Varicose veins run in my family. So far I have evaded this, but in recent years I have begun to have minor problems with the veins in my ankles throbbing and becoming unbearably itchy after several long days on my feet. I have tried light compression knee-highs, but they tend to make my toes cold and tingly, and cause major discomfort at the top where they end.
So I have found over the past year or so that wearing compression leggings instead (the kind women wear for workouts, not the heavy duty compression stockings prescribed for varicose veins) is enough to keep my veins in check. I have been training since January while wearing these, and have had no problems. However, being old-fashioned, I don't feel comfortable wearing just leggings in public; I usually wear either a very long shirt, or a skirt or shorts over them for modesty's sake.
I guess being overly optimistic, and not wanting to wear too many layers in the heat of the summer Camino, I was hoping to be able to just wear a Macabi skirt along with merino shirts, underthings, socks, etc. Besides, I really need the pockets! But now that I've stopped wearing my compression leggings while walking, I'm starting to have problems with those veins again.
So now I'm not sure what to do. I have my entire kit ready, gleefully just a hair over 12 lbs, and I leave in 2 weeks. But it's looking like I have to completely rethink. Walking all day for upwards of 33 days without some sort of lightweight compression on my legs is clearly unwise. As far as I can tell, here are my options:
1. Wear my compression leggings under my Macabi. But I can't imagine that I won't roast this way. Perhaps take them off during the worst heat of the day, when I get too hot?
2. Wear just my compression leggings and ditch the Macabi. But then I have no pockets, and my shirts aren't long enough to make me comfortable without adding shorts or something on top. Again, heat and layers...
3. Find some other lightweight option to add some compression under my Macabi without adding heat or losing the combination of silk liners and darn tough merino socks that has worked best for me in avoiding blisters.
Are there any fellow sufferers of vein problems who can speak to how their legs did on the Camino? Any recommendations for lightweight compression items that won't make me sweat to death or contribute to blisters?
So I have found over the past year or so that wearing compression leggings instead (the kind women wear for workouts, not the heavy duty compression stockings prescribed for varicose veins) is enough to keep my veins in check. I have been training since January while wearing these, and have had no problems. However, being old-fashioned, I don't feel comfortable wearing just leggings in public; I usually wear either a very long shirt, or a skirt or shorts over them for modesty's sake.
I guess being overly optimistic, and not wanting to wear too many layers in the heat of the summer Camino, I was hoping to be able to just wear a Macabi skirt along with merino shirts, underthings, socks, etc. Besides, I really need the pockets! But now that I've stopped wearing my compression leggings while walking, I'm starting to have problems with those veins again.
So now I'm not sure what to do. I have my entire kit ready, gleefully just a hair over 12 lbs, and I leave in 2 weeks. But it's looking like I have to completely rethink. Walking all day for upwards of 33 days without some sort of lightweight compression on my legs is clearly unwise. As far as I can tell, here are my options:
1. Wear my compression leggings under my Macabi. But I can't imagine that I won't roast this way. Perhaps take them off during the worst heat of the day, when I get too hot?
2. Wear just my compression leggings and ditch the Macabi. But then I have no pockets, and my shirts aren't long enough to make me comfortable without adding shorts or something on top. Again, heat and layers...
3. Find some other lightweight option to add some compression under my Macabi without adding heat or losing the combination of silk liners and darn tough merino socks that has worked best for me in avoiding blisters.
Are there any fellow sufferers of vein problems who can speak to how their legs did on the Camino? Any recommendations for lightweight compression items that won't make me sweat to death or contribute to blisters?