Compression Socks vs Stockings: What’s the Difference?

Compression therapy provides numerous benefits, from improvements in circulation to better recovery from exercise, reduced swelling or edema, and more. But choosing the right type of garment may feel daunting. We hear about compression socks, sleeves, stockings, tights, and more. So, which one is best for you and what are the key differences between compression garments?

In this article, we will focus on the distinctions between compression socks (which are knee-high) and compression stockings (also referred to as tights or leggings). We will answer questions like what are the benefits of each and how should you choose between them? Read on to find out.

The Difference Between Compression Socks and Stockings

Length and Coverage

One of the most obvious differences between compression stockings and socks is their length. Most compression socks are knee-high, which allows them to support the feet, ankles, and lower leg muscles. This is why they’re great for recovering from, or preventing, injuries like calf muscle strains.

Stockings, on the other hand, give full leg coverage, often including the pelvic area. According to a clinical study, compression stockings effectively reduce edema, just like compression socks. At Vim & Vigr, we offer full-length compression stockings (or tights) that help the thigh and glute muscles feel supported and energized. Compression stockings are a great option if you prefer the squeeze on your whole leg instead of just your lower leg.

Compression Levels

You may think that compression stockings must be the tightest as they are often prescribed by doctors to help manage symptoms of venous insufficiency, varicose veins, or edema. However, both compression socks and stockings are made in a range of compression levels, to suit your lifestyle and your medical condition.

The three main levels of compression are: 

• 15-20 mmHg - everyday wear compression, suitable for wearing to work or during workouts to improve exercise performance and during traveling to prevent vein problems.
• 20-30 mmHg - firm compression that usually helps manage circulatory conditions or is prescribed during recovery from an injury like Achilles tendonitis.
• 30-40 mmHg - medical prescription-only, usually needed for those with more serious medical conditions like chronic edema or when you are recovering from surgery.

You can find our Vim & Vigr compression socks in all compression levels, while we currently offer compression stockings in 15-20 mmHg and 20-30 mmHg.

Improve your athletic performance with comfortable, supportive compression socks.

 

Material and Design

Material is extremely important when choosing your compression garments. You need to have high quality, stretchable fabrics for your garments. This will make sure the compression garments will maintain their pressure levels through multiple wears. They also need to be breathable and moisture-wicking, especially if you are looking to wear them while working out.

Typically, compression stockings and tights are made of nylon and make a fantastic addition to a casual or more dressed-up outfit, for example under a dress. Vim & Vigr nylon stockings are flexible, tight-fitting, and breathable, to ensure comfort throughout the day.

Compression socks, on the other hand, come in a variety of fabrics to match the weather conditions and your activity levels. Classic cotton can be paired with any outfit and choice of shoes. For sports activities, we recommend moisture-wicking, antibacterial merino wool that keeps feet cool and dry. You can also opt for regular or moisture-wick nylon in our knee-high socks line.

Benefits and Purpose

Both compression socks and tights are designed to apply therapeutic pressure to the legs, stimulating blood flow and supporting the muscles and joints. With graduated compression socks that stop just below the knee, the pressure is higher at the bottom, slowly loosening up towards the knees. This makes them ideal for those who want to avoid blood pooling around the ankles. Graduated compression socks have been found to increase lower leg blood flow according to this medical study. Our compression tights are also graduated, so they support upwards circulation from the legs towards the upper body.

Typically, compression socks are worn by athletes and people engaging in sports activities, whether that’s walking, hiking, skiing, or yoga. They have been shown to improve stability and comfort during activity, as well as boost recovery post-exercise. Compression socks are also great for preventing vein problems (like blood clots or deep vein thrombosis) while flying and are used by many long-haul travelers. As for stockings and tights, they are used more by patients suffering from varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, or peripheral circulation problems.

However anyone going out skiing or snowboarding could enjoy the benefits of full-length compression stockings, which will not just boost blood flow in the legs, but also keep them warm and comfortable all day. Similarly, patients with deep vein thrombosis often wear knee-high compression socks to improve their peripheral circulation and soothe aching limbs.

Long day on your feet? Relax in soft, comfortable compression socks.

Types and Styles

It is worth looking at the distinct types of compression garments, as there are some variations with both socks and stockings.

One of the first that comes to mind is whether or not you can keep your toes out - yes, open-toe compression socks exist and still  provide some benefits of compression socks. You can pair them with sandals all summer long or simply enjoy them when relaxing at home barefoot. Another option for keeping your feet cool or simply having access to various types of socks and footwear is to wear compression calf sleeves. These only cover from the ankle to the knee. Although they only provide blood flow improvements for a specific section of the lower leg, calf sleeves are very popular with athletes as they protect and support the calf muscles and the shins during their sport. Finally, you can also opt for ankle-height compression socks if you’re only looking for support and pressure for your feet.

While compression stockings do not usually come in an open-toe design, they are certainly available as a whole leg compression sleeve or as leggings. They are incredibly versatile, while still offering the benefits of compression from the ankles up to the pelvic area if they have a pressure rating (like 15-20mmHg or higher pressure). Wear them with sandals or flip flops or pair them with different socks, depending on your outfit choice or activity.

How to Choose Between Compression Socks vs Stockings

Despite cases where a particular type of compression garment is prescribed to you by your doctor, choosing between knee-high socks or compression tights or leggings is a matter of personal preference. You may get health benefits from either.

Overall Health and Medical Conditions

Graduated compression can help manage the symptoms of circulatory health problems, from varicose veins to blood clots, edema, and beyond. Every type of compression garment will work for this, so whether you go for knee-high compression socks or full-length leggings will depend on your choice of outfit and personal preference. You will still get a boost in blood flow, particularly if you opt for graduated compression in both lengths.

If you need more support or compression at the top of the legs or for joints like the knees or hips, then compression tights are more appropriate.

Lifestyle and Activity Level

From a fashion or lifestyle perspective, compression tights are suitable for almost any outfit, as they can go on seamlessly under your pants or longer dresses or skirts, while also being suitable for wearing on their own as a lower-body piece of clothing. However, if you prefer the versatility of simple socks and do not need upper leg support, then compression socks are easier to pair with pants and jeans. They might clash with dresses depending on your footwear, or they could offer a pop of color and a fashion statement with the right shoes!

In terms of activities chosen while wearing compression garments, it is worth considering the material first. While Vim & Vigr regular nylon is high-quality and breathable, we would recommend wearing compression socks in merino wool or moisture-wicking nylon for sports activities, while leaving the nylon compression tights for everyday wear. This is because you will have the benefit of better ventilation, moisture wicking, and sports-specific clothing from compression socks by comparison to tights.

Discover your next pair of running compression socks.

 

Personal Preferences

Ultimately, if you are applying compression to the area that needs treatment, you can choose to wear any type of garment that suits your lifestyle and preferences. With both compression socks and stockings, you are helping your blood flow throughout the body to prevent blood clots, improving your energy levels, and speeding up your muscle recovery times after exercise. If you are then looking for support to a particular muscle or joint, for example, then you simply need to be mindful of that when picking what you wear (for example, there is no point in wearing footless compression tights if you’d like to have some support when recovering from plantar fasciitis!).

Professional Advice

Finally, do seek professional advice from your doctor or a physical therapist if you have doubts or questions about how compression socks or tights can help in your situation. They will assess your needs (whether it is a circulation problem, muscle or tendon injury, joint weakness etc.) and be able to advise on any other complementary treatments, too.

Who Should Use Compression Socks?

People who want to avoid circulatory problems in the lower legs or who already suffer from peripheral circulatory conditions can benefit from the boost in blood flow that compression socks offer. Additionally, you can find compression socks beneficial if you fall in one of these categories:

• People who stand or sit all day at work.
• People who travel long distances, particularly on flights with little movement;
• Athletes, both professional and recreational.
• Those with limited mobility or who are bedridden, e.g., after surgery.
• Pregnant people.

Always consult with a doctor or medical professional if you have any doubts about using compression socks.

Who Should Use Compression Stockings?

The same type of people who can get benefits from compression socks will love compression stockings and tights:

• If you suffer from poor peripheral circulation and need a boost.
• If you are looking for muscle and joint support, particularly during exercise.
• For muscle recovery after sports.
• When sitting or standing all day at work.
• When traveling long distances.
• To avoid blood and liquid pooling when you are immobile for long stretches of time.
• When pregnant.

The key difference to remember is that, if you specifically want support and a blood flow boost in the upper legs and pelvic area, you will need compression stockings rather than socks that only reach up to under your knees.

References

Kurosawa, Y., Nirengi, S., Tabata, I., Isaka, T., Clark, J. F., & Hamaoka, T. (2022). Effects of Prolonged Sitting with or without Elastic Garments on Limb Volume, Arterial Blood Flow, and Muscle Oxygenation. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 54(3), 399–407. Read it here.

O'Riordan, S. F., Bishop, D. J., Halson, S. L., & Broatch, J. R. (2022). Compression-induced improvements in post-exercise recovery are associated with enhanced blood flow, and are not due to the placebo effect. Scientific reports, 12(1), 16762. Read it here.

Mosti, G., Picerni, P., & Partsch, H. (2012). Compression stockings with moderate pressure are able to reduce chronic leg oedema. Phlebology, 27(6), 289–296. Read it here.

Charles, T., Mackintosh, D., Healy, B., Perrin, K., Weatherall, M., & Beasley, R. (2011). Merino wool graduated compression stocking increases lower limb venous blood flow: a randomized controlled trial. Advances in therapy, 28(3), 227–237. Read it here.

Clarke, M. J., Broderick, C., Hopewell, S., Juszczak, E., & Eisinga, A. (2021). Compression stockings for preventing deep vein thrombosis in airline passengers. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 4(4), CD004002. Read it here.