You can see them on almost every jogging trail: compression socks. The special sports socks have gained popularity in recent years and are commonly used for running and cycling by hobby athletes. Many athletes appreciate the positive effect compression socks have on their performance. In our buying guide, we would like to provide information on what compression socks do, how they work and what benefits they have for your body.

In our online shop, you’ll find a wide range of compression stockings, compression socks and compression sleeves in all common sizes by renowned brands like cep and Falke.

Compression garments are characterized by the special materials they are made of, which offer only limited elasticity. In combination with a tight fit, compression socks and knee-length stockings with compression put pressure on your legs and blood vessels from the outside. Compression socks are not only used for medical treatment of venous diseases, but also for sport. More and more athletes like runners and cyclists use the socks and stockings to benefit from the positive effects on their legs during training or recovery.

There are still many discussions about the effects of compression socks and stockings. For scientists, it's hard to prove beyond doubt the positive effects compression has on the body during sport and recovery, as there are many factors influencing the cardiovascular system and the muscles. Many athletes report the positive effect though and won’t do without compression socks during sport or after sport to support recovery. Even though there is no clear evidence that compression socks have a positive effect on the body, there’s a consensus in science, magazines, forums etc. that compression socks put pressure on the muscles, making veins and blood vessels smaller. This is said to make the valves in the veins work more efficiently to return blood to the heart even better. During sport, this effect is said to relieve the veins and the cardiovascular system while increasing the speed of blood flowing in the veins for a faster transport of nutrients and oxygen to the muscles.

Besides, compression fans agree on the positive effect on recovery. According to them, compression reduces blood pooling in the legs and water retention in the tissue, which results in less leg swelling and makes the legs feel lighter as well. Therefore, many athletes also use compression socks when travelling by plane, on longer car rides or in the office to prevent heavy legs.

The effect of compression on performance and recovery has not yet been scientifically proven beyond doubt. Thus, we recommend you gain your own experience and to decide for yourself whether compression socks have the desired effect for you.

This largely depends on the brand, the level of compression the socks offer and on whether you use the garments for sport or recovery. Please follow the manufacturer’s recommendations – which might range from short periods through to several hours.

Basically, compression garments should fit tight without feeling constricting to get the highest effect. Depending on your shoe size and the circumference of your calf, there may be different socks and stockings with compression suitable for you. Manufacturers of compression garments often provide size charts to help you find the right size socks, stockings or calf sleeves based on your shoe size and calf circumference.

You would like to test the effect of compression socks yourself? Then this is the place to be! In our online shop, you’ll find a huge range of women’s and men’s compression stockings, compression socks and compression sleeves in all common sizes by popular brands like cep and Falke.