Here at snowgrrl, we get a steady flow of items claiming to increase comfort and performance while minimizing pain and injury. Compression gear stands out as one way to do so. Just as it sounds, compression clothing consists of fabric that fits tightly around (compresses) certain areas. Compression improves blood flow, carries water and minerals throughout the body, and may also enhance performance and recovery at the same time. Compression wear gradually reduces the pressure on muscles and joints. These garments can be used for a variety of sports, and any type of work that requires someone standing or sitting for long periods of time.

 Snowgrrl tested the C3fit Foot Arch Spring Support Performance Short Socks and the C3fit Performance Calf Sleeves from Goldwin, as well as Vim & Vigr compression legwear. These items aim to help people “put their best foot forward” by minimizing leg pain and tiredness after long days sitting or standing. Other benefits of compression foot and legwear include the prevention of swelling, reducing or preventing sider and varicose veins, and alleviating achiness and heaviness. I noticed when I put the C3 support socks on that my feet felt cool and snugly supported. My feet felt slightly less fatigued than normal during a long run, and the fabric definitely worked to minimize the warmth that I normally feel with other athletic socks. I loved the snug, cool feel of the socks and will definitely fish through my sock drawer for these on days when my exertion level is higher than normal.

After the run, I tried Adidas’ compression calf sleeve, and the C3fit Performance Calf Sleeves to see if they would aid in recovery. Both of these products claim to support your muscles for more comfort and power. They can be worn before, during, or after exercise, but I chose to wear them after because I do not like the feel of anything constricting when working out. I put one on each leg a few minutes after showering and changing after my run, and left them on for about an hour. Once again, I loved the feeling of my muscles being snugly encased in compression fabric. I am not sure whether my blood flow actually improved or not (one of the claims of the products), but my calves felt much less sore than they do without any compression garments.

Last but not least, I wore the Vim & Vigr compression socks during a recent 1.5 hour flight to the Midwest. The knee-high socks definitely provided support that helped my legs feel comfortable during the flight, and I didn’t even want to take them off at the end of the day! The socks feature compression that begins at the ankle for increased circulation throughout the leg. Now that I have tried them, I can’t imagine flying or going on a long car trip without them!