How Tight Is Too Tight When Wearing Compression Stockings?

One of the chief complaints of people wearing compression stockings is that they find them to be too tight, sometimes to the point of being uncomfortable or even intolerable.

This frequently voiced grievance about compression hose or stockings may or may not be valid in each case and therefore demands further investigation.

First of all, it should be pointed out that compression stockings not being tight would be a contradiction in itself, because as the name says compression implies that pressure is applied to something.  Logic would dictate that the result would be a feeling of squeezing and tightness.  Consequently compression stockings by their very design and nature must be tight.

This obviously summons some closely related questions on this subject matter.  How tight should compression stockings be?  How tight is too tight when it comes to compression hosiery?  In the following we will try to shed some light on these important concerns.

Keep in mind that compression stockings are designed and manufactured to have “graduated compression”.  This means that they intentionally feel the tightest at the ankles where the compression is the highest.  As you move up the leg of the compression stockings or pantyhose the tightness gradually lessens because the compression also gradually decreases the higher you go.  It is therefore completely normal that compression hosiery feels tighter in the ankle and calf area than it does in the thighs.

The tightness of compression stockings can be particularly challenging and frustrating while trying to put them on or taking them off.

To make this process less exhausting, you absolutely must take the necessary time and patience to don and doff compression stockings or pantyhose.  You will need to ensure that they are properly situated without wrinkles or folds that could pinch, cause pain or even interfere with proper blood circulation.

Last not least, trying to rush things by pulling on the compression stockings could also quickly ruin some potentially expensive legwear.

To make life with compression stockings a little easier there are a number of ingeniously designed donning and doffing devices available that can be of great help in this strenuous process.  They may prove especially beneficial for individuals with limited hand strength or arthritic conditions.

How tight should compression stockings fit?

This is a difficult question to answer because compression stockings of different compression levels obviously also have varying degrees of tightness. In addition, it depends on the individual wearing them.

People have different tolerance levels for things such as pain or temperature, for example.  In a similar way this also applies to what a person perceives as too tight and what actually is too tight from a medical point of view.