What do automobile sunroofs and compression legwear have in common? Both were invented by Conrad Jobst. And both have come a long way.
The German-born Jobst moved to the United States in 1911 and patented more than 40 items in his career. According to Promedicanewsnetwork.org, Jobst suffered from lower extremity venous insufficiency. This affliction occurs when the veins in the legs are not working effectively to pump blood from the legs to the heart. Instead, the blood pools in the legs, causing pain and discomfort.
Jobst realized the hydrostatic pressure in a swimming pool relieved his pain and discomfort. He replicated the swimming pool effect by designing a garment he could wear all the time. The result was the first elastic stocking designed specifically to help increase blood circulation in your legs. Those are known today as compression stockings.
Compression stockings dramatically improved Jobst’s venous condition. They began to help others who were suffering from circulation problems as well. Today they are used by athletes, air travelers and anyone who suffers from leg discomfort during the course of their day.
Enter Vim & Vigr
In 2013, Michelle Huie put her spin on compression legwear when she founded Vim & Vigr after discovering her own need for compression socks. A job that required hours of sitting and frequent travel left her with achy, tired legs. Today, her Montana-based footwear benefits anyone who sits, stands, travels, works out, works long hours, is pregnant, or experiences discomfort in their legs.
Huie has more than 15 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry. She also has worked in leadership roles ranging from business development, sales and marketing. All Vim & Vigr graduated-compression legwear products are developed in partnership with vascular surgeons and vein clinics and listed with the FDA. According to the team at Vim & Vigr, their legwear can help “alleviate achiness and heaviness, reduce swelling, energize legs and aid in muscle recovery.”
Huie’s socks apply therapeutic pressure that starts at the ankle and gradually eases the further the socks go up the leg. The legwear squeezes the leg in a specific way that helps increase the circulation of freshly oxygenated blood back to legs.
Graduated compression is generally displayed in ranges. The higher the numeric value, the stronger the support level indicated. These levels are expressed in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), which is a metric of pressure commonly used within the medical field to measure things like blood pressure. For example, a 20-30 mmHg garment will offer more support and feel tighter than a 15-20 mmHg garment.
Benefits of Graduated Compression Legwear
Vim & Vigr states its compression legwear:
- Energizes your legs
- Reduces swelling
- Alleviates achiness and heaviness
- Aids in muscle recovery
- Eases discomfort
- Protects the overall health of your legs
What Do Compression Numbers Mean?
- 15-20 mmHg – Moderate support that’s ideal for all-day, every day wear. Great for travel, mild to moderate edema, pregnancy, achiness, spider and varicose veins.
- 20-30 mmHg – Moderate to firm support that’s commonly recommended for edema, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), lymphedema, pre- and post-surgical applications and moderate varicose veins.
- 30-40 mmHg – Firm support that usually comes as a prescription from a doctor, used for treating conditions such as venous insufficiency, DVT, lymphedema and dysautonomia.
How do You Put On Compression Socks?
Figuring out how to put on compression socks is the hardest part of wearing them. They’re designed to be quite fitted. Thankfully, Vim & Vigr shows you how to get these things on the right way. Check out this video on their website.
Compression Legwear Put to the Test
I put on a pair of 15-20mmHg moisture-wick nylons (200-needle count for flexibility and comfort) in the Mountain Sun pattern and took off on a leisurely hike. I found a trail that featured dirt, gravel and paved sections in various degrees of incline and decline. Nothing major – just a stroll out and about. I actually wore these socks all day. They were comfortable, kept me dry and looked pretty cool.
Next I tried a pair of black 15-20 mmHg Australian Merino wool socks (also 200-needle count). I strapped on my bike shoes and hopped on my mountain bike and put in a few miles. As to be expected, the socks were comfortable and snug and performed well during the course of the day.
As far as looks, construction quality and performance goes, Huie’s compression socks got my seal of approval. I don’t have problems with my legs or ankles, so I wasn’t really sure about the health benefits of the compression socks. I recruited another tester to give an opinion. Rhiannon, a member of the TVO Team, volunteered and took to the trail in a pair of 15-20 mmHG socks in the Melons pattern.
Rhiannon said in the past she has had swelling in her ankles when sitting for long periods of time, especially while riding in a car. “Overall, they felt good and the compression wasn’t too tight,” she said. “They kind of felt a little like a massage. It reduced the swelling around my ankles, and the watermelon design was cute.”
Vim & Vigr compression legwear products are available in four materials: cotton, nylon, Merino wool and moisture-wick nylon. Three compression levels are available: 15-20 mmHg, 20-30 mmHg and 30-40 mmHg. MSRP ranges from $36 to $54.
