Compression socks

[Donna Sch]

I'm not doing the Camino this year but I am doing the Oxfam Trailwalker. I live in the Tropics and the Camino I did was in midsummer. This however is in late winter/early Spring in Perth, Australia around the hills. And it's 100km within 48 hours so there is night hiking involved. So I have to consider cold frosty night time conditions, and the possibility of bad weather. So I was thinking full length compression leggings/runners tights but I'm wondering if compression shorts + compression socks might be a better option especially if quick gear changes are needed. I'm a toe sock fan so Injinji is my go-to sock as a rule. Any experience, comments?

 

[Older Guy]

I'm not doing the Camino this year but I am doing the Oxfam Trailwalker. I live in the Tropics and the Camino I did was in midsummer. This however is in late winter/early Spring in Perth, Australia around the hills. And it's 100km within 48 hours so there is night hiking involved. So I have to consider cold frosty night time conditions, and the possibility of bad weather. So I was thinking full length compression leggings/runners tights but I'm wondering if compression shorts + compression socks might be a better option especially if quick gear changes are needed. I'm a toe sock fan so Injinji is my go-to sock as a rule. Any experience, comments?

My 2 cents. I am a big fan of CW-X Stability tights. I own two pair and used them for everything from skiing, hiking, mountain climbing, running, and biking. I also have some compression shirts that help as well. One of the things that compression shirts and tights do that socks don't is that the help support your "core muscles" when you get tired at the end of a long day. The CWX also support leg muscles and joints as well when your real muscles are too tired to properly work. That is really helpful for endurance type events, which is why I first got them.

Now as to compression socks, the are helpful in some ways for preventing swelling and blood clot formation (hence why they are so popular on long airline flights), but they do little to support joints or the muscles and tendons of the knees or your core muscles.

I would go with high quality CWX stability tights. They have done studies that show you use about 20 to 30% less energy with them covering a given endurance event. To me that is fairly significant at the end of a long day.

 

[Wokabaut_Meri]

I can second all the advice provided by @Older Guy with regards to compression tights. There are infinite variations and one of my pairs has mesh inserts to vent heat in both the thighs and calves.

I also am an Injinji sock user and they make a knee length compression toe sock. For compression socks there is also the Powerstep brand that I can highly recommend.

All the best for the Oxfam!

 

[RumAndChupacabras]

I swear by compression socks (knee highs) SOLELY for the purpose of comfort and health during 16 hours of flight time!

 

[sabbott]

I had footless ankle to knee compression "socks" when hiking on the advice of a PT because of a bone bruise on my shin that was still bothering me. They turned out to be great for layering with my capri hiking pants, and I'd take then again in future just for keeping warm on chilly mornings.

 

[Priscilla NC]

I don't have familiarity with compression tights or socks, but I did use the ankle to knee compression sleeves on the CF on days when I knew I'd be doing some heavier up/down hill walking. They were great. I had been concerned about shin splints or tendonitis and never had any issues.

But I add a word of caution: when I bought them, I said 'Oh good, I can wear these on the airplane too'. My pedorthist told me firmly not to do this with them, as they could cause fluid to accumulate around the ankles/feet. So I pass this caution on to you all.

 

[Donna Sch]

Well, I've ordered some 2XC compression shorts, calf guards for during the event and calf sleeves for recovery so I will have something to play with over the next couple of months. The good part was the online shop I found allowed me to use frequent flyer points so last year's Camino is still paying it forward.

 

[Lucaya]

I have been using Laite Hebe compression socks for some time, and my sedentary lifestyle means I should wear suitable compression socks. Compression socks are super comfortable, and my socks reach the top of my calf. I wear them every day, whether sitting or walking.