Riding with compression socks/tights?
 

The older I get, the more I appreciate compression socks after a long ride. I have subs long rides coming up in the next few years - - an Everest in 2021 and PBP in 2023, if all goes well.

Does anyone have thoughts on wearing compression socks or tights DURING a ride? I'll be riding 24-plus hours in a row in both cases, so I'm guessing I should give it a rest every
​​​​ few hours?

I do and I see other riders wearing them too sometimes. For me it's not optional due to circulation issues. I wear high compression knee high socks from the time I get up in the morning till bedtime. Hard to find sporty looking ones in the compression I need. Garneau had some that are discontinued.

I generally think compression a bad thing while riding. I want my blood to have free access to my leg muscles. Socks are about the only thing I wear that are a tad more than snug enough to move with my body and not rub.

Compression stuff might be useful for muscles that were strained or injured until they heal. All IMO of course.

FWIW pro riders entire getup is 'compression' and the general consensus is that compression garments facilitate
active endeavors and do not restrict blood flow and improve performance. I do have some compression knee
high non-medical grade socks I wear in the 45°F to 60°F range for warmth. I also have some sun sleeves that are
compression that are tight for 15' then I don't notice any more.
Would I wear compression shirts/jersey/bibs/shorts: no, but that is personal preference only and I have so much
cycle specific clothing from my acquisitive phase '96-'05 that I will never use it up.

Do you know for certain it is compression? And how much? While many marketing terminology uses compression in their descriptions, it seems the desirable fit that I read about from so called experienced sources is generally described as form fitting and snug enough to move with you. Admittedly I'd be hard pressed to find sources to show you though, but that's what I've gleaned from articles I've read over the years.

I feel that I do much better in a cycling shorts and anything on my legs if it's only snug enough to move with me. Not compress me.

I often wear my compression socks while riding. I've got various ones, from ones that only cover half my foot and go up to the end of my calves and look like pantyhose-type material and are meant to be worn under something else, up to full-coverage socks that go from the toes up to nearly my knees, and can be worn alone as normal socks.

I've got circulation issues from varicose veins in my legs that make this a good idea. I don't always wear them, but I should, and if I don't and sit down all day at my computer I'll often notice some swelling in my feet and ankles by the end of the day. If I wear them I don't. The nearly knee-high ones aren't as comfortable to wear as just normal socks, but for a long ride I just put them on anyway and get on with it. I don't feel it's hampered anything. Pedaling a bike does seem to keep the fluids pumping well enough to avoid the fluid pooling in the feet/ankle area, but I know if I wear the compression socks it'll keep it that way.

Where I really notice the swelling is either after being seated for hours on end, or if I'm on my feet all day. If I stand up and walk around from time to time it's less of an issue. When I fly in an airliner I always wear them, because that's just DVT waiting to happen, and thanks but no thanks to that.

Anyhow, not everyone needs compression socks, but if you need them you need them, and I see no reason not to wear them. It's not like most folks with varicose veins or other circulation problems are competing in UCI-sanctioned events where they'd be banned. I'll be wearing mine more often than not.

My wife has the foot-swelling issue and wears compression socks that come to just below the knee during the day, except when she's riding. She tried it and it made her feet cramp, probably lack of circulation, lactate buildup, whatever. For sure they're good after a ride and when flying. There have been some studies done with compression garments for recovery, result was maybe 10% improvement. Some ultra-runners wear them, but I've never seen them on a cyclist other than my wife trying them a couple times.

NO PHYSICAL ISSUES but I ride with Compression Calf Sleeves. 20 hours -- 307 miles -- age 66 and no issues of cramping or tiredness. Also worn during 5Ks to Marathons AND biking/marathon in my IRONMAN events.

Yup, I've worn various length and snugness (?) compression hose for bike rides and even all-day use when my legs are bothering me. Subjectively, yeah, they seem to help. By "help" I mean "feels good."

People differ over whether it translates to improved performance. I can't say I've been consistently faster or stronger with compression hose. But it "feels good," and for me that makes it worthwhile on some longer rides.

Same with shorts and bibs. I can wear medium or small in most shorts and bibs and usually prefer the compression of the small, although they tend to run shorter in the leg length, about midway between my knee and hip rather than closer to the knee according to current trends. My shorts and bibs lengths tend to fit like 1960s-'70s cycling shorts. Subjectively, the compression seems to help my thighs on harder workout rides -- less muscle burning, fewer cramps.

My only problem with compression is my little toes are extremely sensitive to loss of circulation from pressure on the tops of my feet from socks or shoes that are too tight. So I have to be sure the socks, shoes and insoles/inserts are compatible. Usually I find out about 30 minutes into a ride when my little toes start stinging, then get numb.

Thanks, all. I just did 45 miles with 4000 feet of climbing on Zwift, wearing a lightweight compression sock on the leg that gives me trouble. Worked like a champ, and no soreness in the one bulgy vein that normally gets me! I'm going to look into the sleeves OldTryGuy uses. Any links to product you like would be appreciated.

I have worn these for 5K to Marathons, biking and marathon in 2 Ironman Florida triathlons and tens of thousands of biking miles. Machine wash and hang dry. Started to show wear last year so extremely happy and only calf length since feet require nothing. Tried with feet and DID NOT LIKE.

ZENSAH >>> https://www.zensah.com/products/compression-leg-sleeves

I don't wear my compression socks while riding as I believe that the muscle action is enough to pump my blood sufficiently. I do wear them when working in the office, driving the car for long periods, or flying.
Anyway, after writing that, I asked myself whether I was right... so I did a couple minutes research. There are lots of articles touting the use of compression garments while exercising... from people selling compression garments. I did find, however, a serious study: Compression Garments and Exercise: No Influence of Pressure Applied from NIH.

Thanks! Ordered!