Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Product review: SLS3 compression socks


Back in the day as a staff nurse in a PICU, I had issues with tired legs after spending hours on my feet. We didn't wear supportive shoes back then, usually just sneakers, and so a lot of nurses wore support hose or compression stockings, better known as TED™ hose. These white stockings, with the hole in the bottom, were used in the elderly and post-operative patients to promote venous return and prevent blood clots. There was a knee high model, and a thigh high model. I remember working up a good sweat while trying to put them on my bedbound patients' legs. When I wore them myself, I thought they were pretty darned uncomfortable, especially with that hole in the bottom, but my legs did feel better when I wore them. They were hard as heck to pull on my own legs, too. And what is the purpose of that hole anyways?

I have to say that none of my patients ever had legs that looked like this.
TED™ hose picture courtesy of dhphomedelivery.com
So, of course, when running compression socks became popular, I was interested but a little skeptical. I remembered the difficulty I had pulling those TED™ hose on my own legs, much less my patients. Would compression socks be helpful for running? Would it be worth the effort it took to pull them on? Would I even need to run after the workout I'd get putting them on? I wrote about compression in another post, when I trialled a pair of Lily Trotters. The consensus of most of the commenters on that post was that compression was great for recovery, but feelings were mixed about using compression socks on the run. Research supports this as well.

A couple of weeks ago, I was approached by SLS3 to try their compression socks. As you know, I am a big fan of compression for my feet. I like to wear low socks when I run, and I own a couple of pairs of low compression socks from a few different manufacturers. Since I'm still having some calf tightness, I decided to give the SLS3 a try, and see how I liked them.

Shortly after I agreed to this, I received an email that I won a free pair of SLS3 compression socks from a giveaway on The Running Professor's blog. I was excited about the prospect of owning 2 pairs of these socks, but I contacted SLS3 to check with them to make sure they were ok with this, and they assured me that it was fine. I received one pair of the Butterfly compression and one pair of the AllRounder socks. I couldn't have been happier!

Wearing knee socks makes me feel like a school girl again!
The weather has been pretty cool so far this summer, and I figured that I should take advantage of that and give these socks a spin. I first tried the Butterfly compression socks. I found that putting them on was not a problem. I slipped my foot into the sock and inched the calf portion up my leg. The compression was firm, but not too tight. Dare I say that these felt really good?

SLS3 Butterfly compression socks
On the run, my legs felt light. And after the run, when I had my feet up, I could feel the compression on my calves. It felt good. Here's what the website has to say about the Butterfly Compression socks:

"SLS3 Butterfly compression socks boost blood flow by about 34%. This increases oxygen delivery to the working muscles to enhance their performance. The circulation improvements also help the body eliminate metabolic waste products like lactic acid more easily. The combination of these effects allows you to work longer and harder, delaying the onset of fatigue.
The SLS3 Butterfly compression socks offer more targeted, significant support to the achilles tendons, tibias, calves and ankles, thus boosting the ability to reduce common ankle and foot injuries. 
They are recommended for running, cycling, walking, triathlon, skiing, traveling and lots of other uses. 
The supportive effect and compression of SLS3 Butterfly compression socks reduce muscle vibration drastically, which leads to less soft tissue damage and less sore muscles. Your recovery time will be significantly reduced."
I believe I can fly!
A couple of days later, I received the AllRounders in the mail, and I took them for a spin as well. Just like the Butterfly model, these slipped on without difficulty. My legs felt great on the run, and afterwards, I again put my feet up and felt the compression do its thing to relax those hard working muscles. Here's the 411 about the AllRounders:

"Designed by medical professionals, our new Allrounder compression socks feature softer, special Micro-Nylon, making them very easy to put on while delivering true graduated compression with all its benefits: 
Increased oxygen delivery to the working muscles to enhance their performance. Circulation improvements to help the body eliminate metabolic waste products like lactic acid more easily.The combination of these effects allows you to work longer and harder, delaying the onset of fatigue. 
The SLS3 Allrounder compression socks offer significant support to the achilles tendons, tibias, calves and ankles. They are recommended for running, cycling, walking, triathlon, skiing, traveling and lots of other uses. Their simple, unpadded design makes these socks a staple for everyone's compression needs.
The supportive effect and compression of SLS3 Allrounder compression socks reduce muscle vibration drastically, resulting in less soft tissue damage and less sore muscles. Your recovery time will be significantly reduced."

SLS3 AllRounder
I have to say that I really liked the degree of compression in both these socks (the compression is the same in both models). There is some degree of arch support, but of course, I'd like a little more. Still, I'm not complaining. The SLS3s were really comfortable and supportive. I can honestly say that I will be wearing them a lot during my upcoming marathon training. I'd love to wear them to work, but I don't know how good they'd look with my dresses. If I were wearing scrubs, I'd be wearing them every day.

Both models come in a variety of colors.

Full disclosure: I was given a pair of the Butterfly compression socks to trial and I won the AllRounders on a giveaway both from SLS3. But all the opinions here are my own. Always.




58 comments :

  1. Back in my thirties, I had my legs stripped. Twice. They were in such bad condition that the surgeon could not complete the job in one session. My OB/GYN convinced me to have the surgery by telling me that if the boys (they were toddlers at the time) accidentally kicked my legs, my veins could rupture. I was told I had to wear compression socks always, and I was faithful for over twenty years, then gradually stopped wearing them.

    Like your description of TEDs, they were a nightmare to put on (I wore the knee high), even worse in the summer. My last pair were thigh high. So comfortable! I loved the feeling, but before too long they would slid down to my knees. Horrible and uncomfortable, to say nothing of the expense. When I told the surgeon, he said, "No problem. You can hold them up with adhesive." Yeah, right, on top of everything else, I'm going to glue thigh high stockings to my legs. Nope. They are still sitting in my sock drawer.

    These sound wonderful. I registered for the 40% off, I have the code, and I'm considering them. Not sure yet, but I've been thinking about getting compression stocking for some time. If I do, would you recommend one type over the other, seeing that you've experienced both?

    Thanks for an informative post. If I like them, I might even get a couple of pairs to wear at home. As you note, not suitable for work.
    Connie

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    1. I like either pair! They're so comfortable and soothing. Out of all the compression I've tried, these are my favorite so far.

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  2. Nice review! I haven't heard of sls3. I like how the pink ones have butterflies! Cute! Thanks for sharing!

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  3. Right at this minute, I'm wishing somebody made hip wader length...just sayin'. I've always worn compression after a long run. I like to wear the sleeves while I sleep. I do like the butterfly look. Super cute. Some of the brands I've tried feel way too tight. So, I don't know what size to get.

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    1. I'd like a pair for my hips too! You have to measure your calves to get the right size.

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  4. I love my compression socks. I am a complete believer in their ability to help me recovery faster.

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  5. Pick me! I would love to try them! I need to get with the compression sock agenda. Nice review!

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  6. Oh man, I can't stand when compression socks are too difficult to get on. I don't need a workout before my workout haha. I'm a bit fan of Pro Compression, and I recently tried some Nike ones that were nice, too!

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    1. I like the PC low compression socks. But I struggled to pull on the knee highs.

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  7. I love compression socks and wear them almost EVERY day, even for walking and definitely for running and often for playing tennis too. I hate it when they are hard to get on and off. Your review is very comprehensive! I would love to try this brand.

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  8. I love compression socks and would love to try these.

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  9. Great review!!!! I am a compression sleeve girl FOR running, but love the socks for recovery!

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    1. I'm leary of the sleeves because of the potential tourniquet effect. But I like the socks!

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  10. I love my compression socks but like them for after a long ride. Can't really take them on my feet during an activity.

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    1. I didn't think I'd like them while I ran, but these felt really good.

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  11. I've never heard of this brand before. Thanks for introducing me to a new brand!

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  12. I'm addicted to compression sleeves now ... I have shin splints & these things make a world of difference.

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  13. I have never tried compression nor knew why I would- this was a great and thorough review of WHY I might use them-Thx- I would definitely consider it now~

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    1. I've had so much calf tightness and they really seem to help a lot!

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  14. I love compression socks, especially after a run; thanks Wendy!!

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  15. I have never worn them - I always got the feeling I'd be too hot. Might just give them a go.

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    1. I thought that too, which I why I tried them on some cooler days.

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  16. I love compression socks (usually I use sleeves), but generally only use them for recovery. I love the cute designs on the SLS3s! I may just have to order a pair even before I win :-).

    Twitter hint: I know you're new to twitter, so you probably don't know this. When you start a tweet with the "@" sign (as in the tweet on the rafflecopter), the only people who see it are the ones you're addressing and those who follow them. Try to put words or a least a period (.) at the front of the tweet so all the people who follow you will see it as well (and if I'm sharing it, all the people who follow me too).

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    1. I've been on Twitter for a couple years, and never knew that! Good to know.

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    2. Thank you for that hint! Maybe you could send me more, so I don't look like such a rookie!

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    3. Lol! Happy to, as they come up. :-). At least I got you on there!

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  17. I have never worn compression socks after a run, just during my long runs. I can tell a difference when I'm wearing them! The problem I have is they are SOOO hard to put on. (Pro Compression) I have 4 pairs, and they are almost impossible to pull on. Sounds like these would be easier!

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  18. I've never tried compression socks, but have always wanted to! This was so helpful to sway me even more into buying some!

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  19. The times I've worn compression during a run I never could tell the difference! I swear by them for recovery and travel though! Agree on how difficult they can be to put on! can't imagine doing it on someone else :)

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  20. I've never used compression socks so I have no knowledge of how hard they are to put on myself, but your description of putting the TEDs on patients definitely made me LOL. Also, let me know if you ever find out what the random hole is for haha

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  21. This reminds of me last year when my husband and I were going to be on a long overseas flight.... he brought home compression socks from the operating room for me... he is not a public or necessarily private affection kind of guy... so giving me compression socks which means "I don't want you to get a DVT on a long flight" is his way of saying I love you....

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    1. I like that! It's the little things in life, really...And I'd definitely wear these after a distance race on the flight home. No DVTs for me!

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  22. I love compression socks. They really help so much with my recovery!

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  23. I LOVE compression, but I prefer the sleeves (I am addicted to wool no-show socks) and wearing the sleeves gives me the best of both worlds. I have worn them in all kinds of weather...I actually think they have a "cooling" effect in the summer. I have never felt "too hot" in them. I also notice a huge difference wearing them for recovery....not sure how much they help with my performance while running, but they do feel good :-)

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    1. I have a fear of DVTs--I read once with that the sleeves can act like a tourniquet and cause decreased venous return...so I stick to the socks. I do love the low Smart Wool socks...I was at Marshall's last week and they had a bunch. Of course I scooped them all up!

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    2. I love my compression socks, though I rarely wear them for running. I usually ware them for travel to reduce swelling.

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  24. I do not go to work without wearing my compressions socks!! And I don't typically wear them to run unless I"m dealing with an active calf issue, but I DO wear them after a long run for recovery!

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    1. If I didn't have to wear dress clothes to work, I'd wear mine too!

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  25. I have compression socks that I wear for my long walks and they are terrific. It's good to read more about them... Great giveaway. Thank you!

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