If your job or lifestyle requires you to sit all day, you’re at risk of blood clots caused by poor circulation in your legs. Your ankle and calves could also swell, causing you serious pain.
You may also face similar issues from standing all day. Thankfully, there’s a simple, inexpensive solution to this problem – compression socks.
You can wear these socks at home, in the office, at the gym, and during long flights. These socks are different from regular socks because of the higher pressure they apply around the legs. They help to improve blood flow, relieve leg pain, and prevent swelling.
The only issue is these compression socks have different functions, so it’s hard to know the right product to buy. There are compression socks for exercising, managing medical conditions, standing, etc. With such a vast variety, how do you know which one to buy?
No need to worry because we’ve got you covered. In this post, we’ll review the best compression socks for sitting all day. You can choose which one best fits your needs and budget.
Let’s get started!
The major problem with sitting all day is that the blood in your legs don’t flow like they should.
When this happens, you could suffer from a variety of circulatory issues, which include the following:
Professionals such as office clerks, writers, receptionists, call center agents, crane operators, and cashiers have to sit for a long time. They are at high risk of developing the above problems.
Wearing compression is one of several steps you can take to prevent such health problems.
Compression socks provide added support for your muscles and joints while you sit. There are several causes of leg pain that only gets worse the longer you sit or stand. They include the following:
The pain caused by the above problems can keep you from working effectively. However, the pressure you get from wearing compression socks has a soothing effect on swollen muscles and joints.
That is why people who work jobs that require lots of standing make use of compression socks. Nurses are an ideal example. They wear these socks because they need to get rid of leg pain to do their jobs effectively.
Sitting is supposed to be a comfortable experience. However, when you overdo it, the result can be the direct opposite of comfort.
You may have experienced some numbness or tingling during a long flight where you sat all day. Compression socks can help to get rid of that discomfort. Also, your legs won’t feel as heavy thanks to the free circulation of blood.
The following people would greatly benefit from the extra comfort they get while sitting with compression socks on:
Before we dive into the full review of quality compression socks, you need to know what to look for in each product. That way, you can make the best decision for yourself.
The first factor to consider when choosing compression socks is the amount of pressure they apply around the wearer’s legs.
If they’re too loose, you may as well wear regular socks. If they’re too tight, you’ll end up feeling uncomfortable each time you put them on.
There are several compression levels on the market. It helps to know which you need for sitting all day.
Let’s have a look at each category:
Mild Compression (8 to 15 mmHg): Can pass for regular socks in terms of the pressure they apply.
Moderate Compression (15 to 20 mmHg): Great for treating circulatory issues.
Firm Compression (15 to 20 mmHg)
Firm Compression (20 to 30 mmHg): Works well for people who need graduated compression stockings to manage an ailment. Some doctors may recommend these socks to their patients.
Of the three levels, moderate compression is ideal for sitting at home all day. You may decide to use socks with mild pressure if moderate compression feels too tight.
We only recommend that you use firm compression socks if you have a medical condition that requires them. In most cases, the doctor will recommend what pressure level you need to manage your illness.
Another set of factors to consider are the materials that make up the socks and the style or cut.
The best compression socks for sitting all day are made of three major types of fabric. Each one has its benefits, which we’ll reveal below:
While each type of fabric works great, some manufacturers make their socks even better by infusing them with copper yarn. Copper has several antimicrobial benefits. So, when it’s added to compression socks, it helps fight infections, improve blood flow, and keep feet from smelling bad.
You should also consider the style of the socks. There are ankle-high and knee-high compression socks. Some people prefer to have full coverage around their lower legs; others only need support for their ankles and calves.
Decide where you fall in the category before shopping for some socks.
If you’re going to be sitting all day, you need to be as comfortable as possible, or else you may grow restless.
To help with comfort, many manufacturers include special features in their compression socks. Below is a list of some of the most common comfort features:
When you wear a pair of socks all day, the hygienic thing to do is to wash them before you wear them again.
Some socks cannot handle a machine wash; hence, they have low machine washability. Putting them in a washing machine could damage the fabric and design. That’s not to say that these socks can’t be great for you. It’s simply a con.
The ideal case is to get compression socks that are both machine and hand-washable. That way, you don’t have to worry about any restrictions.
With all of the above factors in mind, we created a list of the top compression socks. These products would allow you to sit for long periods without experiencing discomfort.
When it comes to copper compression products, CopperJoint is the best in the business. You can’t go wrong with our long compression socks.
It’s made of nylon material infused with copper. What makes it one of the best products on our list is the sheer range it offers.
People of all ages can benefit from its ergonomic design, pain relief system, and moderate compression level (15 to 20 mmHg).
The socks also come in various sizes. However, if you only wear ankle-high socks, this may not be the product for you.
Overall, the CopperJoint copper compression socks have more quality than most of the products on the market today. The design is also unique and easy on the eye. You may wear it to work or at home.
Pros
Cons
Reason to Buy
No product on our list is as comfortable as these. If you don’t mind paying more for premium comfort and pain relief while you sit all day, this is an ideal choice.
This is one of Sockwell’s best graduated compression socks. It’s made of merino wool (31%), rayon (31%), nylon (30%), and spandex (8%).
The product is designed with men in mind and allows you to wear it for long spells of sitting or standing.
Also, the graduated socks offer firm compression of 20–30 mmHg, which can be too much for some people.
To help with sitting comfort, the Sockwell Elevation socks provide cutting-edge moisture and temperature management. They also have a bunch of cool comfort features such as moisture wicking, cushioned soles, and a toe closure.
You also don’t have to worry about bad foot odor, because they help with that too.
They come in a variety of sizes for men. However, there isn’t much in the way of color variety.
Pros
Cons
Reason to Buy
Get this if you want graduated compression socks with a more casual appearance.
These PRO socks are long enough to cover your calves. They made it easy to put on and comfortable enough to wear while sitting all day.
The stockings are made of 92% nylon and 8% spandex. They are graduated, so if you need 20–30 mmHg compression, these socks will do the trick just fine. They help to manage swelling and varicose veins.
The moisture control in these socks is so innovative that it keeps you dry even when you workout.
You don’t have to worry about ruining the socks when you wash them in a machine. Also, the company offers a variety of colors for both men and women.
Pros
Cons
Reason to Buy
If you happen to sweat a lot while sitting for long periods, you should consider the PRO marathon socks. They will keep you dry all day.
The Bombas Women’s Everyday Socks are one of the best 15-20 mmHg stockings on the market today. They offer a tight fit that also provides lower-leg support.
Each sock is made of the following materials:
The socks are highly durable, and you can wash them in the machine. They offer several comfort features, such as heel support, toe closure, arch support, and cushioning.
The design looks great, but you don’t get too many options to choose from (black, white, or gray).
Pros
Cons
Reason to Buy
These socks are ideal for women looking to get moderate compression and still feel comfortable while sitting.
Although they were designed to meet the needs of fitness lovers, the Physix Gear compression socks work great for people who sit all day.
They provide 20–30 mmHg of pressure that reduces swelling. You can put these socks on and off with no hassle, thanks to a sleek design.
The nylon (70%) and spandex (30%) fabric is built for durability and breathability. Hence, they are ideal for long hours on the road.
Pros
Cons
Reason to Buy
If your job places you on long flights regularly, you should consider the Physix Gear Sport. The material is durable enough to withstand the rigors of frequent travel.
These may not be as tight as some of the others on our list, but they offer lots of value in other areas.
The Vitalsox compression socks were made for athletes who want to recover better after a hectic session.
The socks provide enough compression to reduce swelling and improve blood flow. It also helps to prevent shin splints and other forms of lower leg pain.
They are made of the following materials:
They are also machine washable.
Pros
Cons
Reason to Buy
If you sit for long periods after doing sports, these are the socks for you. They help you recover from fatigue and aches faster.
SB SOX offers some of the best stockings for all-day wear. Made of 80% nylon and 20% spandex, these socks have a compression level of 20–30 mmHg.
Both men and women would love this product thanks to its unique design. You also get to choose from a wide variety of colors. However, note that not all colors have the same price.
Still, the SB SOX compression socks aren’t too expensive and give you a lot for your money.
Pros
Cons
Reason to Buy
If you’re struggling with blood flow-related medical issues, the SB SOX stockings are a great choice.
If you sit all day, you should wear socks that are 15-20 mmHg or 20-30 mmHg. These graduated socks help to prevent blood clots and muscle pain that come from sitting for long periods.
Most of the downsides of wearing compression socks can be avoided if you buy the right product. Failure to do this could result in skin irritation, tightness, or slower blood flow.
Compression socks are designed so you can wear them all day. There’s nothing wrong if you wear them for ten hours.
Each pair of compression socks on our list has something special to offer. This should make it easy for you to choose based on your needs.
However, there is an overall winner, and that is the CopperJoint Long Compression Socks. It offers the best comfort and provides premium antimicrobial benefits.
If you need firmer stockings for medical reasons, you may choose any of the other socks on our list. Happy shopping!
