🧦 The Best Compression Socks for Nurses in 2025

Intro (Updated July 2025)

We know this feeling all too well. You’re three-quarters through your shift, but your legs have already clocked out. They feel achy, swollen, and downright sad. But hey, what if there was a secret fix to make you feel like a Greek god on shift?

BRING IN THE SOCKS.

Let’s face it — the amount of choice these days is overwhelming. That’s why we made this guide to help you determine what makes the best compression socks for nurses in 2025. So if you want to slip into a fresh pair of legs next shift, read on.

Why Nurses Need Compression Socks (and Why Most Don’t Realize It Yet)

Have you ever finished a shift with legs that feel achy, swollen, or just plain heavy? That’s likely due to venous pooling (a buildup of fluid in your lower legs) — something that happens when your vascular system struggles to fight gravity after hours of standing.

Over time, this doesn’t just cause discomfort. It can lead to long-term vascular issues like spider veins and varicose veins. And nurses are especially at risk. Here are three crazy stats that will blow your mind, all from the research paper: Varicose veins of the legs among nurses:Occupational and demographic characteristics (Sharif et al., 2014)

• 72% of nurses from the study had varicose veins
• 78% of female nurses had varicose veins
• 57% of male nurses had varicose veins

Crikey 😬

That’s where compression socks come in. They gently squeeze your legs, helping improve circulation and giving your blood a much-needed boost to return to the heart. In short: they’re one of the easiest ways to prevent long-term damage, reduce swelling, and stay comfortable on shift.

What to Look For When Choosing the Best Compression Socks for Nurses (in 2025)

There are hundreds of compression socks out there. Running compression socks, travel compression socks, weightlifting compression socks, compression socks for old people, compression socks for patients… we could go on all day.

But there is one major problem here: although you could wear these, they aren’t designed for nursing. After all, you’re wearing them for up to 5 days a week — so when you decide to buy some, please, please, please buy some made for your job!

So what makes the best compression sock for nursing? Some important features are:

• Graduated compression in the 20–30 mmHg range. Graduated compression is, well… graduated — compressing most at the ankle and decreasing in pressure towards the knee. Graduated compression increases comfort if you are wearing them for typical shift lengths (8–12 hours). Ungraduated may feel like an anaconda around your calf. No thanks. Polar Plunge print below.
   
  
• Padding/cushioning in the sole. This one is pretty self-explanatory. Having some decent cushion, along with a good pair of shoes, will reduce prolonged impact from the stone-hard hospital floors. Cloud walk, here we come. Polar Plunge print below.
   
  
• Ventilation. A good pair of nursing socks will have some sort of ventilation system allowing heat to escape and breathe — perfect for those intense situations or hot days. Stealth print below.
  
  
• Seamless design. Lots of cheap compression socks have ugly, bulky, and downright uncomfortable seams around the toes and heel. If you’re eyeing up a pair, look closely for this. Keep an eye out for socks that fit your feet perfectly. Midnight Madness print below. 
  
  
• Fun prints. Okay, this one doesn't add to the performance of a sock, but it does add to good vibes — and that is seriously important to us! We get so many comments about the prints on our nursing socks it’s not funny. Find something that makes you smile when you put them on, and they’ll likely make your patients and co-workers smile too. Check out our awesome prints on our nursing socks (p.s. they are so fun you will want to ditch your scrub pants…) Polar Plunge print below.
  
  

Why Scrubcare Footwear Might Be the Best Choice for 2025

With the sea of options out there, it can be hard to pinpoint what will actually be a good pair of nursing socks for you.

We built our socks from the ground up specifically for nurses (we’re nurses ourselves, so who better to make them 😂) to offer something special and tailored to the job we do — because we believe we deserve that at the very least for everything we do as nurses.

We believe in our socks so much, we guarantee that you’ll love them. And if you don’t, we have a no-questions-asked return policy — and we’ll even buy your next coffee with a $6 Starbucks voucher for wasting your time. Ha! Bet no one else is offering that on a pair of socks!

Final Thoughts 

So there you have it. Now you know what to look for when choosing your next pair of socks and how they can protect your health long-term.

Your legs do a lot for you. They carry you through every shift, and life, for that matter, so treat them with love. If you to want to try the best compression socks for nurses risk free then feel free to browse our epic prints here.

Nurse FAQs: Everything You’re Too Tired to Google

1. What mmHg compression level is best for nurses?
   Nurses benefit from 20–30 mmHg graduated compression — the perfect compression for all shift comfort and effectiveness
   
   
2. How long can I wear compression socks on shift?
   You can safely wear them through your entire shift (12+ hours).
   
   
3. Can compression socks be too tight?
   Yes — if they leave deep marks, cut off circulation, or feel uncomfortable. A properly fitted pair should feel snug, not restrictive.
   
   
4. Are compression socks worth it for younger nurses?
   Definitely. You don’t need to wait for varicose veins to show up — compression socks help prevent long-term vascular issues before they start.
   
   
5. Do I really need compression socks if I’m already active?
   Even active nurses experience swelling and blood pooling after long shifts. Compression socks support venous return no matter your fitness level.
   
   
6. Will they help with leg fatigue and swelling?
   Absolutely. That’s one of the biggest benefits. By improving circulation and reducing fluid buildup, they help your legs stay fresher, longer.
   
   
7. Do they make your legs hot or sweaty?
   Not all socks are created equal. Look for compression socks with breathable fabric and moisture-wicking materials to keep your legs cool and dry.
   
   
8. Do I need a prescription to wear compression socks?
    Not for 20–30 mmHg. These are safe, non-prescription levels and perfect for nurses. Higher levels (30–40 mmHg) may require medical advice.