Traveling involves a lot of sitting—planes, trains, buses, taxis, Ubers, rental cars. No matter how much water I drink or what position I sit in, my ankles always swell up. It gets worse if it’s a hot day, on long-haul flights, and especially if I eat even one bite of salty food.
My previous solutions include sitting with my feet against the wall and my back on the floor (uncomfortable and not possible while in transit) and wearing compression socks (especially while flying). While they’re effective, compression socks can also be too tight/itchy/hot and not the most fashionable.
I’ve since discovered two more alternatives: the gel and the sling.
The Gel
Thalgo’s Difi Legerete Gel for Feather-Light Legs ($29)
Thalgo’s Feather-Light Leg gel has become my go-to on flights. I put a small amount in a pot and stash it in my carry-on bag on long-haul flights, twisting myself like a contortionist in the plane restroom to smear it on my ankles so I can fit my feet back into my shoes before landing. It’s also great after long car journeys, especially at higher altitudes.
I apply a tablespoon-size amount of gel onto my lower legs (below the knee and all the way down to my ankles) in upward strokes just before bed. It dries in 30 seconds and isn’t sticky, so you can pretty much get right under the covers. It works within minutes—I’m convinced I can see my ankles shrink seconds after using it. Per Thalgo’s website, the cooling effect comes from the “alcohol, menthol, and camphor trio,” while “red-vine extract” is what drains your legs. All I know is it works.
Thalgo is a French brand, and has been around for 50 years. One 5.07 oz tube costs $29 and lasts me about three-four months of very frequent flying.
The Sling
Sleepy-Ride Footrest ($14)
Some people can fall asleep on planes. I am not one of them. So I am always on the lookout for things to help me snooze, especially on long-haul flights.
I was skeptical when I came across the goofy-sounding Sleepy Ride footrest, but after reading the thing also alleviated lower-leg swelling and soreness, I decided to give it a try.
The 21-inch-long, 7-inch-wide footrest is made of plush memory foam, but is flat enough to fold up into a little pouch I tucked into my carry-on. Available colors are black, purple, and blue. The adjustable straps hook around your tray table, becoming a foot hammock that rocks gently with the motion of the plane (without tugging on the seat of the person in front of you) It works on both twist-to-lock and clipped-closure tray tables.
There are several ways to rest your feet in the Sleepy Ride. For me, the most comfortable were either crossing my ankles and letting my feet sit in the sling or spreading my legs slightly and having my calves rest more than my feet.
How did it go with the $14 Sleepy Rest? I had zero pain, pressure, or swelling, and was able to sleep for four to six hours at a time. Warning: You can end up sprawled across your seatmate if you wake up, forget about the sling, and try to stand up. (Fortunately, it was Husband sitting beside me.)
Twist’s Take: Here are two alternatives to compression socks that prevent lower leg swelling.
