Tested and Podiatrist-Approved: The Best Compression Socks for Circulation and Comfort During Pregnancy (2024)

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• How We Tested

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These socks not only feel amazing, but they look it, too. We loved how snug and silky they felt against our skin and were obsessed with the wide variety of cute patterns. Our personal favorite were the navy socks with red foxes (pictured below), and we even got compliments while wearing them!

Unlike some compression socks, Levsox were easy to slip on and didn’t irritate our skin at the cuff. They felt snug yet flexible—almost like a good pair of leggings—and felt like they were giving our arches and heels a little massage.

Although they only come in knee-high length, Levsox still hold great value. We were pleased with the price range, and the fact that we got multiple pairs per order was a nice surprise. What’s more, these socks hold up well after being washed and dried, which makes them a practical choice for those who plan to wear them often.

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: S-XL | Materials: 90% nylon, 10% spandex | Pressure Level: 20-30 mmHg}

After having surgery on her foot, one of our editors wore a pair of Charmking socks for 12 hours per day for about three weeks. She was pleasantly surprised to find that she experienced less pain and swelling each day that she wore the socks. In fact, she liked them so much that she plans to wear them even after her foot fully recovers.

We also love that these socks are budget-friendly. Each pack comes with eight pairs of socks that cost less than $3.50 per pair. There are 30 different styles to choose and they come in two sizes: small/medium or large/x-large.

Whether she was sitting or standing, our editor felt like her legs were supported by the Charmking socks. Although her feet sometimes felt a little sweaty while wearing them, she liked that they allowed her to move freely and didn’t cut into her skin. Overall, she thought these socks were great and would happily pay more for them.

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: S-M and L-XL | Materials: 85% nylon, 15% spandex | Pressure Level: 15-20 mmHg}

The Compression Socks by Away are more than just your average pair of compression socks. Although they come in basic black or navy blue, they’re made with Away’s anti-odor technology, so they can be worn multiple times without having to be washed.

After testing these socks, we found them easy to put on and they stayed in place all day. In fact, after wearing them to work and happy hour, one of our editors had nothing but praise for these lightweight, high-quality socks. Her legs felt supported and less tired after a day of wear, and she liked that they felt soft and secure without being too tight.

Although these socks come in four sizes (S-XL), there’s limited availability in black, so you might have to go with navy blue. No matter which color you choose, we think you’ll love that they’re made from a blend of breathable, organic cotton and Coolmax polyester, which provides a cooling effect on your legs and feet.

Another thing we like about these socks is that they have minimal seams, which makes them extra comfy, and they hold up well after washing. Although they’re more expensive than the other options on our list, the fact that we wouldn’t change a thing about them makes these socks a worthwhile investment.

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: S-XL | Materials: 45% organic cotton, 25% Coolmax polyester, 20% Lycra, 10% nylon | Pressure Level: 15-20 mmHg}

If you’re going to pay $30 for a pair of compression socks, you’ll want to make sure they stand the test of time. Our opinion of the Sockwell Compression Socks is that they’re of good quality and the fabric wears well. We also like that they show no signs of shrinking or pilling, even after multiple washes.

At first, putting these socks on was challenging due to the higher compression level. A tutorial on how to put them on can be found on the Sockwell website. Once they were snugly in place, we could immediately tell that the fabric was soft, breathable, and wouldn’t cause our feet to sweat. We also love that they’re made from a blend of merino wool and bamboo, which are sustainable materials and help regulate your body temperature.

To help improve symptoms related to her autoimmune disease, one of our editors wore these socks for hours at a time. Although they felt relatively tight, she liked that they didn’t slide down her legs and that the fit was secure without being restrictive. After wearing the socks for a full day, she said that her legs felt great and experienced a significant improvement in the circulation to her feet.

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: S-M and M-L | Materials: 31% merino wool, 31% bamboo rayon, 30% stretch nylon, 8% spandex | Pressure Level: 20-30 mmHg}

Our editor who tested the Bombas was pregnant and took frequent airline trips, making her a great candidate for compression socks. She’d been a longtime fan of the brand and could attest to the fact that these socks were just as soft, comfortable, and stylish as other Bombas products she’d worn.

While wearing these socks in her second and third trimesters, our editor didn’t experience any swelling in her legs, ankles, or feet. She described the compression level of these socks as medium, since they required some effort to pull on and off, but didn’t compress to the point of discomfort. At times, she forgot she was wearing them, even under straight-leg jeans.

Overall, our editor had a positive experience with these socks. Although they did leave a slight indentation on her legs, she reported that they never slid down her legs and were something she looked forward to wearing on her cross-country flights.

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: S-L | Materials: 72% polyester, 11% nylon, 9% elastane, 8% cotton | Pressure Level: 20-30 mmHg}

Our editor who tested the Bombas Everyday Compression Socks was accustomed to wearing her own pair due to a medical condition. As one who is savvy about compression socks, she could attest to the fact that these Bombas fit great and hugged her feet and legs in all the right places. Although they felt tight at the cuff, she could move her feet freely while wearing them and her legs felt less tired as a result.

While not a direct benefit of wearing compression socks, our editor was pleased to see that these Bombas kept her feet warm in the winter due to their thick material and how well they improved her circulation. However, the thickness also meant that getting them on and off required some serious effort.

True to Bombas fashion, these compression socks are made with high-quality materials. We love that they resemble a pair of retro tube socks and have unique, stylish details. Although they’re $28 per pair, we think they’re worth it because of the fit, fabric, and effectiveness.

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: S-L | Materials: 67% cotton (Supima), 17% polyester, 10% elastane, 6% nylon | Pressure Level: 15-20 mmHg}

These warm, soft, and incredibly cozy socks from Comrad are a cross between slippers and compression socks. To test them out, we wore them often over the course of several weeks and even slept in them because they were just that cozy.

Surprisingly, these socks feel like they’re made from organic materials even though they’re mostly nylon. The soft fabric felt good against our legs, kept us warm in the winter, and held up well after multiple washes.

Although these socks provided a pleasant sense of pressure to the bottom of our feet, the compression level was not much different than your average knee-high sock. Since they’re considered the lightest compression level available, they didn’t offer much support and lacked the power to enhance circulation in our legs. However, we can still claim they are the most comfortable socks we’ve ever worn and would highly recommend them for those who work from home and need only light compression.

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: S-L | Materials: 81% feather nylon, 16% nylon, 2% spandex, 1% polyester | Pressure Level: 10-15 mmHg}

In terms of fit, these socks hugged our feet and legs in a snug and cozy way. They stayed firmly in place while wearing them and never gave us the feeling that they were constricting or too tight. Although they are $32 per pair, we feel comfortable recommending them because they aren’t typically used as everyday socks.

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: S-L | Materials: 91% nylon, 9% spandex | Pressure Level: 15-20 mmHg}

Although these Lululemon socks are specifically designed with runners in mind, we found them to be beneficial for a variety of forms of exercise. Whether we were running, walking, or spinning, these socks supported our ankles, reduced fatigue in our legs, and improved our overall performance.

It’s unclear to us what the pressure level is for these socks. While they’re advertised as “light” compression, Lululemon does not provide a measurement in mmHg. In our opinion, the compression level of these socks feels like a firm hug around our calves, heels, and the arches and tops of our feet. We could feel the specific support areas, such as in the shaped, knit heel, which allowed for the right amount of movement during exercise. And since they provided a pleasant massaging effect, we also wore them while recovering from exercise.

If we could change anything about these socks, it would be the toe seam. We found ourselves having to rearrange the socks several times so that the seam wouldn’t irritate our toes during a workout. However, these socks have held up through many miles on the road, dozens of Peloton sessions, and several trips through the washer and dryer, so we think the $38 price tag is worth it.

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: S-L | Materials: 93% nylon, 7% elastane | Pressure Level: Light (not specified)}

How We Rated Compression Socks for Pregnancy

Frequently Asked Questions

• Should you wear compression socks while pregnant?

  Throughout the course of pregnancy, your body will create and circulate about 45% more blood than before you were pregnant. This is because your heart is working harder to meet the needs of your placenta and organs. You will also retain more water while pregnant, which can cause swelling in your legs, ankles, and feet. By increasing circulation, compression socks can alleviate the symptoms of increased blood volume and fluid retention.

  “During my pregnancy, I experienced the benefits of wearing compression socks,” says Dr. Aziz. “They can help eliminate swelling, alleviate aching feet, and even prevent varicose veins and blood clots. However, a pregnant woman should not necessarily worry about blood clots unless she is told by her doctor that she is at risk.”

  While swelling is normal during pregnancy, a sudden increase may be a sign of preeclampsia, a potentially dangerous complication that’s marked by high blood pressure. If you are concerned about your swelling, notify your doctor right away.

• Is it safe to wear compression socks throughout your entire pregnancy?

  Compression socks are a safe, non-invasive way to reduce swelling and achiness in your legs, ankles, and feet while pregnant. While you probably won’t want to wear them all day, every day, Dr. Aziz suggests that the length of time worn depends on the individual and her activity level.

  “The best time of day for a pregnant woman to put on her compression stockings is first thing in the morning,” Dr. Aziz says. “She should first elevate her legs to reduce swelling and then slip them on. While wearing them, she should listen to her body. If she’s feeling uncomfortable, it may be time to remove the socks, elevate her feet, then put them back on once the swelling has gone down.”
  

• What mmHg compression socks do you need for pregnancy?

  “The average gradient of compression stockings is 15-20 mmHg, which is medium-grade,” says Dr. Aziz. “In general, this is a good level for pregnant women to wear, as anything tighter can cause negative adverse effects.”

• Is there BPA in Socks?

  In 2022, the Center for Environmental Health (CEH), a California-based activist group, found amounts of bisphenol A (BPA) higher than the state’s allowed levels in over 100 popular brands of socks, including Hanes, Fruit of the Loom, and Adidas.

  BPA is used as an additive in certain synthetic materials like polyester and spandex, which are commonly used in socks. BPA is a known endocrine disrupter; in children, it may interfere with the development of their nervous system, affect behavioral development, and lead to childhood obesity. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that more research is needed to confirm the adverse health effects of BPA, and the science of BPA absorption through skin has not been settled.

  Despite the CEH’s warning, no recalls have been made and no other independent or government organizations have confirmed the findings. If you prefer to avoid polyester and spandex as a safety precaution, look for options made with cotton and other natural fibers.

• Should you be worried about wearing compression socks made with elastane, nylon, or polyester?

  According to Dr. Conry, not necessarily. “Compression socks are a very important means of treating circulatory difficulties in pregnancy, particularly pain and varicose vessels,” says Dr. Conry. “The benefits of their use outweigh the small, theoretical risk of BPA exposure—but points to the need for a regulatory industry that tests and minimizes exposure to potentially toxic chemicals.”