Compression socks for 11 hour flight

If you have a condition that makes compression socks useful, you should talk to your doctor so you get the degree of compression your condition requires.

There are many brands out there. If you are healthy, and do the recommended exercises in flight, you may not need them. Otherwise look for a pair that require you to measure your ankle and calf (and thigh, if going full length,) circumferences, rather than those that go by foot size. Do not buy compression socks rated at 20mm Hg or higher unless prescribed by a Dr. Look for ones in the 10-15 mm Hg range. This indicates how much pressure the stockings exert if properly sized and properly worn. If you are right on the cusp between 2 sizes, go with the larger size.

There’s no condition. I’ve just been reading that with long flights is a good idea to wear the compression socks on long flights. Thoughts?

I agree that they are a good idea. A light weight in the 15 to 18 Hg ranges should suffice. Make sure they do not bind at the knee if you choose knee highs. I am short and I have to make sure I get ones that are not too long.

My doctor suggested compression socks for long flights. I have no specific condition but when you are trapped in a middle seat in economy it’s hard to get up frequently. I just bought a pair in a drugstore. I noticed my calves and ankles were not swollen after the long flight.

Well, our doctor told us to wear them. I use Sockwell Circulators with Moderate (15-20 mmHg) Graduated Compression. They really help with circulation and to keep the typical long flight, legs pendulant, swelling down.

BTW, our slender, 44 year old, runner and pilot son wears them. I'm not sure what type. I do know that he had an ankle injury with significant pain and bruising. The healing was slow. My husband gave him a pair of his TravelSox. Much to our son's amazement, the bruising and most of the pain was gone in 24 hours. So far as I know, he's worn compression socks while flying ever since.

I have never used compression stockings because I haven't worn any kind of stockings in the past 30 years.

I'm a big fan of Sockwell compression socks, which are on Amazon. They're super comfy and cute too, with lots of color options. Plus made in the US. My feet and ankles swell up like balloons on long flights so they help a lot.

Wearing compression stockings in flights over 4 hours has been shown to reduce the incidence of DVT. As noted they also reduce swelling. I’ve tried several brands and I’m sold on Blitzu. But give yourself some extra time to get them on!

Another happy wearer of Sockwell Circulator compression socks. Solid black, knee high, moderate (15-20 mmHg) graduated compression, not super-tight or "stranglehold" feeling, takes a modest amount of effort to put on and take off, but not like heavy-duty compression stockings I once had to wear for awhile.

I bought two pair for a trip to the UK, liked them so much I acquired a few more pair and wear them almost daily. They do prevent swelling and feel very comfortable and, yes, supportive.

On incredibly long flights to the opposite side of the planet, I always wear cheap cotton tube socks from Costco. They're great. They cost practically nothing, my feet feel comfy, and I swear by 'em. They work best when you're sitting up in first class, slopping down all the champagne and caviar, but they function just as well if you're crammed into a miserable non-reclining middle seat in the last row of Basic Economy right next to a toilet that smells like a Mexican gas station bathroom that hasn't been cleaned since air travel was actually enjoyable.

On the other hand, I've read on internet forums that anyone who has a real reason to worry about the effects of DVT or other medical conditions that might put them at risk on a long flight should probably not get on that airplane at all, no matter what they're wearing on any part of their body. Personally, I sincerely doubt that there are any health benefits to be gained by wearing special socks on a plane.

Point being: You can find all sorts of nonsense on the internets posted by decent, well-meaning folks everywhere.

Please don't take any medical advice from the good people here, including me (except for that part about socks working best in first class - everything works better when you're up there drinking that champagne and getting a massage).

If you really have questions or concerns about DVT or other health issues, for cryin' out loud, go talk to your doctor. Then come back here and ask about getting from the airport to your hotel, whether you can wear shorts in Europe, or something.

Our doctor recommended them and told us wheich compression level to buy.

Our doctor recommended them and told us which compression level to buy.
I only wear them on long haul international flights.

Our doctor suggested that compression stockings should be worn when flying. We use medical grade compression, but I suspect any decent compression sock should work.

Why take a risk.

David, this from the Cochrane Collaborative an authoritative source on evidence based treatment: http://www.cochrane.org/CD004002/PVD_compression-stockings-preventing-deep-vein-thrombosis-dvt-airline-passengers

Thanks for the pointers.

In all seriousness, I still think any medical advice is best received directly from one's own physician, who has a chance to evaluate an individual's health and provide the best course of action based on that individual's condition.

As previously suggested, I agree that consulting your healthcare provider is the best way to decide what is best for your individual needs based on your health history.

I feel like the compression socks help me to feel less tired.

Certainly consult with your health care provider but it is good to gather brand information.

Many athletes use compression socks so brands you can look at are readily available even if you live in the hinterlands like I do. Sockwell’s are available at many AAA stores and other brands in places that cater to runners, hikers and cyclist’s.

I, personally, use CorrectToes toe splints so I wear Injinji brand compression toe socks.

Whatever you do, try them a bit before you travel. There is a trick to getting them on and there is ~nothing ~ like popping out in a sweat while struggling to don them for the first time as you prepare to head for the airport!

I always get an aisle seat and get up as often as possible, about once per hour. I don't think I could do an 11 plus hour flight. 8 hours to Europe is long enough. I'm a cyclist and runner, and just can't sit for long periods of time. I'm too antsy.

A friend died from DVT on some ungodly long flight to Australia.

I put mine on in the gate lounge while waiting for boarding. Don't leave it until you are in your seat on the plane, or try to do it in a toilet cubicle: just too awkward.

My wife and I both use Sockwell Circulators. Put them on before the flight, usually on the plane and remove before landing. Definitely make helps your legs feel refreshed.

I have never worn compression socks and have never had a problem, but I get up regularly (3-4 times during a flight) and walk around, stretch, do lunges etc. I would think even with these compression socks you would want to walk around and do some streches just to be comfortable. I am over 50 and a little overweight and I have never had my doctor suggest these socks. I agree with others that 100% ask your doctor before using them. I was talking to another woman who was also in the same area on the plane also stretching and we were talking about people who had been in their seat for over 5 hours who had not gotten up once and how can they do that?

Haven't done the socks, but for several years after a mastectomy with lymph node removal I wore a compression sleeve to prevent lymphedema -- on doctor's prescription, measured for size. Checking with your physician regarding level of compression would be advisable.

Sockwell Orbital Stripe graduated compression sock.
Now I don't really have any medical conditions I know of and I am only 130 pounds fairly in shape.... BUT my ankles swell on that long flight and never seem to go back down untill after I get home. So I just bought that brand above. Its important to get the orbital stripe one. As soon as I tried it on I felt great. Id wear them all the time but im keeping them for my trip in October. I bought them from a womens recommendation online after a bunch of searching, and all I can attest to is that they feel great and should work.
I bought mine off ebay.