What's your take on compression socks or sleeves?

As my mileage has increased to 10 or 12 miles once a week I do find my calf muscles complain a little. I stretch them post run and they are ok ish. I see that compression socks or sleeves are supposed to hold the muscle reducing oscillation and increasing blood flow for increased oxygenation and removal of lactic acid. Some swear by wearing them during the run and some after the run. I am currently sporting my compression flight socks post run! So do they work? Also do the socks cause blisters etc over distance or am I better with my hilly twin skins combined with the calf sleeve?

[Rignold]

I swear by compression on longer runs. I used to wear injinji toe socks as a base layer for foot protection and either compression socks or tights depending on the temperature.

[Hidden in reply to Rignold]

Did you find less fatigue on your legs on distance runs or was it less aches afterwards?

[Rignold in reply to Hidden]

Difficult to say with certainty as I was always pushing my distance so fatigue and aches were a given. I would say both though, although perhaps more fewer aches afterwards (that looks a strange sentence.). After very long runs I would keep the on for an hour or so after.

[Hidden in reply to Rignold]

Yes I did wonder how long to wear them afterwards. I am still wearing my lovely flight compression socks (nhs issued and no frills) post morning run. I find them quite comfortable in a random supported kind of way!!

[ju-ju- Marathon]

I am sure someone will have a sensible answer.... I am not sure as I have never tried them..... ( sorry)

[Rignold in reply to ju-ju-]

you wear compression tights do you not?

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to Rignold]

Oh yes- I bought them for the style as I like the clingyness! I hadn’t appreciated they may have other benefits! So yes I do and no... no difference. I wear them for spinning and pump more than running !!

[Rignold in reply to ju-ju-]

lol

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to Rignold]

😼

[Hidden in reply to ju-ju-]

That's funny!! So no effects for you then!!

[Hidden in reply to ju-ju-]

I'm not sure how many runners do but I have seen them being worn out and about. I was wanting to maybe try some for my distance runs really, not the other shorter runs.

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to Hidden]

You could always try and see how you get on ?

[Hidden in reply to ju-ju-]

I would need to buy some specifically as the ones I have are for flying so they are open toes. I can wear them after running which I am trying.

[Madge50 Marathon]

I’ve got some calf sleeves, I used them ages ago, couldnt tell you if they were any good or not, or if it was more psychological, don’t use them now.....I don’t think I’d bother.....

I always picture kids running about....they just run..... 😄

Mx

[Hidden in reply to Madge50]

Did you wear your running socks over the end of the calf sleeve?

[Madge50 Marathon in reply to Hidden]

I think they sort of met at my ankle - I don’t like longish socks, I prefer the liner sort that finish just under your ankle.....if my legs feel they need it, I do the ‘legs up the wall’ I.e legs higher than your head, for twenty minutes to aid venous return - ex nurse you see.....😄.....old habits from being on your feet all day....

Mx

[Madge50 Marathon]

I didn’t say anything about socks, I’ve never tried a compression sock, just find good fitting socks work for me, I’ve got thick ones, thin ones , double skin, I sometimes use different ones depending on terrain and distance ......if I think about it.....😄. I’m liking double skin at the moment......especially for longer runs...

Mx

[Hidden in reply to Madge50]

I am liking my twin skins. Although i am going to try the hilly marathon socks and hope they are good at preventing blisters. I hate blisters!!

[Madge50 Marathon in reply to Hidden]

I’ve got some hilly twin skin liners, they seem really thin, but oh so comfy, love ‘em!

Mx

[misswobble Marathon]

I’ve got compression tights - they slip down and drive me crazy

A compression top - gorgeous but generally only wear it to keep me extra warm rather than the compression benefits

Compression long socks which I cannot run in. It feels like that feeling you get when you go to bed on a cold night in socks and wake up to find you still have them on. They used to say “it draws your feet” Feels weird. I don’t mind them to walk the dog though

Don’t wear arm sleeves, though I noticed they did on my very cold marathon, but to keep arms warm while wearing a vest, I think

Not sold on the idea 🤔

[Hidden in reply to misswobble]

Ok that's cool. Reading literature on studies of athletes wearing the compression socks during a run seems inconclusive. There are benefits to wearing them post run it seems. Obviously I am no athlete lol. I will wear my compression socks post run today and the next few weeks and see if my recovery is better or not. They will be out for my long haul flight soon too!

[TedG Half Marathon]

I wear compression calf sleeves, best thing I’ve bought so far...helps keeping Shin Splints at bay and no more calf aches 😊

Cheap on eBay

[Hidden in reply to TedG]

Which ones do you wear?

[TedG Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?...

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

I don't care for wearing tight clothes so can't comment, but I did read somewhere that having a bath after a run may provide some compression to positive effect. It certainly makes me feel better, although I suspect the main reason for this is that the warm water relaxes the muscles.

Blisters are an individual thing, surely?

[benwill Marathon]

I wear half sleeves on my longer runs as they tend to help with niggles i seems to be getting in that area on the longer runs and dont tend to take them off for a hour or so after then run (not sure this helps)

A wise man once told not to by the compression socks get the sleeves, socks will wear out quicker then any sleeve.

I am looking at some 2xu recovery tights for after a run, i am sure i will get some soon to put on after a hard/long session.

[Hidden in reply to benwill]

That's interesting. I think I will get some sleeves and try them on my longer runs. That way I can keep my twin skin socks to stop any blisters. My calfs feel fine this morning after wearing my compression flight socks post run yesterday.

[C3PO Marathon]

I've been wondering about compression socks. At the Meet the Experts event last week, one of the runners who spoke wore them. Unsurprisingly it was the one who runs the fastest.

I don't generally have problems with my calfs. I suspect it's all the calf raises that I do.

[Hidden in reply to C3PO]

My calfs have been fine until I increased distance. They niggle for a day but after yesterday wearing my flight compression socks post run, they are great today. Maybe in the mind? I have got some on order so I will try them and see how I get on. I will look at some calf raises too.

[benwill Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Give them a go, mine are just one's from decathlon but they seem to work well enough. I would say i have'nt worked out how to work them with tights yet. Running tights.

[Hidden in reply to benwill]

My running tights are not tight on the legs so they should fit ok underneath. I will give them a go when they arrive!

[misswobble Marathon]

I had a calf sleeve for my shin split rehab but didn’t wear it afterwards

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Interesting thread. I have been pondering calf sleeves to keep my legs warm (I have some arm warmers already), and maybe help the poor old calves, so this has got me poking around on Amazon

Thanks, rfd!

[Hidden in reply to roseabi]

Let me know how you get on!

[Gabby08 Half Marathon]

I bought a pair of compression socks but I haven’t had much joy with them - they slide down and don’t seem to make any difference in terms of recovery. For avoidance of blisters, I swear by Balega Enduros. Been running nine months now and I’m yet to have a single blister...

[Idizzy1]

I don’t run in anything other than compression socks. When I first started I used to regularly increase distance until I couldn’t push through an imaginary limit where by my shins would become unbearably sore. After my last rehab I started using them and wouldn’t be without them. Warm in winter and cool in summer, and also non blistering 😀

[Hidden in reply to Idizzy1]

That sounds encouraging, which ones do you use?

[Idizzy1 in reply to Hidden]

I use Karrimor ones from JJB sports. Nothing fancy, I may upgrade as I head toward with Septembers marathon, but these are all I feel I need

[Hidden in reply to Idizzy1]

Fab, thank you. I shall take a look.

[Decker Ultramarathon]

I just got a pair of calf sleeves last week and did a very long run yesterday - wore them during and after and along with a hot soak in the tub, they seem to have really done their job - no pain today

[Hidden in reply to Decker]

I have worn mine after my long run and have had no calf pain. I think there may be benefit to calf socks and sleeves! I have yet to run a long distance in them yet though, I don't want to risk blisters!!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Hidden]

Yes, that makes sense - one of the reasons I got sleeves only is because I like a certain thin gauge of sock weight or my toes complain loudly - I am curious how they will feel after some harder intervals too.