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They help promote better blood flow, reduce inflammation, and promote post-workout recovery.

We updated this article in June 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team (and that of our sister team at the Good Housekeeping Institute).

Whether you’re traveling on an international flight that lasts for several hours or you just finished an intense workout that was hard on your legs and feet, compression socks can provide the relief you need for muscle aches and foot pain. Studies suggest that compression socks can help reduce muscle damage and inflammation, especially after a big physical feat like a marathon.

“Compression socks place constant pressure on the legs to prevent the accumulation of fluid; the compression is thought to help the blood circulate better which allows more oxygen to get to the tissues,” says Priya Parthasarathy, D.P.M., a podiatrist who practices in Silver Spring, M.D. and spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). “Many of my runner patients swear by them, stating that they reduce muscle fatigue and soreness, which in turn produces a faster recovery.”

Outside of post-workout recovery, women who are pregnant and people with certain health conditions, like those who have type 2 diabetes or those who have suffered from deep vein thrombosis (DVT), can also benefit from wearing compression socks to help reduce their risk of developing blood clots and swelling in the feet and legs.

As a podiatric surgeon, Dr. Parthasarathy is on her feet all day, so she likes to wear compression socks underneath her scrubs. “I also wore them daily when I was pregnant to prevent varicose and spider veins. They definitely make my feet and legs feel much less tired,” she says. However, she doesn’t recommend compression socks for people with certain heart conditions, like congestive heart failure and arterial disease.

We consulted Priya Parthasarathy, D.P.M., a podiatrist who practices in Silver Spring, M.D. and spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) to find the best compression socks. We also combed through countless ratings, reviews, and product specs to find the only compression socks that you should wear for all day support. The options below are perfect for nurses and anyone else—retail workers, runners, pregnant women—who spend most of their days on their feet or are prone to swelling. Shop our picks, and see why customers love them, below.

These knee-high compression socks are made with durable and flexible lycra—the same material that makes Spanx—and have a pressure rating of 20 to 30 mmHg. They’re available in two different sizes to accommodate wider calves. The small and medium sizes are best for people with nine-to-15-inch calves, while the large and extra-large sizes are good for 14-to-19-inch calves.

One Amazon reviewer writes, “They were light and cool, but appropriately tight.” Another says, “They are very comfortable, and feel like they are hugging my legs without being too tight.”

Pregnant women, nurses, teachers, athletes, and frequent flyers alike will love these compression socks for their comfort and support. They have a pressure rating of 10 to 15 mmHg, while their lightweight nylon and spandex material makes them breathable. These socks also have a cushioned heel to help reduce pressure. With the choice of a number of colors and patterns such as nude, black, white, and heather gray, you can also subtly wear them with any outfit.

“I am a nurse and on my feet all day. My legs and feet don't feel tired when I wear them,” writes one reviewer. “They fit well and I like that there is plenty of room around the toe area even though the rest of the stocking is snug.”

Talk about a soft fit. With a pressure rating of 15 to 20 mmHg, these compression socks have a cushioned heel and toe box to provide support and comfort without impinging on your mobility. They also offer a cuff at the top that keeps them from slipping down, moisture-wicking material that quickly sops up sweat, and breathable fabric that feels smooth against the skin.

A reviewer, who is constantly on her feet at work, says, “I wore these for the first time this week, and there was a huge difference! They really did increase my circulation, and my leg felt great at the end of the day! I’m excited to wear them to work, on planes, for runs, etc.”

In addition to the compression, these socks also feature a top-notch material: merino wool, which offers natural moisture management and odor control. Not to mention, they have ventilated mesh panels that help keep your feet dry while you walk, run, hike, or bike. These socks are also constructed with a reinforced toe and heel, and have extra cushioning under the forefoot.

“Great socks. Not too thick either. Provide great moderate compression for long plane travel and average heavy hiking. They also wash well and are durable,” says an Amazon reviewer.

For the runners out there, let these compression socks by Vitalsox offer the relief you need. The popular socks are made of a quick0drying polypropylene that absorbs moisture while you sweat, while the light padding of the toe and heel helps provide support and prevent blisters. They are also unisex and come in 16 different colors.

Shoppers are calling them the best compression socks. “I have occasional plantar fasciitis and calf pain, so I often run in compression socks,” one reviewer said. “These socks were comfortable and the compression was great. The padded sole was great and the moisture wicking was impressive.”

Varicose veins can happy to anyone, but compression socks can help reduce the chances of developing them on your legs. These compression socks by CHARMKING help bring healthy blood flow to your lower limbs so that new varicose veins do not form. They're made with 100% nylon and deliver 360-degree stretch for breathability. They also have nearly 50,000 five-star ratings on Amazon.

“These are amazing. They’re lightweight enough to wear in the summer as you would normal socks , but have helped greatly with compression as needed! I wear these for 8-10 hours a day and never ONCE are they uncomfortable,” one shopper said.

Nurses (and anyone else who has to be on their feet for hours each day) will appreciate these tall, patterned socks, which are made lightweight fabric that helps prevent moisture buildup in your feet. Each festive pair offers a solid 20 to 30 mmHg.

“There was such a huge difference when I wore these to work,” explains one customer, who pulls 16-hour shifts as a nurse. “My feet and legs did not ache and swell after working two doubles over the weekend. I did not feel nearly as tired in general either.”

Made with nylon and polyester, these high-grade compression sleeves feel comfortably snug yet flexible. They feature microfiber fabric that offers a cooling effect and have cushioned support in the achilles tendon to reduce shock. Customers love that they are comfy enough to wear every day, protecting legs from swelling.

“Wear these every time I work out,” one Amazon reviewer says. “From my unprofessional, amateur opinion/experience, these things work and help with muscle soreness.” Another writes that these compression sleeves can help relieve shin splints, too.

People who bought these socks love how they help relieve foot and heel pain, which is often related to plantar fasciitis. They have an ergonomic design that contours the feet and feature ankle and arch support to help relieve pressure. When sleeping at night, these compression socks can also serve as a night splint because they help keep your feet firmly in place with no-slip cuffs.

“I bought these socks when I had a plantar fasciitis flare up in my left foot after wearing heels and trail running. I wore the compression socks to bed and was pleasantly surprised the next morning to have a significant decrease in pain when I stood up. I am also a nurse and working 12-hour shifts was uncomfortable to say the least, so I bought another pair to wear when I work,” a very happy Amazon reviewer writes.

Perfect for runners, these socks work well for intense activity thanks to their low-cut profile. They also quickly wick away sweat and have a seam-free toe to help prevent blisters. And because they offer extra support in the ankles and arches, they can help relieve pain from foot injuries, like plantar fasciitis, too.

In fact, one wearer says they worked well for their plantar fascitiis pain: “I did a lot of walking and got stuck waiting, standing on already tired feet, for an hour, waiting for the bus. With my heel issues, I would be limping after such a day out. But to my surprise, I had almost no pain in my heels, and the hour or two that it usually takes to get rid of the heel pain was lessened to under five minutes.”

Your cool-weather expeditions are about to get a lot more comfortable thanks to these merino wool socks. Beyond keeping your feet toasty, they offer graduated compression: 25 to 30 mmHg at the ankle, 15 to 20 mmHg in the middle of the calf, and 10 to 15 mmHg below the knee.

“The fit is perfect, as is the compression,” says one buyer. “They also wick moisture away from your skin resulting in a very comfortable feeling.”

These compression socks have a higher pressure rating of 20 to 30 mmHg, making them an ideal choice for people who need compression therapy for medical reasons. They offer zippers along the sides that make them easy to slip on and off, and have open toes to give your feet more breathing room.

One reviewer raves: “They are a life saver! The zipper makes it quick and convenient and the open toe allows me to wear any shoe I please. Game changer! And to top it off the price is just right.”

The pressure in compression socks is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Some compression socks have a mild pressure rating between 10 to 20 mmHg or 15 to 20 mmHg, while those on the firmer side have a pressure rating of 20 to 30 mmHg. Generally speaking, compression socks should fit snugly, but they shouldn’t be too tight that they’ll cut off circulation either.

“I usually recommend a lighter compression, like 10 to 15 or 15 to 20, to begin with, and for more moderate to severe swelling, we start to go up in numbers, such as 20 to 30 or 30 to 40, which should be a custom fit and prescribed by a doctor,” Dr. Parthasarathy says.

You should always talk to your doctor about what the best pressure rating is for you, especially if you have an underlying condition. Once you know which rating you’re looking for, you can find a top-quality pair (or two) online.