If you've ever stepped off a long haul flight feeling like your ankles have doubled in size, you're not alone. I used to think leg swelling was part of the deal when it comes to flying - like questionable inflight meals and trying to sleep while sitting upright.
9 years ago, after a long haul flight with ankle socks that had basically embedded themselves into my skin, I knew something had to change. I'd experienced that swollen, sore, heavy leg feeling one too many times, and it became clear that there had to be a better solution. That flight was part of the reason I was inspired to develop our own compression tights- designed specifically to support women through moments like these, and yes, they genuinely work.
These days, I wear a pair of CLQ compression tights whenever I fly more than a few hours, and they've made a noticeable difference in my on-the-ground recovery.
What's actually causing the swelling?
When you're seated on a long flight, especially in that knees bent, seated upright position - blood flow slows down and gravity pulls blood down into your legs and feet, which leads to that puffy, heavy feeling by the time you land. It's not just uncomfortable, it can also increase the risk of circulation issues such as DVT (Deep Vein thrombosis), especially if you are already prone to swelling or have underlying issues.
How compression tights can help:
Compression tights work by applying gentle, graduated pressure to the legs, which helps keep blood moving up towards the heart. This reduces the chances of fluid pooling in your lower limbs and can make a real difference on flights. They're not a cure-all, but they're one of the simplest tools I've found for inflight swelling.
Wear Clique compression tights the next time you fly, and you'll notice;
- They're firm, but not sufficating, which is exactly what you want when you're wearing them for 5+ hours
- The fabric breathes, so you aren't overheating mid flight.
- They don't look like medical wear- which, lets be honest, is important if you're going to be wearing them through multiple airports!
Shop CLQ Power compression tights for your next flight:
Main image: Carena West, Article image: Olivia Fairhurst via Instagram
