Compression socks have lots of positive effects. However they can be very difficult to put on. If they don’t fit well, they might cause blisters. If they are too tight, they might prevent you from moving around freely. These reasons are why some people choose to wear the best footless compression socks instead.
These products might also be called compression foot sleeves. Basically these products are the same as compression socks, without the foot part covering. Such products are easier to put on, if they get out of position a little they are easier to put back. They cover the area from the ankle to the knee, that is why they are excellent for treating shin splints. They are also excellent for preventing calf muscle cramps.
Why Wear the Best Footless Compression Socks?
There are many positives to wearing compression socks. Let’s take a look at what are the biggest positives to compression technology.
Footless compression socks hold your lower legs like a cradle. The material holds around the legs and applies pressure on the skin. This pressure in turn compresses the veins. This leads to firmer veins and quicker blood circulation. If the walls of the veins are firm, their diameter is minimal, leading to quicker blood flow.
The veins are responsible for transferring blood lacking oxygen, but full of waste materials from the legs to the heart. Then the heart pumps the blood through the organs, from where arteries transport it to the legs, full of oxygen and nutrients. So it follows that with quicker blood circulation the muscles get rid of the waste materials sooner. Also the nutrients and oxygen get to the muscles as soon as possible.
What are Common Features of the Best Footless Compression Socks?
Even though there is not one product that could be called the best footless compression socks on the market, there are commonalities. Let’s look at what every great compression foot sleeve needs.
Material
The material of the footless compression socks have to be three things: durable, moisture wicking and anti-bacterial. Durability is a must. After all you will wear the sleeves multiple times. Most people wear them to the office, running or cycling. In order to keep using them for multiple years and get a good return in your investment the material must be durable.
The best footless compression socks have moisture wicking material. If you wear it to the office or to working out it is a must that the material lets your sweat evaporate. This keeps your skin dry and hygienic. The best footless compression socks also dry up quick. This is why triathlon athletes like wearing compression sleeves. After getting out of the water, their skin is wet. If the compression sleeve gets wet during the race, it dries quickly.
The best footless compression sleeves have antibacterial qualities. They are made with special materials that prevent bacterial and fungi infections. The most common material addition is copper, but some socks contain silver linen. Recently copper compression socks have become more and more popular.
Machine washable
If the sleeves are machine washable, you will be able to save a lot of time for yourself. Just put the sleeves in the machine, hang them out to dry once you are done and you will be able to use them again the next morning. If you need to wear footless compression socks every day, I suggest you buy at least two pairs. That way you will have a spare one while the other one is drying.
Right fit
It is absolutely essential that your footless compression socks fit your legs perfectly. If they are too loose, they can’t exert pressure on the veins. If they are too tight, they will hinder blood circulation instead of helping it.
Graduated compression
There are two types of compression technologies: graduated and uniform compression. Uniform compression puts the same amount of pressure on every part of the leg. This type is used mostly in bed ridden patients who are recovering from surgery, or patients suffering from severe swelling. Graduated footless compression socks help blood circulation the most without choking the leg. This type of compression socks are the most popular. Athletes, nurses, and teachers use graduated compression socks regularly.
Strength
Most footless compression socks put anywhere between 5 mm Hg to 30 mm Hg pressure on the legs. Compression sleeves putting between 5 mm Hg to 10 mm Hg are considered to be light footless compression socks. These are best for preventing circulation related issues. Medium strength footless compression socks put between 10 mm Hg and 20 mm Hg pressure on the legs. These are great for managing varicose veins or shin splints. Anywhere over 30 mm Hg is considered to be very strong, these are called medical grade footless compression socks.
The Best Footless Compression Socks
Let’s take a look at which ones are the best footless compression socks on the market. With the above points in mind, here are some excellent compression sleeves for your legs:
Camden Gear Compression Sleeve
- Made of 25% spandex and 75% lycra. Excellent material combination.
- The spandex wraps around your legs, so the footless compression sleeves fit your legs perfectly.
- The lycra lets the sweat evaporate from your skin.
- Graduated compression technology helps circulation.
- Reduces shin splints, helps running performance, reduces fatigue.
- Excellent for nurses, office workers and runners.
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Blitzu Compression Calf Sleeve
- Combines compression technology with kinesiology taping.
- Treats circulatory problems as well as minor muscle injuries. Stabilises muscles, prevents pain and injuries.
- Extra support for the posterior and anterior calf muscles and achilles tendons.
- Graduated compression technology to help and promote blood circulation.
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Run Forever Calf Compression Sleeve
- Durable, premium material made for comfortable, everyday use.
- Enhances blood circulation with graduated compression technology.
- Strong graduated compression, 20-25 mm Hg.
- Avoid muscle cramps and leg pain. Prevent varicose veins to enhance your athletic performance.
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Conclusion
There are many different tootles compression socks on the market. There is no one product that would suit the needs of everybody, however there are a number of traits that are common among the best footless compression socks. I hope this article helped you choose the best graduated footless compression socks for your own needs.