TERESAKIM77

I would say that Sigvaris and Medvien are brands that make good lightweight compression stockings. They have several models that are fashionable, easy to put on and are good quality. In the Sigvaris brand, I would recommend either the Sheer Fashion or the Casual Cotton. They go by shoe size and come in a variety of colors. For the Mediven brand, I recommend the Sheer and Soft and the Motion Sport compression stockings. The Sheer and Soft is their newest model and it looks really good. The Motion sport comes in black and white and is perfect for wearing with tennis shoes. I recommend these brands because they have better durability than the cheaper brands. With these socks, you really get what you pay for. I wear them every single day and these brands never seem to wear out.

It can be really overwhelming when choosing for the right compression stockings. Also you have to make sure that the stockings that you get are the right size, because if it is too small it will apply way too much external pressure making your legs feel even more tired. and if the stockings are too big it will just not provide the compression you need. Also make sure that the stockings that you are getting are graduated compression. because there are some that labels itself as compression stockings but they are just common stockings that provide uniform compression. The difference is that graduated compression applies 100% of the indicated compression on your ankle and gradually decreased compression as it goes upward. This is good because it simulates better the natural flow of the veins. This makes your legs feel more relaxed. I hope this helps.

Definitely try the compression stockings. Make sure you get the right ones, because there are some support hose that do not really give the level of compression it indicates it would.

I absolutely agree with VivaLasVieja's comment on crocs. They are comfortable and cheap. In addition to the crocs try compression stockings like hotmama2be. I am a religious devotee of compression stockings. They make my legs feel so much better after a long shift. I wear 20-30 mmHg knee-high and I love them. Hope this helps!! :)

This is a great post!! Thank you for your advices!!!

I am really loving this thread!! I wear 20-30 mmHg knee high compression stockings and they work really well. My legs feel much better after wearing them. Also, they are stylish and you can barely tell they are compression stockings. Also there are compression stocking with cotton in it, I suggest the Sigvaris Cotton 232. It’s a great compression stocking with 20-30 mmHg compression in it. It has 25% Supima cotton lining the inside of the sock. This helps with heat and moisture management. I try to avoid synthetic materials because you can never tell if they are going to wick away moisture or just trap it in. Mediven makes a great travel sock called the Motion Sport. They come in 15-20 and 20-30 levels of compression. The Mediven Motion Sport comes in black and white and is plush. It looks like a sport sock and feels really supportive. They are also pretty durable. As far exercises, I do some yoga and simple leg exercises. I hope this helps!! and thank you everyone for the great suggestions! Greatly appreciate them.

Hey Cat in TX I have had the same problem of not knowing exactly how to get the right measurement that seems to be crucial for the compression stockings to work properly. mama_d- Try using the donning gloves. I wear higher level compression stocking and it was so hard putting them on. I was recommended to use donning gloves and they work really well. It is a rubber glove that provides a good grip of the stockings. I just slide my hand over the stockings and it smoothly pushes them to place. On top of that I don't have to worry about my nails or jewelry scratching the stockings. I hope this helps. :)

Hey Minnimall, I hope this message reaches you in time! You have a lot of great questions and I hope this reply can be of some help. To answer your questions about the correlation between mmHg and the percentage spandex, there is no correlation between the two. MmHg (millimeters of Mercury) is a measure of pressure that is used to designate the amount of support that the compression stockings give you. When looking for a compression stocking that will give you the adequate amount of support, look for how much compression it has in it. The content of materials only marginally affects the amount of compression is given in the stocking. If you’re having leg pains and you’re about to take a 10 hour flight, I would recommend a 20-30 mmHg compression stocking for you. Also, wearing a knee high compression stocking would make it more comfortable to travel in (as opposed to a thigh high). In terms of brands, I would recommend a Sigvaris or Mediven brand. They make better quality compression stockings, when it comes to the health of your legs, you really do get what you pay for. If you’re looking for a compression stocking with cotton in it, I suggest the Sigvaris Cotton 232. It’s a great compression stocking with 20-30 mmHg compression in it. It has 25% Supima cotton lining the inside of the sock. This helps with heat and moisture management. You generally want to avoid synthetic materials because you can never tell if they are going to wick away moisture or just trap it in. Mediven makes a great travel sock called the Motion Sport. They come in 15-20 and 20-30 levels of compression. The Mediven Motion Sport comes in black and white and is plush. It looks like a sport sock and feels really supportive. They are also pretty durable. In general, most knee high compression stockings that are 20-30 mmHg are good for travel when you experience leg pains. Also, you should avoid generic brands or drugstore brands of compression stockings. They sometimes don’t guarantee the level of compression in their socks. Stick with Sigvaris, Mediven and Juzo as they are the best brands currently in the United States. They all started off as European companies and within the last couple of decades established themselves in the United States. In terms of sizing, you should measure yourself to get an accurate size for compression stockings. Sizing is so important when it comes to compression stockings because if you want to get 20-30 mmHg and if it’s too large or too small, you won’t actually get that level of compression. For knee high compression stockings, you need to measure the smallest part of the ankle (just above the ankle bone), the largest part of the calf (not necessarily in the middle of the calf, you’ll have to hunt for it) and the length of the lower leg from heel to the back of the bed of the knee. Then you’ll want to match up those measurements with the sizing chart for the compression stocking you’re looking for. Hope I was able to help! Good luck and safe travels!