The 10 Best Men's Compression Socks

For everyday wear, the Sockwell Circulator feels more like a good hiking sock than a medical one. It squeezes at the moderate 15 to 20 mmHg level and is knit in the U.S. from a soft blend of merino wool, bamboo rayon and nylon, with light cushioning under the foot and a seamless toe. Merino tends to stay comfortable on cool mornings and in warm offices alike. One pair costs about what a multipack of plain socks does.

The Physix Gear 20-30 mmHg gives a firm squeeze for men who stand all day or want snug support after a run. NBC Select's testers found it the most compressive of the pairs they wore, and it held up for years. Sizes run up to large feet, and the price is low for a sock this firm. Getting it on takes effort, and this grade is best started with a doctor's okay.

Built with long flights in mind, the SB Sox Lite keeps to the moderate 15 to 20 mmHg level in a thin, stretchy nylon knit that slips under dress or casual shoes. Sizing goes by calf measurement as well as shoe size, which helps men with muscular or slim legs get a better fit. The maker shows a simple way to roll them on. Prices swing between colors, so check the pair you want.

Men who want a gentle hug rather than a squeeze should start with the Dickies Light Compression. It's a mild 8 to 15 mmHg work sock with a cushioned foot, a reinforced toe and fibers that pull sweat away during a long shift. It comes in packs of several pairs, so one order covers the week. The pressure is too light for anyone whose doctor wants firmer support, and the fiber mix changes by color.

The Jobst Relief comes from a medical maker, and it looks it: a plain, smooth knit that disappears under suit trousers. It holds the moderate 15 to 20 mmHg level, and Jobst sizes it by both calf and ankle, which gives a closer fit than shoe size alone. It feels more like a stocking than a sport sock, with nothing under the foot to soften a long walk.

Aimed at runners who fight shin splints and sore calves, the Zensah Tech+ is knit in Italy on fine-gauge machines. Each sock is shaped for the left or right foot, and the toe has no seam to rub a blister. Loud colors and chevron patterns are part of the appeal, and Zensah backs it with a 60-day money-back promise. The maker doesn't publish a pressure level, so it's hard to match to a doctor's advice.

The Sockwell Elevation Firm brings the firm 20 to 30 mmHg grade to a soft merino-blend sock made in America. The pressure builds in stages, tightest at the ankle, and the sole has a thin cushion plus a band that hugs the arch. It suits men whose doctor has asked for firm support but who dislike the feel of slick nylon. Like any firm sock, it takes patience to pull on.

Tired arches get some help in the Dr. Scholl's Athletic & Work sock, which pairs mild 8 to 15 mmHg pressure with a band of arch support. Extra padding sits at the heel, toe and back of the ankle, where work boots rub, and the toe seam lies flat. It's sold in multi-pair sets, including big-and-tall sizes. The pressure is mild, so it's more about comfort than easing swollen legs.

The CopperJoint Long is a plain black knee-high at the moderate 15 to 20 mmHg level, with gray heel and toe panels, a smooth toe and a cuff meant to stay put. Some of the yarn is nylon infused with copper, but no good evidence shows copper helps legs, so judge it on fit and squeeze alone. It's sold as a single pair, which makes a rotation pricey.

The Charmking 3-Pack is the cheap way to try compression before spending more on a single good pair. The seller lists moderate 15 to 20 mmHg pressure in a mostly nylon knit, with unisex sizing and plenty of colors and prints. It's handy for stocking a gym bag, a suitcase and a desk drawer at once. Pressure and fiber claims come only from the seller, and a short size chart can't fit every calf.