The Best Compression Socks for Edema
James
When you’re on your feet all day long, your feet, ankles and shins take a beating. Edema, swelling and pain are often the result. You can find solutions for your lower legs by wearing the right socks, you can prevent further complications or bring relief and progressive recovery, it is all about choosing the best compression socks.
Graduated compression socks that are specifically designed to address these problems are a must. In this article, we review the 9 best compression socks for swelling and injury on the current market.
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Rockay Accelerate Anti-Blister Running Socks
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CEP Women’s Progressive+
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Premium Compression Socks
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Danish Endurance Graduated Compression Socks
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Thirty48 Graduated Compression
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Vitolsox Graduated Compression
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Pro Compression
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Women's Running Compression Socks
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Wanderlust Air Travel Compression SocksTrainer
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Blitzu Performance Compression Socks
This is the best product on our list that is currently in stock:
High compression
levelExtra padding
Drystat fabric
Top 10 Picks
1. Rockay Accelerate Anti-Blister Running Socks
Merino Wool-High quality
Technical weaving for channeled support
Breathability
Wickability
Antibacterial capability
Designed in protection
Top quality compression performance
Anti-blister
Durability
No cons to report at present
Yes, a shorter sock with exceptionally high performance.
Rockay offers a very long guarantee with these high performing compression socks due to the quality and level of tried and tested customer satisfaction.
Anti-blister protection due to the quality of natural Merino Wool and the highly innovative weave system used which ensure breathability and effective wickability.
Made from very high quality sourced Merino Wool, these socks give exceptional targeted support, strategically focused compression and protection exactly where it should be. The wool used is very well known for giving a very natural feel and comfort, while having anti-bacterial qualities and exceptional wick factor. The feet can breathe and retain a fair level of dryness, even in the most grueling weathers and workouts. Perfect for runners and equally good for all athletes who want a pair of compression socks which are designed to perform to the expectations of the needs from a compression sock. Rockay has put in a lot of research and investment to ensure that users get a very good investment.
Read moreThe system for weaving these socks is up there as highly innovative, the weave thickness varies because it is designed to target support needs, distribute needed compression effectively, channel subtle ventilation and allow moisture wicking, all of these factors are key compression sock requirements. Add to this that Rockay has gone for the highest quality material in the form of Merino Wool and this adds up to an outstanding sock.
Thicker weaving at the toes and heels means that in areas where friction may occur, the sock is offering a protective and very effective defense for the wearer. Weave patterns alternate and there is a good reason for this. The alternating directional weaving channels air around the foot allows the dispersal and wicking of moisture and the weavings are strategic in that it channels support to key areas for focused compression.
These socks are the Lamborghinis in the compression sock market, they have a set of interacting and specific designs for purpose.
Durability is also really good because Merino wool is at a quality level which establishes it as known for exceptional durability, add to this that the wool has organic properties which enhance protection against bacteria and odor and this sock easily scores a number one place in this buying guide.
2. CEP Women’s Progressive+
Graduated compression
Reduces vibration
Padded zones
Hard to get on and off
The CEP Women’s Progressive+ compression sock is a highly responsive sock, being made from 85% lycra and 15% spandex.
This not only gives it 360-degree range of motion, but also makes it very breathable and airy.
Read moreIt delivers a very high level of graduated compression, ranging from 20-30 mmHg, with the highest level of compression centered around the midfoot and ankle.
This is a very effective level to remove water and lactic acid.
The CEP Women’s Progressive+ compression sock also reduces the vibration which is a problem with many competing compression socks. It also does a great job of conforming to the foot, so that you get a natural, comfortable fit that works easily with any shoe design. It is available in a range of attractive colors.
3. Premium Compression Socks
High level of graduated compression
Moisture wicking and anti-bacterial
String elastic cuff
A little too tight
The Premium Compression Sock delivers a powerful level of graduated compression without compromising a range of motion and flexibility. That gives you a highly efficient compression sock that is also extremely comfortable.
Read moreThe high compression level does an effective job of reducing swelling by fast-tracking excess water away from the lower limbs. This is a form-fitting sock that feels great against the skin.
The Premium Compression Sock is constructed of a high-grade moisture wicking, anti-bacterial material.
A padded footbed and smooth toe seam enhance your wearing experience, making sure that you don’t suffer from abrasions or other discomforts. A strong elastic cuff at the top of the sock keeps it securely in place all day long.
4. Danish Endurance Graduated Compression Socks
Swiss MST IV technology
Form fitting anatomical design
Enhanced padding
A little too tight
The Danish Endurance Graduated Compression sock provides you with a level of compression between 16-21 mmHg to relieve edema.
The compression is highest around the mid-foot, effectively removing excess water and lactic acid that has built up.
Read moreThe compression has been optimized by Swiss MST IV technology. This sock delivers a very secure form fitting anatomical fit. Padding is enhanced throughout the sock to give you a high level of comfort and protection.
The Danish Endurance Graduated Compression sock is designed in Denmark and produced within the European Union under stringent manufacturing processes.
The speck is made from 65% polyamide, 20% elasthan and 15% lycra. They are available in a range of bright colors and come with a 100% money back guarantee.
5. Thirty48 Graduated Compression
Anti bacterial nylon
Catalyst AFdesign
Minimal thickness
Sock not high enough
The Thirty48 Graduated compression sock makes use of a unique patented Catalyst AF design to make it extremely responsive, flexible and form fitting. This gives you a sock that conforms to your foot very well. The sock is constructed of a blend between 70% nylon, 20% lycra and 19% anti bacterial nylon.
Read moreThe combination provides you with a lightweight, breathable sock that has excellent moisture wicking and anti-bacterial properties.
The Thirty48 Graduated compression sock has a high level of graduated compression, with a focus around the mid-foot and ankle. This sock does a good job of removing excess water and lactic acid, while also bringing in more oxygen and nutrients.
The Thirty48 compression sock is designed for each foot individually, providing more focused form fit than many competitors.
6. Vitolsox Graduated Compression
High compression
levelExtra padding
Drystat fabric
Hard to get on and off
The Vitolsox Graduated Compression sock delivers a high level of compression to bring quick relief for people with leg swelling issues.
With the heaviest compression around the mid foot area, it will help to move the excess water away from the lower limbs, taking pain causing lactic acid with it.
Read moreYou get extra padding on the heel and sides of the ankle, making sure that your foot is well protected with every step that you take.
The unique Drystat fabric is very responsive and lightweight, as well as being amazingly breathable. Vitolsox Graduated Compression sock gives it superior moisture wicking and anti static properties.
With Drystat you won’t have to worry about smelly socks, either. This sock provides a good level of arch support.
7. Pro Compression
20-30 mmHg
High level of moisture wicking ability
Made in the USA
A little too tight
The Pro Compression: sock is a high compression sock that delivers a high level of support to aching and swollen legs. It is made from a blend of 92% nylon and 8% spandex. The result is a very responsive sock that has a high level of flexibility and sensitivity.
Read moreThe graduated compression ranged from 20-30 mmHg, making it a high performing compressive sock that will quickly help to remove edema and lactic acid.
The Pro Compression sock provides a high level of moisture-wicking ability, keeping your legs both cool and dry.
It is a very breathable sock that has built-in anti-bacterial and anti-static qualities. These socks are made in the USA under Federally regulated facilities.
8. Women's Running Compression Socks
Comfortable
Ventilation
Impressive weave tech
Protective
Promote blood circulation
Ladies only
When you're up against a challenge, these work, they help you go the distance. Increase your blood circulation up to 40 percent, less fatigue, higher performance.
Perfect for short. medium or distance running, these are weaved as high compression fibers with lots of durabilities blended with comfort.
These socks come up with the support, offer nice protection and ensure that your circulation needs are accuratelly targetted and supported.
Read moreThink second skin with great support and that's how these feel.
Slip on the sock and enjoy the protection from blistering, chaffing/irritation. With design in air vent-features these work to retain a dryness for the feet during running.
The compressive micro-weave method also serves to prevent micro style tears on the skin surface.
The air vent is cleverly designed in the sock shin area, it allows warm air to flow up and out so the feet do not overheat.
The socks are strategic and target the main areas where the promotion of the blood circulation and its benefits are most needed.
Cap of this high performance with the fact, these are very comfortable
9. Wanderlust Air Travel Compression SocksTrainer
Gradient medical grade compression
Advanced arch support system
Enhanced toe box design
A little too thick while wearing
The Wanderlust Air Travel Compression sock features world class fabric design and construction to deliver the best relief for swelling and lower foot injury that we have come across.
It features gradient medical grade compression.
Read moreThis allows for enhanced blood circulation to immediately reduce swelling by removing excess water and lactic acid. It also has an advanced arch support system which brings the arches up to reduce plantar fasciitis pain.
The Wanderlust Air Travel Compression sock provides you with an enhanced toe box which makes sure that you don’t suffer any abrasions or discomfort against your shoe.
You get extra long cuffs with this sock. This ensures that your socks will stay up and fit right all day long.
10. Blitzu Performance Compression Socks
Kinesiology tape design
Extremely comfortable
360-degree range of motion
Sizing Chart inaccurate
These Performance Compression socks provide and ensure graduated compression to quickly bring relief from those with edema issues. With a kinesiology-tape designed in feature to ensure a very secure comfy fit which in turn enhances the effects of the compression even further.
Read moreThis giving holding performance via kinesiology tape, the sock stays securely and comfortably in place so that you are not distracted and stay focused, the overall FIT is highly impressive, zero bunching up around the toes, just consistent smooth comfort.
The Blitzu Performance Compression sock is an excellent choice for people who suffer from edema and/or are required to spend a lot of time on their feet. It is made from a professional high-grade quality fabric, which provides a 360-degree range of motion.
It is also very breathable, able to be ventilated and possessing anti-moisture wicking qualities.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Support
Without noticed support, there are not compression benefits
Compression socks are about giving support not only for the legs and feet but also for the blood circulation.
Our muscles and tissues work hard during exercise and even daily lifestyles such as walking or standing for long periods of time at work.
The muscles can get tired and they need feeding and the nutrients and oxygen they need to deliver via the blood, the fact is if they do not get enough blood supply, the muscles will tire, underperform and become prone to injury.
The solution is in clothing tech, to create a style of the sock which has a weave system and combination of materials which not only apply compression but can also through the strategic weave, target the compression onto the body areas which will support and enhance the flow of blood while also giving support.
These highly innovative sock designs are also very good for giving protection through simply increasing the thickness of the weave to create a protective barrier against friction and rubbing.
It gets better, none of us want our feet to overheat during exercise, overheated feet mean discomfort, wet socks, wet inner areas in the shoes, eventual friction and blisters. A good pair of compression socks will have designed in ventilation to offer a flow of air so that warm air can move away from the feet and therefore keep the feet at a consistent temperature, this means dry socks, more comfort and much less chance of any complications.
We looked at a range of socks and their compression capability, and we came up with ten pairs which we believe all hit the high standards of performance which a wearer expects and needs.
Stability
Instability can result from tired overworked muscles.
Linking a pair of socks to causing instability or enabling better stability might sound odd but it is very factual.
Our feet and our legs muscles play a huge part in maintaining our stability in connection with other upper body muscles, they all work together, remove the ability of some of these muscles and you will experience instability.
During challenging exercise, the pressure for supportive stabilizing performance from leg and feet muscles is intense, the need for consistent nutritious blood supply for those hard-working muscles is paramount.
As we age or over challenge our muscles, they need at the very least a consistent blood supply which is not obstructed or less effective due to the strenuous activity and we can ensure this need through compressive clothing.
When you put on a pair of compression socks you may feel the tight compressive pressure and unlike the old fairy tale that tight clothes cut down blood circulation, the oppositive is true. Your blood circulation is actually enhanced and balanced.
This is because the materials have a balanced compressive performance, the weave in the materials is designed to aid the blood circulation while at the same time, giving stabilizing support.
We compared a lot of brand products and chose those that offer stability in conjunction with support. Therefore we are confident that our selection of socks are all of the best standards and will perform to the level needed by athletes.
Value
Value is not just what you pay to buy
We looked at the value in the sense that it is not just about the price, it is much more.
Value covers performance, the products ability to give support and stability, the level of comfort, the level of quality materials, the design level, the expertise applied for weaving the socks, the changing in weave methods to target compression and distribute support.
Value is also reflected in durability, when you pay more you will get more durability which of course means a longer level of good performance.
Design is another factor, designs can result in better performance when there is evidence of creative innovative designing which has been put in specifically to enhance the performance of a product.
Our comparative review methods looked for socks which meet the requirements of our evaluative criteria, this way we have come up with a very good selection.
Compression
Compression is the key requirement.
Our comparative research looked at the need for compression because this is the key performance for these products.
Compression performance can and does vary depending on the quality of the materials and the chosen style for weaving.
We looked at the methods used via weaving to distribute compression and also to target compression. This is done through altering the symmetries of the weave pattern to give more or at times less compression. This is why when you look closely at a pair of compression socks you will note variations in the flow or direction of the weave and at times you will notice the material weave can be thicker to combine support with protection.
All compression clothing will give compression but it is a question of how much innovative design has taken place regarding the materials used and the methods for weaving those materials to ensure effective performance.
This selection of socks offers high-quality innovative approaches to ensure the maximum compression performance in combination with materials which can consistently perform.
Expert Interviews & Opinions
Support Stability 
Materials Value Compression 
When choosing compressive socks or any type of beneficial compressive clothing, it is a must do to ensure that you go for an exact FIT.
The point for compression clothing is to aid the blood supply, give support and stability while allowing ventilative capability for the skin to breath.
If you get the FIT wrong then the combination of benefits which work together will not be equally balanced. It is very much in your interest to get the maximum performance, so you do need to carry out some useful research. Take a look at the brand maker website, check out the FIT charts.
You can also look at feedback via customer reviews which are there for reading at most online stores. Gather information and full understanding about FIT before you choose a pair of compressive socks.
Think carefully about materials. Your choices will be as follows:
Synthetic materials which are weaved together to provide comfort and support.
Natural materials such as Merino wool which are weaved to give a very high level of support, protection, functionality, and comfort.
A choice of synthetic and natural materials weaved together to give a high performance.
All three options will offer good compression and supportive comfort, you simply need to choose which best meets your own personal preference.
Other Factors to Consider
Breathability
Materials and Breathability should work in harmony.
Breathability had to be part of the sock design resulting from innovative design and the use of the best materials for ensuring a good consistent level of breathability. We looked at socks which when marketed, the makers are very clear that they have factored in breathability while designing and creating the sock.
Material matter, the wrong use of materials will lead to a product failing to perform.
While looking at materials we wanted to see evidence of the use of natural materials which are known for high performance, we found this in the Rockay socks, the use of very high quality sourced merino wool and this is why these socks are the top choice. Natural materials have been around longer than synthetics and they are known as tried and tested. When we see natural materials incorporated into technical weaving to give very high compression values we are impressed.
Weaving quality wool to increase support along with stability, while technically weaving to promote wick-ability, ventilation, and protection, means that a natural product is taken and used perfectly. The durability of high-quality wool is beyond doubt.
The use of synthetic materials also deserves positive review because modern day synthetics comfortably mimic the performance of natural fibers when they are at the right level of quality and in the right weaved combination with other synthetics. A nice blend is to see synthetic materials used in combination with natural fibers, the best of both options.
You will see in our list we have carefully reviewed and come-up with a good wide selection of socks so that you can look at choosing those which best suit your needs, taste, and aims.
Frequently Asked Questions
q: I get tight discomfort, is this usual?
No, it is not usual, in fact, you should feel supportive comfort.
It does seem that you have made a mistake in choosing FIT, You need to consult the sizing charts provided by professional brand makers and figure out the exact FIT for yourself. Take a look at online websites from brank makers, you will get a lot of useful FIT info. You can also visit a store if they specialize in compression socks and try on a few pairs for FIT. If you are wearing too tight you are not getting the benefits, you are just getting discomfort.
q: Should the socks reach over my knees?
No, the best FIT should reach to just below your knees. The compression value you are looking to gain is for your calf muscles and the blood circulation in the lower leg.
Shop for a pair of socks which are designed to reach to below your knees and you will be fine.
q: Do compression socks provide insulation?
Technically yes but that is not the purpose of the design. Though that is not the design purpose, yes they do, because the materials and the weave design to give a level of warm compression, though the socks are not designed specifically to be an item of clothing for insulation use only.
q: Should the material be thin, where is the protection?
A good quality compression sock can have thin materials, a good well-designed sock will include thicker weaving for the arches, heel, and toes to ensure protection inside the shoes from natural foot movement which applies pressure at these areas.
q: Will compression socks cause foot sweat?
During solid go for it exercise, feet will sweat, this is natural.
Look for compression socks which offer wick capability and feature designed in air-flow ventilation capability. Take a look online and read buying guide reviews, you will see that socks are evaluated based upon breathability.
q: Which is best, synthetic or natural material?
Both options perform very well when the socks are from a reputable brand name.
Natural materials if from a quality source offer a lot of comforts and very good durability, natural materials also have good wick performance and this is a natural feature, along with anti-microbial ability.
Though synthetics perform equally well, they may fall a little short on the performance given by natural fibers. Makers have countered this by going for better created synthetic fibers.
Sources
- , Best Compression Socks Reviewed & Rated - walkjogrun.net, Buying Guide
- , 5 Best Compression Socks, Reviews
- , 9 Best Compression socks, Guide and Reviews
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Rockay Accelerate Anti-Blister Running Socks
-
CEP Women’s Progressive+
-
Premium Compression Socks
-
Danish Endurance Graduated Compression Socks
-
Thirty48 Graduated Compression
-
Vitolsox Graduated Compression
-
Pro Compression
-
Women's Running Compression Socks
-
Wanderlust Air Travel Compression SocksTrainer
-
Blitzu Performance Compression Socks
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