BriteLeafsSheer Compression Pantyhose 20-30 mmHg, Firm Support, Open Toe

I work as a nurse (as many reviewers here it seems!) and have a family history of varicose veins. I decided to invest in some compression stockings after noticing I've been having swelling in my feet and the development of spider veins in my legs. After initially purchasing hose with closed toes and dealing alternately with toenails destroying them or getting ingrown toenails from trimming them too close to avoid damaging the hose, I realized I needed open toe stockings. I bought the BriteLeafs Sheer Compression Pantyhose about 3 weeks ago and have been very satisfied with the purchase. The pressure grades from tightest around the ankles and progressively lessens up the leg to encourage upward flow of venous circulation, the toe is completely open, there is a breathable panel in the panty part of the hose which really does help relieve the nasty lack of circulation that often comes with compression pantyhose, and I have definitely noticed complete relief from leg swelling when I wear them. Yes, they are hard to put on and are tight - these are the 20-30 pressure grade and so this is inevitable - but as a nurse, I'm used to applying compression stockings on patients and was expecting effort would be needed to get these on. Some application tips: start to apply while sitting down (it's just easier if you don't have to worry about balancing while struggling with the hose), coil the hose up like you would with any stocking and get your foot in so that the heel is in the fitted area. The hose are tightest here at the ankle and I find that easing a few wrinkles of hose onto the ankle at this stage, then pulling up firmly to acheive tension works best. Continue to pull the hose up over the calf to knee, and the trick now is to pause periodically and really curl your fingers under into the hose to stretch them up as tight as they can go as this will help avoid running out of hose at the end, thereby leaving you with them trying to creep down the rest of the day. Pause here and get your other leg to this stage. Now you can stand and keep alternately pulling and stretching the hose up firmly. Doing this, I find that even though I'm only one square away on the chart from needing large vs medium stockings, and having relatively long legs, that I still fit well in the medium and haven't had any problems with them coming down over the course of the day. The open toe does creep back into the arch of the foot somewhat, but I haven't found this to be any major problem and only really notice it for the first fifteen minutes of wearing the stockings before I get used to it - it's still waaaay better than having footed stockings squeezing my toes together. I wear socks over the stockings and this provides extra cushion/comfort. I got the stockings in the natural/nude color which works well under my required uniform of white scrub pants. Don't plan on buying these as attractive pantyhose - they are purely medical and look the part. I have washed them several times in cool soapy water and air dried them and can say that they are holding up well without losing any elasticity/tension. I plan on definitely buying a few more pairs - these are an excellent quality for the price.

The color of the BriteLeafs Sheer Compression Pantyhose 20-30 mmHg. Firm support is very good. The last support hose I bought have turned pink. I am eager to see how these pantyhose hold their color. I wish the toeless part stayed in place better. The fact that they roll back can sometimes make them very uncomfortable on my toes. Overall. very good.

I chose these because, they seemed to be exactly what I needed. The fit was not like it should have been. However, I did return them without a problem.

Like it

I bought 4 pairs. Two nude and two black. I wore one pair and experienced brutal chafing of my thighs by the thought fabric. I returned the pairs I hadn't worn.

I'm disappointed in this pantyhose. It binds my waist, and I have to keep adjusting the fabric throughout the day because it slips down. Not a good fit for me (I'm 5'4", 135 lbs, with slender calves and thighs).

Comfortable compression tights with nice firm top. One less star as the colour is not what I'd consider beige. It's more a pale orange.

Good