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We asked real nurses to share their must-have compression socks for long shifts — here’s what they said. Cotton Socks For Men
Spending all day on your feet can take a toll on your entire body, but for nurses, it comes with the job. Whether working a 12-hour night shift or running rounds, compression socks can provide instant support and relief.
“When we stand or walk for long periods, everything wants to drain towards gravity and this contributes to pooling or swelling in the lower extremities,” explains Chanel Houston Perkins, DPM, FACFAS, DABPM. “Which can create a heaviness in the muscles, tightness in the skin and irritation on the nerves, thereby leading to painful stimuli.”
After speaking with nurses and podiatrists, here’s what we found to be the best compression socks for nurses.
Do not ride down or lose compression over time
Some may prefer more than medium compression
It should come as no surprise that Bombas Women’s Everyday Compression Socks earned our top spot as the best compression socks for nurses. The brand is a stand-out in the undergarment world, and these socks were a clear winner among podiatrists and healthcare professionals we spoke with. The lightweight, breathable formula provides medium compression — which makes them snug enough to feel supportive, but not too tight. “Nearly every nurse I work with swears by these,” says Katrina Schroeder, RN, in Jacksonville, Florida. “They’re just a staple in our wardrobes.” Made with extra strong cotton, they don’t ride down or lose compression over time. An added bonus: When you purchase socks from Bombas, they donate a pair to an organization that will give it to someone in need.
Do not provide as much support as some others
Only come in a pack of three
If you’re looking for a great deal, Sooverki Compression Socks has you covered. Created with 85% nylon, the lightweight, flexible material provides medium compression that’s breathable and ideal for all-day wear. There are also no stitches in places that will rub or cause pain, like the toe or ankle, and the small percentage of elastane provides just enough grip to keep the socks from riding down.
They currently only come in a pack of three, so if you want just one pair you’ll end up snagging a few extra. TBH, we don’t anticipate this being an issue, considering how often nurses need to wear compression socks.
Large variety of colors and styles
Padding in the toes and heels
Specific compression level is unknown
Known for their ultra-comfortable medical and nursing wear, like scrubs and scrub cabs, FIGS compression socks provide the brand’s signature high-quality material and functional design. Made with a blend of nylon and lycra, the socks are super stretchy and soft, and come cushioned with padding along the toes and heels. FIGS says these provide Class 1 Compression, which equals roughly 20 mmHg. “They’re a great pair to throw in my bag if I find myself needing some extra support by the middle of my shift,” says Sara Bernard, NP, in Chicago, Illinois. “And I love the colors they have to pick from.”
With 38 different styles that range from socks with lifesavers or llamas with stethoscopes, to more traditional prints like stripes and solid colors, you can spice up any pair of scrubs with a bit of flair by just adding a pair of these socks to your outfit.
Improve blood flow and decrease muscle soreness
Not for those that need medium or high compression
When you’re looking for a compression sock that provides just a little bit of extra support, Ostrichpillow Bamboo Compression Socks does the trick. With three different color-blocking designs to choose from, the socks provide the lowest form of compression at 8-15 mmHg.
For your average nurse wanting to relieve fatigue in the legs, these light compression socks mainly support blood flow and circulation. However, if you suffer from certain medical conditions such as chronic venous insufficiency, lymphedema, or congestive heart failure, you will want a stronger compression sock. And due to its bamboo material and light texture, these compression socks don’t hold up super well in the washing machine.
Top band may be too tight for some
Durable, stretchy, and designed to last, Doc Miller Calf Compression Socks are a must for Casey Ann Pidich, DPM. “I wear them during travel under my cozy sweats,” she says. “They are comfy, not itchy, and work great.” Created with 77% nylon and 23% spandex, you can expect them to hold up to daily use, while also providing comfort and the perfect amount of support.
With 15-20 mmHG, they are an ideal everyday compression sock for those working on their feet. However, the top band that holds the sock just below the knee can be tight, so you might need to size up if you’re worried about too much pressure there. We're also delighted at the wider range of sizes, going up to XXL.
Wick up moisture when you sweat
Compression may be too intense for some
If you’re looking for a strong compression sock that packs a lot of support, Clove Compression Socks are for you. A must-have for nurses, Schroeder says she loves that they stay tight all day. “If I know I’m going to have a long day of rounds, I opt for my Cloves because I know when I get home, I won’t be in any pain.”
Crafted with mostly cotton, the breathable material is designed to wick up moisture when you sweat, and the soft-cushioned bottoms provide extra relief to tired feet. Due to the high compression level, they might be too tight for some. The brand recommends that if you’re in between two sizes, go with the size based on your calf circumference for a better fit.
Covers nearly every foot and calf size
Does not provide arch support
If you’ve ever complained that your compression socks cause your toes to bunch up, the VIM & VIGR Graduated Compression Leg Sleeve is a great option. A favorite of Dr. Perkins's since podiatry school, the sock applies pressure that starts at the ankle and gradually provides support throughout the legs. With a medium compression level, they should be comfortable for nearly everyone, while still providing flexibility to move around. But if you’re looking for arch support with your compression sock, a sleeve is not for you. Opt for one of the VIM & VIGR closed-toe compression socks instead.
Heads up that VIM & VIGR's sizing is a little different. Sizes run from 1 to 3, with 1 being the smallest.
Available in medium-wide and large-wide sizes
Made with recycled cotton fabric
Regular version is quite thin
If you’ve been personally victimized by too-narrow compression socks, try these wide-calf compression socks from Comrad. They have an extra two inches in calf circumference for a slightly roomier fit that won’t make you feel like a stuffed sausage. We found these super comfortable, especially in the recycled cotton fabric, which felt extra breathable.
Sizes range from XS-5XL
Fit calf circumferences up to 26 inches
Return shipping isn't free
Most of the compression socks we researched have a quite limited size range, with only small, medium, and large options available. Nurse Yard’s compression socks stand out for including XS compression socks and going all the way up to 5XL, fitting calf circumferences up to 26 inches. We’re also intrigued by the gradual compression in these nurse-loved socks. The compression starts at 30mmHg in the ankle, then decreases slightly to 20mmHG in the calf, which may help guide your blood flow upwards and reduce fatigue.
Reflective details for wearing outdoors
Thin and not as cushiony as some may like
Like nurses, runners know what it’s like to spend a ton of time on your feet — especially endurance runners training for marathons or other long-distance races. On long run and recovery days, runners often turn to compression socks to help increase blood flow and reduce fatigue post-run. These compression socks from Lululemon are the creme de la creme of footwear for runners, thanks to a technical fabric that’s totally breathable and sweatwicking. Extra support around the heels keeps your feet firmly in place to avoid blisters, and there are even reflective details for pre-sunrise runs. Heads up, these feel much lighter in compression than other options we tried.
Copper-infused fibers are antimicrobial and prevent odor
Only come in a three-pack
If you’ve ever self-consciously sniffed the air after taking off your shoes, wondering if a full day of standing made you a little, well, stinky, copper-infused compression socks may be the move. Copper-infused material, in case you don’t know, has antimicrobial properties that prevent odor from developing. These compression socks from Copper Compression have targeted compression zones, plus a seamless design and padded foot for extra comfort (read: no itchy seams).
We wanted to highlight the range of compression socks available, as no pair is one-size-fits-all. First, we focused on the material, compression levels, and silhouettes. From there, we narrowed it down to the brands and styles that were most accessible and functional. We placed a heavy emphasis on comfort, if they were machine-washable (a must from every doctor or nurse we spoke to!), and design.
Not only did we interview multiple nurses about their own experience with using compression socks, but we also asked podiatrists for their best recommendations. Using their expertise and our own research, we found the best compression socks for nurses.
Compression socks provide a host of benefits for the lower body, including:
When you’re shopping for compression socks, they’ll likely come in a variety of sizes like small, medium, or large, but you’ll also notice a mmHG (millimeters of mercury) label on the tag. This signifies their degree of compression, and you can select which range you want based on what you’re looking for. Dr. Pidich says there are typically three compression levels.
Knowing how snug your compression socks should be can be tricky if you’ve never worn them. While they should be tight enough to gently squeeze your legs, they should not be uncomfortable. If you feel numbness, pinching, loss of circulation, or any sort of pain while wearing them, the compression is likely too high, and you should go down a level.
And it’s important to note that compression socks can be too loose. Typically this looks like the socks falling down while being worn or no sense of tightness when wearing them. On the other hand, it’s totally normal to remove compression socks and have some small ‘marks’ or impressions left behind. They should quickly disappear.
According to Dr. Pidich, unless your doctor orders you to wear them to bed specifically, there’s no need to sleep in them. “During sleep, our bodies are horizontal,” she says. “Therefore, gravity isn't working against our veins. They can also bunch up and accidentally occlude [or block] circulation while you sleep.”
The short answer is for as long as you are standing. There’s no real benefit to wearing compression socks when you are lying down, but during times of standing, walking or doing any weight-bearing activity, they can be beneficial. Dr. Perkins adds that this should usually be no longer than eight hours.
Lauryn Higgins is a journalist whose work focuses primarily on public health and wellness. She reviews products in the fitness, beauty, and lifestyle categories. She currently works as a journalist and adjunct professor of journalism at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her work has appeared in NPR, Women's Health, RealSimple, Well + Good, Health and Teen Vogue. Her work tracking the Covid-19 pandemic at the New York Times was part of a team that won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service.
Chanel Houston Perkins, DPM is an Assistant Professor, Division of Podiatry at the University of Texas Medical Branch. She’s Board Certified through the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. She holds double Board Certifications with the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons as well as the American Board of Podiatric Medicine.
Cute Compression Socks Casey Ann Pidich, DPM, is a foot and ankle doctor who has worked in New York City with 12+ years of experience at NYU Bellevue Hospital, Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, and private practice in Manhattan.