You pull on a pair of compression socks for a long flight, and an hour in, the top band is digging in behind your knee, or the whole sock has slid down and bunched at your ankle. Either way, you spend the flight tugging at them instead of forgetting them.
Most of that comes down to sizing. Cheap socks are sold by shoe size alone, in two sizes, so a sock that fits your foot can be too tight or too loose on your calf. The compression level is often missing from the listing too, so you don't know how firm they'll be until they arrive.
We compared five graduated compression socks sold for travel. One is sized by calf measurement in six fits, including wide-calf versions, prints its compression level on the listing, and is described by its maker as easy to pull on and take off.
Not sure? Let us pick for you
What's your biggest worry about buying compression socks?
Our pick for you: #1Comrad Knee High Compression Socks, 15-20 mmHg
It comes in six fits sized by calf measurement, including Medium Wide Calf and Large Wide Calf at the same shoe size, and the listing says to size up if you're between sizes.
Our pick for you: #4Sockwell Women's Circulator, 15-20 mmHg
It's a women's sock in merino wool and rayon from bamboo that Sockwell says manages moisture and regulates temperature, with 15-20 mmHg stated on the listing.
Read each listing's size chart and checked whether sizes are set by calf measurement or by shoe size alone
Looked for a wide-calf option at the same shoe size, since a big calf and a small foot (or the reverse) is the fit problem owners complain about most
Noted the compression level each listing states in mmHg, and the fabric, length and care instructions as the maker prints them
Read owner comments on travel forums about socks sliding down, digging in, running hot and being hard to pull on, then checked each product's own Amazon listing for what it says on those points; we did not wear these socks on flights ourselves, and we make no claims about what compression does for your body
Six fits sized by calf circumference, from 10 to 20 inches, with separate wide-calf versions of medium and large at the same shoe size; the listing says to size up if you're between sizes
Compression level stated on the listing: 15-20 mmHg graduated, strongest at the ankle and easing up the leg
Moisture-wicking, breathable nylon with a contoured shape that follows the leg; Comrad says the stretch makes them easy to put on and take off
Sold as a single pair in most colors; three-packs are only offered in some
Five sizes by calf measurement, 11 to 24 inches, the widest range here, each listed with men's and women's shoe sizes
Compression level stated on the listing: 20-30 mmHg graduated
Lightweight, breathable knit with a reinforced, cushioned heel and toe
One calf range per size: the listing says to size up if your shoe size is above the range for your calf, so there's no wide-calf cut at the same shoe size
The listing says nothing about how easy they are to pull on
20-30 mmHg, the firmer of the two levels on this list
A knee-high graduated compression sock with 15-20 mmHg printed on the listing and the finest sizing here: six fits set by calf measurement, including wide-calf versions of medium and large. The nylon is listed as moisture-wicking and breathable, and Comrad says the stretch makes them easy to put on and take off.
Six fits sized by calf circumference, from 10 to 20 inches, with separate wide-calf versions of medium and large at the same shoe size; the listing says to size up if you're between sizes
Compression level stated on the listing: 15-20 mmHg graduated, strongest at the ankle and easing up the leg
Moisture-wicking, breathable nylon with a contoured shape that follows the leg; Comrad says the stretch makes them easy to put on and take off
Machine washable, with SmartSilver yarn the listing says helps prevent sock odor
Sold as a single pair in most colors; three-packs are only offered in some
A firmer 20-30 mmHg sock with a size chart that lists men's shoe sizes 5 to 17 and women's 5.5 to 15 next to calf measurements from 9 to 24 inches. The knit is listed as breathable and moisture-wicking with a seamless toe, and the listing names long flights as a use.
Size chart gives separate men's and women's shoe sizes alongside calf measurements, and runs to a men's 17
Compression level stated on the listing: firm 20-30 mmHg graduated, strongest at the ankle
Breathable, moisture-wicking nylon and spandex knit with a seamless toe; the maker says they're designed to be easy to get on
Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
Only three sizes, each spanning a wide calf range (L/XL covers 14 to 19 inches), with no separate wide-calf fit at the same shoe size
20-30 mmHg is the firmer of the two levels on this list; the maker itself calls it firm
A 20-30 mmHg knee-high sold for flying, with five sizes set by calf circumference from 11 to 24 inches, each paired with men's and women's shoe sizes. The listing calls the knit lightweight and breathable, with a reinforced, cushioned heel and toe.
Five sizes by calf measurement, 11 to 24 inches, the widest range here, each listed with men's and women's shoe sizes
Compression level stated on the listing: 20-30 mmHg graduated
Lightweight, breathable knit with a reinforced, cushioned heel and toe
Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
One calf range per size: the listing says to size up if your shoe size is above the range for your calf, so there's no wide-calf cut at the same shoe size
The listing says nothing about how easy they are to pull on
20-30 mmHg, the firmer of the two levels on this list
A women's over-the-calf sock in a merino wool and bamboo rayon blend, with 15-20 mmHg graduated compression stated on the listing. Sockwell lists a light cushion sole, arch support and a seamless toe, and says the yarn manages moisture and regulates temperature.
Compression level stated on the listing: moderate 15-20 mmHg in four graduated zones
Merino wool and rayon-from-bamboo blend the maker says manages moisture and regulates temperature; made in the USA
Ultra light cushion sole, full arch support, reinforced heel and toe, seamless toe closure
Machine washable; the length is listed as fitting over the calf
Sized by women's shoe size only (S/M fits 4 to 7.5, M/L fits 8 to 11); the listing gives no calf measurements
Two sizes and no wide-calf version on this listing
The listing says nothing about how easy they are to pull on
Eight pairs of 15-20 mmHg knee-highs in one pack, which the listing pitches as a week's worth without a daily wash. The fabric is 85% nylon and 15% spandex and listed as breathable, and CHARMKING says they're easy to get on. Sizing is the weak point.
Eight pairs per pack, enough for a long trip without washing
Compression level stated on the listing: 15-20 mmHg graduated
85% nylon, 15% spandex knit the listing calls breathable, with 360-degree stretch; the maker says they're easy to get on
Machine washable
Two sizes only (Small-Medium and Large-X-Large); the listing text gives no calf measurements and points to a size-chart image instead
No wide-calf version in this listing; CHARMKING's own comparison chart lists an extra-wide line as a separate product
The Comrad Knee High is a 15-20 mmHg graduated compression sock sized the way owners wish every sock were: by calf measurement, in six fits, with wide-calf versions at the same shoe size. The nylon is listed as moisture-wicking and breathable, the shape is contoured to follow the leg, and the whole thing is machine washable.
15-20 mmHg graduated, strongest at the ankle, easing up the leg (as the listing prints it)
You know how firm they are before they arrive
Sizing
Small, Medium, Medium Wide Calf, Large, Large Wide Calf, X-Large; calf 10 to 20 inches; size up if between sizes
Fits the calf and the foot, not one at the expense of the other
Fabric
91% nylon, 9% spandex; moisture-wicking and breathable; SmartSilver odor control
Hot feet are a common complaint on long flights
Length and care
Knee high; machine wash
Easy to wash between the outbound and return flights
1. Sized by your calf, not just your shoe
Comrad's chart lists a calf measurement for every size, from 10 to 20 inches, next to the shoe sizes it fits. Measure once and you know which fit to order, and the listing tells you to size up if you land between two.
2. A wide-calf fit at the same shoe size
Medium and large each come in a regular and a wide-calf version. If your foot is a medium but your calf is 15 inches, you order Medium Wide Calf instead of jumping to a large that's too long in the foot.
3. Made to pull on, and it says so
Pulling compression socks on in a cramped seat is the chore owners complain about. Comrad says its yarn has dynamic stretch that makes the socks easy to put on and take off, which the other listings here don't claim, or claim with less sizing to back it.
Who it's for
Anyone whose calf and shoe size don't land in the same box on a two-size chart
First-time buyers who want the 15-20 mmHg level that most travel-labelled socks use
Travelers who find firm socks a struggle to pull on in a cramped seat
The honest trade-off
Sold as a single pair in most colors; three-packs are only offered in some
How it did on what we compared
Sized by calf measurement
Wide-calf fit at your shoe size
Listed as easy to pull on
Bottom line
If you want a compression sock for flying that fits your calf as well as your foot, the Comrad Knee High is the one to order. Choose the Physix Gear if you want the firmer 20-30 mmHg level with men's sizing to 17, or SB SOX if your calf measures over 20 inches.
Wrap a soft tape around the widest part of your calf, and note your shoe size. A chart that lists both is the one to trust. Comrad, Physix Gear and SB SOX all print calf measurements; Sockwell and CHARMKING size by shoe size in the listing text.
Look for a wide-calf fit, not just a bigger size
On most charts, a bigger calf means a bigger size, which also means a longer foot. A wide-calf version at the same shoe size keeps the foot right. Only Comrad offers that here; SB SOX gets close with five calf ranges but tells you to size up instead.
Read the stated compression level
Makers print the level in mmHg. The socks here list either 15-20 mmHg, which the makers call mild or moderate, or 20-30 mmHg, which they call firm or moderate. A listing with no number tells you nothing about how tight the sock will feel. Which level suits you is a question for a professional, not for us.
Check the fabric and the care label
Owners on travel forums often say nylon runs hot and wool or bamboo blends feel cooler, so look for a listing that calls the knit moisture-wicking or breathable. Machine-washable socks are easier to deal with on a trip; all five here are listed as machine washable.
Questions about compression socks for flying
Are flight socks the same as compression socks?
Flight socks is a name used for socks sold for travel. Many are graduated compression socks with a stated mmHg level; some are plain socks with no level given. The number on the listing, and a size chart with calf measurements, tell you more than the name. Our guide on flight socks vs compression socks goes into the details.
What compression level should I get for flying?
We don't give medical advice, so we can't tell you which level is right for you. What we can say is what the listings print: Comrad, Sockwell and CHARMKING list 15-20 mmHg, and Physix Gear and SB SOX list 20-30 mmHg, which their makers describe as firm or moderate. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure which to wear.
How do I find my size in compression socks?
Measure around the widest part of your calf and note your shoe size, then use the brand's own chart. Comrad's listing says to size up if you fall between sizes. SB SOX says to size up if your shoe size is above the range for your calf.
Do compression socks stop leg swelling or blood clots on long flights?
That's a medical question, and this site doesn't give medical advice. This page compares fit, sizing, the compression level each maker states, fabric and care only. Please ask a doctor or pharmacist about any health question, including whether compression socks are right for you.
Bottom line: the best compression socks for flying
For most people flying long haul, the Comrad Knee High is the compression sock to buy: a stated 15-20 mmHg, six fits sized by calf measurement with wide-calf options, and a knit the maker says is easy to pull on. Choose the Physix Gear for a firmer 20-30 mmHg with men's sizes up to 17, SB SOX for calves up to 24 inches, the Sockwell Circulator for a women's merino and bamboo sock, and the CHARMKING 8-pack if you need a pair for every day of the trip.
Are Flight Socks the Same as Compression Socks? — Flight socks and compression socks are often the same thing, but not always. What the name means, what mmHg and graduated mean, and how to tell from a listing.
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