Frequently Asked Questions

Our medically developed, graduated compression (gctech™) socks are designed using the latest textile technology, and produced under stringent quality control, with the input of a world leading university.
The VR range of socks act like a second skin, squeezing blood from the surface veins back into the deep veins and help push blood back up to the heart against gravity. The graduated compression targets the lower leg, boosting the action of the calf muscle, which acts like a second heart by pumping blood around the body. Wearing these socks changes the way your blood flows, helping your body to be more efficient.
VR socks are designed to be worn daily, as a replacement for your normal socks. They will help your body counteract the strains of a long day, standing/sitting/walking or exercising. Using advanced textile technology they also keep you warm in the cold and cool when it is hot. They target your lower leg which is the key area that can benefit most from the effects of wearing socks as our legs often struggle to pump the blood back up to the body against gravity when we are not moving.
VR compression socks are classified by the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as a medical aid, that is prescribed as a mechanical method to support the venous and lymphatic systems in the lower leg.
They contain gctech™, designed to give you maximum compression at the ankle, decreasing further up the leg. During physical exercise, muscles in the legs contract and expand. The intramuscular pressure exerted on the veins pushes the blood through the one-way valves of the veins, returning it to the heart. This pumping action keeps the blood moving through the lower limbs.
The gctech™ contained in our socks enhances this muscle pump effect of the calf and influences blood and lymph fluid velocity through the legs. We are basically assisting your venous system, reducing blood and fluid pooling, improving tissue oxygenation and microcirculation velocity.

Firstly, for any medical condition, it is best to call us for tailored advice. We would consider the severity of the veins and their placement on your leg. You want to avoid a seam directly over a bulging or knotted varicose vein and if the issues are in the upper legs, a longer product may be of extra benefit compared to a knee high sock. More severe varicose veins may warrant higher level compression.

Unless the child has a diagnosed underlying medical condition, children under 16 should not need compression support during long-haul travel. Staying hydrated and active during the flight is sufficient.

Compression can be of benefit during activity and recovery. During recovery, a full compression sock is best for reducing DOMs and speeding recovery from exertion. During activity, whether you wear a sock or sleeve is a more personal choice. Things to consider are if you are prone to blisters or worried about different sock thicknesses. If you have had Achilles problems in the past, the combined seams of a normal ankle sock and a compression sleeve may cause irritation and you won’t have the extra support of the sock over the ankle. Sleeves are designed for wear during activity only as there is no compression over the foot.

We have specially designed compression tights which adjust to the various stages of your pregnancy. These will also provide some support to your back and bump in the later stages. Knee highs are more comfortable in hot weather and will equally alleviate symptoms such as swollen tired legs and feet while also reducing the risk of you developing varicose veins.

In conjunction with medication, your risk of redeveloping a DVT/PE can be managed through compression. In the early stages, you will most likely have to wear a higher level of compression and gradually, over time, this can be brought down to a lighter level. Wearing compression will be especially important for you during periods of immobility where you may be standing or sitting for long periods.

VR has stuck rigorously to the medical standards but has broken away from the boring beige you will find in a pharmacy. We’ve worked with textile experts to give you extensive colour, fabric, pattern and size options, without compromising on the compression inside. We have combined medical knowledge with many years’ experience in elite sport to make a sports product that is easy to wear and truly works. Unfortunately, there is no industry standard for retail compression, meaning that a lot of fashion and sports brands are selling products that are tight and elastic but don’t have the correct gradients and sizing to actually improve venous return and thus provide the benefits of actual graduated compression.

Your socks can be machine washed up to 40 degrees. They should be allowed to dry naturally, away from direct heat (no radiator/tumble dryer). 

Compression is a bit of a struggle to get on at first, so I’ve included a video link with some helpful advice on how to put them on more easily. Here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By9gTbgexCQ If you try to put them on like normal socks, you’re going to be wrestling with all the compression for the entire leg as you try to pull them over your foot and ankle which makes life very difficult. The video explains how to roll them down to the heel by putting your arm in first, creating a ‘pocket’ to pull on over your foot. Once your foot is snugly where it should be,with wriggle room for your toes, you can then roll the compression sock up your legs and it avoids the wrestling. The top of the sock should sit about a cm or two below the pit of your knee. You may need to adjust the strength of your pull so that it lies in the right place – too high and it will bunch and be sore, too low and they may fall down. DO NOT FOLD THEM DOWN. Additionally, the socks are going to be easier to get on in the morning, before any swelling occurs. If you’ve had your shower before putting them on, make sure your feet and legs are dry (talc can help if they’re still a bit damp) and leave your moisturiser some time to soak in before pulling on your socks. On the day of your travel, we would recommend wearing them all day, from when you get up in the morning to when you go to bed that night after your flight (unless you're headed straight for the beach on arrival).