Advantages of compression socks for running, inline skating or biking

Hey Active Person! Yes- You! Are you thinking of throwing on a pair of compression socks for running, inline skating or biking? The advantages that come with wearing this special type of socks are highly appealing and bring great benefits to your health and well-being. Check out the advantages for your sports!

Until a few years ago, compression socks were mainly used when running. However, compression socks are becoming increasingly popular amongst cyclists, mountain bikers and also Inline Skaters. And when you look at the benefits of compression socks, you quickly understand why. Compression socks can help you recover faster, reduce sore muscles and improve your performance while exercising. On top of that, they help prevent injuries.

Benefits of Cycling (including biking and mountain biking) with compression socks

The principal of compression socks is actually pretty straihtforward. As the name suggests, a compression sock delivers compression. By keeping the calves under pressure – especially for cyclists – the body can recover faster.
Another benefit for racing cyclists and mountain bikers is that compression socks help prevent you from having cramps and tight calf muscles. And that’s exactly something almost every active sports cyclists suffers from. More benefits of using compression socks for cycling include:

REDUCED LACTIC ACID BUILDUP:
Medical professionals will tell you that getting fresh oxygen to your muscles is a vital part of any workout; not doing so can lead to lactic acid buildup. Fortunately, a key advantage of cycling with compression socks is their ability to flush out the lactic acid buildup that occurs after workouts. Lactic acid buildup happens when the body is working hard and can’t supply enough oxygen to the muscles – think of it as a backup fuel source. Compression stocks, such as McDavid Elite Compression Socks, aid in the removal of lactic acid when it builds up during strenuous activity.

EXTRA LEG SUPPORT:
All cyclists exert strain on their legs and feet muscles during a ride. Wearing McDavid Elite Compression Socks lends extra support to the leg muscles and tendons, including the Achilles. Donning compression socks after a workout also helps your muscles recover. After an intense ride, keeping your socks on will help reduce muscle soreness, fluid retention and swelling.

ENHANCED COMFORT:
Compression Socks are designed for either the right or left foot, which provides a perfect fit each time. And as your workout heats up, McDavid Elite compression socks are designed to keep your legs and feet cool with a special temperature-regulating material called hDc moisture management. This high-tech fabric also wicks away moisture and sweat as you ride. Plus, compression socks are equipped with extra foot padding to provide extra comfort when wearing cycling shoes – not to mention the prevention of blisters.

Benefits of running (including 5K runs, marathon runs and trail runs) with compression socks

Compression socks have infiltrated the running world, and they seem to have become one of those must-know running terms. The proof is in the pudding: look around during your next race—you’ll probably see more than a few runners sporting compression socks and sleeves as they pound down the trail.

Some athletes swear by them. Many runners are convinced that wearing compression socks helps them reach new athletic heights. However, it’s proven that the support from compression therapy increases circulation and provides relief for fatigued muscles, foot pain, and shin splints, and can also help speed up recovery.

Legs feel fresher during and after the long runs. Here are a few (more uncommon) reasons beside all the advantages you already know to wear compression socks while running:

PROTECTION:
They protect your legs from small scratches, abrasions and nasty things like poison ivy on the trail.

SWELLING:
Compression technology has been proven to limit swelling, especially in people who spend all day on their feet.

DIRT:
Collects on your sleeves and not on your legs.

WARMTH:
Allows you to wear shorts on those iffy days when you'd reluctantly wear tights.

COOLNESS:
To be honest, you just pretty darn cool in compression socks or sleeves.

Benefits of inline skating (including speed skating) with compression socks

Inline skating is the roller sport of racing on inline skates, similar to ice speed skating. Speed skating training requires dedication, persistence, and the right equipment! The sport requires a special technique in which athletes take deep and fast strokes. Therefore, compression socks make a difference in the performance of your skates!

By using an anatomic shape that best conforms to the foot, McDavid Elite Compression sock will hug the foot and reduce the chances of having excess material bunch which creates friction/blisters and makes the fit a little more unpleasant. Moreover, the compression socks draw moisture away from the feet to help keep them drier for a comfortable feeling while skating!

Can wearing compression socks be harmful?

In general, compression socks are safe to wear when done so correctly. That doesn’t mean that they’re safe for everyone in every situation. Some people shouldn’t use compression socks, such as those with delicate or easily irritated skin. It’s also important that compression socks are properly fitted. Therefore, make sure you measure your calves for proper sizing. Too tight and they’re uncomfortable and impossible to put on. Too loose and they don’t provide enough compression and slide down.

Here are some best practices for safely wearing compression socks:

  • If you gain or lose weight, get fitted again so that you’re wearing the correct size
  • Check your skin for changes like redness, dents, dryness, and chafing between every wear
  • Hand-wash compression socks and hang them to dry to prevent warping or changes in the fabric
  • Dispose of compression socks after 30 or so wears, or as soon as you notice them losing their stretch
  • Take your compression socks off every day and replace with a clean, dry pair so that the socks don’t adhere to your skin and become difficult to remove