Support Hosiery

Support hosiery is pantyhose, stockings, or tights with built-in light compression that helps reduce leg fatigue and provides gentle support. Less compression than medical-grade, but more than regular hosiery.

Compression Levels

Benefits

• Reduces leg fatigue from standing/sitting
• Minimizes end-of-day swelling
• Improves circulation
• More comfortable than regular hosiery for many
• Helps prevent spider veins

Who Benefits

• Those on their feet all day (nurses, teachers, retail)
• Office workers sitting for hours
• Travelers on long flights/drives
• Pregnant women
• Anyone with tired, achy legs

How It Works

Support hosiery uses graduated compression:

• Tightest at ankle
• Gradually looser up the leg
• Helps blood flow back to heart
• Reduces blood pooling in lower legs

Types Available

• Pantyhose: Full coverage, various deniers
• Knee-highs: Easy, popular for work
• Thigh-highs: Alternative to pantyhose
• Socks: For casual or athletic use

Support vs Control Top

Choosing Support Hosiery

For Light Support

• 8-12 mmHg
• Prevention, mild fatigue
• All-day comfort

For Moderate Support

• 12-15 mmHg
• Significant standing/sitting
• Travel
• Mild swelling

Brands

Popular support hosiery brands:

• Hanes Alive (classic)
• L'eggs Sheer Energy
• Berkshire
• No Nonsense
• Jobst (higher compression)

Care

• Hand wash or gentle cycle
• Avoid high heat (damages elastic)
• Replace when compression weakens
• Multiple pairs for rotation