This Affordable Accessory Is My Secret to Surviving Long Flights

I never take to the skies without this crucial (and cheap) travel accessory.

headphones a watch a passport and compression stockings against an orange background

Published June 25, 2024

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Whether it’s attending press events or trade shows, my job requires me to travel more than the average person. While I’m not someone who’s taking to the skies every week, I am flying often enough that I’ve developed a few helpful habits to make the experience of air travel a lot more tolerable.

Some of my tips should be obvious to any frequent fliers: Wear comfortable shoes that are easy to slip on and off. Invest in a good pair of noise-canceling headphones. Get a backpack or small duffel with a trolley sleeve so you can easily slide it onto your roller carry-on.

Then there’s my number-one must-have for any long haul flight, which maybe flies under the radar a bit (no pun intended).

My Co-Pilot: Merino Wool Compression Socks

Sitting on a plane for several hours is not only uncomfortable, it can potentially be dangerous. Deep Vein Thrombosis, or DVT, is a condition where blood clots form in the leg while seated for extended periods of time on a long flight. These clots may dislodge and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism that can result in death. It’s serious stuff.

There are several things you can do to minimize your risk for DVT. You’re recommended to get up and walk around every hour or two while flying and do some light exercises and stretching (I like to do calf raises). You should also stay hydrated, wear loose clothing (particularly around your waist) and change positions in your seat frequently.

Another preventative measure against DVT is to wear graduated compression socks. These are typically knee-high socks that apply pressure to your legs that is highest at your ankle and decreases in pressure as it moves up your leg.

The graduated compression improves circulation in your legs and prevents blood from pooling in your feet, which can help prevent clots from forming. There are various levels of compression available, from light to more medical-grade firm levels, but for flying a compression rating between 10 – 30mmHg is recommended. I personally prefer a rating of 15 – 20mmHg, as I find it to be most comfortable.

a person wears compression socks while flying — They may not win any fashion contests, but my compression socks provide me with increased comfort and peace of mind when flying.

In addition to the increased safety they offer, compression socks have other benefits. They prevent legs and feet from swelling during flights and they offer support to muscles to cut down on fatigue. My legs always feel fresh and cramp-free after long flights when I wear my compression socks, and the difference is quite noticeable compared to trips when I’ve forgotten to wear them.

But graduated compression is only half of my happy flying feet formula. The other secret in the sauce is merino wool. You may already be familiar with the magic of merino, but in case you aren’t, here’s a quick rundown of this miracle material.

Merino wool, which is soft and lacks the itchiness of some other wools, is temperature-regulating, moisture-wicking, breathable and odor-resistant. Airplane temperatures can swing wildly, but thanks to merino’s natural thermoregulation, my feet never feel too hot or too cold.

My feet also stay nice and dry thanks to merino’s sweat-wicking, breathable nature, and the material’s natural resistance to odor means I can simply air out my socks in my hotel room after my first flight and they’ll be fresh as a daisy for my flight home, with no need to wash them in between.

Merino Wool Compression Socks to Buy

My favorite merino wool compression socks that I wear constantly were made by Darn Tough, but unfortunately, the Vermont-based brand got out of the compression sock business a few years ago.

But fear not. There are plenty of other OTC (over the calf) merino wool socks on the market offering the same 15 – 20mmHg of graduated compression as my beloved Darn Toughs. The three below, all of which can be had for under 40 bucks, are the pairs I’ll be scooping up when my current socks need replacing.