FAQS - Frequently Asked Questions
How do Graduated Compression Socks work?
The application of an elastic fabric to the sock, with greater pressure in the ankle area and less pressure upwards, is the basis of the graduated compression technology and helps the muscles to eliminate lactic acid, the venous system to transport blood back to the heart and the lymphatic system to remove excess fluid from body tissues.
In other words, compression stockings help the circulation of blood in the veins, stabilize and oxygenate the muscles and reduce leg volume. Its effectiveness has been scientifically studied and proven, and is internationally recognized by Medicine and Sports professionals.
Advantages in daily use by healthy people?
Due to their effectiveness, healthy people can regularly use compression stockings to prevent or reduce swelling and the feeling of heaviness and pain in the legs, problems that usually arise at the end of a working day, several hours on your feet or after a long travel by plane or car. With compression stockings, everyday discomfort turns into comfort.
See the Compression Sock Benefits page to learn more.
Specific advantages in sports use?
Graduated compression technology, applied in stockings, leggings and sports compression legs, offers unique advantages for professional and amateur athletes, during exercise and in the recovery phase, namely:
- Muscle and joint support and stability
- Decreased fatigue and lactic acid
- improved proprioception
- Quick recovery between training/competition
- Better blood circulation allows you to accelerate cell regeneration
- Thermal protection and regulation
see page Advantages of compression stockings to learn more.
Socks or Leggings, what to buy?
The advantages of graduated compression are also present in sports compression stockings, leggings or legs. The option for one product or another depends mainly on the sport, the physical conditions of the athlete and the conditions of the terrain, humidity and temperature.
Leggings or compression leggings are more versatile in sports use, as they allow the athlete to change the stockings depending on the shoes and other specific conditions. And compared to compression stockings, some leggings are thinner and lighter in fabric, even with high compression levels. With the use of very low or invisible socks, it is possible to create a more breathable area due to the open space between the sock and the leggings.
Alternatively, compression stockings provide an optimized compression effect, without uneven compression and overlapping fabrics in the ankle area and Achilles tendon, therefore also being more comfortable and stable for the ankle joints. Some compression stockings are more versatile than leggings as they can be easily used on a daily basis as recovery stockings.
Wear compression stockings before, during or after exercise?
Before exercising, using socks or leggings allows the muscles to drain, leaving them lighter, looser and prepared for physical exertion.
During exercise, the socks stabilize the muscles and joints, reduce muscle vibration and fatigue, improve proprioception (the body's sensitivity to the muscles) and even have a thermal protection and regulation effect. The use of compression stockings is even more effective in long-lasting sports, where the athlete is usually overcome by fatigue, cramps or muscle pain.
After exercising, wearing socks or leggings allows you to speed up the removal of lactic acid and muscle regeneration.
Compression classes?
The compression class (or level) of stockings is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), a unit of measurement for pressure.
The definition of compression classes differs from brand to brand, but generally varies between 10 and 50 mmHg, being classified as Rest socks (10-15mmHg), Class 1 (CCL1, 15-21mmHg), Class 2 ( CCL2, 22-32mmHg), Class 3 (CCL3, 33-46mHh) and Class 4 (CCL4, >49mmHg).
Sport compression stockings and medical compression stockings are usually available in classes 1 and 2, while class 3 and 4 stockings are mainly used for treating severe venous diseases. This is a summary of medical indications for each level or class of compression:
REST · compression 70 to 280 DEN
Soft and comfortable compression that improves blood circulation, prevents varicose veins and fluid retention.
CCL1 Class 1 (15-21mmHg) Mild / Sport compression
Compression indicated for moderate pain, varicose veins, prevention of DVT, venous edema (reduced phase) and pregnancy.
CCL2 · class 2 (23-32mmHg) · Moderate compression
Compression indicated for the pre-surgery and post-surgery phases of varicose veins, DVT, lymphedema and venous edema (acute phase).
CCL3 and CCL4 · Class 3 and 4 · Strong compression
Compression indicated for severe trophic disorders, open ulcer, lymphedema and pronounced varicose veins with marked edema.
Choose the correct size?
To be able to optimize the level of comfort and compression in the leg, you must carry out a rigorous measurement, according to the instructions of each brand. The ankle measurement corresponds to the circumference of the thinnest part of the leg. Calf measurement corresponds to the circumference of the widest part of the leg (below the knee). The thigh measurement corresponds to the circumference of the widest part of the thigh (below the crotch).
If possible, take your measurements early in the morning, as your legs are less swollen.
If in doubt, when your leg measurement is precisely between two sizes, opting for the lower number will allow you to slightly increase the compression level of the stocking. Alternatively, opting for the larger number allows for more comfort.
Although the sensitivity varies from person to person, as a general rule, in the correct size, graduated compression stockings have a high level of comfort, which allows their use for many hours.
Restrictions on use?
Do not use graduated compression stockings in cases of arterial or venous circulation problems, diabetes, discomfort or medical recommendation to the contrary.
For healthy people and athletes, there are no restrictions on the use of sports compression stockings. You can use them before, during and after each exercise.
After a very long or maximum intensity race, such as a marathon, we recommend using graduated compression stockings during long journeys by plane or car, as they help to prevent possible blood clots that can occur unexpectedly even in people with healthy veins.
How to easily put on Knee Socks and Leggings (AD)?
Due to the elasticity and technology of the fabrics used, the process of putting on compression stockings is not always easy, with a risk of incorrect placement and even damage when the stocking is pulled.
To make putting on compression stockings easier, we recommend a 4-step process:
1st Identify the left / right sock: In cases where brands present different socks for left or right foot.
2nd Turn the sock inside out : Before putting the sock on, turn all the fabric on the upper part of the sock, between the knee and the heel, inside out. To do this, place your hand inside the sock, grab the heel area and pull it out.
3rd Dress the foot : With the foot area properly stretched, put on the sock up to the heel. Then pull the upper part of the sock up to ankle height and ensure that the sock is correctly positioned on the foot. If not, remove the sock and repeat the process.
4ª Pull the sock up to the knee: Carefully and slowly pull the remaining sock to its final position, below the crease of the knee or as indicated by the mark. Be careful to avoid pleats/folds in the fabric. If not, remove the sock and repeat the process.
In the specific case of Leggings , the 2nd and 3rd stages have several differences:
1st Identify the left/right specification of the legging.
2nd Fold the leggings : Before putting them on, fold the leggings into a “bellows” shape, holding it between your thumbs. Alternatively, try folding half the legging inside out.
3rd Dress the ankle : With the fabric duly folded between the fingers, cross the entire area of the foot and put on the leggings up to the ankle, making sure that the lower part is over the ankle, in the narrowest part of the leg.
4th Pull the leg loop up to the knee.
How to easily put on Socks up to Thigh (AG) and Waist (AT/ATU)?
Naturally, taller socks and tights have more fabric (or more stretch) and become a little more difficult to put on. The user often does not pull the socks up with enough force, not positioning the product correctly, which can then lead to the sock falling down with use.
Runsox's recommendation is, taking as much fabric as possible to avoid damage to the socks, pull well one area at a time, first on the ankle area, then on the calf, knee, up to the root of the thigh and waist. Only pulling with some intensity is it possible to ensure that the sock is well positioned and does not fall off with day-to-day use.
Care for use and washing?
As with any other garment, with frequent use, washing and care, socks progressively lose some of their characteristics, especially elasticity.
In order to prolong the useful life of compression stockings, the following indications must be respected during their usage :
- Avoid sharp nails on hands and feet
- Remove rings with protruding surfaces before handling
- Do not cut loose threads inside the sock
- Do not use oily creams before putting on the sock
- Be careful and calm in the sock dressing process
- Wash at low temperatures, if possible by hand
- Do not use fabric softeners
- Do not dry clean
- Do not tumble dry
- do not iron
- Dry socks in the shade, if possible indoors