The claim: Lower-leg swelling is a result of the restriction of blood circulation in the legs and feet. Vim & Vigr, a line of high-quality compression socks for men and women, works to combat swelling and the detriments of poor blood circulation. As a result of inactivity during travel, position of legs while seated, low blood pressure, dehydration and low humidity, many people experience legs, ankles and feet that are swollen, achy and at risk of deep-vein thrombosis, a condition in which blood clots form in the veins. Vim & Vigr's advanced Gradient Pressure knitting technology improves circulation and alleviates aching, and prevents and reduces spider and varicose veins, as well as leg swelling. These fashionable, energizing socks are available in a variety of designs and fabric choices.
Cost: $32.95
Where: vimvigr.com
The Vim & Vigr socks I tested were cotton knee-highs that were red with black polka dots. I opted to channel my inner child and wear them with shorts one chilly morning to run errands. Like many compression garments, getting them on is a bit of a struggle, and I was glad of the instructions inside the wrapper. Their method made it a little better.
The socks actually went almost to my knee, which was a pleasant surprise. Usually, to get socks that fit near to my knee, I buy ones labeled over-the-knee. I had figured my errands would run about three hours; it ended up closer to five, and the only issue I can report is that,toward the end, the socks started to “pull” at my toes when I was seated or driving.
More interesting was when a clerk in a store commented on my socks: She thought they were cute. I asked her if she would believe they were compression socks. That, she said, was great. She used to work in a social-services sort of job, and her clients were often faced with compression garments that were either ill-fitting or unattractive. These would have been a hit, she told me.
Also to the good: When I washed and dried the socks as directed, they came out looking as if they had never been worn.
I love, love love Vim & Vgr's latest take on compression socks.
I remember feeling really miserable when I donned compression socks for a trans Atlantic flight. They were anything but comfortable and, but for the threat of circulation problems in those ridiculously tiny coach-class seats, I would have never put them on. The thought of wearing them for any other purpose never crossed my mind.
But Vim & Vgr hit one out of the park when they came up with their new compression socks. Not only do they have some attractive prints, they feel good. I've worn them around the house, out on errands and on long walks with a cantankerous dog.
The only problem I see, is they are just ridiculously expensive: $33 is just a little steep for my wallet.
That said, I love these socks.
My Vim & Vigr socks offer moisture-wicking as well as breathability qualities — two essentials for long travel. My test period covered the many hours of getting through airport security and the two stops required to get to Stockholm — and then back home again 10 days later from Reykjavik. (Yes, I take Trib Tested duties very seriously.)
I know how my feet and ankles swell on long flights across the country or across the ocean. I've used other compression socks that helped a bit. But I would still plan carefully to be sure to wear roomy shoes I can slide back on at the end of the flight when I seem to have grown a size.
At the end of a very long day (or was it two with the time difference?), I was amazed to discover my boney ankles remained boney when I pulled off the Vim & Vigr socks.
And the handy directions on getting them on and off were a great help.
