It's time I start wearing compression socks on long plane rides. I have noticed some ankle swelling for a day or two after long flights. My concern is that when my feet get hot, I find it difficult to focus on anything else. I would also need wide-calf. Does anyone have any suggestions for compression socks to try, for materials to look for, or for brands to check out?
Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated!
Best,
Kristen
Here’s a previous discussion of different brands that you might find helpful:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/crazy-compression-brand-socks
FWIW, I wear Sockwell circulator medium compression and don’t find them hot but I am usually cold on international flights. They are a blend of merino wool and bamboo. They have a ”wide calf” series on their website.
YES - I'm a nurse and wear them everyday and over the past 30yrs have tried all the brands. My fav is Sockwell - the BAMBOO ones will NOT make you hot. They are cooling and I wear them 3-4 times before washing so you don't have to pack many for a trip. They also make WIDE CALF ones - so search for WIDE CALF & BAMBOO on the Sockwell site.
Confession: I didn't think to check recent forum posts! I'm usually better about that! So sorry!
Depending on your age and/or other health issues, it's wise to get them fitted by an expert. It's your calves that they need to correctly fit and for a lot of people that will mean the foot is too big. you just need to fold it under or tuck. Not wonderfully comfortable but you will be avoiding swelling.
ChinaLake67,
Thanks so much - I'll try them!
Best,
Kristen
Jennie, I didn't think of that. Thanks for that information!
Best,
Kristen
I have a very good friend that has the same issues. I gave her a pair each of Bomba compression knee high socks and a pair of ankle compression socks. She had issues with the knee highs (many a pair of knee highs have gone out with the garbage on the plane), but the ankle socks are now her go-to compression socks. They go to right above the ankle and may be worth a try. I wear them on days (home or during travel) when I know I will be doing a lot of walking.
I feel like I have the best intentions with these compression socks, but I can totally see myself changing my socks mid-flight, haha! I hope not, but I can barely handle it if my shoes are tied too tight. Ugh. I'll have to spend some time in them before a flight - maybe that will help.
FWIW… I did not buy the Crazy Compression Socks I asked about. They are cute but I started getting too many emails and then it took several weeks to get the “unsubscribe“ to take. That left a bad taste in my mouth for the company.
I’ll go back to my Injinji compression toe socks. These probably will not work for you as they are hot and fairly tight on my big calves plus the separated toes might bug you.
Do try them ahead of time, not just to see if they are comfortable but to practice getting them on!
To my fellow wide-calf friend, I feel your pain. I bought mine online at Wellow. They have wide calf socks. They are as comfortable as they are going to get. All in all I feel like knee socks with a wide calf are simply torture for those of us given particular body structure.
I appreciate all of the advice! I'll have to try them out at work first, where I'm so busy that I might not notice them.
I like Wellow compression socks. They come in fun colors and their newest offering is supposed to be easier to wear when it's hot. I now have several pairs. Wearing them makes the long 10 hour flights easier on my legs.
I have a few pairs of Sockwell compression socks which are not wide calf. They fit me well even though I believe "should" need the wide size.
Last summer I purchased a few pairs of Duluth Trading Company compression socks which are really tight. Likely the wide size would have been better. I wear the DTC socks but won't on airplanes.
I also have a couple pair of Walmart brand I've had for years. They are comfortable but are starting to be less "compressive".
I bought three pair of Mediped brand at a very low price at a going out of business sale a few years ago. Those are so tight I only wear them if no other are available. Glad they cost next to nothing.
I wear compression socks often, not because I need to but because many of mine have fun designs. So far, my feet do not feel hot when wearing them.
Good luck with your choice.
Traveler Girl
I recently traveled in Florida and forgot to wear them on the flight down from Minnesota, but notice that my legs were aching a bit after the flight. So while I was there, I went to Kohl's and found they had a pretty decent selection of Dr. Motion compression socks. They had them in both wide calf and regular calf and had some cute designs. I picked up a couple of pairs of the regular calf size, wore one pair on the way home, and was really pleased with them. They fit well; tight but not cutting off circulation, were lightweight and were very comfortable.
The nice thing is that they were only $10 a pair; compared to $20 or $30 for most compression socks. I tried Sockwell compression socks, but they are too tight for me. I also have a pair of Bomba compression socks, which I do like and have worn before, but they are pretty pricey also.
I started wearing compression socks during travel and occasionally at home two years ago on the advice of my doctor. I discovered Vim & Vigr cotton socks keep my legs cool so they are comfortable. Nylon socks are too hot and I don’t wear wool.
https://vimvigr.com/collections/all-compression-socks-men-women?filter.p.m.custom.fabric=Cotton
