Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I am a retired MD-physiatrist. I have prescribed compression hose for vascular, neurological, orthopedic, and burn-related conditions hundreds of times over a 30-year career. I am also a patient and have relied on these stockings for the past 10 years. This review is independent. I receive no monetary gain from any source related to these products. I do this solely for the public benefit. All of these stockings are knee-high. Thigh-highs are always the best, but patient compliance is terrible. I never wanted to wear them, and so I could not expect patients to do so. These are all rated 20-30 mm of mercury in compression despite listings describing them as anything between “moderate” and “extra-firm.” Any product with less may be nice for comfort or cosmesis but will do little by way of therapeutic intervention. RATINGS and observations: 1 JOBST for men knee high closed toe compression stockings, extra firm legware for all day comfort for males, with odor control technology. The gold-standard but like gold, very pricey. Best fit and function. Best quality. Very plain in appearance. They need a “hike-up” once during the day. No loss of function after 10 uses and washes. 2 FUTURO restoring dress socks for men, firm compression, over the calf. Definitely #2. One quarter the cost of Jobst. Good fit and function. Good quality. No daily hike-up needed. Nicer appearance than the Jobst. Excellent wear-and-tear. I used 3 pair continuously over one year in clinic and noted no loss of function. My neuropathic symptoms resolved over a few weeks of use. Of interest, Amazon’s rankings wherein the Physix below were rated #1 did not include the Jobst or Futuro. 3 GO2SOCKS compression socks for men women nurses runners medical stocking maternity travel. Inexpensive. Can cause discomfort if not donned optimally but good therapeutic compression. Good quality and “daughter-impressing” appearance. No daily hike-up. No loss of function over 10 uses. 4 AMES WALKER AW styles 120 125 150 compression knee high socks. Inexpensive (all are compared to Jobst). Excellent compression but painful after a few hours use despite adjusting fit. Good quality. Look like P.E. socks. No daily hike-up. No loss of function after 10 uses. 5 PHYSIX Gear compression socks for men & women graduated athletic fit for running, nurses, shin splints, flight travel & maternity pregnancy. Definitely NOT #1. Inexpensive. Good fit but non-therapeutic compression. Nice appearance which with ease of donning undoubtedly accounts for their popularity. No daily hike-up. They give less compression after each wash. I cannot recommend these as a physician because of non-efficacy. 6 COPPER Compression Socks for men & women. Cheap. Poor fit and little function. Poor quality. OK appearance. Hike-up N/A because they do not cover the calf with initial donning. They become looser with each wash and are no better than regular socks in function. Not recommended.