The Cutest Compression Socks on the Market

Long travel days are enough to make even the most in-shape person tired and sore, and all that sitting and lack of movement for hours on end can lead to serious health risks, such as blood clots. Other people just end up at their destinations with swollen feet and ankles, unable to easily slip their shoes back on before getting off the plane.

For me, the hardest part of long-haul flights is when my legs feel restless, as I just can’t get them to stretch out enough.

All of these situations can be helped by wearing compression socks, but I didn’t start wearing them until a few months ago following surgery on my foot. I was in bed most of the day and didn’t want to develop blood clots in my legs, so my grandmother gave me a pair of TravelSox that she wore on flights.

Since then, I’ve become fond of them, wearing them on long car rides and sometimes even to sleep. And while these socks served their purpose, they weren’t much to look at.

Until I found Vim & Vigr!

What Are Compression Socks?

Compression socks look like your average pair of knee socks, but they’re stitched in a way that improves blood flow by squeezing your legs, boosting your circulation. This helps to prevent issues like blood clots, deep vein thrombosis and spider veins, especially while flying.

Who Should Wear Them?

• People recovering from surgery and spending a lot of time sitting or in bed.
• Those with desk jobs as sitting more than 90 minutes can decrease blood flow to your lower legs.
• Pregnant women since varicose veins can be common.
• Active people as the increased blood flow after a race or workout can lessen fatigue and muscle soreness by up to 28%.
• Travelers spending hours at a time on planes, trains and automobiles.

*Some facts taken from the Vim & Vigr website.

What’s So Great About Vim & Vigr?

Vim & Vigr sought to create cute compression socks and has certainly succeeded. They make socks in dozens of designs and colors for men and women. They come in nylon, moisture-wicking nylon, cotton and wool varieties, as well as the men’s collection and what they call “healthiest tights,” which are compression tights.

Vim & Vigr compression socks use a 15-20 mmHg compression level, which is good for wearing everyday, all day, in addition to during travel. Higher compression levels are currently in the works.

I received one pair of nylon and another of cotton from Vim & Vigr to try out so that I could see the difference. The cotton socks feel like your standard compression socks and are tough to pull up like a pair of tights. The nylon are more breathable, closer resembling stockings.

I loved the many designs Vim & Vigr offers like stripes, polka dots and gingham prints. They are compression socks that are actually cute so you can make them both a part of your travel outfit, as well as your day-to-day travel wardrobe (unlike standard flight socks that are both ugly and uncomfortable).

Pairs of socks start at $27 USD, which seems a bit steep for a pair of socks, but if you’re a frequent traveler, they’re worth the investment.