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Maybe you’ve heard of compression socks or have seen them worn by athletes or nurses, but why do people wear them? How do compression socks work, after all? Athletes, nurses, and soon-to-be mothers all combat discomfort and swelling in their legs using compression socks.
Wearing compression socks can also help prevent deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, and leg pain. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how compression socks work.
Compression socks are a type of sock designed to apply pressure to the legs and feet. The amount of pressure is usually greatest at the ankle and then decreases as it goes up the leg. Compression socks are often used by people with circulation problems or who stand for long periods of time. They can also be helpful for people who are pregnant or experience frequent swelling in their legs.
Compression socks support the muscles and bones in the legs and work by applying gentle pressure to the legs, which helps improve circulation and reduce swelling. Compression socks come in a variety of sizes and styles, and they can be worn during any activity. With regular use, compression socks can help improve leg health and prevent injuries.
Compression socks are often thought of as something that only athletes or older adults need to wear. However, there are many different groups of people who can benefit from wearing compression socks, including pregnant women, people who suffer from swelling in their feet or legs, and those who spend long periods standing or sitting. Compression socks help increase circulation and reduce swelling, which can lead to more comfortable pregnancies, fewer foot and leg cramps, and less fatigue. In addition, compression socks can also help prevent varicose veins and blood clots. Essentially, anyone can wear compression socks and experience the benefits.
Now you know the answer to “How do compression socks work?” If you’re interested in trying a pair, the task of finding the right size can seem daunting. However, it's not that difficult once you know what to look for. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing what compression socks to buy.
First, consider the level of compression you need. A low-compression sock should suffice if you're dealing with minor swelling or leg fatigue. However, if you're recovering from an injury or have more severe swelling, you'll need a higher-compression sock.
Next, take measurements of your calf and ankle. The sock should fit snugly but not too tightly–you should be able to slide two fingers underneath the cuff easily. Ideally, the sock will stop just below your knee.
Once you've done this, it's time to choose the style and color of your compression socks. Shop our selection of both compression socks for men and compression socks for women to find a pair you love.
Your sock size shouldn’t be a guessing game. Our socks range from small to double XL, but the best way to know the perfect fit for you is to match your shoe size to the chart on the left. That way, you’ll know the size you select will give you the fit and feel you expect.
Between sizes? Go with your gut, but rest assured that your socks will still fit great. If you receive your order and find yourself wishing you’d gone up or down a size, just let us know. We’ll happily send you replacements for your preferred size.
Concerned about laundry mix-ups? All FITS® socks are coordinated by color and size, based on the colors you see on the size chart. So, you won’t have to worry about mixing up your sizes with the other FITS® wearers in your home. (But stray socks mysteriously going missing in the dryer? Unfortunately, we can’t help with that.)
Sock sizes are typically measured in inches, not by your shoe size. So, a sock size 6-8 will comfortably fit someone whose feet are between six and eight inches long. However, at FITS®, we make it easy for you to choose the ideal sock size without having to measure your foot. Simply use our sock size conversion chart based on your shoe size to select the right fit for you.
To measure your foot for socks, measure the length from the heel of your foot to the tip of your longest toe. The measurement in inches correlates to your sock size. For example, if your foot is 10 inches long, a sock size 9-11 should fit you comfortably. At FITS®, you can skip this step and find your sock size based on your shoe size using our conversion chart.
The sock size conversion refers to sock size compared to shoe size. While all companies may vary slightly on which size socks to purchase based on your shoe size, you can always measure your foot to find the right fit for you.
Because sock sizes are determined by the length of your foot in inches vs. your shoe size, shoe and sock sizes differ. The FITS® sock size to shoe size conversion is as follows:
Knowing this makes it easy to choose the ideal sock size based on your shoe size without measuring your foot.
Sock sizes typically don’t correlate with age. For kids, age can be a general indicator of what size sock they’ll need, but everyone is different. An adult sock size 9-12 fits anyone whose feet are approximately nine to twelve inches long. For kids’ sock sizing, check with the company to find exact details to ensure your little one gets the perfect fit.
Got more questions about finding the perfect sock size for you? Let’s talk.
