What are support socks?
Support socks, or compression support socks, are often referred to as flight socks or travel socks.
These special elasticized knee-length socks are designed to apply a light graduated pressure on your legs with the tightest starting at the ankle and slowly decreasing in pressure toward their tops.
Although similar in appearance, support socks should not be confused with “traditional” knee-length dress or athletic socks. While both types of socks provide some degree of mild compression it is not enough to be considered therapeutic.
Support socks compression ranges from 10-20 mmhg and are available over the counter. Compression levels of 20mmHg and beyond fall into the category of compression stockings.
Who should wear compression socks?
Support socks are designed to provide comfort and support for compromised circulatory systems, e.g., diabetics with poor leg circulation, the prevention of deep vein thrombosis, leg cramps and edema and calf muscle support for athletes.
While there are several brands of compression socks to choose from one of the better brands on the market are those made by Zensah as they are made specifically for athletes who suffer with calf muscle fatigue, i.e., what works for athletes will generally work for anyone.
Zensah Compression socks.) are also excellent in providing leg and circulation support during pregnancy as well as for those whose occupations require long periods of standing or sitting.
Compression socks are made of a blend of cotton and synthetic materials such as lycra, rubber, or spandex which is what contributes the pressure on the legs, ankles and feet in order to compress the surface veins, arteries and muscles.
What is the difference between support socks and diabetic socks?
The significant difference between support socks and diabetic socks and support socks has to do with length, materials, thickness and elasticity.
Support socks are knee-length while diabetic socks are ankle and crew-length. Support socks are much thinner and are made of a dense elastic weave that can range from mild to firm pressure.
Diabetic socks on the other hand are made of a thick breathable fiber that is loose-fitting in the tops, moderately conforming around the foot, padded on the soles and in the heels and completely seamless.
What is the difference between support socks and compression stockings?
Both support socks and compression stockings for poor circulation apply varying mmHg levels of pressure to the lower torso (waist, thighs, calves, feet) depending on the treatment needed to address the levels of impeded blood and fluid flow. As the level of poor circulation increases so does the compression level which is manifested in the length, weave density and elasticity.
Some manufacturers and distributors often refer to support socks as “diabetic support socks”, which is a little misleading. While diabetics who don’t have poor circulation can wear support socks those diabetics who do suffer from poor circulation should never wear them when swelling is present as the low-level compression, though slight, will restrict blood flow.
Where to find the best prices for support socks
To get the best prices on support socks there are name brand compression socks websites as well as Amazon.com and Google’s shopping source, both of which provides the largest list of online retailers. Amazon not only provides a wide array of compression socks but they also deal with outside manufacturers who specialize in that type of leg garment in many sizes and brands so that you can compare prices. This will help to ensure that you get the best possible price on support socks. With the combination of Amazon’s price comparison program, the customer reviews and discount shipping, you will find that Amazon.com is one of the better places to shop for compression socks online.
You may be unsure about which brands of support socks are the best quality making it difficult to to choose, especially if you have never purchased them before. You can read Amazon.com’s customer review section by those who have purchased them. This can be very useful in helping you make your first choice as saving money without compromising quality is important to everyone.
Similar to Amazon, Google’s shopping section will sort your results by prices and customer reviews and Google will only provide you with links to online retailers based on your search. While that is a great source you will still have to contact the third party vendor if there are any issues with the compression socks you’ve purchased.
So even though Amazon.com and Google Shopping source are two excellent choices when you are looking to shop for compression socks online, Amazon is by far the better of the two as their one advantage over Google’s shopping section is that they take care of everything for you.
How to properly care for support socks:
- Hand wash support socks with a mild detergent such as Woolite Extra Delicates Care.
- Air dry.
- When completely dry you can put on your support socks and you’re good to go.
