The Best Compression Socks of 2024

The 2XU Compression Socks for Recovery ($40) are the overall favorite style that we tested. They stood out as a top pick from the moment we got our hands on them and only got better from there. The most comfortable pair of socks we tried, they have a great foot shape, are left- and right-specific for an optimized fit, and have the perfect level of compression for post-run comfort. 

However, one of their best qualities is the huge size range they offer. They come in six different sizes, each of which has a shoe size and calf size range. A godsend for our testers with chicken legs, the medium and large sizes come in two different calf sizes, so if you’re a size 9 that has slimmer ankles and calves, the M1 was great, and if you are a size 9 cyclist or love doing endless calf raises, go for M2. Same goes for L1 and L2. 

We also love the comfort and materials of the 2XU Socks. The foot is padded just enough to add some comfort while still being plenty breathable. The toe is seamless, so when you pull them on you don’t have to spend any time fidgeting with the fit around the foot to get the seam in the exact right place. Finally, the microfiber nylon and elastane blend is surprisingly soft for a performance sock.

Recovery socks don’t need to break the bank. The Enertor Energy Compression and Recovery Socks ($27) are much more affordable than their counterparts, making them a great introduction to compression. Our testers think they’re especially well-suited for the casual athlete or someone who just enjoys long walks or hikes. 

They can be tough to get on, but once they’re in place, they really shine. The compression isn’t listed, but our testers said it was somewhere in the medium-firm to firm range — perfect for pulling on after a hard run or long day on your feet. 

While the Enertor Energy Compression and Recovery Socks’ stretch and compression seem to hold up well over multiple washes, some of our testers weren’t sure how long the material would last, especially because you really have to work them around to get them on correctly. Finally, our testers wanted easier access to product details like compression levels and materials on the Enertor website. Neither is listed on the product page, and all of the brand’s FAQs are centered around its insoles.

The first thing we noticed about the CEP The Run Compression Tall Socks 4.0 ($60) is that they actually look pretty cool — something that certainly cannot be said for most of their competitors. The design is great and there are 10 color options, each of which feels well-considered. There’s no mistaking these for drugstore compression stockings. 

The compression is in the middle range, which we like for running — not so tight that our calves and ankles are starving for breathing room but tight enough to feel an extra sense of stability and comfort in each stride. Sizing is arranged by calf size rather than shoe size, so picking out the right size might seem tough at first but, more often than not, calf sizes correlate to shoe size (but not always, see above), so the odds are good that you’ll find a good fit if you actually measure your calf. 

One thing we can’t ignore, though, is the CEP The Run Compression Tall Socks 4.0’s borderline outrageous price tag. Don’t get it twisted, these are very high-quality socks, and we love the feel, the compression, and the fit, but $60 is a huge price to pay, even in a category that tends to be a little pricier. If you end up liking compression socks, you’ll probably need more than one pair for consistent wear, but even just two pairs of these will cost you well over a hundred bucks.

Ah, old faithful. Our testers have been wearing Swiftwick socks for well over a decade and don’t show any signs of stopping. Wearing a pair of Swiftwick Aspire Fours ($19) is like getting a hug from that one friend who is always there for you. We don’t want to get too hyperbolic, but everyone seems to love Swiftwick, so why not wax poetic a bit? 

The firm compression is just enough to support the foot and ankle without feeling restricted in any way, so we love them as an introduction to compression or for those who don’t care for a super tight fit. Our testers loved getting to test some fresh pairs, but if you look at a pair that has been ridden hard and put away wet for a few years, you might be unable to tell that they’re not a fresh pair. Seriously, these things are made to last. 

At just $19, you can feel good about buying a few pairs. The Swiftwick Aspire Four is the consensus favorite among our testers, but the Aspire line comes in a few different lengths, so if you want an ankle sock that cradles your foot or are looking for knee-high compression, those are available, too. Pick up one of each and see what you like best.

Zensah offers a ton of great socks, but in our opinion,its Sports Medicine collection is where they really thrive. Our favorite is the Zensah Tech+ Compression Socks ($50). You can tell that the brand takes its craft seriously and is committed to making compression gear that is backed by science. 

While they don’t list a compression level, after testing, we would probably put them somewhere in the 20-30 mmHg range, similar to the CEP socks we mentioned earlier. They’re great for running and racquet sports, but we also love them for recovery and travel (though please change your socks after you work out). 

The only performance feedback from our testers that gave us pause was the fit around the toes — the Zensah Tech+ socks weren’t quite as comfortable or form-fitting as some others we tested. This doesn’t necessarily affect performance, but one more thing our testers noticed is that Zensah recommends not putting their socks through the dryer, which is probably something most athletes are accustomed to but is an extra step, nonetheless.

Feetures is a brand that makes just about every athletic sock-related “Best of” list. And here they are again, this time with their Graduated Compression Light Cushion Knee High ($40). That’s a mouthful, but these socks are pretty straightforward, and that’s what we like best about them. 

They’re great for all types of activities, have a stellar fit, and fall into a nice compression range for runners who just want a little bit of squeeze from their socks. The size ranges are a little wide (for example, a large is made to fit sizes 9-12), but they somehow still seem to fit super well, even for those on the smaller side of the range. One of our testers is a size 9 and had no issues fitting into a large. 

Our testers also loved the high-density cushioning of the Graduated Compression Light Cushion Knee High which provides a great comfort level without making the socks bulky around the feet. They also noted that the toe box area was very comfortable and the anatomical left/right fit was a huge plus.

If you’re looking for a design that provides medium compression and a super soft feel, look no further than the Bombas Performance Compression Socks ($36). They’re very comfortable day-to-day, but sometimes felt a little too warm for many of our testers, resulting in them picking these out for recovery rather than actually working out. But that’s fine, because they thrive as recovery socks, even if it’s not the intended use Bombas set out for. 

The compression range ventures into the medical-grade range, and you definitely feel it from the second you pull them on — which is actually quite easy to do, compared to other models. Where some socks are a nightmare to get on, especially if you’re not the most limber person, these are stretchy enough to get over your heels easily but still snap right back into compression mode once they’re all the way on. 

Sizing is relatively limited, but since the Bombas Performance Compression Socks are quite stretchy and resilient, our testers didn’t seem to have trouble with that. They held up super well over multiple washes and didn’t lose their softness after a handful of cycles.

Don’t worry, wool lovers, we have a sock for you. The Sockwell Elevate Crew ($25) is made from 32% merino wool, plus a nice combination of bamboo rayon, stretch nylon, and Spandex to round it out. The sock is super soft and comfortable on the foot, fairly easy to put on, and provides a great compression range for those on the go. 

Our testers primarily used the Elevate Crew for running but found it a great choice for hiking, walking, and general everyday wear. The material feels very high quality, and the price isn’t bad at all for a wool sock, so we’d have no problem adding a pair or two or three to our sock drawers. 

The main issue our testers had with the Sockwell Elevate Crew was a minor one: the top two inches of the sock don’t have any compression, so it can feel loose or stretched out compared to the rest of the sock. This isn’t a huge drawback; we don’t need crew socks that go halfway up to our knees, but it’s worth noting.

These aren’t technically advertised as compression socks at all, but one of our testers is absolutely devoted to the District Vision Performance Cordura Socks ($30). Like everything from the Los Angeles-based brand, they are simple, stylish, and made to perform at the highest level. 

They’re made with super strong, resilient Cordura yarns and have an anatomical fit around the foot, so you don’t have to worry about them losing shape after a few wears. Sizes are limited to small and large, but our tester had no problems fitting into a large despite being a size 9. 

The District Vision Performance Cordura Socks’ compression is subtle so that we won’t recommend them for recovery. However, similar to the aforementioned Swiftwick socks, the squeeze is just enough to make a difference compared to traditional athletic socks.