Compression socks for long walking distance

Hi John. You will have a huge challange this summer :) I hope your legs are ready for this kind of trip and you exercise regularly! I had comment trip two years ago and i was thinking that im gonna die :D I dont have a lot of experience about compression socks and i dont know witch is better stockings or socks, but im wearing compression socks and it helps me when im travelling. I have couple of them, one from amazon.com other from http://www.compressionsocks360.com/ and both stores have good stuff. I suggest before you go to your trip try couple of compression socks and compression stockings, because for different person everything works different and there is no one opinion or suggest. Any way i hope you will get a great experience and have a good time! write back when you will come back! Best luck buddy! ;)

The average healthy person doesn't need compression stockings. If you suspect that you need them, then you should have a medical evaluation and along with a proper fitting as to the degree of compression. Will light compression stocking do any harm -- Nope !! - other than waste of money.

Based on recent experience, I agree with Frank. You don't want to constrict circulation in your feet unnecessarily. Note that normal hiking socks for hikers are non-compression.

I can't speak to compression socks for walking, but my wife, who is a nurse practitioner, recommends them from long distance flights. See: https://www.travelchannel.com/roam-blog/news-deals/why-you-should-wear-compression-socks-when-you-fly

John, there has been numerous threads on this subject. Bottom line- the best practice would be to consult your health care provider for your unique needs. Recent thread 5/01/18 on Compression socks per Webmaster- "I'm closing this thread, good advice has been given and we want to make sure that any risky advice doesn't appear later." Healthy travels and enjoy Portugal!

You don't mention what benefit you hope to derive from wearing them. Most recommendations in favor of wearing them are directed at long distance flyers who face long hours of sitting still in an airplane seat. This is to prevent swelling and blood clot formation. Your situation is the direct opposite of prolonged sitting.

Recently some athletes, including marathoners and long distance runners have started using compression socks or calf sleeves (not stockings) based on the theory that compression would boost circulation to the legs, and minimize soreness, risk of muscle injury and swelling. Few studies have supported this theory.

My doctor wears "medium" compression socks (the type you can buy in REI and are used by runners) every day at work because she has found her feet are less swollen and tired when she does so. Her use is for long days standing, however, not hiking. I wore them on our international flights, and during our longer hiking days in Italy. I'd say I found them beneficial, but not dramatically so. Best to try out a pair and see what they do for you. As others have said, if you have a medical condition that could benefit from the use of compression socks, then the best person to consult is your doctor.

I like Zensah compression socks for hiking/walking/airplanes. These are designed for athletic purposes, not medical, but I had the blessing of my podiatrist when I was searching for compression socks. I require compression socks to address long standing swelling issues from numerous sprains/strains, an Achilles tendon tear, a small bone break, Morton's neuroma, and arthritis. I have very high arches as well and I wear custom orthotics. I've purchased many different types of compression socks but love these for hiking. First, they are specifically designed for each foot - there is a marker for your left foot and one for your right foot. This will help keep the compression for each foot/calf intact in the future. They go on snugly but they do not cut off your circulation. They have light padding in the heel and toe. The socks I like have graduated compression up the back along the Achilles. I've worn them multiple days in a row (new clean pair daily) hiking over all types of terrain and don't feel the need to immediately pull them off when I get finished. They wick moisture away. No rubbing or chaffing. They wash up nicely in the machine. My swelling is kept to a minimum when I wear them. I like the support I feel along my Achilles. For me, these work well for long plane rides, hiking and walking long distances.

You should test out the compression socks during your training walks. I would test the sock(s)/boot combination for comfort and fit. An Englishman we met walking the English Coast to Coast developed severe heel blisters during the first week of walking. He had not had foot problems training for the walk but decided to add thin liner socks for the cross country trek. (He was tough and amazingly finished the walk.)

Some of the technical studies I read indicate that compression garments have little effect on event performance, but may have benefical effects on post event recovery.