Compression socks with zippers? Why we don't recommend them.

Have you seen that TV commercial where someone is happily putting on their compression socks with the ease of a magical zipper?

Compression socks are difficult to put on because of the medical pressure that will ultimately be applied to your legs. If these zipper socks were truly knit with the correct amount of compression, pulling a zipper up would be *incredibly* difficult.

Imagine putting on a tight dress or a pair of jeans that are getting a bit too tight. Often with a dress, you need someone else to help pull the fabric together so you can pull the zipper up - it can take three hands to get the zipper up. For a pair of pants or jeans, you have to suck in your stomach and then pull with all your might. 

That's the way it feels to pull a zipper up on a real medical compression sock, except you can't suck your calves in and you usually don't have an extra set of hands to help! Additionally, this kind of sock needs to be made out of a really strong fabric to be able to withstand the pulling and the compression that's knit into the fabric with the zipper.

What you're getting from these TV ads is certainly not medical compression if the zipper is just sliding right up.

So - why are these ads so popular? Because compression socks ARE hard to get on! We have a better alternative, though - velcro compression wraps.

Velcro compression wraps give you the medical compression you need without the struggle of getting a sock or stocking over your foot. You simply pull the straps around your leg, and set the compression. 

How do you put compression wraps on?

Here's a video of someone donning the Sigvaris CompreFlex Wrap:

Who can wear compression wraps?

Compression wraps are ideal for anyone who has swelling in their leg, venous insufficiency, leg ulcers, DVT, and lymphedema. 

These kinds of wraps are great for anyone who struggles to get compression stockings and/or has limited hand strength. They're also incredible if you have irritation on your skin where pulling or yanking fabric over it could cause further irritation.

Compression wraps can be worn 24 hours a day, so if your swelling doesn't go down during the evening, this is a safe item to wear to bed.

Most wraps come with a few different items included:

• A liner. This is worn underneath the wrap for additional comfort and to extend the life of your wrap. Every day you should change out the liner, and then wash your wrap on a weekly basis. All of the wraps we sell are machine washable, but keeping a liner between your skin and the wrap will keep it cleaner. Most liners have compression in the foot.
• A tool to help configure the compression level. Different manufacturers do this in different ways, but there's always a way for you to set your compression level.
• One wrap. If you need to wear compression on both legs, you will need to buy two. This can be great if your legs are two different sizes, you can get two different individual sizes for each leg.

How much do compression wraps cost?

They can range in price from $70 to $150.

The wide range has to do with the fabric that's used in the wraps. The more expensive wraps are usually designed for more serious medical conditions.

Can you buy wraps for the full leg?

Yes, but the items are purchased separately. Depending on the brand, you may need to get a calf, knee and thigh piece.

Which brands do you recommend?

Our most popular wraps are made by Circaid and Sigvaris.

See what customers are saying:

"The Circaid Juxtalite Lower Leg System is "just what the doctor ordered", and keeps the swelling down and very easy to apply and wear all day."  - Don

Read More Here

"Best features: easy to put on; it compresses exactly where her swelling is (top of foot & ankle); it is adjustable, so should retain its firm fit over time." - Shirley

Read More Here