Top 10 Pro Compression Socks Reviewed and Rated

The way your compression socks fit is a very important factor that you must always take into consideration. Before everything else, know that compression socks will feel tighter than usual, and do not let that throw you off. Some socks will feel tighter around your feet and not so tight around your calves, while other socks will feel equally tight all around, but more on that later.

Compression socks are usually not made to be a one size fits all, simply because they are so specific. This is why you must carefully measure your feet and legs before you buy the socks. Grab a ruler and a piece of paper to write the details on, and start measuring. You will need to measure a few things, your calves, and feet namely. You should also measure how high your knees sit when compared to the floor if you're buying longer socks. Then you could even measure your thighs if you're buying thigh-highs! How long your socks are will depend on how much compression you need, and what you are going to use the socks for. If you do not know where to start, go for knee-highs. They usually have graduated compression, and are the easiest to get used to. Afterward, if you feel like you need shorter or longer socks, you can always change them.

There's one thing that you must remember to do if you suffer from swelling issues, and it has a lot to do with the fit. Put the socks on as soon as you wake up before you even make your very first steps because that can even make the swelling begin to happen and you will have a hard time putting the socks on. If you struggle to put the socks on anyway, there are a few things you can try doing to ease your feet in. Make sure you're sitting down first, as it will be very hard to put the socks on when you're standing up, almost impossible. Once you're safely seated, grab the socks, and turn them inside out, but grab the toe section with your fingers and keep that part the way it's supposed to be, not flipped. Then place your toes where they're supposed to go, and slowly roll the socks over your feet and calves. Do not pull on the cuff! This can tear the socks open and you don't want that. If you still have no luck, wash the socks (follow what the manufacturer said). The washing cycle, either in the machine or by hand will soften the socks up and the fibers that hold them together, and you will have less trouble with pulling them on your legs. You can even buy two pairs so that you can wear one while you wait for the other to dry up. Do not put the socks on any open wounds and irritation - make sure that the area is well-protected first. If you lack the strength to pull the socks over your feet, you can use rubber gloves to grab the socks firmly. If your skin is oily, you can rub it with silicone or chalk powder to make them drier. And do not use any moisturizer or creams before you put the socks on, because you won't be able to do it if your skin is moist! If you tried all of this out, and you still didn't manage to put the socks on, chances are that you have the wrong size, and should go for a number up.

Are compression socks effective? If you ever had a pair, then you already know the answer, but if you never tried them out, here's what they are known to do! Compression socks are amazing tools that keep our health in check and help with recovery and healing.

If you bought the socks to help with your health issues, be ready to be blown away. Compression socks do just what the name suggests - they squeeze and compress your feet and legs. This compression is what we have to thank for helping us. By squeezing us tightly, the socks force your blood to go up against the pull of gravity, which is something that people with circulation issues have problems with. As a result, this causes swelling to go down, and it lessens the appearance and symptoms of swelling and deep vein thrombosis, spider veins, and so on. Compression socks can even slow down the progression of the disease, or prevent it from happening in the first place. If you have clotting problems, compression socks are your friends, as they will not allow the clots to form at all. If you're a busy bee and work all day, or if you go hard when you're at the gym, you too can feel how great compression socks are. You will not feel so fatigued or swollen when you finish your day with compression socks strapped to your feet. If your muscles tend to get sore, compression socks can make that go away by preventing lactic acid buildup. Also, the risk of injury is lowered, because you have an extra layer of tissue-like material that keeps your ankles safe from rolling and straining. But if you already have an injury, the socks can be helpful again, as they help to heal along by promoting blood flow to the area, increasing the amount of oxygen and heat around that area.

The fibers that make up your socks say a lot about them. They will affect how they fit, how long they last, how compressive they and much more. Socks, in general, can be made out of a huge variety of materials, but compression socks are almost always made out of the same ones, with slight variations between different brands. Socks meant for winter will be made out of merino wool, socks for light and breezy weather will be made out of cotton and nylon, and compression socks are always a blend of materials, usually polyester, nylon, spandex, and sometimes a little bit of cotton.

Polyester, nylon, and spandex all have one thing in common - they are made out of plastic, made by man. These synthetic fibers are strong, durable, and overall great materials to make socks out of, and you shouldn't worry that they are essentially plastic. A blend of these three is the best possible option, as they balance each other's benefits and drawbacks quite perfectly. They all manage moisture like champs though, and do not expect to feel sweaty when you wear socks out of these materials! Also, they won't make the socks thick and bulky, so you won't have an uncomfortable experience. Your feet won't be cold nor too warm, because air circulates quite well through the socks while they keep you warm and insulated at the same time. Then, we have cotton, which is a natural material that comes from a plant of the same name. Cotton is super light and breathable, and it dries very well, resulting in bright and happy socks. But cotton alone cannot be compressive, and it's not so durable, so it must be combined with the materials we mentioned above so that it's properties truly get to shine!

Your compression socks must be durable. Let's face the facts here - compression socks do not come cheap when compared to regular socks. They cost at least double what regular socks do, so getting a flimsy expensive pair feels like being cheated. Also, a cheap pair of socks can not do what is advertised. First, their compression abilities will be poor, and they will only gradually get worse. The stitches holding the socks together will eventually fail, and you will end up with socks that are riddled with holes. Lastly, they won't feel comfy, and comfort is a very valuable thing!

Your compression socks should be made out of an excellent blend of materials, so search for socks made out of a polyester, spandex, nylon and cotton combo. This will make them very sturdy and overall excellent. Then, look for reinforced stitches or generally stitching that is better than what we regularly see. And finally, make sure to follow what the manufacturer said about taking care of them, regarding how to wash them and how to use them, because otherwise, they could meet their demise much earlier!

Of course, compression is a major factor here. We are talking about compression socks now, aren't we! Compression socks have different levels of compression, that vary depending on what you need the socks for. These levels describe how much pressure is applied to your feet. These levels are described with millimeters of mercury, or mmHg, the very same thing used to measure your blood pressure. The bigger this number is, the tighter the socks are going to be! Some socks have graduated compression, which means that the compression levels will vary throughout the construction of the sock, usually being lower near the calves.

If you have no health problems whatsoever, and just need the socks for your job or for working out, go for levels that do not exceed 15 mmHg. This amount is just right to fight off fatigue, swelling and muscle soreness that you get when standing around all day or from an intense workout session. These levels also work if you are pregnant! Moderate levels range from 15 to 20 mmHg. They lessen the intensity of deep vein thrombosis symptoms, and they also help passengers who fly often keep their legs healthy. A sock that has compression levels that range from 20 to 40 mmHg is for people who have serious circulation issues. This tight hug will keep the blood flowing through the veins, preventing it from staying too long in one place. These socks are also good for people who have clotting issues, or if you're recovering from surgery. Only a doctor should prescribe these socks, and do not buy these levels unless you ask your doctor whether it's right for you.