To work out in a pair of compression socks, you’ve got to know they’ll be comfortable like these are.

Not only are these socks effective, but we also found them warm and soft, so it won’t be hard to convince yourself to wear them every day. They also aced our other tests, with top scores for their excellent abrasion resistance and little-to-no shrinkage after multiple launderings. The socks didn’t perform quite as well for feel, only because we were ready to take them off and let our feet breathe after about eight hours.

If getting the right fit seems difficult, your doctor can give you a prescription to get a custom-made pair from the pharmacy. And we liked that the looser toe allowed for a better range of motion, so we could wiggle our toes freely without our feet feeling squeezed. She has written about podiatry products many times, so she knows how to look for products that offer true symptom relief. In Lab tests, these cotton socks surprised our analysts with their sweat-wicking fabric, earning higher scores than popular options made of synthetic fabrics.

These knee-high wonders work by applying graduated pressure to your calves and feet, improving blood flow and, as a result, alleviating any swelling. With a variety of styles and options available, you are sure to find a pair of compression socks that meets your needs and fits your style, while also improving your overall comfort and well-being.Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Exercise-related compression socks, for example, can reduce muscle tissue damage, swelling and fatigue and improve workout performance. Grace Wu (she/her) is a product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Pregnancy, extended sitting, or long hours on your feet can strain your veins and cause your feet to swell. One tester used these in place of her prescription compression socks when experiencing leg swelling and reported back that her swelling went away within a day of use. They are only for working out—these aren’t cozy compression socks to slip on while you sit at your desk.Multiple testers told us that their legs felt noticeably better after wearing these socks while standing all day and one noted, “I really liked the amount of compression the socks provided. For this test, we worked with consumer testers to provide firsthand feedback on attributes like fit, comfort and cushioning as well as how the easy it was to put the socks on and to take the socks off. Right away, we noticed how comfortable they were, with a moderate 15 to 20 mmHg of support that never felt overwhelmingly tight.