Being a nurse is a tough job. You work long hours, and You are on your feet constantly all day. Some nurses use compression socks as a secret weapon to get through those long days. Since compression socks have typically been worn by people after surgery or that have diabetes, and you may wonder if they know something you don’t. Yes, they do.
Nurses get lots of benefits from wearing compression socks since they are on their feet all day long, and compression socks help to energize their legs and lessen swelling and pain. Below are a few reviews that are the best compression socks for nurses and a few tips on what to look for when you are out shopping.
What are the Best Compression Socks for Nurses?
Nurses should only use graduated compression socks instead of anti-embolism stockings or TED hose which are only used for bedridden patients. Graduated compression socks can vary in compression strength and length with the most common length being the thigh and knee length. Since they can be a pain to put on and most people suffer the most in their lower legs, knee length is the most popular type of compression sock.
There are four main strengths of compression socks. The strength rating of compression socks is always issued in a range of graduated compression and is conveyed in millimeters of mercury (or mmHg) such as 23-32mm Hg socks or there is 32mm Hg around your ankles and 23mm Hg around the top of your sock.
When you are working as a nurse, the best compression socks should be either 18-21 or 23-32 mmHg. Socks at 8-15 mmHg will be too weak while 34-46mm Hg will be too strong and requires a doctor’s prescription. If you are just starting to use compression socks, you may want to start with 15-20 mmHg and then work your way up to 23-32 mmHg. They should feel snug when you are wearing them, but not so tight they hurt. Initially, they will feel uncomfortable, but it will get better as you wear them.
Compression Socks for Nurses Reviews
Nurse Mates Women’s 12-14 mmHg
If you are looking for a comfortable knee length compression sock, the Nurse Mates Women’s 12-14 mmHg compression socks offer you an ultra-soft non-binding welt top fit. With graduated 12-14 mmHg compression, this stylish trouser sock gives you superior support with a comfortable toe and heel pocket.
Nurse Mates are constructed with a microfiber blend that features a wide selection of prints that let you add your own personal touch to your nursing wardrobe.
Things We Like:
- Right amount of compression, not too tight or too loose
- Reduces swelling and energizes your legs
- Great choice for those that are diabetic or have circulation problems
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Toe area is on the small side
Sockwell Women’s Chevron Compression Socks
For a reinvented therapeutic sock, look no further than the Sockwell Women’s Chevron Graduated Compression socks featuring their lifestyle look. If you are on your feet all day, the Sockwell compression socks anti-fatigue design will help to increase your circulation, lessen swelling and fatigue, increase recovery time, and energize your legs to help you get through a long day.
Sockwell compression socks were created with a triple zone that maximizes circulation that is ideal if you travel, exercise, or stand or sit for long periods of time. They offer two different levels of compression including a moderate level at 15-20 mm Hg and firm level at 20-30 mm Hg, both of which are recommended for everyday use.
The Sockwell compression socks offer several fun and modern patterns and colors to choose from. They are constructed with Sockwell’s signature fiber blends that are durable and environmentally friendly. Their Accu-fit technology includes spandex in their sock, so you receive the same fit wash after wash.
You will also appreciate the ultra-light cushion sole that gives you a comfortable fit. The Sockwell compression socks also feature arch support, seamless toe closure, and a turn welt top that keeps the sock in place all day long.
Things We Like:
- Give you great compression and they look like regular socks
- Work well with spider veins and varicose veins
- Tough, comfortable, and non-binding
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Some struggle putting them on and taking them off
Premium Compression Socks by ABD 20-25 mmHg
Are you looking for the go-to choice in the best-graduated socks on the market? The ABD Athlete Advanced Engineered Compression Socks are a great choice for a variety of different applications making them versatile as well as comfortable. The ABD are created to lessen fatigue and muscle vibration and to save your legs and ankles from injury.
They also offer superb arch, ankle, shin, calf, leg, and foot support with its padded sole and cushioned heel. Seamless technology is also featured to prevent chafing, blisters, and skin irritations. Oxygen levels are elevated when you wear true graduated compression socks allowing them to increase your blood flow, flush out toxins, and eliminate lactic acid for better athletic performance and faster recovery from injuries.
If you suffer from edema, spider veins, lymphedema, pain, discomfort during pregnancy, and varicose veins, the ADP compression socks will help give you relief. The 200 needle count construction with the anatomical fit, seamless toe, and dense design makes the socks durable while the moisture wicking adds breathability and helps to regulate temperatures.
These stylish knee highs are good if you travel, play sports, or sit or stand for long periods of time. With their superb durability and support, they are also a good choice for occasional relief from swelling and leg pain.
Things We Like:
- Make a big difference in leg fatigue
- Help with leg cramps and swelling
- Perfect for those that stand a lot during the day
Things We Didn’t Like:
- A little hard to get on and off
Recovery & Support
When you are wearing compression socks, it is always fun to find a pair that is bright colored or a little sporty looking. AprilTex’s Compression Support Socks have the fun look that you want with the quality that you expect. They feature a multi-fabric blend that is comfortable while increasing circulation to relieve leg pain from poor circulation.
AprilTex offers a premium fit with its super comfortable sure-grip elastic band plus its reinforced toe and heel. The non-hug elastic bands keep their tension wash after wash for superb durability. They offer 17-22 mm Hg of compression that increases your blood circulation while relieving swelling and muscle pain.
These are perfect for long days on your feet as they are odor free with no sweat, aches, or swelling. Bacteria and fungi are eliminated with the knitted silver yard that allows air to freely circulate. These socks are anatomically designed with a spandex-yarn cone structure that gives you just the right amount of pressure for comfort and support.
The 60% Combed Cotton give you an incredible fit that is ideal for pregnancy, long flights, playing sports, or working long hours on your feet. The AprilTex compression socks also make functional athletic gear that is best for running, aerobics, and Cross Fit.
Things We Like:
- Perfect socks to wear when working a long nursing shift
- Durable and look like new after being washed many times
- Works well if you travel a lot, good at reducing swelling
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Can lose elasticity as they are washed
Miracle Copper Anti-Fatigue
If you are looking for the newest technology on the compression sock market, you may want to check out the Miracle Copper Anti-Fatigue Compression Socks. They have graduated compression at 8-15 mm Hg with CuTEC copper-infused fibers that lessen swelling, increase circulation, and helps get rid of aches and pain. It also controls odors and energizes your tired legs and feet.
The Miracle Copper Compression Socks are slim and inconspicuous, and they are ideal for work, home, travel, or playing sports. These machine washable socks are made of breathable fabric that includes copper, nylon, and spandex that keeps your feet dry and controls odor and keeps feet dry.
Things We Like:
- Minimizes swelling, great support
- Good for diabetics to help with circulation issues in their feet
- Can reduce the jumpy feeling in your legs at night
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Sizes run on the small side
OmniSox Compression Socks for Women
If you are interested in energizing your step, OmniSox Compression Socks for Women let you recover from injuries faster and lessen fatigue and swelling. These stylish socks help prevent soreness in style with their graduated compression series. If you play sports, travel, or sit or stand for long periods of time, the OmniSox graduated compression socks use their triple zone, anti-fatigue technology to increase your circulation and improve your overall performance.
Omnisox compression socks were created to soothe tired, aching legs and feet with a material that keeps your feet dry and comfortable. The Omnisox is made of Lycra, Spandex, wool, and rayon and feature a mild compression at 10-15 mm Hg that relieves your achy legs after hours of traveling, sitting or standing. You will feel the graduated compression start at your ankles and decrease as it goes up to relieve your tired legs and the appearance of varicose veins.
OmniSox has a “No Slippage” stylish and comfortable cuff with a cozy fabric that sports a stylish Chevron pattern design making them perfect to wear every day.
Things We Like:
- Cute socks with awesome color patterns
- Helps with swelling and circulation issues
- Perfect for everyday use
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Fabric is a little thick for some people
Celeste Stein Therapeutic 15-20 mmhg
When you need a pair of therapeutic compression socks, but want something fun and fashionable, check out Celeste Stein Therapeutic Compression Socks’ fun color choices. They feature compression at three points with compression focused specifically at the ankle. They help to lessen pain from varicose veins and increase circulation.
They are a one size fits all sock that works with women’s shoe sizes 5-11, and they come in fun prints and colors. The Celeste Stein Therapeutic Compression Socks help to give your legs pain relief from walking, running, working, traveling, and sitting or standing for long periods of time.
Things We Like:
- Affordable with awesome color choices
- Helps reduce swelling and energizes your legs through long days
- Fit well and easy to care for
Things We Didn’t Like:
- The band at the top is too narrow for some people
A recent explosion in popularity has made compression socks a popular item among athletes as well as people who travel a lot or work long days on their feet. Compression socks have stylistically undergone a transformation while technological advancements help to increase their athletic performance.
There are two types of compression socks including anti-embolism socks that are used by bedridden patients and graduated compression socks that come in various strengths and are used in many different applications. Graduated socks are the most common, and they are the tightest around your foot or ankle and loosen as it goes up your leg. They are used to increase blood circulation and lessen pain and swelling.
Benefits of Compression Socks For Nurses
Occupations, like nursing, require you to be on your feet for hours on end, and you can benefit from wearing compression socks. Nurses have long days that are exhausting moving from one patient to another with few breaks. This type of activity can take a huge toll on the health of your legs. Nurses suffer from three common conditions including:
- Edema
- Varicose Veins
- Tired and heavy feeling legs
Compression socks for nurses benefits 30 times less pain and discomfort than you would feel if you weren’t wearing them. With the increased blood circulation of the graduated compression socks, nurses can see a big difference in the pain and discomfort they can feel from these conditions.
Conclusion
If you are a nurse and have heard about compression socks, but are wondering how they would work for you, it is definitely worth it to give a pair of best compression socks for nurses a try. They are not expensive, and they are easy to find at a pharmacy or department store. If you are suffering from any leg pain or swelling, you should see and feel a difference with some mild compression and then you will wonder why you haven’t been wearing the best nurse compression socks all along.
