Compression socks provide a wide array of benefits. They give off comfort and are perfect for athletes who need to improve their performance. People who stand all day at work use compression socks to prevent varicose veins, and those who are recovering from surgery or experiencing arch pain use them as well.
When looking for the perfect pair of compression socks in Australia, you need to consider not only your needs but also the qualities of the socks. Don’t know what qualities to look for? No worries. Read on to know what to consider when buying your very own pair.
Different Needs, Different Qualities
Not all compression socks are created equal. When you look up compression socks on the internet or when you check them out at drug stores, you will be overwhelmed by a lot of choices. There are different types for everybody, depending on individual needs.
To get the maximum benefit of these socks, you have to consider many things: the amount of compression, size, material, usage, convenience features, and coverage, among many others. In the next sections, we’ll talk about them in brief.
Compression Level
The amount of compression varies per individual. It’s worth noting that more compression doesn’t always mean better quality or more benefits. If you intend to use compression socks to prevent varicose veins or relieve mild leg pain, you may not actually need much compression.
Compression level is measured in mmHg (millimetres of mercury). While shopping for your compression socks, you might come across socks with compression levels of 15-20mmHg, 20-30mmHg, and 30-40mmHg. Let’s take a look at each one of them:
Mild compression (15-20mmHg) – This compression level is ideal for the prevention or relief of moderate varicose veins, aching legs, and minor swelling of feet and legs as well.
Moderate compression (20-30mmHg) – Moderate compression is suitable for the prevention and relief of moderate to severe varicose veins. It’s also used as a treatment of moderate to severe lymphatic edema in legs. People with active ulcers or post-thrombotic syndrome can also use socks with this level of compression.
Firm compression (30-40mmgHg) – Socks with this compression level are used for ulcer management and treatment for post-thrombotic syndrome.
If you have serious health issues, make sure to consult your doctor first before you start wearing compression socks. These socks should not be worn by patients who suffer from heart failure, ischemia, and septic phlebitis.
Usage
Some compression socks in Australia are suitable for sports as they feature bright colours, ergonomic designs, and extra padding around the ankle and arch. Other compression socks are used for medical purposes. Compared to casual and athletic use, medical-grade compression socks offer more support and compression.
For casual use:
• Fit should be snug enough to benefit your health
• Compression level should be low enough for regular use, rated at 8-15 mmHg to prevent varicose veins and provide relief to aching legs
For running:
• Should have a rugged and durable design
• Must come with full-length compression
For intense athletic training:
• Should come with mild compression, rated at 15-20mmHg
• Must help the user improve faster after rigorous training sessions
For medical use:
• Compression level depends on patient needs
• Should help prevent blood clots for patients who underwent intensive surgery
• Must offer relief to patients with circulation problems
Comfort
Do your socks compress your leg enough, or are they too tight? Take note that more compression doesn’t always mean more benefits. Don’t sacrifice your comfort level.
It doesn’t make sense if you wear a pair of compression socks that don’t give comfort. When looking for casual-use socks, make sure that you feel comfortable with the compression. If you don’t like the way the compression feels around your legs, exchange it for a more comfortable one.
Material
The most common materials used to make compression socks in Australia include cotton, microfiber and spandex. There are also socks made from a fusion of cotton and bamboo. Compression socks for running and athletic training are made from Merino wool, which is finer and softer than ordinary wool fibres.
Medical-grade compression socks are often made of a nylon and spandex blend that feels light. They won’t leave users sweaty, so you can wear them in a hot weather environment. If you need to wear socks with full-length compression for medical reasons, make sure it’s made of a material that’s comfortable to wear.
Depending on your needs, make sure that you choose socks with a comfortable fabric blend.
Convenience Features
Some socks are equipped with convenience features. Side zippers are a convenient feature as you can easily put on and remove your socks with them. If you are always on the go, socks with zippers are perfect for you.
There are medical-grade compression socks that come with expandable thigh panels. These expandable thigh panels adjust to accommodate varying shapes and sizes. Since medical-grade compression socks have firm compression, these panels relieve unnecessary pressure around the top of the leg.
Arch supports in compression socks are also a convenient feature. They relieve pain in the centre of the foot, which is apt for people who stand at work for hours on end.
Coverage
If a compression sock covers more surface area, it is generally harder to put on and remove. This is why full coverage socks are ideal only for some types of medical conditions. If you have a medical condition, you may need to consult a doctor on whether you need a knee-length sock.
One quality that makes casual compression socks comfortable to wear is a seam-free design. If you want a full-length compression sock that covers more surface, you can go for one with open-toe so you won’t compromise surface area with ease of use.
Looking for Quality Compression Socks in Australia?
We hope the qualities mentioned in this article will help you make an informed decision when shopping for compression socks in Australia.
Here at Soles, we offer eco-friendly bamboo compression socks, which are perfect for everyday use. With arch support and elastane features, our compression socks are engineered to bring premium comfort to your soles, feet, and legs.
Check our shop today.