Bombas Truly Offers the Best Compression Socks for Travel—And They’re Currently 25% Off!

Welcome to Dinogo Approved: an in-depth exploration of travel essentials that we absolutely love, can't live without, and are always recommending to our friends. During the Bombas Cyber Monday Sale running until November 27, 2023, enjoy a 25% discount on everything, including men’s and women’s compression socks. The discount applies automatically at checkout.

Just before I hit 30, it happened for the first time. After a cross-country flight to see my family in San Francisco, I tried to put my shoes back on as we approached landing, only to find my feet had swelled to the point where I could barely squeeze them into my sneakers. As I stumbled off the plane, I thought, 'This is what I get for being that person who takes her shoes off during the flight.' But it quickly hit me that this could lead to a serious issue frequent travelers fear: Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT.

DVT can develop after prolonged periods of immobility, such as during a flight. It occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, typically in your legs,” according to the Mayo Clinic. If one of these clots dislodges and makes its way to your lungs, it can result in a pulmonary embolism, which can be life-threatening.

So for my 30th birthday, I decided to treat myself (not exactly a fun gift), and purchased my first pair of compression socks: a budget-friendly nylon pair from Amazon. Designed to enhance circulation and reduce swelling, especially on long flights (provided you remember to move around), they were a challenge to put on and take off. They felt incredibly tight and uncomfortable after just a few hours—‘leg sausage’ is the phrase that comes to mind. Fortunately, Bombas entered the scene in 2019 with their amazing new compression socks, known for their perfect no-show socks that never slip down.

The Bombas Everyday Compression Socks are crafted from ultra-soft cotton with mild compression (15–20 mmHg, if you're curious) designed to enhance circulation from the toe to just below the knee. After trying them on, I found them to surpass other brands in comfort and value.

While I waited to board my flight back to New York from San Francisco, I put them on at my gate. Compared to the standard compression socks I usually wear, these were much easier to slip on. They felt snugger than regular socks, but I didn’t struggle with them. Once on (they reached just below my knee), it felt like my calves were being wrapped in a cozy hug—similar to those thunder shirts for dogs. Bombas feature a unique honeycomb knit arch support system, which is fantastic for those with high arches like me. Plus, they include a seamless toe, a Y-stitched heel, and cushioning above the heel that extends to the toe, making them the most comfortable compression socks I've experienced.

I slipped into the socks just before 2 p.m. California time and kept them on until I returned to my New York apartment just after 1 a.m. EST. After about eight hours of wear, there was an imprint on my calves below the knee where the snugest part of the sock rested. Yet throughout the flight, I completely forgot I was wearing compression socks. Unlike generic options, my legs didn’t itch or feel constricted. Most importantly, I didn’t suffer from any swelling or discomfort, which I've experienced on long flights without compression socks.

If you're keen to try them out, you'll find plenty of choices in sizes, compression levels, materials, and colors. The women’s socks come in three sizes: small fits U.S. shoe sizes 4–7.5, medium accommodates sizes 8–10.5, and large suits sizes 11–13. In addition to the cotton version, Bombas offers a merino wool version with mild compression and performance compression socks made from a sweat-wicking blend of polyester, nylon, and spandex for runners, featuring a firmer 20–30 mmHg compression level.

When it comes to color, there are nearly a dozen options ranging from classic gray to vibrant cotton candy pink, allowing you to either keep them discreet under your pants or let them stand out. These socks are definitely not your typical medical fare.

The men’s socks also offer the same two levels of compression and come in three sizes: U.S. shoe size 6–9 (medium), 9.5–13 (large), and 1–16 (extra large). For colors, expect classic options like black, white, gray, and navy.

A single pair of calf-length socks starts at $28, while a three-pack is available for $84. (For comparison, similarly stylish compression socks from brands like Vim&Vigr, Figs, and Comrad range from $28 to $44 per pair.)

Before you dismiss the idea of gifting socks, remember that you’ll not only enhance your loved ones’ comfort on their next flight, but you’ll also be giving back. Bombas has a buy one, donate one policy, having donated over 100 million items to homeless shelters since its inception in 2013. So, you can bet all my immediate family members are getting a pair of these socks (and I might just grab a pair or two for myself).

This article was originally published online in 2019 and updated on November 27, 2023, to provide the latest pricing information.