Best Calf Sleeves and Compression socks for hiking and mountain sports (UK) - Buying Guide: 2024

Mountain sports differ from other sports because they are practiced in an environment with special climatic and physical characteristics, which is why they attract the attention of all adventurers. Among the most common are: Hiking, climbing, mountaineering, trekking, etc. They are practiced by people of all ages in competitions or as a leisure activity.

However, although they improve cardiovascular health, tone muscles and increase overall strength, they also have their drawbacks. This is due to the injuries that can be caused by such activities. Here you can learn more about these injuries and the effects of compression socks to help you avoid them.

What is the best calf compression sleeves for hiking?

The Bracoo elastic calf compression band for men and women is the ideal garment to be worn under clothing or when you are in a physical workout. It is also suitable for workers who spend a lot of time on their feet, preventing leg fatigue and relaxing tendons and muscles. This pair of compression leg warmers wicks away sweat and stimulates blood circulation, so you can wear them during the summer and in hot weather.

The fabric acts as a shock absorber against leg vibration on demanding surfaces, while maintaining just the right amount of compression on the calves. It is ideal for faster recovery, as comfort is a key factor in increasing wear time. If you are involved in sports where you have to jump frequently, the compression band is likely to slip out of place.

Pregnant women, nurses and athletes need to keep their legs away from fatigue caused by tiredness in their activities. For this reason, they choose compression garments that are efficient and generate the necessary pressure to stimulate blood circulation and deliver oxygen to the feet. This is why it is recommended that they choose a Compressport unisex calf sleeve.

The different sizes allow the patellar tissue to rest and help to avoid overloading the Achilles tendon, thus achieving a gradual compression that adjusts the strategic areas of the calf. The fabric system absorbs the impact when you jump or walk and prevents the accumulation of sweat, thanks to the thermal regulation of this support. In some patients with muscle tears, the fixation and stability of the muscles is insufficient.

The price-quality ratio of the COLORTECH soleus and gastrocnemius compressor is one of the best you can find in specialised shops. This is due to the benefits it brings; it relieves the pain of varicose veins, reduces the appearance of cramps and deflates the tissues because it helps the exchange of oxygen in the affected area to eliminate toxins. It is ideal for use in tears or to recover from calf muscle injuries.

The fibres of the structure generate a gradual compression, allowing the running sleeve to fit ergonomically to the Achilles tendon and fix the kneecap. Thanks to this design you will improve performance because the breathable material makes the compressive garment optimally supportive for long term wear. Please note that this product is not recommended for people with advanced varicose veins.

If you want to maintain your athletic performance, pay attention to the Physix Gear Sport calf compression sleeve. The ergonomic design allows for a perfect gradual calf fit, improving blood circulation without retaining heat. This increases comfort and prolongs wear time, which is why the unisex protector is also recommended for use at work and during household chores.

The compression stockings for men and women are suitable for hand-washing, thanks to the composition of the fabric materials. This also allows the seams to be resistant and not to wrinkle during use, avoiding the displacement downwards. You can wear it in summer or at any other time of the year because it does not accumulate perspiration on the leg. The calf sleeve may not absorb impact properly in some sports.

If leg pain or foot fatigue prevents you from doing the things you love to do, then choose a good compression product that improves blood circulation. Thanks to the Wchiuoe compression sleeve you will be able to keep the lower part of the kneecap in place avoiding strains, ligament and meniscus injuries. In addition, its size makes it a versatile product that you can take with you everywhere you go.

Don't miss this opportunity and choose this adjustable compression support with three velcro fastening straps for all your activities. It is ideal for combating foot fatigue and varicose veins, and don't worry about choosing your size because its size is universal and fits most people. It has been found that blood circulation may be affected in some cases when using this support.

The maximum flexibility in movement offered by the Awenia pair of compression socks makes this elastic sleeve the ideal calf support for running, jumping or any sport that places demands on the back of the leg. You can wear these socks during the summer because they prevent the accumulation of sweat and do not produce heat while helping to improve blood circulation.

The gradual compression generated by this calf sleeve makes the pain gradually disappear . Its design provides the plantar support needed to absorb soft tissue shock. In some cases, muscle recovery time is not accelerated with the use of this elastic running sleeve.

If you want to reduce the pain caused by varicose veins, you'll need to absorb the impact of walking and your daily activities, so you'll need to wear the Compressport stretch socks. This calf support can be worn for as long as you want thanks to its breathable system and fully ergonomic design. It is a compressive calf support garment ideal for preventing injuries and improving blood circulation.

It has a design that protects the toes and compresses the sole to prevent fasciitis. It also helps to keep the heel and ankle joint protected, making it a true sports support. Although the materials are breathable, it may happen that they generate heat during use, which increases the discomfort for the athlete.

The feeling of fatigue in the legs is one of the most common symptoms in people who work long hours on their feet. For this reason, it is a good idea to restore performance and energy by using a calf support that delivers the necessary oxygen to the muscles. For this, we recommend BLACKROX sports compression socks, which will keep your kneecap in place and give your Achilles tendon a rest, all at the same time.

The socks provide effective support for the meniscus and calf muscles, making it an ideal calf protector when running or doing any physical activity. It is suitable for use by people with varicose veins or recovering from injury. If the calves have an advanced tear, the symptoms will not disappear quickly with the use of this compressive support.

Video: Muscle calf anatomy

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What are the most common injuries during hiking and mountain sports?

There is no doubt that sports in the mountains are exciting for most people at any time of the year. However, being a remote, hostile and difficult to access area, it also poses certain dangers to its users. Thus, if proper precautions are not taken, accidents can occur, leading to the most common injuries in this sport, which are the following

Tendonitis of the fingers

Although the fingers of climbers have great adaptability to the various stresses and demands of climbing, most of them have injuries to the fingers, especially to the tendons. Therefore, this type of tendinitis can be described as a very common pathology among climbers, causing inflammation in a tendon, the fibrous structure that connects the muscle to the bone.

This is mainly due to the constant overloading of the finger muscles while the athlete climbs to the height in question. The result is severe pain that can increase with movement, tingling, swelling, hypersensitivity and difficulty holding objects.

Osteoarthritis of the knee

The most common degenerative knee condition, often affecting athletes who hike. Generally, this condition occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bone fragments is worn away. This leads to symptoms such as pain in the area, stiffness, deformity and loss of function.

In this sense, knee osteoarthritis in hikers is a result of overuse due to intense physical work while walking long distances or on mountain trails. In addition, the disease can also be caused by trauma during this sporting and recreational activity. In most cases, it can be cured by conservative treatment (medications, therapies and care measures).

Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS)

Mountain runners and hikers often suffer from this syndrome, which is characterized by acute pain in the lateral part of the knee due to constant friction during extension and flexion of the iliotibial band. Thus, it results from lack of warm-up exercises before exercise, running on uneven surfaces, using poor or unsuitable shoes, and exercising more than necessary.

In general, the damage begins to manifest itself gradually. Initially, the pain occurs only after about 15 minutes of running and disappears at rest. However, when it worsens, the pain intensifies in the area of the knee at the junction of the thigh and shin. As a result, the lateral knee is stiff.

Ankle sprain

An ankle sprain can also affect people who exercise in the mountains, especially in sports that involve running. It essentially occurs when the athlete calf or turns the ankle, causing a sudden abnormal twist in that area. This movement tears the strong ligaments that hold the bones together.

This type of ligament injury from overstretching or tearing causes immediate pain in the area as well as swelling, skin discoloration or bruising, inability to move the foot, and inability to stand and bear weight. It is almost always due to poor technique, improper footwear, or weakness of the ligaments and muscles in this area.

ACL injury

In skiing and other mountain sports, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is the most serious. The main cause is the mechanism of twisting the thigh on the tibia or hyperflexion of the knee, which tears the anterior cruciate ligament that connects the femur to the tibia and stabilizes the knee joint.

The instability of the knee joint causes patients to be unable to perform movements and promotes the rapid progression of osteoarthritis. It also causes inflammation, pain and difficulty in continuing to play sports. Usually, the condition is triggered by a change in direction while running or a quick turn, a sudden extension of the knee joint or a direct blow.

Buying guide: Tips on how to buy the best compression socks for hiking

Here are the most important aspects to consider when choosing a compression sock, so that you can achieve the best possible performance in mountain sports:

By function

The most important aspect to consider when choosing your compression socks for mountain sports is their function. Since there are different alternatives for many sports and they also depend on the condition or needs of the individual athlete, they promise to perform certain functions: promote venous return, prevent circulatory problems, aid recovery, relieve pain and relieve muscle pressure.

Materials used

Compression socks should be made of a synthetic material that allows sweat gland fluid to pass through, such as nylon, polyester or spandex. Also, make sure the textile garment is reinforced in the toe or heel area to increase protection.

Type of compression

In order for you to reap the benefits of a compression sock while hiking, climbing, skiing, etc., it is important that the sock exerts the right amount of pressure. On average, it is recommended to use a stocking that applies between 15 and 30 mmHg of pressure to the area. This depends on the level of support the brand or manufacturer can provide for the function it certifies.

Size

In short, it is not considered ideal to use one-size-fits-all compression stockings as offered by various manufacturers. Depending on the anatomy of the individual athlete, this may result in inefficient compression (if too large) or restricted blood flow (if too small). It is therefore advisable for the athlete to determine their exact size (by measuring the circumference of the calf or calculating the height to weight ratio) to determine if it is a size S, M, L or XL.

Design

Apart from the color of the compression stocking, it is useful to evaluate the design of the stocking in terms of how it covers the athlete's skin up to a certain height.

Among the most important designs, the following are worth highlighting:

• Compression socks (from the waist to the toes)
• Long stockings (above the knee or mid-thigh)
• Short socks or calf sleeves (from knee to ankle)
• Socks (covering the foot only)

Price

The price of this type of stockings depends on several factors: Brand, function, design, type of fastening and material used. Even if sometimes they seem expensive, it is better to buy them than to negotiate an imitation (they are characterized by their low efficiency due to poor quality).

Advantages and benefits of calf braces for hiking

One way to prevent various injuries that can occur when training for hiking or other mountain sports , is to wear compression socks or calf sleeves. This type of textile element provides protection and important benefits by exerting a controlled force on the legs and feet of the athlete.

Among the best benefits are the following:

• Promotes blood flow and heart rate.
• Provides better support for the muscles.
• Minimize the occurrence of fatigue and / or muscle soreness.
• Improve endurance and aerobic and anaerobic performance.
• Promote rapid recovery after exercise.
• Reduce the impact of the impact that occurs with each step.
• Reduce the risk of inflammation or swelling.
• Protect the limbs from various injuries.
• Retain body heat in cold and/or rainy weather.
• Avoid vibrations, which are often harmful in the long run.

Are compression socks really effective in improving performance in mountain sports?

In short, yes. Because they are textile garments that stimulate optimal blood circulation and promote muscle recovery in a shorter time. This is important to speed up the recovery of the athlete's limbs during rest, especially because it reduces inflammation and muscle pain.

In addition, they can prevent various injuries that are common in hiking sports and provide comfort and muscle support, as well as a thermoregulatory function and improve metabolic efficiency, which is ideal to enhance the athlete's performance during long, high-intensity outdoor activities.

So compression socks for mountain sports are the best garment to enhance sports performance, and if you have an injury, you can get a quick recovery with compression therapy, whose work is effective to improve the internal components of the foot and calf.