Travel sock and shoe questions

bachslunch, I've owned several pairs of ECCO shoes, so I am a fan of their quality. But I want to point out that each model shoe fit differently, so it's really hard to generalize. Not to mention how they fit you personally. But having said that, this is the one I currently travel with: ECCO Boot

But the most comfortable shoes I ever had were from SAS.

I second the comment above about SAS shoes. That's all hubby, my elderly father, and I wear now. Look for the styles specifically approved for diabetic footwear. Before traveling, I use some waterproofing spray on them. It's not like boots, but works well enough for normal wear.
Regarding DVT, I am not a fan of walking around much in the plane since the one I was on a few years ago took a sudden nosedive (think screaming passengers, etc.) I like my seat belt! However I am also concerned about DVT, so I do exercises in my seat frequently to increase blood flow in my legs. I also keep each flight segment as short as possible and allow a bit of time to walk around between segments.

I agree about the SAS shoes. That's all I've worn for years, and my husband is a convert. They come in a wide range of sizes and styles, with some designated good for diabetics.

I’m a woman so my advice might or might not be relevant.

I’m not sure if these will work for you but you might look at Injinji toe socks. These are not the novelty toe socks but are well made, pretty comfortable and keep your toes separated and dry. I sink wash them and they mostly dry overnight. They have crew socks length although I use ankle highs.

I wear the zero drop athletic shoes. I’ve got the Altra Torin 5 which is leather and has a very wide toe box. I’d tried the Ecco brand but their women’s shoes are too narrow for me. The men’s styles may have a wider last. The Altras are not waterproof but do seem to be water resistant. If you don’t have a running shoe store where you can try them I suggest ordering from Zappos. They have both free shipping and free returns. If you decide to try the Altras and the zero drop platform I suggest ordering 2 different sizes and ship one back!

I do wear Injinji compression socks on the plane. I’d read on a blog that Injinji is phasing them out. They are very tight but any compression stocking is going to be if it’s to be effective in moving the fluid in your legs. You might want to have a discussion with your healthcare provider regarding compression stockings.

My dh likes his Bombas compression socks and they come in nice patterns too.

in addition to wearing the right gradient of compression socks, another suggestion during flight or long train rides is to periodically "play the piano with your toes." Easier to do with your shoes off, which is not always practical. Another suggestion I heard from a doctor is to use your foot to spell out each letter of the alphabet in the air, then do the same with the other foot. Draw slowly and with intention. Just imagine that your big toe is your paint brush! We can all use creative ideas to keep the feet moving to promote circulation, even without leaving your seat.

Getting up once in a while on the plane, to stretch a bit, if not just to use the restroom, is the best way to stimulate blood flow and keep the legs limber, but here are a few things you can do if confined to your seat (from British Airways in-flight magazine):

1) Sit upright, with good posture, and feet flat on the floor. Make the feet parallel to each other, and press down hard, like you’re trying to push them through the floor. Do this for maybe 3 seconds, then relax. Press hard again for a few seconds, then relax. Do this several times.

2) Keep heels on the floor, and angle the toes upwards. Hold this for a few seconds, then lower toes to flatten feet back on the floor. Repeat a few times.

3) Now keep your toes pointed on the floor, and lift your heels up, as high as you can get them. Hold this for a few seconds, then lower heels to the floor. and repeat a few times.

4) While you’re standing and waiting for the restroom, or just up on your feet for a couple minutes, stand tall, again with proper posture. Now, keeping your upper body straight and upright, and your feet flat on the floor, lower yourself slowly by bending your knees and flexing your ankles forward. Don’t bend your legs down beyond the point where the front of your knees is any farther forward than your toes. Lower yourself slowly, and raise yourself slowly, a few times.

5). Walk up and down the aisle a couple times. Beware of people’s feet, other body parts, and other objects sticking into the aisle corridor. This is, of course, nearly impossible if the food or beverage cart is being wheeled along the aisle. It’s also tougher if others are walking or standing in the aisle, as well.

6) The above, as well as a pair of compression stockings (don’t recall the brand, or where I got them), have helped me avoid further DVT’s.

When I flew with a friend who really didn't want to wear compression stockings, she instead wore athletic compression "socks" that went from ankle to just below the knee. They likely don't provide as much protection, but they are surely better than nothing.

I have worn SAS shoes for over 30 years. I like that they have the wide widths as I need a double wide. Comfortable from the first day. I have put on a new pair and done a 10K walk with no problems

My husband likes cotton socks. We travel with a microfibre towel that gets used to wring out the socks so they dry overnight - just put the socks on the towel, each grab an end of the towel and twist in different directions. Socks then get hung off coat hangers and dry overnight.

I might be an outlier here but my PT recommended that I wear socks that aren't so tight. I have a whole bunch of REI coolmax socks. They are not diabetic style (I don't have diabetes) They dry nicely (though you should put inside out (I think generally advise for socks anyway). They hold their shape. If you don't have an REI you can order, doesn't matter what your order, you can return even worn socks. There looks to be only one pair of black ones though (I wear grey socks. Don't think people look at your feet.) I can't wear Smart Wool or some other merino socks because they are too tight. As per compression, I asked my PA who wrote a prescription for me. I am guessing you can get this stuff online though. But your health care provider might have a recommendation.

Samuel Hubbard. I have 6 pair in different styles and essentially won't wear anything else. I have a similar wide foot, low ankles and supposedly a challenging foot to fit. They are not inexpensive, but I still wear my first pair from 8 years ago. They have two different sneaker style leather shoes in black. Here is one:

https://samuelhubbard.com/collections/mens-shoes-all/products/tiburon-black-leather?variant=43275987615931

Can't really help you regarding socks, but if you need wide-toebox shoes, I can def recommend Salomon XA Pro hiking ones and Hoka Bondi 7(I dunno where to get first ones, but you should be good with Amazon/any outdoor store - def recommend trying those in person 'cause Salomon size chart sometimes can be awkward. Hoka I've got from Run United personally, but you can probably get a pair much cheaper if you search on the web, size chart here was pretty much the same as my other sneakers, so it's a tad bit easier). I'm pretty sure Salomon ones are completely waterproof(meant for hiking after all), not sure about Bondi 7.

After following the posts on this subject for a while, I recently purchased my first pair of Allbirds for my trip to the Azores. I was fairly certain I'd be doing alot of walking on cobblestone streets and also hiking, so I needed something light, breathable, stabilizing and, most importantly, comfortable.
I decided on the tree flyers, and was thrilled with them from day one. The shoes were everything I needed and I'm certain I'll be buying more in the future. Several varieties on their website to choose from, I'm sure there would be something to meet your needs.

I'm a fan of Sockwell compression socks and have several pairs. They are the only socks I ever wear on trips. I get the moderate compression (15-20mmHg) ones. Contrary to what some people think, compression socks do not hinder circulation, they promote it. They are not cheap.

I'm putting a link below to the website for information on men's Sockwell socks. You'll see links to other possibly useful information from it, including one titled, "Relaxed Fit/Diabetic."

Sockwell Men's Compression Socks: https://sockwellusa.com/collections/mens-lifestyle-compression-socks

If you explore any of the socks shown you'll notice the fiber content will be similar to this: 32% Merino Wool, 31% Bamboo Rayon, 32% Nylon, 5% Spandex. And you'll be thinking, but I said I was allergic to wool! Well, me too. Have been since I was a kid.

I regularly wore these socks for years before bothering to look at the fiber content and was flabbergasted that I'd had no scratchy, itchy or annoying issues with them. The blend with the other fibers must make the difference. One thing for sure, my feet are always dry and comfortable (never hot or cold or sweaty) with these socks on them, no matter what shoes I wear them with.

Because my feet stay dry, I typically wear them 2-3 days before washing them. I've had no problems with them drying overnight, but like with all my sink-washed clothes, I squeeze them out well and roll them in a towel to get out as much moisture as I can before hanging them over something (never a hanger in closet) to dry. I also take 1 or 2 extra pairs on my trips.

I'm a woman who has tried all kinds of sock options and found that crew length socks are very uncomfortable, tight and hurt. The tops of them dig into my legs above the ankle. They seem to be made for someone with chicken legs. It's totally counterintuitive, but over the calf graduated compression socks are far more comfortable for me even though they are tighter at the ankle. Note that my ankles and calves are not skinny, measuring 10" and 15" respectively.

About the shoes, I can't be much help there. I always wear KEEN women's mid high lace up ankle boots that are waterproof, breathable and 100% textile and synthetic -- no leather. Each size 10 boot weighs 14.5-14.8 ounces depending on the insole. Those boots have gotten me through long days on my feet in all kinds of travel situations including large airports, long-winded tour guides, wet and dry rough terrain, cobblestones and uneven sidewalks. Best of all they've kept me from turning an ankle and falling on more than one occasion.

KEEN makes a similar boot for men that comes in wide widths, is 100% fabric and weighs 15.8 ounces per boot. Note that their similar boot in leather weighs 17.4 ounces per boot. This is the lighter weight KEEN Men's Targhee 3 Mid Height Waterproof Hiking Boot

I'm cheap, so I bought Adidas Superlite low cut socks for my recent 2 week trip. They dry overnight if you wring them in a towel with the rest of your laundry. I found them to be a good value and did the job well.

What do you do to avoid DVT and similar issues?

For a few days prior to a long flight I take a baby aspirin daily since they help reduce clotting. Medical advice these days is not to take them daily to prevent a heart attack unless advised by a doctor to do so. But I figure a few days I'm not running a huge risk of an accidental bleed, I'm more worried about DVT from being immobile for 10+ hours. Of course this isn't medical advice to anyone else, I'm not a doctor, check with your own doctor before doing something like this.

What do you do to avoid DVT and similar issues? I'm guessing folks get up and walk periodically -- anything else to suggest?

Biz class seat so you can get horizontal and avoid blood pooling ?

I have many pairs of anti-blister Wright Socks made in the USA. They are double layer, come in several styles for men & women.
I first wore them on a Rose Parade tour, then for two weeks in Wales and England, and have them packed for our upcoming Italy tour.
With the exception of when I wear a thinner dressier sock for church, etc. they are my sock of choice. My husband likes them too.
My daughter has been wearing other socks on the same trips: she got blisters on the first one, borrowed a pair on the second one, and now has her own for our next trip. I generally pack enough socks to rotate rather than wash and will turn them inside out to air in between wearing, so I can't address how quickly they dry. My main concern when traveling is unhappy feet with blisters. Good luck!