Lily Trotters Compression Socks: Run, Fly, & Be Fashionably Energized

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I fly a lot, and because my ankles and feet tend to swell when I do, I always wear compression socks once I’m in the air. Lily Trotters recently surprised me with a sample of their Boston Blue “Course-it” compression socks. Because these socks are cute and they work, I want to tell you about them.

So why would you even want to wear a pair of compression socks? There are many reasons — mine is specifically because I have lymphedema in both legs, and compression socks help manage my swelling. But you don’t have to have a medical condition to benefit from them.

If you stand, run, travel, or sit regularly, once you’ve tried them you’ll quickly understand why wearing compression socks is beneficial. Compression socks increase the blood flow in your legs to your heart as well as the drainage of lymph fluid for those with compromised lymphatic systems (raises hand). They minimize leg pain and cramping, and they reduce swelling in the lower calves, ankles, and feet. Compression socks can “help delay the onset of varicose and spider veins, and they can help prevent a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) — a life-threatening blood clot that can show up in your legs.” They’re also quite comfortable once on — like a hug from the knee down.

The only thing is that with few exceptions, most compression socks aren’t exactly cute or fashionable. They’re either thin (with or without ridges) medical grade hosiery …

I own several pairs of these; they’re by Solidea; they retail for ~$60.

… or they’re thick and bulky — not exactly something you’d want to shove into your favorite pair of shoes when you already have a tendency to swell.

I also own two pairs of these Sockwells. Up until now, they were the cutest compression socks I owned, but they are rather thick! These retail for ~$25.

Lily Trotters compression socks are different. They come in many eye-catching designs, and they aren’t too thick or too thin — call it the Goldilocks effect, but they are just right. Lily Trotters come with 15-20 mmHg compression, which is the same compression range that I look for when buying my usual medical-grade socks.

Available in two sizes, S/M and L/XL, the socks are based on your calf circumference rather than your shoe size. So, if your calf is 14″ or smaller, you’d want the S/M, and if your calf is larger you’d take the L/XL. The socks are stretchy, so most people can probably get away with wearing either size — but if you’re taller, you might prefer the slightly longer length of the L/XL.

Lily Trotters compression socks are easy to put on or take off, and they are thin enough that you can wear them without worrying about stretching out your shoes. They exert graduated compression from the ankles up to your calf, and they are very comfortable. They are also cute.

Priced at $48, these socks are built to last with simple care — you should machine wash them separately in cold water on delicate with no fabric softener, then hang them up to dry. If you do this, they will last for years.

I have no idea why — out of all the bloggers in the world — Lily Trotters thought to send me a sample, but I have to say that I appreciate that they did. You know, I’ve spent anywhere from $9.99 to $69.99 on compression socks — almost always 15-20 mmHg, and these are the best I’ve tried yet. Check out all of the Lily Trotters styles here.

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About the Author

Judie Lipsett Stanford
Judie is the co-owner and Editor-in-Chief of Gear Diary, which she founded in September 2006. She got her start in 1999 writing software reviews at the now-defunct smaller.com; from mid-2000 through 2006, she wrote hardware reviews for and co-edited at The Gadgeteer. A recipient of the Sigma Kappa Colby Award for Technology, Judie has written for or been profiled by nationally known sites and magazines, and she has served on multiple industry hardware and software award panels. She is best known for her device-agnostic approach, enjoyment of exploring tech, gadgets, and gear, and her deep-diving, jargon-free reviews.