The truth about compression stockings

Harald Herzog
May 19, 2024

Over twenty years ago, they suddenly appeared: Herzog PRO Sport Compression Socks. Since then, these socks with their characteristic little H on the shin have become an indispensable part of the sports world. The fact that there are now numerous different compression socks on the market shows that compression is 'hot'. However, not all compression socks are created equal... Do you want to know what makes Herzog socks so unique and different? We'd be happy to explain.

1. Custom-fit socks

Customization is of paramount importance at Herzog. Herzog takes into account that every athlete has different leg measurements. For optimal compression, it is crucial to have socks with the perfect fit. That is why Herzog works with aunique and innovative sizing systemwhere the leg is measured at no fewer than 5 precisely defined points. Thus, it can rightly be said that Herzog PRO sports compression socks are custom-fit socks. Many other compression brands offer their socks based on shoe size or the widest calf circumference. And that's actually quite strange... An in-shape marathon runner with shoe size 42 has completely different contours than a muscular soccer player with the same shoe size. Herzog Medical therefore has a special sizing system and an assortment that consists of no fewer than 54 ready-to-wear sizes. Almost all running specialty stores in the Benelux are specialized in fitting Herzog socks.

2. Official Reliability Label

Herzog Medical is the only compression stocking supplier globally that produces stockings scientifically proven to be effective in combating injuries and promoting recovery. Furthermore, they are unique in that they carry theofficial Medical Device Registration (MDR)label. What does this mean? As a consumer, you can view this label as a kind of'reliability seal of approval'. With an MDR-labeled product, you, as a consumer, are 100% sure that every claim made about the product is accurate. All properties and benefits mentioned by the manufacturer have beenscientifically proven. So, with Herzog stockings, you are not dealing with promising marketing slogans but with a reliable product. No other brand of sports compression stockings meets this MDR predicate.

3. Scientific Evidence

The ultimate proof that Herzog stockings are indeed effective comes from the hundreds of experiences of athletes who recovered from their injury woes thanks to Herzog stockings. This has been demonstrated in various scientific studies. A recent large-scale scientificstudy from the University Medical Center Utrecht (2021)has shown that 90% of athletes wearing Herzog stockings are no longer confronted with recurring injury complaints. In this large-scale cross-sectional study, Franke and Backx (sports medicine cluster of the UMCU University Medical Center Utrecht) examined the injury pattern and sports history of 512 athletes. The study unambiguously shows that athletes classify Herzog stockings as an important preventive measure to reduce and prevent injuries.

Products in this blog

PRO Compression Tubes Yellow

€45,95

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Products in this blog

PRO Compression Socks Black

€57,95

Bekijk dit product

4. Injury Prevention - How Does That Work?

Interesting... but how can compression socks prevent you from experiencing tired legs and why are they injury preventive? How does that work physiologically?

Promoting Blood Circulation
Herzog socks offer relatively high compression at ankle level with a decreasing pressure profile towards the knee. This is a precisely defined compression gradient of 30 mmHg compression at the ankle, to 23 mmHg below the knee, regardless of leg shape. Naturally, this specific pressure gradient can only be guaranteed and ensured when socks are worn that accurately follow the leg contour, no matter how unusual that leg shape may be. The effect of this is that venous and lymphatic return, in particular, is accelerated, and waste products from the combustion process are thus very effectively removed. We call this improving micro-blood circulation in the muscles. This is a prerequisite for easier performance and promoting recovery. You notice this effect during exertion, training, or competition, but certainly also afterwards. It's no coincidence that almost the entire professional cycling peloton uses Herzog PRO socks as recovery socks; Alpecin-Deceuninck, Baloise Lions, Alpecin Fenix, Lidl-Trek, Team DSM-firmenich PostNL, and many individual top athletes. In addition, Herzog Medical is a Recovery Partner of the Athletics Union and many other national sports federations.

Brace effect
In addition to promoting circulation, Herzog socks, due to their relatively high compression, have a brace or bandage effect. The calf muscles remain compact and solid due to the compressing action of the sock, which effectively reduces the shock load upon foot landing. The result is that muscle and tendon damage is limited. And moreover, by counteracting the lateral swaying motion of the calf muscles, the pulling forces on Achilles tendons and the periosteum of the shin bone (shin splints) are prevented.

In summary, many athletes wear Herzog socks to prevent the recurrence of injuries, reduce current complaints, speed up recovery, and improve sports performance. Herzog socks are also used by many physiotherapists and sports doctors as an "extra tool" in the rehabilitation of common lower leg injuries.