Travel

Have you ever awoken from an overnight flight and thought, did my shoes shrink? If so, you’re not alone – leg swelling is a very common side effect of long distance travel.

Travel & Leg Health

Symptoms such as tired, achy and swollen legs are common complaints amongst travelers. But many do not realize that extended flights and automobile or train rides also increase a traveler’s risk of blood clots, and a serious and potentially life-threatening condition called Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

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ANNUAL DEATHS FROM DVT COMPLICATIONS

Compression for Travel

Wearing medical compression stockings during long distance travel is highly recommended. This, combined with intermittent movement, can prevent the swelling associated with travel and help travelers arrive at their destination both safe and comfortable.

Prevention

Compression garments are proven to have a positive impact on blood circulation, preventing and reducing leg swelling. Furthermore, evidence suggests that you are much less likely to develop DVT or other serious venous conditions when wearing compression when traveling long distances with limited movement. Therefore, travelers can keep their legs healthy by wearing medical compression stockings during sedentary travel and taking breaks every few hours to contract their muscles or get up and walk.

Product Recommendations

We recommend either our Cotton Support for Men, Silk Support for Women, or our JetLegs compression garments for your next long flight or roadtrip.

Citations

  • Clarke MJ, Broderick C, Hopewell S, Juszczak E, Eisinga A. Compression stockings for preventing deep vein thrombosis in airline passengers. Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 2016(9).
  • Gavish I, Brenner B. Air travel and the risk of thromboembolism. Internal and emergency medicine. 2011 Apr;6(2):113-6.
  • http://www.worldthrombosisday.org/
  • https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/facts.html
  • https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/travel.html
  • https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/by_the_numbers/
  • Rabe E, Partsch H, Hafner J, Lattimer C, Mosti G, Neumann M, Urbanek T, Huebner M, Gaillard S, Carpentier P. Indications for medical compression stockings in venous and lymphatic disorders: An evidence-based consensus statement. Phlebology. 2018 Apr;33(3):163-84.
  • Scurr JH, Machin SJ, Bailey-King S, Mackie IJ, McDonald S, Smith PD. Frequency and prevention of symptomless deep-vein thrombosis in long-haul flights: a randomised trial. The Lancet. 2001 May 12;357(9267):1485-9.

Best compression socks for flying, driving and travel