How to Buy Travel Compression Socks

Travel compression socks, or support socks, can keep you comfortable during flights and may help prevent deep vein thrombosis, the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein that can be caused by air travel.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Understand how travel compression socks work. Compression stockings aid circulation in the legs by applying varying compression to the different parts of the leg. Compression is greatest at the ankle and decreases higher up the leg.

2. 
    

   Know your size. Travel compression socks may be sold by sock size or by shoe size. Be sure to look at the size chart carefully to make sure you are buying the correct size.

3. Decide what color and style you would like. Compression socks, once almost exclusively black, now come in a variety of styles. Some companies also offer a variety of opacities--for instance, sheer knee-high styles for women or lightweight compression socks.

4. If you'll be handwashing clothes during your trip, consider quick-dry compression socks.

Tips & Warnings

• Compression socks can also be used in your everyday life to help tired, aching legs.

Resources

• Quick Dry Compression Socks at Packing Light
• Compression Socks for Men and Women at Economy Class Syndrome

[vallain]

on 2/22/2009 I get knee-high ones at Walmart for traveling by plane or in our motorhome.

[kerrylf]

on 1/22/2009 Thanks.

[TheGlamSquad]

on 1/20/2009 INTERESTING ARTICLE. THANKS FOR SHARING! 5*****

[00Analana]

on 1/20/2009 Thanks for this information!

[sunshine11219]

on 1/20/2009 very intresting