Compression socks - General running

NICK BURTON 7

17/05/2011 at 20:14

what do people think of compression running socks thinking of wearing them on sunday at edinburgh marathon

cougie

pirate

17/05/2011 at 20:42

You'll look stupid and you may hate them if you haven't worn them before ? Plus I dont think their benefits have been proven yet.

Sussex Runner (NLR)

17/05/2011 at 20:50

Look at the picture-I don't think he need worry how they look

Karen Samuel

17/05/2011 at 21:18

I agree one can look stupid in your compression socks but who cares.

Nick what make is your compression socks?

Do you know?

The last two years Edinburgh Marathon was scorching hot. If you have thin compression socks wear them. They do work if you have the right ones

Sussex Runner (NLR)

17/05/2011 at 21:29

Looks like Karen has just proven that they work-cos she says so

Karen Samuel

17/05/2011 at 22:03

North London,

These compression socks are the best I ever had. I had them one month ago from expo marathon centre.

I love the feel of them that I bought myself two pairs Designed by Medical Doctors. My legs were

measured, heel to knee, calf. and ankle. The staff are kind and friendly.

http://www.compressionadvisory.com/

Forrest Mikey

17/05/2011 at 22:08

I wouldn't wear anything on race day I hadn't worn several times in training.

Sussex Runner (NLR)

17/05/2011 at 22:19

compression advisory advises you to put their socks in the basket.

loulabell

17/05/2011 at 22:21

i want some socks to wear too-which are best NLR? am i allowed pink bows on mine

Steve C.

17/05/2011 at 23:50

I would never wear compression socks when running, because the one possible thing in their favour hypothetically that they help squeeze waste products out of the muscle to help recovery also means the heart is pumping against a harder resistance to get the blood in when running. Just what I don't want.

alex90

18/05/2011 at 00:11

I second what Steve C says, they are designed for recovery. I bought a pair and never use them, bit of an expensive impulse buy really.

Sussex Runner (NLR)

18/05/2011 at 08:34

I think Paula Radcliffe has helped make them popular by wearing them but then again she wore that nasal thing for years. Where are they now? In ten years time they will be a distant memory(compression socks). Wearing them post run as Steve says is a much better use.

Loula-buy some nice running socks and then you can accessorise them yourself xx

Kicked-It

18/05/2011 at 08:58

They can help stabilise the muscles if you are worried about aggravating an existing calf injury - but ifs bad enough to need a compression sock you shouldnt be trying to run a marathon anyway.

cougie

pirate

18/05/2011 at 11:42

Doesn't Paula also wear that titanium thingy ? Aah yes.

http://www.phitenuk.com/

Upyerjumpa

26/06/2011 at 18:38

Just ran 11 miles wearing compression socks for the first time. Until today I always, ALWAYS, got stiff right calf on a long run inhibiting the later stages of my run and requiring icing afterwards. Today, same routine as always except for the socks. Ran freely the whole way, removed socks and just have the merest hint of tightness in the lower soleus, remarkable improvement. Coincidence? Long term improvement? Time will tell but I feel elated and right now I'm sticking with the socks. Oh, and re looking stupid, who gives a crap what anyone else thinks?

Edited: 26/06/2011 at 18:41

Yorkshire Rob

26/06/2011 at 21:30

"Doesn't Paula also wear that titanium thingy ? Aah yes.
http://www.phitenuk.com/"

I'd quite happily wear a sombrero if it made me run as fast as Paula, who cares what people think. The thing is though, all these things are essentially gimmicks. It's very similar to the diet industry, there are loads of "wonder" products out there but they only provide minimal help (if indeed anything) and the real key is hard work. I use compression stuff for recovery if I'm feeling very sore or stiff, and it does help, but it won't magically make you a better runner

Upyerjumpa

26/06/2011 at 21:54

I think there's two threads here - 1) injury 2) performance. If somebody finds the socks help reduce the incidence of injury, whether while running or as a recovery tool, then that's all that counts. If they have a positive effect on injury thus reducing time sitting on one's arse then presumably that will have a knock-on benefit on performance. The key is for sure hard work, but you can only work hard if you're running in the first place. As a stand-alone performance enhancer, maybe it's snake oil, maybe it's not but again if it works for an individual that's gotta be all that counts, placebo or not.

Edited: 26/06/2011 at 22:25

acdcgirl

27/06/2011 at 22:28

I use compression socks for recovery and they do help a lot but I wouldn't run in them. Having said that I did have calf problems a few months ago and wore them on a run once to see whether they would relieve it but they did not so I use them for recovery now. I use Nike DriFit and I love my pair.

Ken Sykes

04/12/2012 at 16:37

I regularly had small, calf muscle strains. Since wearing compressoin socks 18 months ago I've had none.
They work for me.

blueandy

04/12/2012 at 19:02

Another vote for socks here - tried to give them up in August and lasted about three weeks before injuring my calf again - now back in them and staying in them.

I might look a t**t in the summer but I can still run - that's more important tome