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    6 Best Compression Socks, Tested and Reviewed

    We battled the hard-to-put-on socks to find the best level of support from brands including Bombas and Crazy Compression. Plus, do you really need them for long flights?

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    Crazy Compression, Copper Fit, Charmking, Wellow, and Comrad compression socks
    Compression socks can help relieve leg and foot soreness at the end of a long day.
    Photos: Consumer Reports, Comrad

    If you’ve ever taken a long flight or drive, worked a full day on your feet, or been pregnant, chances are, you’ve considered—and possibly worn—compression socks. These tight, often knee-high socks are meant to increase circulation and thus decrease swelling and blood clots, and help your feet feel more comfortable. 

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    More for Your Feet

    Comfort is key, and as we discovered in our tests, not every pair wins that particular distinction. Whether itchy, too tight, too loose (and thus not compressive), or poorly fitting, a lot can go wrong. 

    We purchased and tested eight pairs of compression socks that didn’t require a prescription to find the ones that manage both comfort and support.

    Sneak peek: Some testers enjoyed the graduated compression socks by the popular brand Bombas, but one tester had issues with the level of compression. Read on to find our winners and the products we recommend skipping.

    The Evaluators

    • Erica Sherman is 5 feet, 10 inches, with a medium build, and wears a size 10 shoe. She’s an avid walker and weight lifter, so she wanted to find socks that improve circulation, reduce muscle fatigue during long walks, and provide good calf support and support recovery after strength training sessions. 

    • Elizabeth L. is 5 feet, 4 inches, and wears size 12/14 pants and 8.5/9 wide shoes. She was hoping to find socks that were supportive yet comfortable enough to wear daily.

    • And me. I’m 5 feet tall and wear size 2 pants and size 6 shoes. I was looking for compression socks that fit well on a small person without cutting into the legs or gapping at the toes.

    Best Everyday Essentials

    Bar soaps, towels, toothbrushes, and other bath products are among the household basics that can make your days easier, more comfortable, and safer.

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    We investigate, research, and test so you can choose with confidence.


    Angela Lashbrook

    Angela Lashbrook is a senior multimedia content creator at Consumer Reports. She has been with CR since 2021 and covers a wide range of topics, but she is particularly interested in anything health- or parenting-related. She lives with her husband, their son, and her dog, a Libra named Gordo.