Top 6 compression socks that can relieve swelling and leg cramps

Never thought you’d be caught dead wearing compression socks? Well, if you’re pregnant and experiencing swelling and leg cramps, you may want to rethink that. These socks can alleviate the discomfort and keep your legs happy. In the past, you can only find compression socks in the Philippines in specialty shops and pharmacies. However, now a simple search on Lazada and Shopee will yield tons of results.

What are compression socks?

In this article from Cleveland Clinic, foot surgeon Dr. Georgeanne Botek says compression socks mainly exist “to promote better blood circulation in the legs."

These look like your typical socks and stockings but they are designed to “squeeze legs a bit more than typical socks." These come in different lengths and features as you will see later on.

Why should pregnant women use compression socks?

You normally see old folks wearing them. But did you know that compression socks are useful for pregnant women, too? When you’re pregnant, your body is producing 50% more fluids, which can cause swelling accompanied by discomfort.

Aside from that, you may experience leg cramps due to the additional weight gain that changes circulation. The pressure from your growing little one may affect the nerves and blood vessels leading to your legs.

In this case, the American Pregnancy Association also recommends wearing supportive stockings like compression socks. These can prevent blood clots and relieve aches and pains.

What to look for when buying compression socks in the Philippines?

As mentioned earlier, there are scores of brands to choose from when you’re in the market for these socks. That said, however, we suggest you take your pick based on these criteria:

• compression level
  • Most socks out there are of light to medium compression. Choose one that has just the right amount of compression for you to maximize its benefits. It may take a while to get used to wearing them, but if it helps alleviate the cramps and reduce the swelling, then it would be a worthwhile purchase.
• value for money
  • Speaking of purchases, make sure you get socks that will give you the most bang for the buck. The price range differs like most products. It will be up to you to decide how much you’d be comfortable spending. Read the reviews also to get a better understanding of how the product works.
• features
  • Some of the brands there have zippers on the side for ease of use. Others are medically certified. Do your research when choosing.

Top 6 compression socks in the Philippines

Blanqi Maternity Support Leggings

Maternity leggings are essential for mothers — either for a little extra room or built-in support, it is important to get a pair of maternity leggings that make you feel confident and comfortable. At Blanqi, they strive to blur the lines between fashion and practicality, creating leggings that make you look and feel good. 

The Blanqi leggings are full coverage and provide over-the-belly support with a built-in anchor to help lift and redistribute weight. Being comfortable, fashionable and even made for working out with moisture-wicking fabric, these leggings are a popular choice for expectant mothers!

Why we love them:

• Features

• • Built-in anchor
  • Super stretchy belly panels
  • Compression aids
  • X-shaped back support
  • Lifts and redistributes weight
  • Expands with you as baby grows over the trimesters
  • Smoothes out extra lumps and bumps
  • Reduces lower back pressure

DR. SCHOLL MEDI QTTO OPEN TOE COMPRESSION SOCKS REVIEW

These are designed to be worn while you sleep. Dr. Scholl Medi Qtto socks come from the eponymous footcare brand that developed English medical stockings. You’ll appreciate that these have a wide elastic around the leg openings to prevent them from digging into the thighs. This helps you stay comfortable throughout the night.

The fact that eases your pain and at the same time lets you get peaceful and adequate sleep makes it a clear winner in our book. And while they are compression socks, they are indeed comfy enough to sleep in. The material is soft and a bit tighter on the calf. Furthermore, it comes in pastel colors, which makes it look dainty and fashionable. 

If you’re a mom-to-be who’s been having problems with swelling, you’ll be happy to know that pregnant ladies also swear by this. They say it helps alleviate the swelling and works well on sore legs. Just make sure you choose the right size to fully benefit from the compression. 

Why we love them

• features
  • comes in soft lavender fabric for your comfort
  • open toe design so your feet remains cool
  • goes past the knees
  • designed to be worn while you sleep
  • wide elastic around the leg openings prevent the garment from digging into the thighs and helps keep the tights in place

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ORO THERAPEUTIC COMPRESSION STOCKINGS REVIEW

Want something you can wear underneath your usual clothes? This skin tone variant from Oro is a good choice.

The verdict for this one? Ladies who have tried it say that this brand is perfect for those days of standing and running around. It’s the antidote for numbness and fatigue or what we normally call “ngalay." It relieves tired legs at the end of a long day. Furthermore, it also has an open-toe design for your comfort.

One thing you have to note when getting compression socks is its size. You have to get the right one for the correct fit. This way, it will provide adequate compression. Oro’s compression socks are true to size so there’s no danger of getting the wrong one. 

Why we love them

• features
  • offers firm compression for aching and/or swollen legs
  • open-toe design for comfort
  • skin tone

SUPER ORTHO ULTRA COMFORT THIGH HIGH GRADUATED COMPRESSION STOCKINGS REVIEW

These graduated compression stockings were designed to accelerate the blood circulation in your legs. It was made using German technology and is composed of nylon and spandex.

Super Ortho prides itself for its high-quality products, and the users have to agree. They say this one has excellent quality and is great value for money. What makes this a good one to have i n your cabinet is its proper fit. You won’t have to worry about it getting too tight or not at all. 

Compression socks are notoriously challenging to wear since they are a bit tighter than the clothes you’re used to wearing because of the compression. But Super Ortho found a way around that, thanks to its 4-way stretch capability. Those who have tried it say that this helps without sacrificing the compression. 

Why we love them

• features
  • has 4-way stretch so it’s easy to put on and remove
  • soft to the touch and skin-friendly
  • optimum comfort and fit thanks to quality materials
  • soft and wider band for comfortable fit

OPPO MEDICAL 2840 MID-THIGH COMPRESSION STOCKINGS REVIEW

The Oppo medical mid-thigh compression stockings are skin tone can be worn underneath your work clothes. This is ideal for those who stand for prolonged periods of time and are experiencing discomfort or swelling in their legs.

Looking for compression stockings to wear in the office or when you go out for errands? This may just be what you need. Women who have tried wearing it says Oppo doesn’t slip off so you don’t have to worry about adjusting it over and over again.

The knit heel also makes a difference when it comes to the fit. Compression socks are designed to be tight in some areas making them harder to wear and keep on, but Oppo socks are comfortable to be worn the whole day. 

Why we love them

• features
  • wide band with silicone strips to prevent slipping and binding
  • knit heel for a better fit
  • progressive compression to help improve blood circulation
• price
  • P1,349 – P487

MEDX MID-THIGH HIGH COMPRESSION STOCKINGS REVIEW

What makes Medx effective is how it exerts an external pressure that’s greater at the ankle part and lighter at the calf and thigh. This helps improve blood circulation within the deep venous system. It also features an open-toe design and an anti-slip band.

Users say that it has the strongest compression in the ankle part. As you move upward to the calf, the compression slightly gets lighter, which they characterize as medium. Finally, the thigh part has the least compression of all. This doesn’t mean that it’s just like any other ordinary stocking. It’s definitely graduated compression at work. 

Why we love them

• features
  • wide anti-slip band
  • ankle part has strong compression, calf has medium compression, thigh part has light compression
  • graduated compression
• price
  • P1,550

ZIP SOX THERAPEUTIC COMPRESSION STOCKINGS REVIEW

The Zip Sox Therapeutic Compression socks are innovative because they have a zipper on the side. We think this is helpful especially when bending over to put on and remove socks is becoming challenging because of your growing tummy.

Consumers also share that the fabric is soft, which contributes to the comfort and ease of wearing it. The soft fabric makes it even easier to pull on and off. Because they’re open-toed, these compression stockings  lets your toes breathe. It can be unbearable with our tropical weather so this is a big help for mommas who get hot easily. The bonus? Zip Sox is one of the most budget-friendly options in the market.  

Why we love them

• features
  • reduces swelling and enhances blood circulation
  • available in black and nude
  • zips in cross-wise
  • decreasing pressure difference from the bottom to the top
• price
  • P321

Price Comparison

If you’re on the fence, here’s an overview of the prices of the best compression socks in the Philippines:

Note: Each item and price is up to date as of publication, however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.