Ames WalkerAW Styles 120/125/150 Coolmax 20-30 mmHg Firm Compression Knee High Socks Black Small

Best compression socks I’ve found. I like that these socks are not thin like dress socks. My foot doesn’t slide in my shoe and the cushioning is more. The 20-30 mm Hg compression is perfect for all day wear and keeps my ankles from swelling when travelling. I wear these socks otherwise too because I have more energy when my legs don’t swell. After many washes these socks get softer but keep working just as well as new. I have 7 pairs now. That’s how much I like these socks.

Of the 5 or so pair of 20-30mm Hg compression socks I have tried. These immediately became my favorite. The size L fits me perfectly. My measurements are 10-10.5 ankle, 18-18.5 calf, and 18-18.5 knee. On most size charts the ankle and calf measurements fall in size L while the knee height suggests XL. I took a chance on these in size L and they fit perfectly. I like the extra thickness compared to almost all others. I have always worn Gold Toe Fluffies, and these have a similar thickness. With other brands I have to wear the Fluffies over the compression socks or my shoes are too loose! I am also a fan of Coolmax so these are a triple win for me!

These really are great for me. Much more comfortable than expected. I wear a size 13 Adidas Athletic shoe. They fit perfectly.What puzzles me and I feel sorry for the people who are having size problems with this. I have only bought the white before. Never the black.What puzzles me is that there is a DETAILED, EXREMELY, EXTREMELY DETAILED sizing chart on the back of with package? Ankle, calf size...blah.I would have posted it myself but it tote apart the plastic bag that they came in? I'll have them in a few days, and if nobody else does I will post the chart myself.

I had read somewhere that if you were to be sitting on long flights that it could help to have compressionsocks to help your circulation and possibly avoid charlie horses due to the lack of exercise.Now most people would think that this is a problem with the elderly. Well. it is not about age. It's aboutlack of movement and keeping the blood moving. Even teenagers can get a charlie horse on a long flight.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------First, a Public Service Announcement on Extended Air Travel:> Wear graduated compression hose.> Break your flights into shorter segments. Flights over 4 hours have a much higher risk of DVT.> Drink a re-hydration / electrolytic beverage while flying, 8 oz every hour is recommended.> Drink quinine water if you don't like re-hydration drinks. (Same recommendation as above)> Get up and walk every 1-2 hours.> Don't cross your legs while seated.> Every 10 minutes stretch them out, pump them like a bicycle, twist your ankles around.> If you have room, straighten legs and / or elevate them.> Ask your doctor about Lovenox, or other anticoagulant, for long flights if you are at a higher riskfor a clot.I did not buy these socks because I am at high risk for a blood clot but because I don't like charlie horses.They hurt tremendously and I wanted to avoid them. I have gotten them occasionally on direct flights fromthe East Coast to the West Coast; about 6 hours.After planning a trip to Asia, knowing that the trip was about 18 hours from the West Coast and seated inEconomy Expanded (An extra 10 inches of knee room), I decided to try these Ames Walker Knee Hi Socks.I wanted to minimize the odds of getting a painful charlie horse.I have a 9-1/2EE shoe size and based on the guide purchased the Medium sized socks. I initially found thema bit tight, especially around the front of the ankles where the foot creases into the leg. I did not find themwholly uncomfortable but was very aware of their tightness.The foot area was adequate in room and I felt no tightness, pinching or other problems. They have somepadding on the bottom of the foot. Even with the tightness I did not lose any feeling in my legs; which wasan initial concern. I wore them around the house prior to the flight believing I needed to break them in a bit.It seemed to work somewhat but ...The socks also felt a bit tight up the leg, again, not entirely uncomfortable. As the flight proceeded I didn'tseem to notice them much at all; except around the ankles and only when I moved them. I never had topull these sock back up; they were always, and still are after two years, firm around the leg.I am assuming these socks worked for me. I did not follow many of the suggestions noted above, except toget up every couple hours and to stretch my legs straight out. I did not experience any charlie horses on thetrip over or back. Your mileage will vary dependent upon how fit you are in the first place.I would follow the manufacturer's washing recommendation, at least until the guarantee runs out. Some ofthe reviewers have commented that they have machine washed the socks without any problems. If you aregoing to do so place them in a mesh bag and set the washer to a gentle cycle. After all these are not denimpants they are machine woven socks.So based upon my experiences and the price but without any solid scientific data I would give these CoolMaxsocks a Knee Hi 4 Stars. And we're not talking orange soda here. Happy traveling and many happy returns.------------------------------------------------------------------------------CAVEAT/Caution; do not purchase any compression socks over 20mmHg like I did. Anything over 20mmHGshould be recommended by a physician and professionally fitted.Caution should be exercised in those with advanced peripheral obstructive arterial disease, heart failure, septicphlebitis, oozing dermatitis and advanced peripheral neuropathy in regards to wearing compression stockings.Consult your physician if you are not sure about wearing any class of compression socks.

These really do the job. A medium is quite tight on my men's size 9 feet, but that's a good thing in my opinion. Compared to Vitalsox Performance & Recovery (VT1211), the Ames are significantly tighter around my feet, and slightly tighter around my calves.They are also slightly less dry. If that's not a problem for you, then not to worry. Vitalsox are made with "drystat polypropylene" (from the label) which does seem to be a little dryer. The dp material does slide on a little easier. The Ames sock has a very slight terry-like pile on the inside of the foot. This isn't much cushion, but I guess it may absorb more moisture compared to the Vitalsox. But my feet stay pretty dry, so I can't really speak to that.I will say that the pile gives the Ames product more resistance when putting it over your feet. Since the Vitalsox product is smoother inside, you can pull it over your foot easier, whereas you have to work with the Ames sock a bit more (but it is also tighter, which is probably contributing to this as well).As for tightness, keep in mind that tightness will depend on your actual foot AND calf size. Unlike regular socks, there are actually two body metrics involved in sizing a compression sock. Alas, foot size is the only way they are produced and sold, on the assumption that when it comes to calves, one size fits all. I have lean, muscular calves, and they could be a little larger and the socks would still fit. However, if you have "bowling pin" calves, you may need to go to a larger size sock to be comfortable.My advice is to order one pair to ensure a good fit. Trying different brands is also smart if you are into these things for the long run. They're spendy, and given the nuances of foot/calf fit, it may pay to experiment before committing to one product.Finally, I like that this product is all black. Vitalsox is a great product as well, but it's emplazoned with chevron-like pattern that runs enough above the foot to be visible below the trouser cuff when crossing my legs. I don't like that when wearing them with casual pants (neither product is made of a dressy enough material to wear with suit slacks). Vitalsox looks better because of the material, but the pattern is a deal-breaker in formal settings.

Very thick and don't provide 20-30 mm pressure as advertised