Are you looking for the best compression socks? If so, keep reading.
It’s no secret — professionals in the medical field are hard workers that are required to be on their feet for long hours of the day. If that’s you, I’m sure you’re aware that this places added amounts of stress on your feet and lower body over time.
This is why it’s so important to wear compression socks in order to help alleviate some of that pain and stress.
Maybe you already wear compression socks. If so, that’s great! But if you’re a medical professional that does not — I highly recommend that you consider starting as soon as possible.
In this article, we’ve listed out the absolute best compression socks for nurses, Respiratory Therapists, doctors, and other healthcare professionals that are required to stand for several hours on end.
So if that’s what you’re looking for then you’re in the right place! Let’s go ahead and dive in, shall we?
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links which means, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Our Top Recommendations of the Best Compression Socks:
1. CHARMKING Compression Socks for Women and Men
2. Laite Hebe Medical Compression Socks
3. Physix Gear Sport Athletic Fit Compression Socks
4. ACTINPUT Compression Socks (8 Pairs) for Women and Men
5. SB SOX Premium Compression Socks for Men and Women
6. Laite Hebe Compression Socks for Women and Men
7. FuelMeFoot Copper Compression Socks (3 Pairs)
8. NEWZILL Athletic Fit Compression Socks
9. FuelMeFoot Compression Socks (6 Pairs)
Now that you’ve taken a quick look at our favorite compression socks for healthcare workers, let’s dive deeper into some more detailed reviews.
Medical Disclaimer: This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician with any questions that you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you read in this article.
Best Compression Socks for Nurses, Respiratory Therapists, and Medical Professionals:
Coming in at #1 on our list of best compression socks — none other than the Compression Socks from CHARMKING.
These are specifically made to help reduce pain and swelling by improving blood circulation. The great thing about this brand is that they care about the fashion aspect of their socks. That means that the make all of their socks fashionable while still being good for your health.
They have been boasted for helping to prevent cramping, swelling, and fatigue. If you work in the hospital, you know how important this is because you can sometimes be required to be on your feet for hours on end.Â
They are also good for promoting muscle recovery, diabetes, and varicose veins as well. The high-tech fabric that is used stretches nicely but gives that compressive feeling on your skin that provides all the positive health benefits that you need as a medical professional.
These socks are in the top spot on our list for a good reason. So if you’re in need of new compression socks, you can’t go wrong with these from CHARMKING.
Next up is none other than the Laite Hebe Medical Compression Socks.
These socks have more of an athletic look and feel to them. This means that you still get all the medical benefits of a compression sock with the fashionable, sporty appearance as well.
The socks are made of breathable fabric to allow more comfort, and the heel and toe of the socks are made to be smooth.
They are designed to help prevent blood clots for someone who has had surgery. Also, they are made of a material that has a dry fit or fast-drying feel.
The stretchy fibers means that these socks can be worn above or below the knee — whatever is most comfortable for you. When it comes to high-quality compression socks, you can’t go wrong with these.
Next, the listed wouldn’t be complete without the Physix Gear Sport Athletic Fit Compression Socks.
These socks are made of double stitched material in order to make them durable and last longer than some of the competitors. This is what makes them one of the best compression socks for healthcare workers.
With that being said, they are still made to feel comfortable on your feet and legs, and can definitely be worn throughout those painful 12-hour shifts.
These greatly help with calf compression, varicose veins, and swelling problems, and can help to prevent blood clots after surgery as well.
With these socks, there is special compression on the heel and toe area in order to makes them feel as comfortable as possible. These aren’t technically flashy in appearance, but they get the job done. And that is exactly why they rank so high on our list.Â
This one is for all the bargain shoppers out there, none other than the Compression Socks from ACTINPUT.
That is because — this bundle comes with (8) pairs of high-quality compression socks. With these, you’re not paying extra from the flashy colors and whatnot. Instead, you get great compression socks that still provide all the health benefits that you need.
These socks are made from breathable material that is great at absorbing any moisture. They are made to help with oxygen flow and blood circulation, which means they help prevent cramping, swelling, and fatigue.
They also help with muscle recovery, diabetes, and varicose veins. If suffering from plantar fasciitis, these socks can help relieve discomfort and pain. These are great for nurses, doctors, or any medical professional that is on their feet for long hours. If you’re not looking to show off, these are the right choice for you.
They are made to be lightweight and form-fitting while providing breathable fabric so your feet won’t get too hot.
The fabric is made to be anti-static and anti-odor to provide the best experience while wearing these socks for extended periods of time. You can’t go wrong with these compression socks.
Coming in at #5 is another one of our favorites, none other than the SB SOX Premium Compression Socks.
Again, these are simply another high-quality option for medical workers or anyone that needs compression socks for standing.
These socks are made with graduated compression technology which means they provide a great boost to the blood circulation and oxygen flow to your feet and legs.
They not only help with muscle recovery in the calf, feet, ankle, and legs, but they also help decrease the build-up of lactic acid as well.
They are made to be lightweight and form-fitting while providing breathable fabric so your feet won’t get too hot.
The fabric is made to be anti-static and anti-odor to provide the best experience while wearing these socks for extended periods of time. You can’t go wrong with these compression socks.
Next on our list, another solid option — the Laite Hebe Compression Socks for both women and men.
These are specifically know to help with reduce swelling and pain in the feet, ankles, and lower legs. This, of course, is accomplished by helping to improve blood circulation.
Even though these socks are made for medical purposes, they are still made to be very stylish, which encourages people from other fields to wear them as well.Â
Not only do they give you all the health benefits, the design of these socks is phenomenal. The vibrant colors really stand out and can help you be the coolest professional in your department, if that’s what you’re going for.Â
Next up is the 3-pack of the FuelMeFoot Copper Compression Socks for medical professionals. That’s right, folks. With this lot, you get 3 pairs of compressions socks, which is a great value.
And that is one of the primary reasons for making our list.
Not only that, the copper technology really sets these apart. The socks have copper threads sawn in, and copper is known to be a great conductor which helps to increase blood flow. And as you know, increased blood flow means increased oxygenation — which can keep your feet feeling fresh throughout the shift.Â
The compression fabric helps support the legs while reducing soreness, fatigue, and cramping. They claim to be able to prevent injuries as well. The copper fabric helps with reducing moisture and odor while also keeping your feet warm or cool depending on the weather. These are one of our favorites for a reason.Â
Up next is the NEWZILL Athletic Fit Compression Socks, which is another great option for medical professionals.
These socks are made with a special cuff at the top that prevents the socks from sliding down. This makes them a great option for those that are required to move a lot while on the job.
While these technically for medical professionals, these socks are still made to be fashionable enough to be worn by people in other fields as well.
They can also be worn while playing sports like soccer and basketball as well.
These compression socks provide enough support to reduce swelling in your feet and legs. They can also help to reduce fatigue during those long 12-hour shifts. So even though these are near the bottom of our list, don’t let that fool you. They’re still a great option!
And last but not least is the 6-pair special Compression Socks from FuelMeFoot. That’s right — it comes with 6 pairs, all of different colors and designs.
We love these socks specifically because of their stylish and fun appearance. As a medical professional, your coworkers are definitely going to be jealous of you while wearing these socks.
Not only do they look great, they also provide enough compression to give you all the major health benefits as well. Your legs and feet are going to be thanking you towards the end of your shift.
We couldn’t put every item on this list at #1 — there had to be some type of order. With that said, these are arguably just as good as the socks that are ranked ahead on our list. Seriously, you can’t go wrong with these or any of the socks on the list.Â
What are Compression Socks?
Compression Socks (or stockings) are specially made socks that help increase the circulation of blood flow and oxygen in your lower extremities.
They are often recommended by the doctors and are commonly worn in hospitals by healthcare professionals.
Research has found that compression socks can help with certain medical conditions like preventing blood clots and for treatment of varicose veins.
How do Compression Socks Work?
To put it simply, compression socks work to increase circulation in your feet and lower legs. This helps blood flow back to your heart so that it can continue to circulate throughout your body.
Normally, the veins in the legs have to work extra hard to promote adequate blood flow against gravity. That is where compression socks come into play because the added pressure from the socks can help squeeze the blood back to your heart.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it! Now you are aware of the best compression socks and why most professionals in the medical field should be wearing them.
You can use this list to pick the compression socks that work best for YOU. Keep in mind, we’ve vetted each of the socks that are listed above, but be sure to check with your doctor to make sure they are right for you. This article should not be substituted for medical advice or treatment, so again, please check with your doctor.Â
Thank you for much for reading and as always, breathe easy my friend.Â
Written by:
John Landry, BS, RRT
John Landry is a registered respiratory therapist from Memphis, TN, and has a bachelor's degree in kinesiology. He enjoys using evidence-based research to help others breathe easier and live a healthier life.