# Do compression socks work? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 15, 2021, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-compression-socks-work/952543 "2021-10-15T11:31:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mike\_Mabes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mike_mabes/32/1782_2.png) [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2021, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-compression-socks-work/952543/1 "2021-10-15T11:31:02Z")
I’ve recently taken a job which requires me to stand for 6 hours and I haven’t done that since I was in my 20’s, I am 59. My calves get pretty sure by the end of the day. Maybe it will get better over time but has anyone ever used compression socks? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2021, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-compression-socks-work/952543/2 "2021-10-15T12:05:26Z")
Pretty sure of what? ;-D Yeah, they work to reduce swelling, for most types of swelling. Give it a go. Might help with achiness too, might not. Get knee high ones, makes sure they’re put on correctly. Get well cushioned shoes, too. And if you stand in one place a lot, get a well padded mat you can stand on. ---
**Author:** ![PB\_J](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6de8d8/32.png) [@PB\_J](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PB_J)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2021, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-compression-socks-work/952543/3 "2021-10-15T12:18:26Z")
I have found the open-toe ones to be super comfortable. The closed toe ones squished my old toes and I couldn’t tolerate them. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2021, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-compression-socks-work/952543/4 "2021-10-15T12:23:05Z")
Yes. My mom had swelling in one leg from a massive blood clot, and the compression socks nearly hid it, they worked so well. Agree with Qadgop that you should also wear good, padded shoes, and either get a mat or find some other way to keep your legs in motion. Even walking around just a little, in place, will help you. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2021, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-compression-socks-work/952543/5 "2021-10-15T14:59:14Z")
I worked in casinos for many years, basically standing still for eight hours a day. I always wore Supp-hose support socks but that brand doesn’t seem to be available any more. Suggest you look into the difference between “compression socks” and “support hose”. Apparently compression socks are stronger and may require a prescription while support hose are milder, less expensive, and widely available. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2021, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-compression-socks-work/952543/6 "2021-10-15T15:14:40Z")
I have a pair of compression sleeves that fit ankle to a couple inches below the knee. I like this style as it allows me to wear regular socks. I wear them for long distance running and I also have brought them on a couple longer flights. I think they help. ---
**Author:** ![The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2021, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-compression-socks-work/952543/7 "2021-10-15T18:21:21Z")
I wear compression socks during OCR races to protect my legs from rope burn, splinters, or getting cut on thorns and stuff in the woods. I haven’t worn them specifically to help with aching calf muscles, so I won’t comment on that. I will caution that they are not comfortable. If you’ve ever worn tight-fitting clothing, well, compressions socks are the epitome of tight-fitting clothing. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2021, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-compression-socks-work/952543/8 "2021-10-15T18:32:47Z")
> [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](#): > > I wear compression socks during OCR races There are races for optical character recognition software now? ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2021, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-compression-socks-work/952543/9 "2021-10-15T18:36:53Z")
> [@PB\_J](#): > > I have found the open-toe ones to be super comfortable. The closed toe ones squished my old toes and I couldn’t tolerate them. I had this problem with most of the compression socks I ever tried, because I have ridiculously big feet. But I found a brand (HOYISOX Plus Size) on Amazon that actually have feet that expand enough not to crush my toes. But be prepared to be skeptical if you buy a pair - right out of the box, the feet look very, very small. But somehow they’re made such that the feet actually expand quite a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2021, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-compression-socks-work/952543/10 "2021-10-15T18:39:20Z")
On days I work as a cashier (which in the US involves much standing in place) I wear knee-high compression socks and New Balance “walking” shoes which have a thick sole. Also get new insoles every 6 months - Spenco brand when I can find them, if not, something intended for working/walking. I find if I use all that my feet/legs ache much less at the end of the day. I also try to shuffle my feet, rock back and forth toe-to-heel and back, and move around as much as possible, even if it’s just stepping in place. Do they work? To an extent, yes. There are limits, though. Also, a trade-off between easy-to-get-on/off and comfort vs. effectiveness. The greater the squeeze the more trouble to get on and off. Also, when cleaning of them you have to be cognizant that there is elastic in them. If you dry them on High Volcanic Heat you’ll ruin 'em. In fact, my current ones recommend air drying. ---
**Author:** ![The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2021, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-compression-socks-work/952543/11 "2021-10-15T18:39:57Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > There are races for optical character recognition software now? Nah, obstacle course racing. ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2021, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-compression-socks-work/952543/12 "2021-10-15T18:46:25Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > There are races for optical character recognition software now? Not so much a race as a [friendly competition](https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=906369) ---
**Author:** ![PB\_J](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6de8d8/32.png) [@PB\_J](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PB_J)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2021, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-compression-socks-work/952543/13 "2021-10-15T21:02:31Z")
[quote=“Horatius, post:9, topic:952543”] But I found a brand (HOYISOX Plus Size) on Amazon that actually have feet that expand enough not to crush my toes. [/quote] Thank you…I will check those out!