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Like many busy, active people, I ask a lot of my feet and legs on a daily basis—I walk my dog to her heart’s content, I jam my feet into tight climbing shoes for hours-long sessions at the gym, and I run around my neighborhood tackling errands. By the end of the day, my lower half is tired and in need of some R&R, which is why it’s shocking I hadn’t thought to give compression socks a try until now.
Wellow sent me some socks to try and I put them to the test over the last few weeks, slipping them on in the evenings when I was ready to get off my feet and actually relax (as SELF has previously reported, compression socks boost circulation in your legs and, as a result, help with post-workout recovery). Turns out, Wellow’s compression socks are much more than their cute packaging and colorways, though those are delightful. They’re also incredibly comfortable and a great starter pair for compression sock newbies.
The fit
Wellow sizes its compression socks from small (women’s US shoe sizes 4 to 6.5) to extra-large (women’s US shoe sizes 12 to 15). I typically wear a size 9.5 shoe, so I was at the upper end of the medium range, but found that that size fit my feet nicely. The socks didn’t pinch my toes or feel too short. Instead, they were roomy through the forefoot and hugged my heels. My feet are pretty narrow, but I like to have space to spread and wiggle my toes, so this was a great combo for me.
The standard knee-high compression socks are designed to fit calf circumferences of 11.5 to 19 inches, but Wellow also makes compression socks for wider calves, which fit calf circumferences of 17 to 22 inches. The standard-size socks felt slightly tight around my calves, but not to the point that I felt like my muscles were restricted. The socks moved with me and didn’t dig into my skin—after wearing them for a few minutes, I stopped thinking about them. It’s also worth noting that my pair reached over my knees. I made them work by folding down the tops of the socks, which didn’t have an impact on how they fit or stayed up around my legs.
I also tested a pair of the brand’s Ankle Tab socks, which fit snugly at my ankle bone and provided some additional padding at the back of the heel.
The feel
I own my share of warm, comfy socks, but I was still blown away by how soft Wellow’s fabric is. Made from a blend of bamboo viscose, polyester, elastane, and nylon, it’s thick, smooth, and stretchy—I didn’t have to fight the sock to get it on my foot and over my calf, which is a common annoyance with compression socks.
The first few times I tried the socks on, I found that my feet got a little warm after a while (but thanks to the antimicrobial properties of the socks’ fabric, I didn’t deal with any sweaty stink). But as the weather’s gotten colder and I’ve become more accustomed to how the socks feel, I’ve come to love how toasty they are. It’s getting to the point where I’m sad if I reach for my Wellows only to remember they’re in the laundry—clearly the only solution is to order a few more pairs to have in rotation.
