The Best Compression Sock Levels, Explained (15-20 vs 20-30 mmHg)

You're standing in front of a wall of compression socks, and every pair claims to be "the best" for something - recovery, travel, standing all day even your grandmother's varicose veins. But then you flip one over and see a number stamped on the tag, something like 15-20 mmHg or 20-30 mmHg, and suddenly you're doing math instead of shopping.

Let's clear this up. As a nurse-founded company, we get asked about compression levels more than almost anything else, and once you understand what that number actually means, picking the right pair gets a whole lot easier.

What Does mmHg Actually Mean?

mmHg stands for millimeters of mercury, which is just a unit of pressure (the same one your blood pressure gets measured in). When it comes to compression socks, it tells you how much graduated pressure the sock applies to your leg, tightest at the ankle and gradually easing up as it moves toward your knee.

That graduated squeeze is the whole point. It helps push blood back up toward your heart instead of letting it pool in your lower legs, which is where that heavy, achy, end-of-day feeling comes from. The more effectively a sock can do that, the more relief you actually feel.

15-20 mmHg: A Good Starting Point

15-20 mmHg is considered light, over-the-counter compression, and honestly, some compression is always better than none. If you're brand new to compression socks, or you just want a gentle introduction, 15-20 mmHg is a completely reasonable place to begin. It can offer:

• A bit of extra support on short flights or car rides
• Mild relief for occasional, light tiredness in the legs
• An easy, low-commitment way to get used to wearing compression

There are a couple of practical trade-offs worth knowing, though. Because 15-20 mmHg falls below the medical-grade threshold, it's typically not the level covered under most Canadian extended health plans, so if you're hoping to claim your socks as a benefit, this isn't usually the range that qualifies. And for anything beyond mild, occasional tiredness, like real swelling, long shifts on your feet, or genuine circulation support, 15-20 mmHg often won't apply quite enough pressure to give you the full results people are actually hoping for.

So: a good starting point, just not the level built for real, lasting relief.

20-30 mmHg: Where the Full Benefits (and Coverage) Kick In

20-30 mmHg is the range nurses, physiotherapists, and other healthcare workers reach for themselves, and it's exactly why it's the level we build every Pegasole sock around. It's considered moderate, medical-grade compression, and it's the level most commonly recommended for:

• Genuine relief from tired, heavy, achy legs, whether that's from a 12-hour shift or a full day of travel
• Reducing swelling (edema) in the feet and ankles
• Supporting circulation for varicose veins or spider veins
• Post-surgery and post-workout recovery
• Pregnancy-related leg discomfort
• Anyone standing or walking for long stretches: nurses, teachers, retail and hospitality workers, new parents chasing toddlers

This is the level with enough graduated pressure to really move blood flow in the right direction. It's also the range that typically qualifies for reimbursement under most Canadian extended health plans, so it's worth checking your benefits before you check out. It's supportive without tipping into "too intense to wear all day," which is exactly the balance we designed for.

So Which One Should You Choose?

Here's the honest take: if you're only ever going to wear light compression occasionally, 15-20 mmHg is still worth having, something is better than nothing. But if you want results you can actually feel by the end of the day, plus the option to put your purchase toward your health benefits, 20-30 mmHg is where most people land. The main exception is if you have a specific health condition and your doctor has recommended a different level, in which case that guidance always comes first.

If you're new to compression and 20-30 mmHg feels like a big first step, that's completely normal too. It's still comfortable enough for all-day wear, and most people adjust within the first wear or two. If you ever want a second opinion on what's right for your legs and your day, we're always happy to help.

A Few Other Things Worth Knowing

• Fit matters as much as mmHg. A pair that's too small will over-compress, and one that's too big won't compress enough. Size-inclusive options exist for a reason, your legs deserve socks made for their actual shape.
• Fabric matters too. If you run warm or you're wearing these for hours at a time, our merino wool option offers breathable, temperature-regulating comfort without giving up support. We also have cotton options if that is more your style.

The Bottom Line

Compression levels aren't about chasing a number for the sake of it. They're about giving your legs enough support to actually feel the difference, and for the vast majority of people, that's 20-30 mmHg. It's the level real healthcare workers rely on, and it's why we built our entire sock line around it. Once you know your range, the rest is just picking your favourite materials & colours.

Made in Canada, for Canadian legs that work hard. That's the Pegasole difference.