How to Wear Compression Socks in Summer: A Simple Guide

If you’re a fan of compression socks for their multiple benefits, you probably want to wear them all year round. But we get it, summer and knee-high socks don’t seem like great partners! You might be worried about being warm, sweating, or simply feeling like you have too many layers on… and, when the sun hits, everyone would be!

But here’s the good news: high-quality compression socks can be styled with summer outfits to keep your circulation and lymph flow going, all while supporting your joints and keeping your legs happy. And they don’t have to be sweaty, warm messes, either. You can choose from summer-friendly materials, designs, and colors to nail summer compression socks.

Here, we’ll show you how you can wear compression socks all summer long and give you the best styling tips for your cute outfits, all while benefiting from a circulation boost.

The key to hot weather compression clothing is to choose moisture-wicking, breathable materials that make them comfortable to wear in all weather conditions. Moreover, going for different designs and colors can make a huge difference in how confident you feel and how likely you are to keep wearing your favorite compression socks.

Breathability is one of the key benefits of merino wool – it’s a material that’s versatile enough to keep your feet cool and dry, no matter the weather conditions. Merino wool fibers are lighter and thinner than other types of wool, so the socks are soft and lightweight for summer wear.

Our Vim & Vigr merino wool compression socks also let the air move freely around your feet, which keeps them from sweating or retaining moisture. This keeps the socks dry, too, and helps avoid unpleasant odors from developing.

Browse our collection of merino wool stylish compression

Cotton can also be a good option, as it is lightweight and breathable, but doesn’t wick moisture away as well as merino wool. For your sports activities, you can wear moisture-wicking nylon that’s been designed to be extra breathable and light, while moving seamlessly with your body.

If you’re hesitant to try summer compression socks because you want to wear open-toed shoes, there’s an answer for that: open-toe compression socks. These socks allow your toes to breathe, which is great if you have any injuries or health conditions that affect them.

Additionally, open-toe compression socks let you enjoy sandals all summer long, which can be extra pleasant if you tend to get very sweaty feet. At the same time, they’ll be tight and work their magic on your calf muscles and ankles to prevent swelling, discomfort, and heat edema.

Check out open-toed compression socks for all occasions

While higher compression levels don’t necessarily mean your socks are thicker or warmer, you may sometimes feel that you need less therapeutic pressure on your legs when the temperatures soar. If you usually wear 20-30 mmHg compression, this is a good time to try 15-20 mmHg for a little relief.

However, we recommend that you consult with your doctor before changing compression levels, as this may have an impact on your medical condition.

There is a pervasive belief that wearing lighter colors is better in summer. This is primarily associated with a pattern of thought according to which summer is the season for lighter, pastel-colored outfits. But there is some scientific evidence to this: the lighter a color is, the more it reflects a large part of the visible spectrum. This is why we gravitate toward lighter colors when it’s sunny, and it’s something you can try with your socks, too!

Go for a light-colored pattern or pastel block color when you pick your summer compression wear. It’s guaranteed to match your outfits better and will lift your spirits, too.

Depending on the area of your lower limbs that you’re looking to support with compression socks, you can also opt for shorter socks (such as ankle-height) or for calf sleeves during the summer. Compression sleeves are particularly helpful for athletes, especially those doing endurance challenges where they may want to change their socks and shoes throughout the day. They are also great if you want to stay barefoot, while still supporting your calf muscles and improving peripheral circulation.

Switch to compression sleeves when it’s hot out

No matter how comfortable our socks may be, specialists like Dr. Philip Alapat, Assistant Professor at the Baylor College of Medicine, agree that sometimes you just need to alternate between times you wear them and times you don’t. Use the time periods without compression socks to elevate your legs for extra comfort and a little more support for the circulatory system. If you can, time it so you’re wearing compression socks when it’s cooler (early mornings or in the evening).

Compression clothing doesn’t have to be boring or unstylish. This is why we have designed colorful, fun patterns for our collection of knee-high compression socks and calf sleeves. Here’s how to make compression socks work in the summer.

Wear shorts or short skirts and sundresses and add a pop of color with knee-high compression socks in light hues. You’ll turn heads or start a conversation, not to mention look spectacular while feeling better than ever.

For a more understated look, wear your compression socks under lightweight, loose-fitting longer dresses or summer pants made from breathable materials such as linen.

Your feet may swell in the heat, and they’ll suffer more in close-toed shoes and boots. This is why using Vim & Vigr compression socks gives you so much choice: instead of sticking with the traditional knee-high close-toed design, switch to open-toed compression socks that you can wear with sandals and flip flops. Your toes will be thankful for the extra air!

Want to go barefoot? You can still support your calves and boost lower leg circulation with calf sleeves. They’re a favorite accessory for athletes but can also work really well for perking up any outfit.

Jumpsuits and palazzo pants look smart and can hide compression socks in the summer, especially if you’re concerned about showing them in the office. Wear loose-fitting items like this so you can still benefit from air moving around your legs, rather than tighter pants or jeans.

If your work allows it, you can also pair shorter skirts and shorts with knee-high compression socks in whimsical for-the-office patterns like a pinstripe or in a color block. Finally, artsy or more laid-back offices will welcome someone bringing in a pop of color with cute and charming designs like slumbering sloths!

When you work out in hot weather, breathability and moisture wicking should be the main points of focus for footwear. Start with wearing good-quality shoes that allow air circulation and protect your feet, while not causing them to sweat or rub excessively.

For your sock choice, we recommend merino wool for its highly breathable and moisture wicking qualities. It’s also hypoallergenic and antibacterial, preventing any infections or blisters in the heat and humidity. If you’re exercising indoors, you can also wear moisture-wick nylon socks that are lightweight and breathable, designed for physical activity. And don’t forget that, for barefoot workouts like yoga or Pilates, you can still get the benefit of compression with calf sleeves. 

Summer travel can be a key reason for swelling and heat edema. If you’re headed on vacation by air or on a train, you’ll likely be immobile for extended periods of time, making it more likely that blood pools in your lower limbs and causes discomfort. The same goes for long road trips, especially if you don’t take enough breaks to walk off the growing feeling of swelling and pain.

Scientific studies show that wearing compression socks can help prevent pain and swelling while traveling. They even reduce the risk of severe circulation problems like deep vein thrombosis.

Adding extra dehydration from summer heat compounds the issue. Wearing compression socks for summer travel keeps your legs feeling cool, less congested, and lighter. Go for lighter colors, switch to open-toed designs if you need to, and stay hydrated! We also recommend doing some easy exercises while you’re sitting down to keep your blood moving in the lower limbs.

The final question when it comes to summer compression socks is how to keep them in the best shape so you continue to get the benefits? Here are some key tips.

We always recommend washing your socks after every wear. This is even more important in the summer, where sweat build-up can make your socks smell bad and can cause the fibers to become damaged sooner. Simply wash your socks by hand in cold or lukewarm water with regular detergent. You can then hang them out to dry naturally; merino wool socks should dry quickly, even overnight if you’re traveling.

If you’re off on a hiking trip or taking your socks with you on vacation, bring along multiple pairs so you can rotate them. This gives you the bonus of being able to switch between open-toed and close-toed models, too. The perfect packing list will also include calf sleeves. This way, you can pick the item that is best suited for the day’s activities or your choice of shoes. And you’ll give each pair enough time to air dry in between washes.

Finally, don’t keep wearing socks that are worse for wear. If your compression socks start to thin around the heels or toes, or if you see any damage to the material, it’s time to replace them. This way, you’ll avoid blisters and scratches, while also keeping your socks the most effective they can be in applying therapeutic pressure to your lower legs.

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Regardless of the reason you’re wearing summer compression socks, you can always rely on a variety of styles and designs from our catalog. Keep your lower legs cool and comfortable in the heat while enjoying the boost in blood flow from lower-pressure, everyday moisture-wick nylon socks. Hike up your favorite trails in merino wool socks in a wide range of styles. Or reach for open-toe socks or calf sleeves if you need to bare a little more of your lower limbs.

In all cases, enjoy compression socks for summer without feeling too hot or constrained!

Shop summer compression socks for men and women online at Vim & Vigr!

Boucourt, B., Bouhaddi, M., Mourot, L., Tordi, N., & Menetrier, A. (2015). Changes in tissue oxygen saturation with calf compression sleeve: before, during and after a cycling exercise. The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 55(12), 1497–1501. Read it here.

Charles, T., Mackintosh, D., Healy, B., Perrin, K., Weatherall, M., & Beasley, R. (2011). Merino wool graduated compression stocking increases lower limb venous blood flow: a randomized controlled trial. Advances in therapy, 28(3), 227–237. Read it here.

Clarke, M. J., Broderick, C., Hopewell, S., Juszczak, E., & Eisinga, A. (2021). Compression stockings for preventing deep vein thrombosis in airline passengers. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 4(4), CD004002. Read it here.

Mosti, G., Picerni, P., & Partsch, H. (2012). Compression stockings with moderate pressure are able to reduce chronic leg oedema. Phlebology, 27(6), 289–296. Read it here.

Mota, G. R., Simim, M. A. M., Dos Santos, I. A., Sasaki, J. E., & Marocolo, M. (2020). Effects of Wearing Compression Stockings on Exercise Performance and Associated Indicators: A Systematic Review. Open access journal of sports medicine, 11, 29–42. Read it here.