Many pregnant people experience increased swelling—especially in the feet and legs—as their due date nears. If this sounds like you, the best pregnancy compression socks can help you get back on your feet comfortably, boosting blood circulation, reducing swelling and helping prevent blood clots, so you can work, travel, chill or exercise pain-free. It’s important to factor in fit, material, comfort, pressure level and ease of use, especially during the third trimester when getting any socks and shoes on can be a pain. These are all boxes that Kindred Bravely’s Premium Maternity Compression Socks check, making them our top overall around pick.
Dr. Laura Purdy, M.D., a board-certified family medicine physician, suggests gentle compression, a soft, breathable fabric and keeping it below the knee as far as fit goes. “Since swelling happens typically later in pregnancy, which is also the time it is harder to put on socks, I would recommend looking for a pair that is easy to put on and doesn’t cause you more strain.” Nurse practitioner Christina DeJesus says “compression socks should be snug, but not overly tight, as improper fit can restrict blood flow rather than enhance it.” She also recommends socks with graduated compression, featuring “the most compression at the ankle and gradually decreasing upwards to optimize circulation and support blood flow back toward the heart.”
The pregnancy compression socks below all come highly recommended by Purdy and receive rave reviews from expecting moms.
Popular maternity brand Kindred Bravely nails it with these super soft and stylish high-compression socks. They feature a snug fit for more pain relief and “the sole is cushioned for ultimate comfort,” says Purdy, who loves that this brand is “by moms for moms—so in other words, they get it.” The socks are moisture-wicking and odor-reducing, are available in two calf sizes to achieve the best fit, and come in a pack of two so you can rotate on laundry days. At $15 a per pair, the cost less hard to swallow when you’re knee deep in buying baby gear too.
“I wear these at work or during the day on weekends and it really helps prevent what I call sausage feet,” writes one pregnant mom. “They are also very cute. The colors are subtle and I like the sparkle stripes at the top. I wear them as knee high socks with dresses and get lots of compliments.” We do want to point out though that some moms may find the fit and high compression of these socks too tight.
Best Pregnancy Compression Socks For Travel
Stylish Socks Frequent Fliers And Flight Attendants Swear By
Comrad Knee-High Compression Socks
Purdy and plenty of other women, from flight attendants to moms all over the Internet (just visit any online pregnancy forum asking about the best pregnancy compression socks), praise Comrad’s Knee-High Compression Socks, which are frequently sold out due to their popularity. “They’re made from moisture-wicking nylon, which is a breathable fiber,” says Purdy. “So, the fabric is not overly thick and hot, making them ideal for those who are pregnant and trying to stay cool.” Silver antimicrobial keeps feet fresh for long travel days, while terry cushioning at the heel and a super-soft toe increase comfort so you can enjoy your destination without dying to put your feet up.
“The snug fit provides excellent support and comfort, especially during long hours of standing or travel,” writes one reviewer. Perhaps the best part about these pregnancy compression socks is that they don’t look like compression socks; they’re actually stylish.
Best Pregnancy Compression Socks On Amazon
Cloud-Like Comfort And Copper Compression At Incredible Value
Blueenjoy Copper Compression Socks
These bestselling copper compression socks have over 40,000 positive reviews on Amazon and come in a value pack of six, making easier to keep a clean pair on hand. They’re moisture-wicking and infused with copper to help prevent smelly odors, germs and bacteria growth, according to the manufacturer. As an added bonus, there are so many colors and styles to choose from. Reviewers especially love how comfortable they are, which is key when you’re uncomfortable everywhere else.
“I am 30 weeks pregnant and these have been like a cloud to my legs,” writes one. “They don’t squeeze my calf muscles too much, but just enough and has helped a lot with my feet swelling.” The socks also have unique temperature regulating properties so you can wear them anytime of year, even in the height of summer. “These are thin enough to wear in Arizona in summer without hating them,” says one reviewer. “The toe box is roomy but not baggy, I didn’t pull them once to give my toes relief. They didn’t fall down or roll.”
Best Budget Pregnancy Compression Socks
Enough Pairs For The Whole Week At Under $3 Each
Charmking Compression Socks
If you hate laundry and want to stock up on compression socks without breaking the bank, Charmking’s value pack of eight is the way to go. With over 50,000 five-star reviews and an impressive 4.5-average star rating, moms-to-be say they work, well, like a charm to reduce foot and ankle swelling for a fraction of the cost of comparable brands. They’re also breathable and moisture-wicking so you can hit the gym, hike or run in these without worry. Purchase a pack of all black, get an assortment of solid colors or opt for some of the more fun and quirky printed options.
One mom calls them a “godsend” and “super comfy” with the “cutest designs.” Another was surprised at how well they work, noting “they weren’t too hard to get on and the top part doesn’t cut into my legs like my prescription socks did.” They gently hug the legs staying up, even after being worn all day, without constant pulling or tugging.
These cushioned Lululemon socks offer lightweight compression to keep your legs and feet happy, whether you’re hitting the pavement or the gym. They’re made of breathable mesh in high-sweat areas so your feet stay dry, and are treated with “No-Stink Zinc” to hinder the growth of odor-causing bacteria. For those who like to walk or run in evenings, these socks also have reflective run stripes on the back of the calf to make you more visible to drivers.
“They are the perfect length, are thin enough to go under any pants and stay up where they should,” writes one reviewer. Another reviewer with severe varicose veins, who has tried many brands including pricy medical grade ones, calls these socks “the best for the money.” She says the compression is “firm but comfortable” and the wide band “prevents them from cutting in the back of the knee.”
Best Stylish Pregnancy Compression Socks
Quality, Cult-Fave Compression Socks In The Cutest Colors
Bombas Women’s Everyday Compression Socks
Cute isn’t a word that typically comes to mind when you think of compression socks, but Bombas Everyday Compression Socks are just that. Purdy loves all the fun color choices and the brand in general, as do I. “They are a medium level of compression, so if that is your preference it’s perfect since they will not feel too tight but will be supportive,” she says.
They have a graduated compression that’s tighter around the ankle and looser in the calf, so your legs aren’t being squeezed too much. Other thoughtful details include arch support and no annoying toe seams that can get uncomfortable. They’re also just super soft and high-quality socks that wash well and will hold up over time. I don’t own this pair, but my regular Bombas socks still look great (no holes or pilling) after tons of wear and countless runs and washes.
Most Comfortable Pregnancy Compression Socks
Supremely Soft And Perfect For Everyday Wear
Pear Cotton Crew Compression Socks
These buttery-soft Cotton Crew Compression Socks are truly a dream to wear, especially if you’re like me and prefer something more minimalist and well below the knee you can easily pair with shorts or maternity dresses. They come in three different sizes and three neutral hues: black, gray or white to go with anything.
I like that they feature targeted 360 degree ankle and calf compression to alleviate swelling and increase circulation, as well as toe and heel cushioning for maximum comfort. They’re gentle on even the most sensitive skin, thanks to Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex certification, meaning the materials are verified to be free of chemicals and materials known to be toxic or otherwise harmful.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Our editors and writers have spent countless hours researching, testing and reviewing the best baby gear for parents and their little ones, from maternity leggings to the best gifts for expecting moms.
We are constantly monitoring the industry (it’s our job, after all), and are deeply familiar with many maternity and fashion brands mentioned here.
The writer of this article is a professional parenting commerce writer, mom of three kids ages 7 and under and a fashion copywriter with a background in fashion public relations, who stays up-to-date on the latest trends in maternity and fashion.
We consult with highly knowledgable and respected experts in their field. For this story, we interviewed nurse practitioner Christina DeJesus, COO and Co-founder of Orange County’s premier postnatal retreat Ahma & Co, as well as board-certified family medicine physician and medical director of Swell, Dr. Laura Purdy, M.D., M.B.A.
We regularly update our lists of recommendations to ensure accuracy and freshness. This article was most recently updated in May 2024.
How We Chose The Best Pregnancy Compression Socks
To choose the best pregnancy compression socks, we sought the expertise of a board-certified family medicine physician and a nurse practitioner. Moreover, we know that moms-to-be prioritize insight from other parents, so we only include products well-reviewed and recommended by fellow expecting moms.
All of the picks on this list were handpicked and recommended by Dr. Purdy herself, each with plenty of reviews from parents to back them up.
We personally tried most of the brands on this list and can vouch for their quality.
We analyzed factors like fit, comfort, breathability, compression strength, practicality (how easy they were to get on and off), style and budget when curating this list.
What Are The Benefits Of Compression Socks During Pregnancy?
“Compression socks can help optimize circulation and promote healthy blood flow, which helps reduce the risk of blood clots, varicose veins and alleviates swelling,” says DeJesus. Many women experience swelling later in pregnancy and are much more likely to develop a blood clot than non-pregnant women. Compression socks can provide some much-needed relief during an increasingly uncomfortable time.
“With your changing body, more pressure can be put on your veins and constrict blood flow to your heart which, as we know, limits circulation and increases swelling,” explains Purdy. “This decreased circulation can increase your odds of developing a blood clot. Compression socks squeeze the legs gently which helps the blood travel back to the heart.”
Do Compression Socks Help With Leg Cramps During Pregnancy?
“It is not known as one of the solutions to treating leg cramps, but it could help prevent them,” notes Purdy. “Wearing compression socks may help with overall tightness and discomfo
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