Anyone who has stepped off a long-haul flight with ankles that have swollen over the top of their shoes knows how uncomfortable sitting still for hours can be for the legs. Flight socks, sometimes called travel socks or travel compression stockings, are designed to counter that, and they are useful for long coach, train and car journeys too.
Why legs swell when you travel
When you sit for long periods the calf muscles, which normally pump blood back up towards the heart, are barely working. Blood and fluid pool in the lower legs, which causes the heavy, tight, swollen feeling. In a small number of people, especially on journeys over about four hours, sluggish blood flow can contribute to a clot forming in a deep vein of the leg, known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT.
How flight socks work
Flight socks are knee-length socks that apply graduated compression: firmest at the ankle and gradually lighter up the calf. This gentle squeeze helps the veins return blood up the leg, reduces pooling and swelling, and leaves the legs feeling fresher on arrival. Most flight socks provide a mild to moderate level of compression, lower than medical stockings prescribed for conditions such as varicose veins.
Who should consider wearing them
- Anyone taking a journey of around four hours or more, particularly if they will be sitting still.
- People who tend to get swollen ankles when sitting for long periods.
- Those with a previous DVT, varicose veins, a recent operation, pregnancy, or other factors that raise clot risk. In these cases, ask a pharmacist, GP or midwife about the right level of compression before travelling.
Choosing a pair
- Size by calf and ankle measurement, not shoe size alone. Measure around the narrowest part of the ankle and the widest part of the calf and compare with the chart.
- Graduated compression should be stated on the pack. Ordinary tight socks are not the same thing.
- Knee length is standard and the easiest to wear.
- Breathable fabrics such as cotton blends are more comfortable on long flights.
- Open or closed toe is personal preference. Open-toe versions are cooler in hot climates.
Putting them on
- Put them on before you set off, ideally in the morning before the legs have had a chance to swell.
- Turn the sock inside out down to the heel, place your foot in, then roll it up the leg smoothly.
- Make sure there are no wrinkles or folds, especially behind the knee, and that the top does not roll over.
- Wear them for the whole journey and remove them when you arrive.
Other ways to keep the blood moving
- Get up and walk the aisle every hour or so, or stop and walk around on a car journey.
- Do ankle circles and heel-toe pumps in your seat.
- Drink water regularly and go easy on alcohol.
- Avoid crossing your legs for long periods.
When to get advice
Seek urgent medical help if, during or in the days after a journey, you develop pain, swelling, warmth or redness in one calf, or chest pain or breathlessness. If you have poor circulation in the legs, diabetes, nerve problems or a skin condition on the legs, check with a healthcare professional before using compression socks.
Frequently asked questions
Are flight socks the same as medical compression stockings?
No. Flight socks offer a lighter, general level of compression. Medical stockings are prescribed at specific pressures for diagnosed conditions.
Can I wear them on a short flight?
You can, and some people like the feeling, but the benefit is greatest on journeys of four hours or more.
How do I wash them?
Hand wash or a cool machine wash and air dry. Heat damages the elastic and reduces the compression.
Explore compression wear
Browse the Venollo range and read our beginner's guide to compression stockings.
This article is general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have an injury, a health condition or ongoing symptoms, please speak to a qualified healthcare professional.
