I have a lot of problems with my ankle tendons - all of them. Braces get uncomfortable and don't fit in shoes well, arch sleeves end up leaving blisters on the front on my ankle, KT tape helps a lot but over the course of a work week I'm still in a lot of pain by day four and then there's the matter of the adhesive itself. Even adhesive that my skin is okay with will still get irritating after a period of time.
I got a pair of these (small, black/blue) to wear on the fifth day, when pain is at its height and it's generally a busier day as well. Using these in conjunction with MyTape KT tape (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRYKN05/ref=twister_B072XC5QVC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1) helped more than I expected. For obviously reasons socks are not going to have the same support as a brace with hard inserts or one made for athletes, but even those only help so much and I find them very uncomfortable to boot.
I found the combination quite helpful, the socks are very comfortable with nice seams that don't bother me (I'm sensitive about those things). I'm on the smaller end of adult shoe sizes, so no pair of socks fits perfectly, I always end up with the heel somewhere on the back of my ankle, and my only other option is to have material bunched under my foot to have the heel in the correct place. That is also mostly true of these, but I can get it closer to correct because it's tightly woven and I don't have the bunching problem.
I have found that I need to keep my toenails both short and smooth, because any snags catch easily when putting them on. It also helps to put them on the same way you put on pantyhose or stockings.
On washing, I have been putting them in a lingerie bag to wash with the rest of my socks (best way to not lose socks) then hanging them up to dry. If they hold up well over time I will get a few more pairs, not just for work but also for around the house or sleeping. I find in my case they help much more with the ankle tendinitis than my plantar fasciitis even with taping for that.
UPDATE 7/13/21 - Changing from 4 star to 5 star; have proven quite durable.
I have bought enough pairs to have a pair for each workday, and as a cashier I spent a lot of the pandemic year busier on my feet than ever. Every pair I own is at least a year old, with the oldest pair being a little over two years old. I hand wash them, as recommended, then hang or lay flat to dry, then put them in a UV sanitizer. Yes, I have had some of the elastic threads snapping, especially in the oldest two pairs, but there are so many that they have not lost their support ability. I can tell the slightest difference in pressure from the oldest to youngest pairs, but I think most people would not (I'm really sensitive to these things). The only problem I have with them is being hair magnets, and it takes some work to get all that out when I wear them on carpet (my kid and cat shed at alarming rates). I do wish they were a bit more "seamless" as that bothers me at times as well, but on the whole I really can't complain. They're still doing their job so that I can continue to do mine.
Update 2/1/22: The toe seam on my first pair gave out last week. So I got a year and half of wearing and washing once a week out of them. Not bad in terms of lifespan. I see there's a cushioned version now, so I'm going to try a pair of those as a replacement.
My most recent pair, the grey/black ones - I don't know if changes were made or if it's specific to this color blend, but they're not the lint/hair/fur magnets that my older pairs are.
Update 2/17/24: The second pair I bought (black/pink) has gotten threadbare on the heel. I have 7 pairs and am still handwashing them. The pink/white ones and beige ones are also not fur magnets. The new blue/black ones I got are not as much fur magnets as the pair they replaced but not as resistant to fur as the grey ones. They are easier to get on than the first pair was, made a little bigger overall, but retain the same support. I like this improvement.
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 9.02 x 4.41 x 0.55 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 0.05 Kilograms |
| Brand Name | TechWare Pro |
| Model Name | Techware Pro Ankle / Foot Brace Compression Sock - Beige/Beige (Small) |
| Color | Beige / Beige |
| Material | 80% Durable Nylon 20% Spandex |
| Suggested Users | unisex-adult |
| Manufacturer | Best Top Buys Online |
| Part Number | ASKBeige/Beige-S |
| Style | Modern |
| Size | Small |
| Sport Type | Running, Exercise and Fitness |
