothes. But a rare exception is made for compression socks or stockings—snug, stretchy socks that gently apply pressure to the feet and calves to improve blood circulation. Athletes, frequent travelers, and people who spend a lot of time standing find that these accessories improve circulation and reduce discomfort.
We tested several knee-high socks and found the best compression socks are Figs , thanks to their even effectiveness, comfortable material, and variety of colors and patterns. If our top pick isn't your cup of tea, don't worry. We've got plenty of other options listed below.
To help you find a solid pair of compression socks, we tested several different pairs. Based on our experience, we found these to be the best compression socks available online right now.
Figs are the best compression socks we tried.
Physix are great, all-purpose socks at a low price.
Sockwells have lighter compression than some other socks.
Don't dig into the skin despite strong compression
Thick but lack arch support
Feel tighter than similar socks
Inexpensive
Come in plenty of fun designs
Wear out quickly
Only come in multipacks
Hold up well to exercise
Don't look great
More expensive than other socks in the market
Made of luxurious-feeling material
Offer little tangible compression
Can slip down legs during the day
Look cool and come in a lot of colors and patterns
Feel tighter than other socks
Hard to pull on and off
Socks feel fine once they're on
Difficult to pull on and off
Left marks on the skin
My name is Sara Hendricks, and I am a staff writer covering “emerging categories” at Reviewed. What does this mean? It involves writing about period underwear, indestructible tights, and Baby Yoda. Even before diving into tests for this piece, I was a proud compression sock enthusiast—my mom once gave me my first pair of Physix for a flight to Paris, and since then, I haven’t taken a long journey without them.
I knew I loved compression socks in general—but was there one brand that could rise above the rest? With some help from the Reviewed labs, I embarked on some tests to find out.
Testing involved trying on many different pairs of socks.
For the tests, I wore each pair we ordered for a full day. I started each day by jumping rope for five minutes using a jump rope to gauge how they felt post-workout. Then I went about my day as usual—I walked to work, sat in an office, and walked home—before taking them off and rating them for comfort, style, quality, smell retention, and my overall experience. Next, I washed and dried them, then tried them on again to see how and if the compression was affected by being laundered.
This left us with four top contenders: Figs, Sockwell, Pro Compression, and Vim & Vigor. To settle on our top picks, I had people in the office test out each pair for a few hours, then fill out a survey where they answered similar questions.
It’s easy to find claims of the benefits of compression socks—especially from the companies that manufacture them. But how true are these claims of increased blood flow, leg and foot comfort, and overall vascular health? To find out, I contacted an impartial expert: Dr. Miguel Cunha, a podiatrist and the founder of Gotham Footcare in New York City.
As it turns out, most of the blood-flow-boosting claims appear to be true. “When worn correctly, compression socks are very beneficial in providing good circulation of the blood flow in the feet and legs,” Cunha says. “The consistent pressure along with the feet and legs [and in response to] movement promotes blood flow up from your ankles through the veins in your legs and back towards your heart.” This, he says, can improve circulation and reduce aches and pains caused by blood flow problems.
According to Cunha, compression socks are great for people who have diagnosed circulation problems such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), varicose veins, blood clots, and diabetes, as well as post-operative patients, pregnant people, people who stand or sit for long periods of time, and athletes in need of additional arch support, like those who run, walk, or hike for prolonged periods of time. (Some studies show that compressive clothing, such as running socks, can prevent plantar fasciitis and slightly improve athletic performance and recovery.)
Cunha prescribes compression socks to people with swelling in their lower extremities and associated pain or discomfort resulting from venous insufficiency, lymphatic damage, and/or injuries, like shin splints. Based on these criteria, compression socks may be worn by almost everyone. But to find the right pair, you need to find the proper amount of compression based on your needs.
While there is technically no serious danger if you happen to fall asleep in compression socks, most studies suggest wearers typically only get a benefit from the compression while moving about during the day. There have been some studies that name compression socks as a potential pathway to ease the symptoms of sleep apnea or hypertension, but decisions on that level should always be made by consulting a doctor first.
And, while there isn’t much concrete evidence that wearing compression socks to bed can be immediately hazardous, conventional wisdom suggests one probably shouldn’t wear a circulation-cutting piece of clothing overnight unless specifically told to do so by a medical professional. It’s totally fine if you fall asleep for a short nap with compression socks on, but, due to the common-sense logistics of blood flow, you probably shouldn’t make a habit out of it out of an abundance of caution.
With this advice in mind, many frequent wearers of compression socks suggest the footwear should only be worn during the day and then removed at night. As long as you’re mobile and upright, the benefits of the compression are happening.
Compression socks come in five levels or types of compression, ranging from under 15 to 50 mmHg. This stands for millimeters of mercury, a unit of measurement used to gauge pressure. It’s the same unit that’s used for measuring blood pressure. Socks are ranked in three medical-grade classes, from level I to III.
Graduated compression socks are ideal for sitting and standing, providing a gradient of compression levels throughout the sock. But for regular compression socks, the higher the number, the greater the compression.
Cunha recommends 15 to 20 mmHg socks for someone who needs mild compression and relief from minor-to-moderate swelling, aching, and varicose veins, “especially during pregnancy or in people with foot and ankle swelling who travel by plane to help prevent deep vein thrombosis,” he says.
Socks of 20 to 30 mmHg are the most frequently prescribed pressure by physicians, according to Cunha, and are used to provide relief from varicose veins, edema, deep vein thrombosis, and to help recover from vascular surgery.
Socks with 30 to 40 mmHg of pressure are prescribed to provide relief from severe edema, varicose veins, DVTs, and venous stasis ulcers.
Socks of 40 to 50 mmHg have the highest level of compression available and should only be worn under medical supervision,” Cunha says. “This level is typically used to treat chronic venous insufficiency and DVTs.”
All the socks we tested are either 15 to 20 mmHg or 20 to 30 mmHg, according to their manufacturers. You can buy socks with higher compression rates from specialty retailers, but almost all socks that crop up in a casual online search for compression socks are in the 15 to 30 mmHg range.
Sara Hendricks is a former Health and Fitness editor for Reviewed. She has several years of experience reading and writing about lifestyle and wellness topics, with her previous work appearing in Refinery 29, Insider, and The Daily Beast.
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