Compression socks come in a variety of styles, levels of compression (Class I, Class II & Class III) and are often recommended by health professionals world-wide for a range of benefits. So, what compression socks do doctors recommend and what compression socks should you buy? Let’s compare the worlds best compression socks and features.
Before we compare compression socks, let’s make sure we some core questions are answered so you can buy the perfect compression socks for you.
Table of contents
What do compression socks do?
Medical compression socks are often prescribed by doctors to aid in vascular circulation, by assisting in blood circulation from the feet and ankles back up to your heart. They also help reduce swelling and assist with lymphatic drainage.
What are good compression socks?
Good compression socks are medically guaranteed to provide an exact mmHg at particular locations by offering targeted compression levels in targeted limbs. What you must consider when purchasing good compression socks is your exact requirement for the medical compression socks.
Product quality in compression socks is based on accurate level of compression to a targeted location, quality of material for comfort during extended wear and durability of the textile to ensure the value of your compression stocks.
What is mmHg for compression socks?
This is what separates cheap cotton compression socks to medically manufactured, graduated compression and comfortable compression socks. By asking your health professional what compression socks to buy, the most important question is what level, or class of mmHg should you wear.
MmHg or millimeters of mercury, is the level of compression your compression socks will exert on your vascular system. The higher the class the more compression your medical socks will provide.
| Anti Embolism | Class I | Class II | Class III | |
| mmHg Jobst | < 18 | 15-20 | 20-30 | 30-40 |
| mmHg Sigvaris | 18 | 18-21 | 23-32 | 34-46 |
| Graduated | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Applicator Required | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Depending on your age and strength it is often recommended to purchase a compression hosiery donning device.
What are graduated compression socks?
Graduated compression socks offer a differing level of compression mmHg throughout the compression sock. As the purpose of medical compression socks is to assist in the movement of blood back up your legs to your heart, by graduating the level of compression from the foot your blood forcing the blood to move faster back up your legs.
