Best Compression Socks for 2022 – CNET [CNET]

Working from home is great. I like being able to work from my back porch, couch or my kitchen island. There are times when I like to feel like an actual human and wear real clothes , but I thoroughly enjoy the fact that I can wear pajama pants  and a sports bra all day if that’s how I’m feeling. Sometimes, I’m not sure why I have a real desk. Even though I enjoy the WFH life, most days end with swollen, tingly calves. 

Yes, I could solve this problem by getting up and moving more throughout the day, but that’s challenging on days when I have 4,000 words to write. On those days, I turn to a handy (er, leggy) tool called a compression sock. 

A good pair of compression socks keeps swelling down by preventing fluid from building up in your lower leg — this is basically how all compression clothing works. They apply pressure to your calves and ankles, which helps your blood vessels do their job. The constant pressure prevents blood vessels from expanding and blood from pooling. Acutely, fluid accumulation can cause discomfort in your legs, but over time, chronic pooling can weaken your veins and cause deformities — physical inactivity is a leading cause of varicose veins due to the increased blood pressure in your legs.

After a few weeks of wearing compression socks every day during work, I found my calves to remain their normal size at the end of a long day, which is a welcome revelation. Compression socks also prevent the icky pins-and-needles feeling that comes with fluid build-up.

I’ve tried out more than 15 brands of compression socks, and these seven pairs I think are the ones worth trying. Before you buy though, you should consider whether you want mild compression, moderate compression or firm compression. You should also consider factors like whether the socks are made of a breathable fabric, if they have a seamless toe and any other comfort factor that you specifically require from your socks. 

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