Running Compression Socks and Calf Sleeves

Compression socks can help your body perform more efficiently - so you can run faster for longer and they'll help your body recover quicker too. Our running compression socks are made with gctech, which has been tested by medical professionals to make sure they produce just the right amount of compression.

Whether you're a weekend jogger or an experienced competitor, compression running socks can help you get the most from running.

Football Compression Socks

Footballers can run 10k in a single match. Compression socks can help reduce fatigue, increase endurance and aid proprioception (muscle and joint awareness) for higher performance levels.

Our medical team has worked with 90% of the current premiership and the VR range of socks are now part of the England Football kit for all international matches. One area that has not changed is the technology used in the socks. There is now excellent scientific evidence that using socks with this medical technology bring great benefits, and the professionals have been doing it for years. 

Our experience suggests that it is essential that one of the following products should be worn during the game: a calf sleeve (with or without a shin pad pocket) or a lightweight full undersock. These should be worn under the normal football sock - the advantage of the sleeve is it does not change the feel of the foot in your boots.

After the game we suggest the use of a recovery sock (VR ProPlus Recovery) - this has a tighter level of compression and should be worn for at least 3-5 hours for maximum benefit, to reduce fatigue and muscle soreness. If your games involved travel - then we recommend using a travel sock to and from games. Dehydration, bruising and swelling are common all of which increase the risk of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and wearing these socks will help to alleviate these risks.

Finally our daywear range is a simple substitute for your normal socks - and unlike your normal sock will keep your legs fresh and healthy no matter what your routine.

Golf Compression Socks

Compression socks for golfers mean your walk is less likely to be spoiled by tiredness. They're particularly good for golfers with varicose veins or other circulation issues and quality wicking materials means they'll keep you warm in winter and cool in summer.

Buyers' Guide

An average golfer will take over 10,000 steps during a round of golf, so it's no wonder that your legs tend to feel heavy and tired by the end of play. This fatigue can affect the quality of your play - especially your stance and for older players it can also limit the number of holes they choose to play...

BUT medical grade compression socks are scientifically proven to help reduce this fatigue. So as a seasoned professional or keen amateur they are a valuable addition to your kit. If you are an older golfer with leg problems - such as varicose veins or painful calves - they are a virtual necessity.

We suggest wearing our specially designed golf socks with proven gctech. However if you don't want to change your normal golf socks you can also wear a calf sleeve which will still provide many of the benefits of compression when playing without changing the feel of your usual socks in your shoes.

After a particularly long or hilly course - the recovery socks will help reduce fatigue and tiredness - and should be worn for at least 3-4 hours to maximize their benefit.

Finally if you are going on a golf holiday make sure to purchase a pair of medical grade travel socks. They will help reduce the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and reduce swelling, so your legs are in the best condition to play as soon as you land!

Rugby Compression Socks

Rugby puts huge demands on its players. Compression socks can help you boost your fitness levels during the game and aid recovery afterwards.

Buyers' Guide

Our medical team has worked closely with the RFU and the VR recovery sock and lightweight calf sleeve is part of kit handed to every international player.

Cycling & Triathlon Compression Socks

For sports cyclists and triathletes, compression socks are proven to increase endurance and reduce fatigue. For commuters, ironmen, competitive triathletes and fairweather cyclists, bright, reflective compression socks can ease tiredness and quality wicking materials keep you cool in summer and warm in winter.

Buyers' Guide

Compression is so effective that it is heavily controlled in triathlon. VR ProBoost Lite is triathlon legal and can be used for swims also as it doesn't hold water or create resistance.

Sleeves can be used during training or competition and socks can be kept for training, travel, injury and recovery.

For athletes who combine recovery with a day job, our daywear range is a great way of matching the compression your legs need with something that won't look out of place in the office. 

Walking & Hiking Compression Socks

Compression socks help you to keep going for longer - and to be less tired when you get there. They're particularly good for walkers with varicose veins or other circulation issues and quality wicking materials means they'll keep you warm in winter and cool in summer.

Buyers' Guide

Prolonged sitting - especially at work has been identified as a danger to long-term health, and where possible people are encouraged to keep active, even small amounts of activity to break up a day have been shown to be very beneficial...

Walking and hiking are popular pastimes - and have huge positive health benefits. But it's vital we look after ourselves and keep our bodies in the best shape to maintain our levels of activity.

Our range of walking and hiking products will look after the venous circulation in your legs - keeping them fresh and reducing fatigue, especially during long walks. If you don't want to change your normal socks then we suggest using our calf sleeves as they will support the calf muscle, which acts like your 'second heart' helping pump blood from your legs back to your heart.

Skiing Compression Socks

Compression socks keep skiers warm and comfortable thanks to high quality materials and extra close proximity to the leg. They'll also help reduce fatigue and aid recovery if you have any injuries.

Skiing and snowboarding are growing sports and great ways to get some exercise...

Recovery Compression Socks

Extensive medical research proves that compression socks can help the body repair itself after injury - that's why we advise hundreds of top athletes each year on wearing the right compression socks with the correct level of compression. They help to improve circulation and boost venous return, allowing the body's natural defences to repair and recuperate.

Buyers' Guide for Recovery

For optimum performance what you do after exercise is of vital importance. At the professional level good recovery maximises the effect of training, for amateurs good recovery ensures we don’t feel too stiff or tired the next day...

Sports Compression Socks for Large Ankles

The benefits of exercise are incredible, even a small amount of daily activity can help improve health, reduce weight, reduce the risk of many diseases including certain cancers, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Our experience with the general population has shown that many of the sporting products that can make exercise easier and fun are designed for individuals who are already sporty and well built. Compression is one such product and if made properly and correctly fitted can be a great addition to any persons sporting kit. Our unique 'large ankle' range is made specifically for people who maybe overweight or heavily built yet want enjoy the benefits of properly fitted compression during sport such as reduced fatigue, improved recovery, reduced swelling.

Made to Measure Sports Compression Socks

Looking for a made to measure sports compression sock?

Firstly, have you checked out the extensive sizing in our custom fit sports range? A lot of clients come to us thinking they need a made to measure product because what they’ve bought elsewhere in the past has fit poorly. By submitting your measurements when placing your order for any of our ready-made ranges, our team of experts will ensure you receive the correct size.

If, you fall outside our range of measurements or have a medical condition which requires you to have a made to measure product, then you’re in the right place.

We take extensive measurements of the foot and leg to ensure you are getting a sock that matches your legs perfectly.

You can also avail of quality advice from our team of medical experts and athletes on how best to use your made to measure product for sport and recovery.

To get in touch, you can call our friendly office on 0207 326 0900 or email info@compressionadvisory.com and outline your needs so we can make sure the most appropriate and knowledgeable person from the team follows up with you.

Having worked with a variety of sports we understand people come in all shapes and sizes. Our standard range covers 90% of the population but, for compression to work correctly, it must fit your size. If you fall outside the standard sizing range we have the ability to create a bespoke sock just for you. This is made to your exact measurements and takes up to 5 working days. As this uses a special machine, the design and colour range are limited but the sock you receive will be unique and custom built just for you.

You can order Travel/Daywear models in Made to Measure knee high or thigh high here. For made to measure Sports Compression Socks, email info@compressionadvisory.com or call the office.

Compression Sports Buyers Guide

Where Medical Grade Compression Can Help in Sport

Compression can be used across a variety of sports. The internal workings of the human body are the same, but the demands on it vary with different sports. Compression socks are designed to support your physiology, which remains unchanged.

The key areas where wearing medical grade compression can help in sport are:

• Performance
• Recovery after Sport
• Injury Rehabilitation
• Conditioning Daywear
• All travel

Performance

While many companies provide compression clothing for performance, Vital Active realise that only medical grade graduated compression is clinically proven to improve blood flow. VR Compression is also proven at the elite level with over 600-premiership players using the sock to improve performance. The benefits are not confined to football and any sport where the lower leg is used can benefit from gctech™-nology, some of the benefits include;

• Clinically proven improved venous return - due to the medically certified compression profile
• Supports the calf muscle - improves oxygen delivery to the calf, reduces muscle oscillation, optimises muscle alignment/efficiency 
• Helps temperature regulation - due to integrated wicking agents 
• Improves calf muscle stamina - delays time to exhaustion 

VR Compression, when worn during any type of exercise will help improve performance by supporting the calf and improving the circulation. 

Recovery

Recovery is one of the most important aspects of training in elite sport and this is something many amateur athletes struggle to maximise. It has been shown that poor recovery can lead to injury, poor adaptation to the training stimulus, staleness and poor performance. A medically valid compression sock is a simple and proven adjunct to incorporate into the recovery process - even for those with busy lives. 

When to wear;

The sock can be worn straight after exercise to gain the benefits, ideally they should be worn for a minimum of 2-3 hours the benefits are;

• Reduces DOMS - (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness), so your legs feel less sore and stiff after exercise.
• Helps flush waste products from tired muscles
• Reduces exercise associated swelling

Injury (Rehabilitation, Prehabilitation)

Injury is and will always be a companion of sport and exercise. Strains and pulls and more serious injury cost athletes and teams considerable time; both in performance goals and in their ability to achieve consistent training.

R.I.C.E. stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation and is the procedure that will follow most injury under the guidance of medical teams. VR Compression provides an ideal way to provide compression which channels fluid up and out of the leg thus reducing swelling significantly. The conditions where this will be particularly useful include;

• Ankle sprains - for support and to reduce swelling
• Calf Tears/Strains
• Chronic Compartment syndrome
• Recovery from surgery

Prehabilitation is preparing your body for injury or surgery by getting the best possible physical condition in advance. Occasionally injury may necessitate surgery and VR compression is an ideal follow on from the surgical compression socks to help reduce DVT risk, control lower limb swelling and improve the rehabilitation process.

Travel

Travel is a significant part of any athlete's life and has a huge impact on the body.

Individuals are travelling further to view and participate in sport and the impact on the body is substantial. Residual swelling, dehydration and the risk of DVT are all increased, impacting health and wellbeing as well as performance. Travel takes many forms from road to air, all of which come with a number of inherent risks.

Of the problems encountered some are listed below:

• Swelling in the lower limbs due to enforced immobility
• Increased dehydration

gctech™can play a significant role in alleviating these problems related to travel.  Numerous elite teams use of this technology to reduce the risk of travel on the athlete, help improve 'away' performance and reduce the impacts of long journeys.

Compression Sleeve vs. Compression Sock

This is often a personal choice during performance

Sleeves:

- sleeves are designed for active wear, in circumstances where an athlete needs to be barefoot or would prefer not to change sock thickness or composition at the foot

- calf muscle activity, and ground force impact compensate for the lack of compression over the foot

Socks:

- perfect for recovery, travel and injury

- extra support over the Achilles and foot

- prevents pooling in the foot as well as boosting the action of the calves

Information courtesy of Compression Advisory.