Review on Sockwell Women's Circulator Compression Sock with Moderate Graduated Support by Richard Miller

Edit: It's been a few years since my original review. I had 3 stars but I am moving it to 5. I still think they are not suitable for people with bigger calves but other than that my opinion has changed. I've tried many different compression stockings, but I always come back to these. Other brands are so tight I can't wear them and most don't have graduations. I really appreciate the graduated compression and agree they are tighter compression for me. They really help a lot with my POTS symptoms and they are breathable enough that I can wear them on a hike on a hot summer day. Now I have about 10 pairs so I can wear them every day. So it's ok, but I have some problems. I understand they are supposed to be tight but I could barely put them on and they compress a lot on the top of my foot right where they meet my ankle (about where the darker band is on the toe). The adhesion is so painful that I cannot wear it for more than a few hours. It's also painfully tight at the top, so I have to fold them down to make them bearable. My calves are 16 inches and I think my ankle is about 10.5 inches. It definitely helps prevent blood from pooling in my legs, but I don't think it's intended for people with muscular calves and thicker than average ankles. I think if you're overweight or overly muscular, you're going to have a hard time with them. In my case, I wouldn't call it "moderate" compression. That seems pretty extreme.