What do YOU think Wednesdays II - Compression Pantyhose

Buenos dias!
We are having thunder and lightning over here....! It's definitely keeping my adrenaline high! I am considering this foul weather as nature's way of getting us even for having had near perfect weather all winter long ;) I just hope it clears up by my long run this weekend!

So for my second installment of What do YOU think Wednesdays, I would like to talk about a line of products very popular in Japan, but haven't really seen in America. (correct me if I'm wrong)

Exhibit A: Compression Pantyhose

I know compression socks are popular amongst runners and other athletes, (I've been very jealous of all the bloggers out there with their fancy compression socks! ;) ) but I have never seen them outside of the context of sports.

The compression socks I have seen in America look, well..... clinical. Though they come in pretty colors like pink, I still think most women would find them unattractive. And Expensive!!!!! (the reason why I don't own a pair yet. Told you I was stingy!)

Enter Japanese Compression Pantyhose and hosiery.

Leave it up to the Japanese to cute-ify even compression/recovery gear!

Slim Walk is one of the leading brands of compression hosiery in Japan. It is widely popular, available everywhere (7-11, drugstores, grocery stores, etc) and cheap!

You can see the whole line up of products here. There's fishnets, stockings, knee highs, black tights, beige tights....you name it. And you gotta admit, it's aesthetically women-friendly.

It was developed with the OL in mind- (Office Ladies) women who spend hours everyday at their desks, or commuting, or walking around. It's designed to minimize the swelling of the calves, prevent discomfort, make your legs look slimmer... all things women desire.

It offers graduated compression just like the American socks. Each pair of socks/stockings is labeled with how much pressure it offers, and ranges from 13 hPa - 30 hPa. And it's CHEAP! Prices range from $13-$20.

I picked up this pair on my recent trip to Japan:
Slim Walk Compression Socks. The toes are cut off, apparently, for comfort. It offers 25hPa of pressure around the ankle, and around 17hPa as it moves up the calf. It cost me about $15.

Here's how they look on my legs.

Well you are all probably wondering....... Do they work?

Keep in mind that I have nothing to compare it to, but yes. It works.
I wear it at home after work when I'm just puttsing around, I wear it after I work out, I wear it when I feel tired, or when I feel like I might swell up again. (My calves have a tendency to BLOAT). I usually remove the socks after a few hours, and each time, my calves have felt really good. It's not a miracle cure to my swelling of course, but it has definitely kept it under control.

I can see how beneficial the full length compression pantyhose would be to women who need to wear heels everyday, or be on their feet all day. I especially love how the boxes are marked with exactly how much pressure is provided. I looked at American products, and none of them disclose how much pressure it offers.

So now comes the fun part: What do YOU think?

• Would you ever want to wear compression hosiery? Or do you know someone who might benefit from such a product?
• What do you think about the Slim Walk Line Up, aesthetically speaking?
• If such products were imported and sold in USA, would you buy it?
  
• Would there be a way to make these products dude-friendly?
  

I'm really looking forward to hearing your thoughts! I know this is a female-centric product, but I would love to hear men's perspectives as well. Or you could just offer up some thoughts about compression gear in general. Have you ever tried any compression products?

Thanks for all your amazing insight! Hope your day is truly Humpalicious!