Compression Socks & Stockings UK

They apply pressure that is deliberately uneven — firmest at the ankle, easing off as it climbs toward the knee. That gradient narrows the vein slightly and helps the calf muscle push blood back up rather than allowing it to pool. Many wearers find it supports circulation and helps their legs feel less puffy and achy by the end of the day. Every TheraWear pair is knitted at 15–20 mmHg in a breathable, moisture-wicking knit.

Ward staff and carers working twelve-hour shifts, commuters standing on the Underground, expectant mothers coping with swelling, long-haul passengers out of Heathrow and Manchester, runners and cyclists recovering between sessions, trades working outdoors in the cold, office workers stuck at a desk, and anyone managing varicose veins, thrombosis risk or recovery after surgery. Heavy, tired or swollen legs are the common thread.

Everything we sell is knitted at 15–20 mmHg, which is the level that suits the greatest number of people: daily wear, travel, pregnancy, sport and milder clinical needs. It supports circulation and may help ease swelling and lower clot risk on long journeys, all without a prescription. For anything more established, ask your GP whether 20–30 mmHg or 30–40 mmHg would be more appropriate.

You need two figures: your calf at its widest, and your ankle at its narrowest point just above the bone. Check both against the size chart on the product page. The fit should feel snug and supportive, never painful — an accurate fit is what makes the graduated pressure work as intended. If you fall between sizes, go up rather than down.

They share the same graduated-pressure principle and differ mainly in length. Socks finish below the knee; stockings extend to the thigh or waist and generally arrive by way of a diagnosis. For commuting, standing work, sport and pregnancy, knee-highs cover it. TheraWear focuses on that length because it is easier to get on and considerably more comfortable to wear all day.

Very much so. Sitting still for hours is one of the clearest cases for graduated compression: it keeps blood moving while your calf muscles are inactive, which may help ease ankle swelling and lower the risk of deep vein thrombosis. Pull them on before you get to the gate rather than once you are seated, and keep them on until you land.

They are, and they are widely recommended — particularly from the second trimester onward, when swelling, thread veins and aching legs tend to become more noticeable. The 15–20 mmHg strength we use is appropriate for wearing every day. As with anything during pregnancy, check with your midwife or GP if you have specific concerns.

With regular wear and sensible care, expect 3–6 months before the graduated pressure begins to fade. Wash cold on a gentle cycle and dry them on a line or airer — tumble drying is what shortens their life, as the heat degrades the elastic fibres. When the ankle starts to feel slack, it is time for a new pair.

Yes — to every postcode in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with tracking included as standard. Orders over £30 are delivered free, and quicker options can be selected at checkout.

You can cancel within 14 days of delivery and send unworn pairs back for a refund. After that, a size that does not fit can be swapped for another within 30 days of delivery (you pay the postage to send it back), and faulty, damaged or wrong items are replaced or refunded. Full details are on our returns page.

Online, delivered to your door. TheraWear does not run a shop counter, so orders to every London postcode are sent with tracking and usually arrive within 3–7 working days, with free delivery on orders over £30. If the pair is for a flight or a race, order at least a week ahead.

Standard tracked delivery usually takes 3–7 working days to UK addresses and is free on orders over £30. Faster services, where they are available for your postcode, are shown at checkout.