Best Graduated Medical Compression Socks 20-30mmHg for Women & Men - Knee High Support Socks for Circulation, Varicose Veins & Travel - Perfect for Nurses, Athletes & Long Flights

UPDATE 3/19/2022:Hoping to persuade me to edit my negative review, the seller contacted me and sent me a *new* batch of their socks (black in L/XL). These have the white embroidery on the inner cuff that shows the size and compression strength. They feel different from the original, less like stockings (smooth, prone to runs/tears) and more like socks. This makes them feel a little different on my legs and feet, with a texture that's a bit rougher. That may aggravate someone with sores or injuries on their legs. These socks have two problems: the cuff isn't really elastic, so when you stretch them out to put them on, a binding thread comes close to snapping. That elastic makes them more accommodating for knees and helps them stay up throughout the day by gripping your knee. Overall, they are definitely not very elastic or flexible; they're firmer and coarser than the original. They are also definitely 2-4 inches too short. They sit well under my knee and don't even make it past my calves. However, they're doing a decent job. Either that or my new diet is controlling my lymphedema well (which is entirely possible. Maybe these new socks help or maybe not, I can't say yet). So, they're definitely worth trying and the seller is very responsive and helpful (but please don't edit your review to be dishonest and please, seller, stop asking us to).I've added a star to reflect my slightly more positive experience.UPDATE 1/31/2022:I repurchased these compression socks in November, hoping to replace the ones that had become worn out. They were the socks I wore almost every day. The socks I received this time were nothing like the previous ones I had ordered. The company changed the style, material, compression level, everything. There's no way these are still 20-30 mmHg compression strength. They barely compress at all. They squeeze uncomfortably but do so without preventing swelling. The material is scratchy and feels cheap. I contacted the seller and told them the product was different this time, begging for the old style. They sent me a complimentary package of different socks. These were made of ANOTHER different material. They were way too tight (NOT large/XL) and didn't compress. They were objectively better quality than the package I was originally sent in November, but they still could not compare to the original version of Black3-Classic. I was grateful the seller allowed me to try another kind - for free, at that - but I had to seriously downgrade my review because the product just isn't the same anymore. It's shady of a company to bait and switch like that, too. There was no mention in the description or pictures of a change in material/style/compression strength. In the end, I had to return them. I can't afford to pay for items I can't use and don't want to wear.Original Review:This review is pertaining to the Black3-Classic color of these socks. I have tried tons of different compression socks/stockings over the past 6 years since I was diagnosed with edema. With many of these brands, you get what you pay for: fly-by-night company with spotty customer service, completely different sizing based on the color you order, unreliable product descriptions and photos, and in general, poor-fitting and poor-performing compression socks that are only mildly uncomfortable at best. (Looking at you, "CHARMKING".) At least, that's been my experience, as a tall overweight woman with diagnosed lymphedema, but I'm sure people who are of average weight with no existing need for compression garments have a different experience.So, my recommendation is to try this color in L/XL if you are either overweight, have large calves, or have edema issues. I do NOT recommend any brand's "copper" compression socks (the ugly ones with the orange-brown markings on the foot of the sock). They're a gimmick and they're usually even less comfortable, with incredibly scratchy fabric and a too-short leg.Make sure that you apply caution and care while putting these on. The trick is to wear grippy gloves (I chose the mechanic/gardening gloves available for $2-3 at most hardware stores, they're stretchy and lack structure except for the nitrile dipped finger part) and go as slowly as possible, making sure you remove any twists or folds as you move up your leg. Some people swear by folding them inside out but I find that makes it too difficult to tell where the toe and heel of the sock foot are. I usually scrunch the leg of the sock down so I'm just managing the foot while I put them on, then smooth them out as I go higher.This brand in this color/style is the only cheap compression socks I've found on Amazon that fit and work reasonably well. They sit right below my knee, causing only mild discomfort after a day of wear (they do leave reddish-purple markings where they dig in below the knee), they do a decent job of compressing despite my edema, they're relatively comfortable (especially in comparison with similar brands), they're actually wide enough for my legs, without sacrificing compression strength for that width, and they're a really good deal. I have no way of knowing if they are actually the 20-30 compression rate they claim, but they're definitely better than some other ones I've tried. They are made of a thin material, so it will take getting used to if you usually wear athletic socks. The material can snag and tear or get a run, like hosiery, especially if you don't file your toenails after trimming them. They seem to neither alleviate nor exacerbate my existing burning feet syndrome; my feet feel about as hot in these as they do in every other sock, so they probably won't keep your feet excessively warm or cool, depending on your personal needs. If you have poor circulation and cold feet, you might be able to get away with wearing ankle or low cut socks on top of these, but, with bad edema, the top of short socks cuts off circulation to the upper leg, causing even more pooling of blood or fluid, so I don't personally recommend doing that.If you try them and you don't like them, you can always contact the seller's customer service and/or Amazon CS. If you're on the browser version of Amazon.com, hit the icon on the far left of the screen, right below the Amazon logo. It should look like 4 horizontal parallel lines. Use your mouse to scroll all the way down, and click on Customer Service. It should be pretty easy to find the option to talk to a person, just bypass the automated chat system or if you get forced into a chat with the AI assistant, hit the icon that shows a head shape wearing a mic headset to talk to a human as soon as it shows that option. Amazon is very good about refunding items that you have an issue with, and sometimes even the seller-company/production-brand can take care of the issue without having to deal with Amazon. It just kinda depends on how you want to handle it. Some companies want to maintain their good standing and will offer a new product of a different model for free, or a refund without having to send back the product, but it will take longer to get a response from them. You can also go to your Orders section and return them without having to jump through any hoops.-Most lymphedema specialists and doctors will only recommend their semi-custom (and conveniently only available through their office) version of Jobst stockings or some other incredibly overpriced brand. Take your time and try out some cheap Amazon brands first. They might scoff at you for doing so, but sometimes you'll find a product like this that fits the bill. Medical expenses are outrageous, especially in the US, and most of us with a form of edema have other medical conditions that disable us. We can't afford to mess around with - no joke - 90-dollar-per-leg stockings like the ones they recommended for me. Make informed choices and don't fall for the scams and gimmicks. Compression socks should be tight enough to compress, but not so tight that you can't get them all the way up your leg. If they can't be pulled up any further and dig in at mid-calf, they don't fit, so give up and try a different pair. You can cause more issues by cutting off your circulation than you already have, wearing ill-fitted compression stocks isn't worth saving yourself the hassle of a return. (Did you know that lymph fluid can LEAK? How gross is that? Make sure your stockings fit well or you may find out for yourself!)Best of luck to my fellow seekers of disability-friendly products. I hope these socks work for you, or that you find another kind that does.