Socks when your legs swell in the afternoon

Short answer: Choose a wide rib knitted cuff that can give as the leg grows. A narrow elastic that fits in the morning digs in by the afternoon.

Why legs swell

Fluid gathers in the legs when you sit or stand still for many hours. The circumference at the ankle can grow one to two centimetres over a day. That is normal and happens to most people.

What it means for the sock

A sock that fits at eight can leave a groove by four. A wide rib stretches with it and spreads the pressure. See bamboo socks for women.

When to speak to a doctor

If the groove stays for hours, if only one leg swells, or if it hurts. See bamboo compression socks and bamboo socks for men.

Frequently asked questions

Does raising your legs help

Yes, twenty minutes with the legs up reduces the swelling noticeably.

Should you buy a size up

No, choose a different cuff type instead.

Are compression socks the answer

For some people yes. They work best put on in the morning.