Table of Contents

• How do you choose compression socks in Canada?
• What does mmHg mean, and why is compression graduated?
• What compression level do I need?
• How do you measure for compression socks correctly?
• What size should you buy once you have your measurements?
• Which length and toe style should you choose?
• How long should you wear compression socks each day?
• How do you put compression socks on and take them off?
• When should you replace compression socks?
• Who should not wear compression socks without medical advice?
• What ValuHub's team learned putting this guide together
• Which ValuHub products fit these use cases?
• Sources
• FAQ

How do you choose compression socks in Canada?

Match the pressure to the job, then match the size to your leg. For everyday tired, achy legs, 15-20 mmHg is the usual starting point and needs no prescription in Canada. 20-30 mmHg is the level clinicians prescribe most often. 30-40 mmHg and above is prescription-level and should be fitted by a trained fitter. Measure your ankle and calf first thing in the morning.

What does mmHg mean, and why is compression graduated?

mmHg stands for millimetres of mercury, the unit used to measure pressure — the same one on a blood pressure cuff (Cleveland Clinic). A sock labelled 20-30 mmHg is built to deliver a pressure in that band at the point where it is measured. It is a specification, not a comfort rating, and a bigger number is not a better sock.

Compression is strongest at the ankle, not spread evenly

The pressure is not uniform, and that is the whole design. JOBST states it plainly — "the strongest compression is at the ankle and decreases up the leg" — and explains why on its Opaque range: "most pressure is on the ankle level, decreasing up the leg, correlating to the decreasing venous pressure" (JOBST). In the Canadian Medical Association Journal, Lim and Davies describe the same thing: stockings "work by exerting the greatest degree of compression at the ankle, with the level of compression gradually decreasing up the garment" (CMAJ, 2014).

Why this matters for how you buy

Two consequences follow. The number on the label refers to the ankle, which is why ankle circumference governs sizing. And a garment that fits badly stops delivering the gradient it was engineered for — if the calf is tighter than the ankle, the pressure profile inverts. The CMAJ review is blunt: "Many complications of graduated compression stockings are preventable if patients are assessed, measured and fitted appropriately." You will also see "support socks" used loosely in Canada for light garments around 8-15 mmHg. It is a shopping term, not a technical one — if a listing states no mmHg figure, treat the pressure as unspecified.

What compression level do I need?

Four bands cover nearly all retail buying here. The table pairs each with what sources say it is for, and with how you actually buy it in Canada — the part most international guides get wrong for Canadian readers.

Sources: JOBST Compression Therapy Guide; Sigvaris, Compression levels; Sigvaris Canada FAQ; Cleveland Clinic; Indigenous Services Canada, NIHB pressure devices benefits list.

Above that, Sigvaris lists 40-50 mmHg for chronic venous insufficiency, severe deep vein thrombosis and post-thrombotic syndrome, and severe active ulceration — prescription and professional fitting required, and not sold as a general retail item.

What the Canadian rules actually look like

The clearest public statement sits in the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits pressure devices list. As of 29 July 2026 it covers 20-30 and 30-40 mmHg and 40 mmHg and above, and explicitly excludes "stockings with a degree of compression lower than 20 mmHg, for example, 10-20 mmHg." An initial prescription must come from a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant, and the list states that "medical grade stockings must be fit by a certified fitter" (Indigenous Services Canada). Note the gap between what you can buy and what you should buy unassessed: from 20-30 mmHg up, both manufacturer and payer documentation assume someone has assessed and measured your legs.

ValuHub's catalogue is organised the way the decision is made, with a separate collection per band: light compression, 15-20 mmHg compression, 20-30 mmHg compression and 30-40 mmHg compression socks, inside the wider compression wear range. Pick the band first. Style comes second.

How do you measure for compression socks correctly?

Compression is sized to the shape of your leg, not your shoe size. Two circumferences do most of the work — ankle and calf — plus a length, plus a thigh circumference for thigh-highs and pantyhose.

Why you must measure first thing in the morning

This is the instruction people skip, and the one that ruins the fit. Sigvaris states it without qualification: "Measurements should always be taken as soon after waking as possible, when swelling is minimal" (Sigvaris). Mayo Clinic Store gives the logic: "It is generally recommended to take measurements for compression socks when your legs are not swollen. For most individuals, this means taking measurements early in the morning, just after getting out of bed" (Mayo Clinic Store).

The mechanism is simple. Fluid pools in your lower legs while you are upright. Measure at 4 p.m. after a day on your feet and you capture the leg at its largest, then buy a size built for that leg. Next morning, with the swelling down, the garment is loose — and loose compression delivers less pressure than the label promises. The same logic explains why you put it on in the morning.

Sources: Sigvaris, How to measure; Mayo Clinic Store; Sigvaris Canada, How to measure compression products.

Practical notes on taking the numbers

Measure both legs; if they straddle a size boundary, size each separately rather than averaging. Mayo Clinic Store specifies a soft tape on bare legs with feet flat on the floor — not over trousers, not on damp skin. Pull it snug without denting the skin, because compressing the tissue records a smaller circumference than the leg really has and the garment arrives too tight. Some protocols use fixed intervals instead of named landmarks: Mayo Clinic Store's marks a point just above the ankle bone and records circumferences at 5, 15, 25 and 30 cm (2, 6, 10 and 12 in) up from it. Use whichever matches the chart you are reading, and write the numbers down (Sigvaris Canada).

What size should you buy once you have your measurements?

Size charts differ by brand and by style within a brand. A Sigvaris medium and a JOBST medium are not interchangeable, and a JOBST Opaque medium is not automatically a JOBST Sport medium. Read the chart for the exact style, then place your own numbers against it.

If you fall between sizes

Ankle circumference is the primary index on almost every chart, because that is where the stated mmHg is delivered. If your ankle lands in one size and your calf in another, stop and get help rather than guess. Cleveland Clinic advises you "get measured to be sure you're getting the right size, and have your provider recommend a specific pressure level," and ask a pharmacist or medical supply specialist if unsure (Cleveland Clinic). At 20-30 mmHg and above, a certified fitter is the normal route in Canada.

When ready-to-wear will not fit

Off-the-shelf garments are built around a range of typical leg shapes. A very narrow ankle with a very full calf, marked asymmetry, or a shape altered by long-standing swelling may need made-to-measure. Fit failure is also why people give up: the CMAJ review reports that "the noncompliance rate for graduated compression stockings has been reported to be 30%–65%," citing pain, discomfort, difficulty getting them on, heat, skin irritation, cost and appearance. Most of those are fit and style problems, and most are solvable at the point of purchase.

Which length and toe style should you choose?

Length and toe are separate decisions from pressure. The same 20-30 mmHg comes as a knee-high, a thigh-high or a pantyhose, in open or closed toe. JOBST's Opaque range spans RAL compression class 1, 2 and 3 (15-20, 20-30 and 30-40 mmHg) across knee high, thigh high, thigh high petite and panty, in both toe styles (JOBST Opaque).

Knee-high

The default for most people: fewer measurements, easier to get on, cooler to wear, less likely to roll at the top. They cover the ankle and calf, where graduated compression does most of its work. If your concern is lower-leg swelling, travel, or long days standing, start with knee-high compression socks.

Thigh-high

Extends coverage above the knee and needs the extra thigh circumference and length. More demanding on fit — a thigh band too tight digs in, too loose and the garment slides. Usually chosen on a clinician's advice rather than preference. See thigh-high compression stockings.

Pantyhose and waist-high

Anchoring at the waist removes the top-band problem, which suits people who cannot keep a thigh-high in place. The trade-off is that they are the most work to get on and off. See compression pantyhose.

Open toe or closed toe

Because the gradient is anchored at the ankle and decreases upward, the toe box is not where the rated pressure sits — which is why manufacturers offer both in the same compression class. Closed toe gives full coverage, which most people prefer in shoes and in a Canadian winter. Open toe leaves the toes free, which some find more comfortable, easier with certain footwear, and easier to don at higher levels where pulling fabric over the toes takes real effort. One caution: swelling in the toes or forefoot is a question for a clinician or fitter rather than a style preference, because an open-toe garment leaves that area uncompressed. Browse closed toe compression and open toe compression, or shop by fit in men's compression and women's compression.

How long should you wear compression socks each day?

All day while you are up and about, off before bed. Cleveland Clinic: "In general, you will wear compression socks or stockings while you are awake and take them off when you sleep." Its patient guidance is more specific — "Put them on in the morning, before your feet, legs and ankles start swelling and take them off before bed" (Cleveland Clinic). JOBST frames it around posture: stockings are "worn during the day while you're upright and active, and removed and washed at night."

Do not sleep in ordinary daytime compression

Sigvaris Canada is direct: "Unless otherwise prescribed by your doctor, it is not recommended to wear compression socks to sleep" (Sigvaris Canada). JOBST names the risk — purpose-built night-time lymphoedema garments can be worn safely overnight, but "any other types of elastic garments are generally not recommended for nighttime wear while sleeping, as they can bunch up and create a tourniquet effect." Lying down, the hydrostatic pressure the garment counteracts is largely absent, so you take the risk without the reason.

Stop if something feels wrong

Cleveland Clinic lists the signs that mean removing the garment: pain, numbness, tingling, skin discolouration or damage, and worsening swelling. None is a break-in period to push through. Take it off and speak to a clinician or fitter before wearing it again.

How do you put compression socks on and take them off?

Firm compression is genuinely hard to get on, and that difficulty is one reason people stop wearing garments they have paid for. Technique helps more than strength.

Putting them on

Do it first thing. JOBST's instruction is to apply stockings "in the morning, immediately after getting up," and Mayo Clinic Store agrees: "Put on daytime compression garments and Velcro wraps in the morning when swelling is minimal" (Mayo Clinic Store). The method most sources describe: turn the garment inside out down to the heel, seat the foot and heel first, then draw the rest up in stages, smoothing as you go rather than yanking from the top band. Legs must be dry — no lotion. Check that any seam runs straight and there is no bunching at the ankle, and do not fold the top band down; folding doubles the fabric and creates a tight ring exactly where you do not want one.

Taking them off

JOBST's instruction is to "hold it by the upper part and slide it downwards towards the heel" rather than pulling from the toe (JOBST). Working it down in stages strains the elastic less than dragging it off in one go.

If your hands or shoulders make this hard

Donning aids exist for exactly this — frames that hold the garment open so you step into it, and low-friction sleeves that let fabric glide over the foot. Arthritis, limited shoulder range or reduced grip all make unaided donning difficult, and none is a reason to drop below the level you were advised to wear. Cleveland Clinic notes that trained staff should "instruct you on how to put them on and take them off." That is part of the service — ask for it.

When should you replace compression socks?

About every six months with daily wear. This is a rare point where manufacturers, a major clinic and a federal benefits schedule all agree.

• Sigvaris Canada: "Compression socks and stockings that are used daily should be replaced every 6 months" (Sigvaris Canada).
• JOBST: "Under normal daily use and care, we suggest replacing your garment every six months," and sooner "if you notice excessive wear or if the fit becomes noticeably looser or tighter" (JOBST).
• Mayo Clinic Store: "Replace garments if over six months old or showing signs of wear," noting warranties typically cover six months. Canada's NIHB list allows four stockings per year for eligible clients.

Why elasticity is the thing that expires

The failure mode is invisible. A compression sock does not usually go thin or develop holes first. The elastic fibres lose recovery through hundreds of stretch cycles and washes, so the garment looks fine while delivering measurably less pressure than the label states. A 20-30 mmHg sock that has quietly become a 12 mmHg sock is no longer doing the job it was chosen for, and nothing about its appearance says so.

Two habits extend useful life. Sigvaris recommends alternating between two or more pairs, which halves the cycles on each. And wash them properly: Sigvaris Canada advises washing after every wear, JOBST says "on a daily basis, or at least every other day" with mild detergent and a low spin setting, and Mayo Clinic Store specifies no bleach or fabric softener, air dried out of direct sunlight. Softener coats and degrades elastic; heat is worse. Washing is not only hygiene — it restores the fibres' shape between wears.

Who should not wear compression socks without medical advice?

Compression is not universally safe, and this is the section to read before ordering anything above light support. None of it is a diagnosis, and none replaces an assessment.

The CMAJ review lists contraindications for graduated compression stockings including suspected or proven peripheral arterial disease or a history of bypass grafting; severe peripheral neuropathy or sensory impairment; allergy to the stocking material; massive leg swelling or pulmonary oedema from cardiac failure; local skin and soft-tissue conditions such as recent skin grafts, fragile skin, gangrene, oozing dermatitis and severe cellulitis; and extreme leg deformity that prevents a proper fit (CMAJ, 2014).

Cleveland Clinic covers the same ground practically. Open wounds or skin infections and extremely fragile skin are reasons not to wear compression socks. Peripheral artery disease needs medical supervision. Peripheral neuropathy, including diabetes-related neuropathy, means a provider should weigh the risks and benefits — the concern being that reduced sensation stops you noticing a garment that is cutting in or causing damage. Severe swelling that is sudden, unexplained, or associated with heart failure or kidney disease is a reason to see a clinician rather than reach for a firmer sock (Cleveland Clinic).

Read those together as the short list to stop on: peripheral arterial disease, diabetic or other peripheral neuropathy, decompensated heart failure, and active skin infection or broken skin. In each case the issue is not that compression is always wrong but that the decision is clinical, and the assessment — including of arterial circulation, where a clinician may check an ankle-brachial index before compression is applied — comes first.

If you have diabetes, garments designed with diabetic feet in mind exist for good reasons — non-binding tops, flat seams, moisture management — and ValuHub lists them separately in diabetic compression socks; that does not remove the need for clinical input. Lymphoedema is a specialist fitting matter handled through lymphedema garments, not a shelf choice.

What ValuHub's team learned putting this guide together

Three things stood out, and all three came from the shape of the catalogue rather than anything we assumed.

The catalogue is deepest exactly where clinicians prescribe most. Across 112 compression items, 46 sit in the 20-30 mmHg range — more than the 30 at 15-20 mmHg or the 36 at 30-40 mmHg. That lines up with Sigvaris describing 20-30 mmHg as the level doctors prescribe most often. If you arrive wanting "the strongest available," the catalogue quietly disagrees: the busiest band is the middle one.

Knee-highs outnumber thigh-highs better than two to one — 71 items against 31 — and closed toe outnumbers open toe by a wider margin still, 90 against 22. Both ratios track the reality of wearing these garments daily in Canada: less fabric is easier to get on, easier to tolerate in a warm house, and less likely to slip. The unglamorous option is usually the one people keep wearing.

Sizing is the decision that goes wrong, not pressure. Because the range splits into a collection per mmHg band, choosing a level is a two-click job. Choosing a size is not — it depends on numbers most people have never taken, at a time of day most guides bury in a footnote. That is why the morning-measurement rule leads this article instead of closing it.

One honest limit: compression is a close-to-skin garment, so the window for exchanging it is narrower than for a chair or a desk lamp. Read the terms in how ValuHub works: shipping, returns and buying from a Canadian store before you order, and measure the morning before you buy rather than the morning after the parcel arrives. If you are new here, is ValuHub Canada legit? covers how the Canadian side of the business operates.

Which ValuHub products fit these use cases?

Real products from the compression range, with what each suits and who it is not for. Prices change — check the product page for current pricing.

Sigvaris 140 Traveno 15-20 mmHg Knee High, Women — from $38.00 CAD

A moderate-compression knee-high built around travel and long days seated. A sound first garment if flights and desk hours are your trigger. View the Sigvaris 140 Traveno. Not for you if a clinician advised 20-30 mmHg or higher — stepping down a band to save money defeats the point.

Sigvaris 180 Microfiber Shades 15-20 mmHg, Men — from $46.00 CAD

The men's equivalent in a microfibre knit that reads as a dress sock. Suits office wear and standing work where you do not want the garment to announce itself. View the Sigvaris 180 Microfiber Shades. Not for you if you need open toe, or if your calf sits outside the ready-to-wear chart.

Green Drop Herb-Infused 20-30 mmHg Knee High, Closed Toe — from $35.99 CAD

The most accessible entry into the therapeutic 20-30 mmHg band, and useful as the second pair to alternate with. View the Green Drop 20-30 mmHg knee highs. Not for you as a self-selected first purchase at this level — get assessed and measured first.

JOBST Opaque 20-30 mmHg Knee High — from $122.12 CAD

A medical-grade knee-high from the range whose gradient design JOBST documents publicly, in closed or open toe. Suits daily therapeutic wear where consistent pressure across the garment's six-month life matters. View the JOBST Opaque knee high. Not for you if you need coverage above the knee.

JOBST Opaque 20-30 mmHg Thigh High — from $192.86 CAD

Same compression class, extended above the knee, for people whose clinician specified thigh-length coverage. View the JOBST Opaque thigh high. Not for you if you have not measured thigh circumference and length, or if you have struggled to keep a thigh band in place before — pantyhose may hold better.

JOBST ActiveWear 30-40 mmHg Knee High — check the product page for current pricing

Extra-firm compression in an active-wear knit, alongside the sport and recovery compression range. View the JOBST ActiveWear 30-40 mmHg knee high. Not for you without a prescription and a certified fitter — at this level both are the norm in Canada. If you know the brand you want, the Sigvaris range and JOBST range are listed separately.

Sources

1. Lim CS, Davies AH. "Graduated compression stockings." CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal), 2014;186(10):E391–E398. https://www.cmaj.ca/content/186/10/E391
2. Cleveland Clinic. "Compression Therapy: Types and Benefits." https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23449-compression-therapy
3. Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials. "Everything You Need To Know About Compression Socks." https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-you-should-know-about-compression-socks
4. Sigvaris. "Compression levels and when to wear which one." https://www.sigvaris.com/en-us/expertise/basics/compression-levels
5. Sigvaris Canada. "FAQ compression socks." https://www.sigvaris.com/en-ca/information/faq
6. Sigvaris Canada. "How to measure compression products." https://www.sigvaris.com/en-ca/expertise/how-to/measure
7. Sigvaris. "How to Measure for the Right Fit — compression size guides." https://www.shopsigvaris.com/pages/how-to-measure-your-compression-size-guides
8. JOBST (Essity). "Frequently Asked Questions — compression therapy." https://www.jobst-usa.com/compression-therapy/faq
9. JOBST (Essity). "JOBST Opaque Compression Stockings." https://www.jobst-usa.com/products/venous-conditions/compression-for-everyday-use/jobst-opaque
10. JOBST. "Compression Therapy Guide." https://www.jobststockings.com/pages/compression-therapy-guide
11. Mayo Clinic Store. "How to Measure for Compression Socks and Stockings." https://store.mayoclinic.com/education/how-to-measure-for-compression-stockings/
12. Mayo Clinic Store. "A Guide to Using and Caring for Compression Garments." https://store.mayoclinic.com/guide-to-compression-garments
13. Indigenous Services Canada, Non-Insured Health Benefits program. "6.0 Pressure devices equipment and supplies benefits list," effective 29 July 2026. https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1585322780192/1585322799216
14. Health Canada. "Medical Devices Active Licence Listing (MDALL)." https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medical-devices/licences/medical-devices-active-licence-listing.html

FAQ

What mmHg compression do I need for everyday swelling and travel?

15-20 mmHg is the usual starting point. JOBST lists it for prevention and relief of minor to moderate varicose and spider veins and for long-distance travel; Sigvaris adds day-to-day relief from achy, heavy, slightly swollen legs. It needs no prescription in Canada. If swelling is sudden, unexplained or one-sided, see a clinician rather than choosing a firmer sock.

Do I need a prescription for compression socks in Canada?

Not at 15-20 mmHg — Sigvaris Canada states it requires no prescription for purchase, though one may be needed for insurance reimbursement. At 20-30 mmHg and above a prescription is recommended, and Canada's federal NIHB list requires a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant plus a certified fitter for medical-grade stockings.

When exactly should I measure my legs for compression socks?

As soon after waking as possible. Sigvaris says measurements should always be taken as soon after waking as possible, when swelling is minimal, and Mayo Clinic Store recommends early morning just after getting out of bed. Measuring later, after hours upright, records a swollen leg and leads to a garment that is too large the next morning.

Can I wear compression socks to bed?

No, not ordinary daytime compression. Sigvaris Canada says that unless your doctor prescribes otherwise, wearing compression socks to sleep is not recommended. JOBST notes that elastic garments not designed for night use can bunch up and create a tourniquet effect. Purpose-built night-time lymphoedema garments are the exception, and those are prescribed.

How often should I replace compression socks?

About every six months with daily wear. Sigvaris Canada, JOBST and Mayo Clinic Store all give the same six-month figure, and manufacturer warranties typically run six months. Replace sooner if the fit feels looser or tighter. Elasticity fades before the garment looks worn, so a sock can stop delivering its rated pressure while still appearing fine.