Trails, thanks for writing in something that actually pertains....it's all about the mmHG of compression that the sox provide. In general, athletes want the highest possible. The Nike sox have higher than any brand I've worn...but they're not for sale (i thought they were available in the UK for a while??).....soooo, always check the compression rating before you buy....
cheers, dude-
somerandomdude:
You been racing lately?
whoot wrote:
Only post-run and in the privacy of your living quarters. Its slow fools like you that are ruining the sport.
It's slow fools like you who are ruining the sport."
been running a month now, was supposed to run oxy this sat but was hit by a car @65mph on wed....hit, not clipped....on my bike...walked away...prob- no, for sure, should be dead but guess God says its not my time yet.
back to sox, no dis on oxysox but they don't have much compression (at least the old ones, have no idea about new ones)....My Nike's are almost impossible to get on b/c they're so tight (i.e., have so much compression) but that's what you want in a c-sock, I use them religiously on plane trips and on occasion for races when my calves are hurting prior...
dude-
I've been wearing them for the last 10 years - since Paula started wearing them. I've tried every brand under the sun and there is a huge difference between the brands. Look for socks that are manufactured by medical companies. You want to make sure it is graduated compression and anywhere from 20-30 mmHg (this is how the compression is measured).
Wearing them during and post workouts is key. Sometimes I'll even sleep in them.
Here's a thread on the topic:
FWIW, I wear Futuro compression socks (20-30 mmHg if I recall correctly) when I'm not running (at work, around the house, etc). I have no idea if they work, but they do feel good.
The best that I have found are from a newer company called Swiftwick out of Nashville. THey have the highest thread count out of any that I have found, so they are durable as well as extremely good for during and after workouts. They have them in regular socks and also wool compression socks, so they were great in the winter. Also a lot cheaper than most of the other compression socks that I have found. About 25-30 bucks
There are many studies that show the benefits of compression socks. Most of them show the benefits of post-workout recovery. Let me know if you want links to the peer reviewed studies and I will get them to you.
Regarding the difference between $40 compression and $4 compression is the quality of compression. In order for the socks to be effective, they need to have a true pressure gradient. A good pair of compression socks will state the level of pressure gradient in mmHg (for example - 12-20mmHg, 20-30mmHg, 30-40mmHg, etc). If the manufacturer is not communicating the pressure gradient, they are just selling you tight socks branded as compression.
Quality compression socks cost more because they are regulated by the FDA. I know that sounds crazy for the FDA to regulate socks, but that is because they were originally developed for clinical applications (lymphdema, PVD, diabetes, etc). Any compression sock providing gradient compression has to be registered with the FDA.
If cost is an issue, I recently came across a site that sells high quality affordable compression socks and sleeves.Let me know if you want the link.
Would these enhance recovery for your calf or your whole leg? I have never had tired calves.
There is another study where they had all the participants do a series of plyometrics, then took blood samples to look for indicators of muscle damage (such as cpk levels). Half the participants then did no special recovery. One quarter wore graduated compression socks for the next twelve hours, one quarter received a 30 min massage then wore compression socks for 11.5 hrs.
The next day they found lower levels of cpk (and whatever other indicators) in the half of the participants who wore the compression gear. The massage seemed to have no effect.