Switzerland hasn't had a mass shooting since 2001, when a man stormed the local parliament in Zug, killing 14 people and then himself.

The country has about 2 million privately owned guns in a nation of 8.3 million people. In 2016, the country had 47 attempted homicides with firearms. The country's overall murder rate is near zero.

The National Rifle Association often points to Switzerland to argue that more rules on gun ownership aren't necessary. In 2016, the NRA said on its blog that the European country had one of the lowest murder rates in the world while still having millions of privately owned guns and a few hunting weapons that don't even require a permit.

But the Swiss have some specific rules and regulations for gun use.

Business Insider took a look at the country's past with guns to see why it has lower rates of gun violence than the US.

SEE ALSO: Gun control really works — here's the science to prove it

Switzerland is obsessed with getting shooting right. Every year, it holds a shooting contest for kids aged 13 to 17.

Zurich's Knabenschiessen is a traditional annual festival that dates back to the 1600s.

Though the word roughly translates to "boys shooting" and the competition used to be only boys, teenage girls have been allowed in since 1991.

Kids in the country flock to the competition every September to compete in target shooting using Swiss army service rifles. They're proud to show off how well they can shoot.

Accuracy is prized above all else, and a Schutzenkonig — a king or queen of marksmen — is crowned.

Having an armed citizenry helped keep the Swiss neutral for more than 200 years.

The Swiss stance is one of "armed neutrality."

Switzerland hasn't taken part in any international armed conflict since 1815, but some Swiss soldiers help with peacekeeping missions around the world.

Many Swiss see gun ownership as part of a patriotic duty to protect their homeland.

Most Swiss men are required to learn how to use a gun.

Unlike the US, Switzerland has mandatory military service for men.

All men between the ages of 18 and 34 deemed "fit for service" are given a pistol or a rifle and trained.

After they've finished their service, the men can typically buy and keep their service weapons, but they have to get a permit for them.

In recent years, the Swiss government has voted to reduce the size of the country's armed forces.

It's been 14 months since Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, declared its intention to build a second headquarters.  Founded in Seattle some 23 years earlier, Amazon said it had gotten so big that it needed a second home base in another city.

The company's year-long selection process had a decidedly sweepstakes-like feel to it. Amazon laid out its expectations for what it wanted in a second hometown and promised a bonanza of 50,000 jobs and a $5 billion investment to whichever lucky city it picked.

City governments and officials scrambled to outdo each other and woo the online retailer, dangling tax breaks, exemptions of all types and even promises to change their names.

Now, Amazon has reportedly zeroed in on New York City and Virginia— and "HQ2" will likely actually be two separate offices.  The move, which has yet to be confirmed by Amazon, has left a sour taste with some people who accuse Amazon of having deviously gamed the system. 

Here's a look at the sequence of events during Amazon's controversial "HQ2" adventure, and the strange spectacle that Amazon whipped up in the process.

SEE ALSO: Trump called Foxconn's Wisconsin factory an 'incredible investment,' but evidence is mounting it's a terrible deal

Amazon's current and first headquarters is located in Seattle, Washington. Around 45,000 workers are employed there.

In 2017, Amazon announced that it was searching for a location for its second headquarters.

The retailer said its new headquarters would come with 50,000 new jobs and a $5 billion investment in the new home city. 

Along with the announcement, Amazon listed out its expectations for cities that were applying. It asked for "incentives" like tax breaks and exemptions, and fee reductions.

Here are some additional requirements that Amazon laid out:

• A site within 30 miles of a "population center."
• Mass transit options located on-site 
• The ability to travel to/from an airport within 45 minutes
• Up to 8 million square feet, after the initial requirement of 500,000 
• Fiber connectivity and acceptable cell phone service 
• A "business-friendly environment and tax structure" that provides tax breaks and exemptions, fee reductions, workforce grants, and utility incentives, among other incentives. 
• A "highly-educated labor pool" and a "strong university system."
• "Elected officials eager and willing to work with the company."
• A high quality of life for the 50,000 employees to be located there. 

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• The North Face Shinsky Beanie is the casual, warm, slouchy winter hat you’ve been waiting for. The best part? It’s reversible, so it goes with everything in your wardrobe. You might not take it off until springtime.
  

I love beanies more than any other winter hat style. They give you that cool, casual hipster look sure, but most importantly they’re usually pretty warm. Of course there is the issue of hat hair — a lot of beanies tend to be close-fitting so that they trap heat against your scalp and actually stay on your head.

But beanies are also stylish enough that you can just leave them on inside. Two birds, one stone, right?

The word “beanie” is kind of one of those catch-alls that encompasses a ton of different styles, from slouchy cuts to ultra-fitted ones with a variety of embellishments and fabric variations. The sheer number of options is overwhelming. After all, when you can buy a beanie anywhere, how do you narrow it down?

You could do a ton of research on the topic. Or you can read on for our top five favorite picks for men and women from around the Internet.

Here are the best beanies you can buy:

• Best beanie overall: The North Face Shinksy Beanie, $30
• Best under-$20 beanie: Carhartt Acrylic Watch Hat, $12.99
• Best cashmere beanie: Naadam Signature Ribbed Cashmere Beanie, $65
• Best pom-pom beanie: Patagonia Vintage Town Beanie, $45
• Best high-tech beanie: Tenergy Wireless Bluetooth Beanie, $24.95
• Best places to buy winter hats: Shop at Columbia, The North Face, J. Crew, Macy's, and Amazon

Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.

The best beanie overall

Why you'll love it: If you only buy one hat this winter, make it the Shinsky Beanie from The North Face. It's textured, reversible, and comes in 11 fun colors.

The best under-$20 beanie

Why you'll love it: The Carhartt Acrylic Watch Hat is your ideal simple beanie that comes in every color under the sun — and costs $12.99.

If you’re anything like me, you lose at least one hat per winter. It doesn’t really make sense for me to invest a lot of money in a beanie that will inevitably end up left behind in the back seat of a cab or dropped from my pocket on a crowded street.

The Carhartt Acrylic Watch Hat seems like a great compromise. It’s only $12.99, so I can definitely afford to buy one or two each season, and I wouldn’t lose too much sleep if it happens to go missing. Which, let’s face it, it probably will.

This fold over beanie comes in just about every color under the sun, including plain black and driftwood green. A small Carhartt logo patch in the front center adds visual interest, giving the hat a vintage look.

As the top best seller in its category on Amazon, the Acrylic Watch Hat has more than 6,000 customer reviews and a 4.6 out of 5 star rating. It’s also been recommended by Racked writer Cory Baldwin in an article about inexpensive beanies.

“I love these Carhartt beanies. They are warm and fashionable and at a great price! They're about 1/2 to 1/3 of the price of many name brand beanies in department stores and I believe they are more comfortable and more stylish than similar ones,” writes an Amazon reviewer named Caleb.

Pros: Affordable, lots of color options, snug fit, unisex

Cons: Hand wash only

Buy the Carhartt Acrylic Watch Hat for $12.99

The best cashmere beanie

Why you'll love it: Looking for a luxurious winter hat? The Signature Ribbed Cashmere Beanie by the brand Nadaam is the perfect investment. 

We’re fans of Nadaam’s eco-friendly and affordable cashmere here at Insider Picks. The brand’s Signature Ribbed Cashmere Beanie is the perfect luxury winter hat. Made of 100% Mongolian cashmere, it’s medium-weight, soft, and breathable.

At $65, the hat is certainly an investment, but there are some special features that make the pricetag seem utterly reasonable. It’s wrinkle-free, odor-blocking (no more sweaty scalp smell collecting in the top of your hat), and designed for minimal pilling. You can fold it at the brim for a tighter fit or wear it loose.

The Signature Ribbed Cashmere Beanie comes in eight versatile colors and is one-size-fits-all, designed to fit both men and women. It boasts the same high quality material as the brand’s other wares and a “Heavenly Soft” designation. Gear Patrol rated it one of the best cashmere hats for men in 2017.

Pros: 100% mongolian cashmere, eco-friendly, wrinkle-free and odor-resistant, unisex

Cons: Dry clean or hand wash only

Buy the Signature Ribbed Cashmere Beanie at Naadam for $65

Here's a horrifying bit of trivia: there are actually around 90 species of bed bugs out there. Luckily, just three of them like to snack on humans.

Though it's not crucial for you to know the flavor of bed bug inhabiting your home, identifying the species of bug does help pest eradication professionals make sure they're providing you with the most effective service.   

Here's an overview of different kinds of bed bugs and how to tell if you have a different type of infestation entirely.

The type of bed bugs you have largely depends on where you live.

The three kinds of bed bugs that feed on people are C. lectularius, C. hemipterus, and L. boueti.

C. lectularius and C. hemipterus are the ones you have to worry about if you live in Europe or the U.S. They feed on humans and like to nest in household items like mattresses, sofas, carpets, and even behind wallpaper.

L. boueti is only found in West Africa and South America, as it prefers tropical climates. Unless you live in those regions or have recently traveled there, this type of bug is unlikely to have taken up residence in your home.

Though the first two types of bed bugs will choose to feed on people if possible, L. boueti are mostly interested in bats. They won't pass up a human blood meal if it's convenient, but you're unlikely to encounter this species unless you live in an area with a large bat population.

Common signs of bed bugs in the home are small red bites that often appear in a line or zigzag pattern, as well as dark spotting on carpets, mattresses, and cloth furniture from fecal droppings.

Unfortunately, you probably won't be able to identify which type of bed bug you have.

According to Terminix, the two types of bed bugs common in the US and Europeusually have a wider prothorax (the upper half of the segment between a bug's neck and abdomen) and flatter edges than the tropical variety.

Unfortunately, unless you have a microscope and happen to be an entomologist, you're unlikely to be able to tell the different types of bed bugs apart. They all have similar nesting habits and can cause the same kind of damage to your home. Their bites are also identical.

In fact, you might have infestation of "bat bugs" or "swallow bugs" instead.

The reason that it's so important to have your home evaluated by a pest control company if you suspect a bed bug infestation is that you might be dealing with a different type of insect entirely.

Swallow bugs and bat bugs are two types of insects that appear almost identical to bed bugs and cause similar types of bites.

Per Orkin,swallow bugs prefer to feed on cliff swallows and usually dwell in bird nests, but they have been know to make their way inside homes when swallows migrate.

Bat bugs, as the name suggests, like to make a meal of bat blood. They live in both in tropical regions and in more temperate ones. These fellows will move into human homes when bats are scarce.

"It's important that a trained expertmake the distinction between swallow and bat bugs versus bed bugs since managing mammal, rodent and insect nesting is vital to locating these pests and the source of the infestation," according to Terminix.

Sometimes, one decision can change everything.

On Quora, more than 100 people responded to the question, "What is the single best financial move you have ever made in your life?"

From becoming a minimalist, to never borrowing money, to buying a condo at exactly the right place and time, here are 13 of the best money decisions people ever made that changed their lives for the better.

1. He never borrowed any money.

"To forgo the society of the 'wealthy,' forgo a comfortable income slavery and live simply... I have never borrowed money to buy anything. I only bought what I could pay for...

By earning very little and living simply, I stayed below the poverty level and paid very little taxes... My home is small, located in an area with low economy so bills are low for energy and taxes also.  Ate simply for much of my life, opting for water over unnecessary beverages, saving money and avoiding ensuing health consequences. Cooked for myself. Avoid most packaged crap, buy in bulk...

Now I'm still a consumer, I still appreciate some comforts, especially as I get older, but its dialed waaay down and I have lived many times more life, I judge, than most who had all that money to pay for all those services in life.

That's what I feel has been my best financial move: a complete lifestyle reframe to live simply and self responsibly!" - Quora user Steve Lewis

2. She never spent a dime on education.

Growing up, many of my friends went to expensive private high schools, but I went to a specialized arts public high school called LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts which had less than 10% acceptance rate... Getting accepted to the prestigious LaGuardia Arts High School was my first great financial decision...

I decided I wanted a career in marketing; it was the perfect blend of art and business. While my friends partied, I would stay up all night with my SAT books and write college application essays. Soon, the acceptance letters came in the mail — $50,000 a year tuition on average for the creative schools. Finally, I got an interesting offer: a full-ride scholarship to a public business school in New York City, along with $7,500 to study abroad and a free MacBook Pro. Can you guess which offer I went with?

I used the $7,500 to study in Barcelona and Paris with zero out of pocket... Some of my friends are drowning in debt because they chose to go to schools with fancy gyms and football fields. I hustled my way through college with four internships and freelance design work. I lived at home, had a four-hour daily commute, and the 'campus life' was non-existent. I graduated with zero debt and an honors degree, without any financial help.

I got a job offer from Google straight out of college and I am absolutely loving it.

And yes, I still get free food." - Alessandra Rao

3. He bought a house at 22 and rented it out.

"In the past two years, I've brought in $35,425 in rental income, had my house appreciate $69,300 in value, and paid down my mortgage by $24,810. All I've been doing is living for cheap and I've increased my net worth by $94,110. I've had a few house repairs that have totaled around $7,000, and I've been frustrated with my roommates, but overall I've been pleased with my experience. In addition, I was able to pay off my auto loan and student loan, and now am building solid wealth for the future!" - Erik Tozier

Serving as a soldier in the US Army is a challenging role. But with talent shows on bases and puppy snuggles, not every moment of active duty is serious. 

Here are 15 heartwarming photos of US Army soldiers on and off duty.

When "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was repealed, soldiers could be themselves.

Sergeant Brandon Morgan, right, kissed his partner, Dalan Wells, in a helicopter hangar at the Marine base in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, upon returning from a six-month deployment to Afghanistan in 2012. This was one of the first photos to show a gay active duty serviceman in uniform kissing his partner at a homecoming. 

Members of the US Navy marched in San Diego's pride parade.

Two women, both active duty sailors in the Navy who gave their names as Nikki and Lisa, kissed as they marched in the Gay Pride Parade in San Diego in 2011. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta thanked gay military members for their service, and the Pentagon marked June as gay pride month with an official salute.

US Air Force Senior Airman Shyla Smith and Courtney Burdeshaw tied the knot the day after the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage.

Three years after Don't Ask, Don't Tell was repealed, the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage. Smith, left, and Burdeshaw got married at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau the day after the ruling in 2013 in New York City. 

• The market research company JD Power on Wednesday released its lists of the best vehicles from model year 2018 that cost less than $65,000.
• The company produced four lists ranking the top five vehicles in four different price segments: $15,000-$19,999, $20,000-$32,999, $33,000-$44,999, and $45,000-$65,000.
• Sedans took 18 of the 20 spots on the lists, which measured how satisfied owners were with their vehicles on a 100-point scale.
• Toyota had five vehicles on the lists, more than any other automaker, and two more than Kia and General Motors, which tied for second.

The market research company JD Power on Wednesday released its lists of the best vehicles from model year 2018 that cost less than $65,000. The company produced four lists ranking the top five vehicles in four different price segments: $15,000-$19,999, $20,000-$32,999, $33,000-$44,999, and $45,000-$65,000.

While SUVs and light trucks have come to dominate the American auto market, sedans took 18 of the 20 spots on the lists, which measured how satisfied owners were with their vehicles on a 100-point scale. (JD Power said it used data from over 3.2 million "verified ownership experiences" to create the lists.)

"While consumer interest continues to shift towards crossovers, many cars are still proving extremely satisfying to own," Dave Sargent, JD Power's vice president of global automotive said in a release accompanying the lists. "The very best cars often score better for quality and appeal than crossovers at the same price point."

Toyota had five vehicles on the lists, more than any other automaker, and two more than Kia and General Motors, which tied for second. Vehicles from Audi, BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan also made the lists.

These are the best vehicles from model year 2018 that cost less than $65,000.

SEE ALSO: I stayed at a DoubleTree for 3 nights to see if the mid-priced hotel offers better value than pricier options — here's the verdict

$15,000-$19,999: 5. Chevrolet Sonic

Ownership satisfaction score: 75

4. Kia Forte

Ownership satisfaction score: 76

3. Hyundai Elantra

Ownership satisfaction score: 77

Apple debuted a brand-new Apple Watch earlier this fall, the Apple Watch Series 4.

The new watch has a larger display, upgraded heart-tracking sensors, and a faster chip than last year's model, the Apple Watch Series 3.

But it also bears several similarities to last year's model: the new watch gets the same amount of battery life (18 hours) and the design looks nearly identical to the Series 3, and to previous versions before that. 

So whether you're a first-time Apple Watch buyer, or you're just trying to decide if you should upgrade from last year's watch, here's how the Apple Watch Series 4 compares to the Apple Watch Series 3. 

SEE ALSO: There were two major no-shows at Apple's big iPhone event

The Apple Watch Series 4 and Apple Watch Series 3 bear a lot of similarities. Both watches come with the option for GPS only, or GPS plus cellular connectivity.

There's a price difference if you opt to add a cellular connection — plus, the Apple Watch Series 4 is more expensive than the now-discounted Apple Watch Series 3.

Here's the price breakdown:

• Apple Watch Series 3 with GPS — $279
• Apple Watch Series 4 with GPS — $399
• Apple Watch Series 3 with GPS and cellular — $379
• Apple Watch Series 4 with GPS and cellular — $499

On the design front, there is a change from last year to this year in regards to the cellular version. The Apple Watch Series 3 with cellular had a red digital crown, while the Apple Watch Series 4 with cellular just has a thin red stripe on the crown. Apple also added haptic feedback to the digital crown on the Series 4. 

Both watches get 18 hours of battery life, and are water resistant up to 50 meters.

There are a few key design differences between the two watches. The Apple Watch Series 4 has a bigger case size than the Apple Watch Series 3, and it also has a bigger screen.

The Apple Watch Series 4 has a slightly larger case size than the Apple Watch Series 3. 

Both watches come in two sizes: the Apple Watch Series 4 in 40 mm and 44 mm, and the Apple Watch Series 3 in 38 mm and 42 mm. 

The upside of the larger case, however, is a larger screen:

• Apple Watch Series 3, 38 mm — 563 sq mm display area
• Apple Watch Series 3, 42 mm — 740 sq mm display area
• Apple Watch Series 4, 40 mm — 759 sq mm display area
• Apple Watch Series 4, 44 mm — 977 sq mm display area

From the ground, Earth looks like a boundless fertile plain that beckons to be explored and exploited.

But astronauts would beg and even plead to differ.

"People often say, 'I hope to go to heaven when I die.' In reality, if you think about it, you go to heaven when you're born," Jim Lovell, an astronaut who flew on the Apollo 8 and Apollo 13 missions around the moon, previously told Business Insider. "God has really given us a stage [...] on which we perform. And how that play turns out is up to us."

Humanity has recorded photos of Earth from hundreds, thousands, millions, and even billions of miles away. The pictures help scientists study our dynamic world and understand what a habitable planet looks like from afar — a critical part of the search for alien worlds.

Most importantly, however, such images of Earth from space underscore our peculiar existence.

Carl Sagan, an astrophysicist and popularizer of science, was born on November 9, 1934. He died on December 20, 1996, two years after he famously juxtaposed human history as a bloody struggle upon a mote of cosmic dust in his book "Pale Blue Dot."

In honor of Sagan, take a moment to ponder these 27 arresting images of Earth that humankind has captured from outer space.

SEE ALSO: 8 men and women once sealed themselves inside this enormous fake Mars colony for 2 years — here's what it's like today

DON'T MISS: 8 terrifying ways the world could actually end

A few rare satellites enjoy a full view of Earth from thousands or even a million miles away.

Taken by: Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) spacecraft

Date: April 9, 2015

NASA and NOAA created this composite image using photos taken by Suomi NPP, a weather satellite that orbits Earth 14 times a day. You can see the Joalane tropical cyclone in the Indian Ocean (top right).

Their unending gaze helps us monitor the health of our world while catching rare alignments of the sun, moon, and Earth.

Taken by: Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-16 (GOES-16)

Date: January 15, 2017

GOES-16 launched on November 19, 2016, and orbits about 22,300 miles (35,900 kilometers) above Earth — a position called geostationary orbit. This allows the satellite to stay above the same spot and monitor changes in the atmosphere, ground, and ocean over time. The spacecraft regularly sees the moon and uses it to calibrate cameras.

They even catch the moon's drifting shadow during solar eclipses.

RAW Embed

Taken by: Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR)

Date: March 9, 2016

Orbiting from a million miles away, NASA's DSCOVR satellite always views this sunlit half of our planet. This allowed it to take 13 images of the moon's shadow as it raced across Earth during the total solar eclipse of 2016. Together they make up one of the most complete views ever of the event.

There's too much to watch across all streaming services, and Netflix is daunting on its own. But we're here to make sure you spend more time watching movies than choosing them.

Every week, we look through what's available on the streaming service and recommend seven movies you can watch over the weekend.

Some of our selections recently came to Netflix and some have been available for awhile — you might have just missed them because Netflix's algorithm thought you wouldn't like them.

From Netflix's latest original film "Outlaw King" to "Anna Karenina," these are some movies on Netflix you can watch this weekend.

Here are seven movies on Netflix you should check out (along with their scores from Rotten Tomatoes).

Note: Not all of these films are available in countries outside the United States. Apologies!

“Outlaw King” (2018) — A Netflix Original

Netflix description: In 14th-century Scotland, Robert the Bruce claims the crown and leads a fierce uprising to win back the country's independence from English rule.

Critic score: 54%

Audience score: 100%

This new Netflix film isn't great, but it's worth watching for the steamy sex scene in which Chris Pine goes full frontal that people have been talking about since its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. It's boring compared to most historical dramas, but Pine does his best and proves he's a fit for the genre. Next time, we just hope it's a better movie. 

“The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” (2004)

Netflix description: As the newly crowned princess of the tiny European country of Genovia, teen Mia Thermopolis learns an arranged marriage may be in store for her.

Critic score: 25%

Audience score: 59%

“Stardust” (2007)

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• High-quality compression socks provide firm pressure from the ankle to the upper calf, giving your legs the support they need during exercise, travel, long workdays, and many other situations.

• The CEP Progressive+ Compression Run Socks 2.0 provide firm pressure without sagging through the course of the day, making them comfortable and effective.

Though they are often worn upon a doctor’s advice, compression socks are available to anyone. Many people choose compression socks because they provide comfort during pregnancy, long days on your feet, a punishing workout, or travel. There is no downside to wearing them as long as you are comfortable.

Compression socks work by squeezing the walls of the veins and leg tissues to help blood work its way against gravity to the heart. In other words, they improve circulation. There are also gains in the flow of the lymph fluids that bathe your legs’ cells. These improvements lead to less leg fatigue, achiness, and swelling.

The compression in the stockings is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Specifically, the socks are rated based on blood pressure. The majority of compression socks either have a moderate pressure rating of 10 to 20 mm Hg or a firm rating of 20 to 30 mm Hg. None of the socks we reviewed are rated above 30 mm Hg, but there are specialty shops where you can find these if you need them. Graduated compression socks, the most common type, are tighter near the ankle than at the calf to avoid cutting off circulation.

Most compression socks are made from a blend of synthetic fabrics that provide a snug and stretchy fit. In the reviews that follow, we let you know what materials are used in the construction of the socks, but unless you have an issue with a specific material, you should let performance be your main guide in choosing the best compression socks.

There is a bit of a paradox associated with wearing compression socks. You may have purchased them to deal with leg swelling. Yet, this same swelling makes it hard for you to put them on. So, what can you do? There are countless resources on the web to help you out. Some tips we found helpful were to apply talcum powder or cornstarch to your feet before putting your socks on, wearing dishwashing gloves to get a better grip, and rolling the socks before you put them on so you can simply roll them up your legs.

While researching the best compression socks, we combed through hundreds of buyer and expert reviews and ratings of dozens of models. Our guide features socks that provide great comfort, are relatively durable, and are attractive enough to wear in a variety of situations.

Here are our picks for the best compression socks you can buy:

• Best overall: CEP Progressive+ Compression Run Socks 2.0— Men& Women
• Best affordable socks: SB SOX Lite Compression Socks
• Best for circulation problems: Sockwell Elevation Graduated Compression Socks— Men& Women
• Best for after workouts: Zensah Tech+ Compression Socks
• Best for spending the day on your feet: Sockwell Circulator Graduated Compression Socks— Men& Women
• Best compression socks for style: Vim & Vigr Compression Socks

Updated on 11/09/2018 by Lulu Chang: Added the Vim & Vigr compression socks. Updated prices and formatting.

Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.

The best compression socks overall

Why you'll love them: Whether you are a runner or just someone who wants to relieve lower leg ailments, the CEP Progressive+ Compression Run Socks 2.0 provide all-day comfort.

There are two main ways that the CEP Progressive+ Compression Run Socks 2.0 stand out from the other socks on our list. First, they offer unparalleled comfort. Secondly, they cost at least $15 more than any other pair on our list.

Made of polyamide/nylon (60%), elastane (25%), and polypropylene (15%), the CEP socks offer precise 20-30mmHg graduated and consistent compression so they won’t poop out on you as the day goes on.

The Progressive+ 2.0 Socks feature a halo top-band that lands right below the knee. This keeps your socks in place, and the front ribbing allows air to flow through to cool your skin’s surface. And, per CEP's website, the company offers a six-month guarantee that you can wear the socks up to 150 times before the compression lessens.

Most of the expert reviews of the CEP Progressive+ Compression Run Socks 2.0 come from running websites. Coach Levi looked at the socks from a runner’s perspective and found they did not significantly improve his performance and were less durable compared to non-compression socks. However, due to the comfort they afforded, he recommended them to people who suffer from shin splints, Achilles problems, or plantar fasciitis. The reviewer at Believe in the Run called them the most comfortable socks she’s ever run in. And, The Trial of Miles also recommended this pair.

About 83% of the Amazon buyers who reviewed the CEP Progressive+ Compression Run Socks 2.0 gave them five stars. Canyonhiker is the most helpful reviewer. He wore his compression socks to help him deal with edema while hiking in the Sierra Mountains. He tested the CEP and 2XU socks and preferred this CEP model because the socks were thinner and cooler while still providing compression.

Other buyers noted that this is the most comfortable pair of compression socks they’ve ever owned. However, they warn that you really need to measure and make sure you buy the right size.

Pros: Incredibly comfortable, thinner, doesn’t sag over the course of the day

Cons: Expensive, really need to make sure you buy the right size

Buy the CEP Progressive+ Compression Run Socks 2.0 (Men’s) on Amazon for $40+

Buy the CEP Progressive+ Compression Run Socks 2.0 (Women’s) on Amazon for $39.95+

The best affordable compression socks

Why you'll love them: The SB SOX Lite Compression Socks are the least expensive pair in our guide, yet they stay up and provide comfort for many wears.

Though the SB SOX Lite Compression Socksare about a fifth of the price of our top pick, they rival it in performance. These socks have a graduated compression rating of 15-20mmHg, which is slightly less than the CEP socks but still supplies sufficient compression for blood circulation.

The socks are made of breathable and lightweight spandex and nylon, which helps to wick away sweat and moisture from your feet. SB Sox come in 11 different colors, including Black/Gray, Black/Blue, Black/Pink, and Gray/Black. And, there are two sizes: S/M and L/XL.

The Wirecutter recommended the SB Sox Lite Compression Socks as a good starter pair. Though they were thinner and lighter than her top picks, the reviewer liked that the SB Sox socks held up well through numerous wears and washes. Plus, they felt snug. They lost points because there were limited size and color options, and they were a bit long. Wise Bread, Best Seekers, and Very Well Fit also recommend these socks.

More than 1,500 buyers have left positive reviews of the SB Sox Lite Compression Socks on Amazon. Danielle is a heart attack survivor and works for the police department. She suffered from a lot of leg pain and has nothing but positive things to say about the SB Sox. They relieve her pain, and she now has seven pairs, one for each day of the week.

Other buyers compare these socks to the prescription compression stockings they’ve used, and they note that the SB Sox feel better and cost much less than the prescription option.

Pros: Inexpensive, relatively durable, snug fit

Cons: Only comes in two sizes

Buy the SB SOX Lite Compression Socks on Amazon for $10.95+

The best compression socks for relieving circulation problems

Why you'll love them: If you experience circulation problems due to chronic health issues, the Sockwell Elevation Graduated Compression Socks may be your best bet for achieving leg comfort.

The Sockwell Elevation Graduated Compression Socksare made in the United States using bamboo rayon (31%), merino wool (31%), stretch nylon (30%), and spandex (8%). This combination helps with moisture management, thermoregulation, and odor control.

These are one of the firmer pairs from Sockwell offering compression of 20-30mmHg. There are four zones of graduated compression beginning at the ankles and moving up. Since the compression starts at the ankles, the toes remain comfortable. There are four colors for men to choose from and eight in the women’s style.

The reviewer at The Wirecutter chose the Sockwell Elevation Graduated Compression Socks as the top pick because they look nice, are lightweight but not too thin, and they bunched up less below the knee. However, she was turned off by the gender binary presented by having different designs for different genders. Also, the top of the socks started to warp after several washings and wears, but the tightness was not affected by this.Garage Gym Builder also recommended the Sockwell socks because they stayed snug all day long.

Approximately 88% of the people who reviewed the Sockwell Elevation Graduated Compression Socks on Amazon gave them four or five stars. Reviewer David S. Hess has swelling in his ankles from congestive heart failure and peripheral neuropathy from diabetes, and the socks have helped him with his circulation issues. He says they maintain their function and shape and are comfortable day and night.

Another buyer tried a variety of different brands and found the Sockwell Elevation socks worked better than the cheaper alternatives because they provided the right amount of pressure in the right spots.

Pros: Lightweight, maintain their snugness all day long

Cons: Reports of the top of the socks warping over time, only comes in two sizes

Buy the Sockwell Elevation Graduated Compression Socks (Men’s) on Amazon for $24.99

Buy the Sockwell Elevation Graduated Compression Socks (Women’s) on Amazon for $24.99

Mustaches seem to make a comeback every few years, but some men can arguably rock one better than others.

In honor of Movember, we've put together a list of the most iconic ones: from Tom Selleck to Albert Einstein, these men have gone down in history for their talents, yes, but also for their iconic 'staches.

Keep scrolling to see our mustache hall of fame.

Burt Reynolds' mustache graced the silver screen for almost half a century.

Burt Reynolds first became a mustachioed star doing action films like "Deliverance" and "Smokey and the Bandit." He was later nominated for an Oscar for his role as porn director Jack Horner in the 1997 film, "Boogie Nights."

When he passed away in September 2018, at age 82, fans mourned both his talent and his famous facial hair.

TV shows have paid homage to Tom Selleck's iconic mustache.

Tom Selleck is best-known for playing private investigator Thomas Magnum in the CBS show "Magnum, PI." His 'stache became so famous that "Magnum, PI" even paid homage to it in a recent episode of its reboot.

In fact, his glorious facial hair has earned him the nickname "godfather of the mustache."

Sam Elliott's facial hair has been the star of countless Westerns over the years.

Sam Elliott is an American legend that made his name starring in Westerns — but even his iconic low voice and Southern drawl would be nothing without the mustache to go along with it.

A 28-year-old Marine Corps veteran killed 12 people when he opened fire inside a busy bar in Thousand Oaks, California on Wednesday before killing himself and sending at least 15 others to the hospital with injuries. 

The mass tragedy, which claimed police officer Sgt. Ron Helus and at least one survivor of the Las Vegas massacre among its victims, is the latest in 307 mass shootings that have occurred in the US so far in 2018.

No motive has been released by investigators.

Here's how the attack unfolded: 

Wednesday night

A man police later identified as 28-year old Ian Long drove his mother's car from nearby suburb Newbury Park to the Borderline Bar and Grill, about 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles. 

The bar was holding its weekly college night.

The western-themed bar was reportedly popular among students from nearby universities including California Lutheran University, California State University Channel Islands, Pepperdine University, and Moorpark College. 

Around 11:20 p.m. PT, Long approached the building and began shooting.

Long was reportedly dressed in all black and carrying a Glock 21 .45-caliber handgun as he approached the building.

After shooting a security guard outside, Long stepped inside to shoot several employees and opened fire inside the busy bar, shooting into a crowd of about 40 people on the dance floor.

Patrons reportedly hid under pool tables and used furniture to break windows and escape outside, some jumping from the second story. 

Some celebrities stand by the belief that other forms of life exist somewhere in the universe and some have even had encounters with UFOs. And they're not the first ones to believe something's out there — according to Science News, curiosity about other possible life forms has existed since medieval times.

Here's a list of celebrities who have publicly stated their belief in aliens or the existence of other life forms.

Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi has talked and tweeted about her beliefs.

In 2013, the "Jersey Shore" star confirmed her beliefs in an interview with Celebuzz."They're real. We're not the only planet with civilization," she said. 

That same year she also tweeted, "Aliens are real."

Katy Perry wrote a song about aliens.

Katy Perry's song "E.T." is all about extraterrestrials and it's not the first time she's spoken about other life forms.

In 2011, the singer tweeted about her belief in aliens. She wrote that she believes in ghosts, too, but she believes in aliens more.

Tom Cruise has been open about his beliefs.

According to CNN, the actor once firmly stated that he believed aliens to be real. "Millions of stars, and we're supposed to be the only living creatures? No, there are many things out there, we just don't know," he said.

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

In honor of the seasonal shift, Nordstrom just launched a huge fall sale. Today through November 18, you'll find thousands of items on sale for up to 40% off. There are great deals on luxury and everyday clothing for men and women, plus plenty of accessories, shoes, and even home goods. If you need to spruce up your fall wardrobe or stock up on some holiday gifts, it's worth checking out this sale.

We collected 30 great deals across all categories of the sale to give you a sense of what you can find. If anything, we hope this list will inspire you to with a great gift idea, or help you find something you love. Head over to Nordstrom to take advantage of their great deals while they're still around — we have a feeling this stuff will go fast.

If you want to get right to shopping the Fall Sale, here's where to go:

• Men's deals
• Women's deals
• Kids' deals
• Home deals

A denim jacket with a fall twist

Madewell Denim Northward Crop Army Jacket, $82.80 (Originally $138) [You save $55.20]

A great pair of jeans

Paige Transcend - Lennox Slim Fit Jeans, $133.33 (Originally $199) [You save $65.67]

A quirky coffee table book

"Being Human" by William Wegman, $14.96 (Originally $24.95) [You save $9.99]

Country music has been accused of being formulaic and uninspired for decades. The music of America's heartland has lost its soul, some say, by chasing the mainstream dollar powered by record executives in Nashville. That sentiment isn't new.

But even for fans of country, there are some songs that are just plain unbearable to listen to. After hours of painstaking listening, these are the top 10 worst country songs of all time, in my opinion. 

"Rocky Top" by Osborne Brothers is a lot of bad all at the same time.

A shrill voice. An obnoxiously fast rhythm. A song that talks about mating with a half-cat woman on top of a Smoky Mountain peak. This song is baffling.

The State of Tennessee general assembly voted this song as an official state song in 1982, which boggles the mind, considering the disproportionate amount of musical talent hailing from the Volunteer State. Cash, Elvis Presley, Isaac Hayes, B.B. King, Justin Timberlake, Dolly Parton—even Three 6 Mafia — have all put out more iconic songs than this. 

This song gets a lot of respect for being a classic, but being recorded in analog doesn't mean it's actually any good.

"Rap is Crap" by Curt Henning and the West Texas Rednecks has bad lyrics.

In the late 1990's professional wrestling was reigning atop the American zeitgeist and one of the more peculiar moments from this moment in time was this music video from Curt Henning and the West Texas Rednecks.

Filmed in Nashville, the video somehow received actual play time in front of millions of households and made it onto an album. 

The lyrics are filled with references to NASCAR, Willie Nelson, and Richard Petty, which isn't necessarily a bad thing for a country song. Jeff Foxworthy even makes a cameo as a cardboard cutout. Execution is poor; however, and the lyrics are even poorer.

"I like country music. I like country girls. I like Willie Nelson, and don't forget about Merle. There's only one thing that I hate cause it's a bunch of crap. I hate rap. Rap is crap."

No sir, this song is crap.

Jake Owen's "I Was Jack (You Were Diane)" disappoints.

John Mellencamp's "Jack and Diane" is an American classic. The iconic backbeat, the tale of summertime love, the memories of your first kiss that are much sweeter than it actually was. That's what "Jack and Diane" is all about.

It's easy to see why Mellencamp's classic is an inspiration for songwriters, but Jake Owen's 2018 take on the song? It's doesn't improve upon the original formula. Owen takes the "Cougar's" beat and layers the Nashville-hit formula on thick by mimicking Mellencamp lyrics about blue jeans, radios, and being 16.

No one can accuse the original of being outside of the box, but this song didn't even get creative. 

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson — two of the biggest names in golf over the past 25 years — have at times been bitter rivals and throughout their long history as both opponents and teammates, the duo hasn't always had such a chummy relationship.

Remarkably, the perceived animosity towards one another has bloomed into incredible respect for one another now that they're nearing the end of their 20-plus years of competition. This includes an upcoming one-on-one, winner-take-all match that will air on pay-per-view.

Take a look at some of the best quotes from the evolution of their bromance:

With a combined 19 major championships and nearly a quarter of a century's worth of competition between them, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods have a long and complicated history.

By the time Woods turned professional in 1996, Mickelson had nine wins under his belt. Still, by the end of his rookie season, Tiger amassed two victories and began to take the world by storm.

The following year, Woods won the Masters to become the youngest golfer to ever win a major championship. Mickelson, who is six years older, still had not achieved that feat.

Nike's NBA "City" jerseys are back again!

Last year, in Nike's first season with the NBA jerseys, they hit the nail on the head with a few jerseys that paid homage to cities, like the Miami Heat's "Miami Vice" jersey, the Utah Jazz desert jerseys, and the New York Knicks' NYFD jerseys.

This year, all 30 teams have rolled out "City" jerseys to be worn on select dates. A few teams nailed theirs, with cool homages to their cities, while a few other teams kept the jerseys clean and simple.

Check out all 30 jerseys below:

The Atlanta Hawks' jerseys are clean, simple, and well, a little boring, though the feathery, talon-y looking shapes on the side are cool.

The Boston Celtics didn't mix it up much, simply adding a little bit of gold around the lettering. These might look cool on their parquet court in Boston.

The Brooklyn Nets own one of the better jerseys, a tribute to Notorious B.I.G., with the multicolor paneling paying tribute to the color of the borough.

If you want to save some cash while also saving the environment, it's important to be aware of your energy usage. There are many hidden ways you might be wasting precious electricity and adding to your monthly utility bill.

Here are a few ways you could be wasting energy without even realizing it.

SEE ALSO: How this company is using sunflowers to reimagine solar energy

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You hold the refrigerator door open while you decide what to eat.

Trying to cobble together a decent meal from the leftovers and random sauces in your refrigerator? Don't just stand there gazing into the glow.

The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences estimates that7% of a refrigerator's total energy use is the result of opening its doors. Though you obviously need to open your fridge to grab food, try to plan meals ahead or after taking a quick glance inside.

You stash warm leftovers in the fridge.

According to building-science consultant Michael Blasnik, placing hot food in the fridge is the worst thing you can do if you want to keep your refrigerator running efficiently.

"You could open the refrigerator door hundreds of times before you'dwaste the energy you do by putting a pot of hot soup into the refrigerator," Blasnik told Phys.org.

You leave your appliances plugged in when you're not using them.

It might seem like a chore to plug in your microwave every time you need to heat up some leftovers then unplug it when you're done, but leaving your gadgets connected to power at all times wastes electricity.

According to the Department of Energy, electronics and appliances use energyeven when they're turned off. That's true of phone chargers, laptops, televisions, curling irons, and kitchen appliances.

Connecting your devices to a power strip can make it easier to turn off multiple unused items in one go.

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Whereas first wave coffee is characterized by increased accessibility and consumption, and second wave coffee by specialty flavors and the social experience of sitting down at a cafe (think: Starbucks), third wave coffee has forged the most meaningful relationship between customer and cup thus far. 

Third wave coffee, which took off during the mid-90s to early 2000s, means that roasters focus on transparency, seasonality, and customer experience. Fair and direct trade practices are central to the business, and customers can learn exactly where their beans came from and how growing partners and farmers are treated. The devotion to the craft and ritual of coffee is clear from the moment you walk through the doors of the beautifully designed coffee shop, and though your cup of joe is expensive, you have to admit — you can taste the difference.  

More often than not, these third wave coffee shops in San Francisco, Portland, New York City, and other major hubs aren't casual pit stops on the way to another destination. They are the final destination, and coffee lovers can't imagine a more exciting pilgrimage than the trek to obtain this specialty coffee. 

While visiting the coffee shop is the best way to enjoy its blends, the next best option if there's no location near you or you want to make it yourself at home is to find it online. Knowing that bags from these coffee roasters are stocked in your pantry, you'll wake up eager to start your morning routine. 

Check our our guide to gifts for coffee lovers here.

Shop the following third wave coffee brands online:

Intelligentsia

Shop Intelligentsia coffee here: Amazon, Target

The Chicago-based Intelligentsia says it's the first specialty coffee company to adopt Direct Trade practices, meaning it collaborates directly with the coffee grower, the grower must commit to sustainable environmental and social practices, and growers are paid at least 25% above Fair Trade price. Its sweet and syrupy Black Cat Project Espresso is a flavorful standout.  

Blue Bottle

Shop Blue Bottle coffee here: Blue Bottle, Target, Jet

In 2017, Nestlé took a majority stake in this Silicon Valley favorite, which had raised $117 million in funding. It sells single-origin whole bean and ground coffee at their peak freshness, which you can order by the bag, or have delivered to you automatically through its subscription option. 

Philz Coffee

Shop Philz Coffee here: Amazon

Philz is being called the next Blue Bottle, having raised $75 million to continue its dominance in the Bay Area and expand beyond. The quirky shop offers a wide range of blends, and its Mint Mojito Iced Coffee has inspired many an internet copycat recipe. Based on how packed its cafes always are, it's clear that loyal customers appreciate its creative coffee and complex flavors.