Please, recommend what brand you think is best based on your experience, cost, or other factor you deem improtant.

Thanks.

just head down to the local giant superstore sporting goods place, Dick's / Academy etc, get the ones that are tightest but cover your calf up to the knee.

I bought a pack of Champion socks at target this week that have been surprisingly comfortable. They are around 6 bucks and come in packs of 3.

Check your local rite aid or CVS. They have different styles and strengths that supposedly work just as well, if not better than the much pricier cycling specific brands.

i actually picked up a pair from CVS yesterday. i was contemplating tossing down $50 bucks for some fancy ones made by 2XU, but after a little research did not. i got the ones that look like regular mens dress socks and cost $15. i must say the legs felt refreshed, untired, not sore, ect....after wearing them for 4 hours yesterday afternoon. later.

1. drug store compression socks are not the same as ones designed for sport.

2. you do realize that when it comes to cycling, compression socks are only for recovery. yes?

^^^^ i spent a day reading this and that on the subject of sport v. drug store brand and found nothing compelling enough to purchase the 2XU or Skins or other sport specific brands.

lately i am spending large portions of my work day sitting. driving or sitting at desk to be specific. compression socks might help relieve some discomfort after hard days and speed recovery. verdict is still out for me. later.

It would be best (but expensive) to go to a surgical supply store and get properly fitted for a pair. Buy one there and get the rest on line.

Like most things in cycling, proper fitting is the key.

Don't wear them while you are actually cycling.

Hmm. I just followed the banner ad to the compression stocking store. I wear Juzo 20-30 mg. ever since I clotted off my great saphenous vein this Winter. I get them at the hospital gift store on special for $32 which is WAY cheaper than you can get them online.

Anyway, they tell me I need 20-30 mg. knee high. It's takes them about 10 seconds to fit you for them.

and even this is quite debatable according to the studies I've read/ participated in.

+1 and dispite staying very active and working out 3-4 times a week.

Thanks for the ideas.

Someone should tell the triathletes . . .

I picked mine up at a local pharmacy. So far I only wear them if I'm going to be standing for long periods of time ... and I only got them because of my DVT.

wearing them while running is different.

tri's dont involve bikes anymore?

I love it when I see the triathletes changing socks to avoid wearing these cycling....

1. From what I've read, I believe the only appreciable difference to the user is cost. Several doctors have advised me to not use any with pressures above 20-30 mmHG without their guidance. And that some of the sport specific ones cut off above the ankle, which may lead to blood pooling below that. There don't appear to be enough studies yet determining the effects of any brands or styles to make a definitive answer.

2. This probably goes for other sports as well. I havent seen enough evidence that wearing them while cycling, running, or doing any other sport helps performance.

I shave my legs and wear pantyhose. But I do that for the aero.

I take it back. Seems there is a performance benefit while running, but not cycling.

duh.

There was another post about this awhile ago and as I stated then if you have BAD varicous viens as I do from years of working 14 hour days on my feet then the socks help both in recovery and even while riding, your legs will feel less heavy and there will be less dull ache and also less leg cramping [the calf]. These socks need to be fitted for the best outcome and they are not cheap a good brand is Sigvarius from Germany. If you have no vien problems then I have no idea if they help, as I speak from the point of view of a vien suffer.

I've used TravelSox for long flights. They seem to work well. I noticed they are also selling a recovery sock.

I have the 2XU's. I don't use them a lot.

I love my compression socks. I was skeptical about them prior to getting them ... I wondered how it was possible that something that looked like knee-highs could possibly be comfortable. But a few months after being diagnosed with DVT, I was working at a job where I stood for 8-10 hours a day and my DVT leg ached and swelled up by the end of every day. I got the compression socks and what a difference!! My leg felt so much better.

just read a study on this. Among the findings was that no matter how active you are during the course of a day, people who spend a lot of time sitting are at significantly greater risk for heart attack, stroke and other clot-related problems. A marathon runner who spends four hours watching TV is better off than a non-runner who does the same thing, but worse off than a moderate exerciser who spends his spare time puttering around the house or yard. Apparently just flexing your legs or getting up and walking around every half hour gives some protection.
As for socks, my cardiologist recommends www.ameswalker.com. Big choice (limited colors, lots of styles), fast shipping, not too expensive. But I also have some that cost $4.50 at the VA hospital commissary, and they work, too.

There was just a whole little article about this in Bicycling magazine...you should check it out