Don't Diss Them Until You Try Them.

I hesitated before buying them because I know how stupid they look.  The thing is, though, that after doing my research they seemed to make sense --- especially with the issues that I was having with my Achilles.  They make me look like I am wearing knee socks or leg warmers, something I didn’t wear even when they were popular in the mid 1980s.  I’ve gotten over the feeling of looking stupid and have become immune to the funny looks.  Truth is, I LOVE them and I don’t know if I could run without them anymore.  Moreover, the fact that I put them on as a matter of course when I put on my gym clothes --- whether I am running errands first or going to the office, etc. --- makes me realize how much self confidence I have gained from running.  I care more now about how my run is rather than how I look while I am running or how people may see me while I am running.  That was a pretty big realization for me, not to mention how much personal growth.

In the last few years a growing number of runners, including honest to goodness world class runners, started to wear calf compression sleeves.  Some wear them during their runs and others wear them to recover after their runs.  The purpose of calf compression sleeves is somewhat akin to the use of surgical socks in a hospital setting --- reduce swelling and increase venous return.  In essence, there is increased blood flow, decreased swelling, there isn’t a buildup of lactic acid, and there is a decrease in muscle vibration with increases muscle power.  They come in surgical grade and some that are non-surgical grade. 

I’ve tried several different kinds, both in terms of the compression sleeves and the actual compression socks.  I like the sleeves more for running and the socks more for recovery.  I also think it is important not to explicitly follow the directions and try them for yourself --- as an example the “recovery” socks or sleeves may work better for your actual runs versus for recovery.  Here are my thoughts about what is out there in terms of compression socks/sleeves.

·         The brand that I like the best is CEP.  http://www.cepcompression.com/.  I have bought the compression sleeves and the socks.  They are snug, but in no way uncomfortable.  I feel more secure when I am wearing them.  I like using the compression socks for recovery.

·         The brand that I like the least is Zensah.  www.zensah.com.  Because I say that I like them least is not to imply that I dislike them.  Instead, of all of those that I have tried they are simply the ones in which I feel the least secure, meaning I don’t feel like they are really compressing all that much.  Initially I thought it was because I bought the wrong size, but even when I bought the size smaller they felt fairly similar. 

·         The Sugoi compression sleeves are a close second to CEP.  www.sugoi.com.  Ladies, please note that they only come in the men’s category, but just buy the smaller size.  Do not let the fact that they are men’s accessories stop you from trying them.  Sugoi is a well known running company and the quality of these sleeves is excellent. 

·         Saucony makes two different levels of compression socks and also compression sleeves.  www.saucony.com.  If I was someone who liked running in the compression socks versus the compression sleeves, I have no doubt that I would be wearing these for every run.  I have gotten used to wearing these to sleep in on the night after a really long run.  I just feel better in the morning and my Achilles feel much better.

·         I have not yet tried other brands.  Remember, I live in New Orleans where I don’t have as many options as I would if I were living in a larger city.  But, then again, I didn’t see either the Skins (http://www.skinsusa.com/ ) compression sleeves/socks or the Zoot (www.zootsports.com ) compression sleeves/socks in either New York or Chicago.  Those are the other brands that are fairly well known in the market.

All in all, it could all be in my head.  Maybe it is psychological and I simply feel more secure wearing the sleeves/socks; almost as if because I am wearing them my injuries aren’t going to get the best of me.  So even though I may look silly, I am going to keep wearing them and praising them at every opportunity that I get.