Easier mornings

7 Reasons People Over 60 Are Switching to Zip-On Compression Socks

Compression socks only help if you can get them on. Here is what changes when the sock zips open.

From the Sestova team · 4 minute read

Woman in her sixties zipping up a beige compression sock on her sofa

Compression socks are one of the simplest everyday ways to help reduce swelling in tired legs. The hard part is putting them on. A good compression sock is tight by design, so you have to stretch it open, bend over and drag it over your heel, the widest part of your foot.

For a lot of people over 60, that is where it ends. Stiff fingers, a sore back or a bad knee turn a ten-second job into a daily fight, and the socks go back in the drawer. That is why more and more people are switching to compression socks that zip on. Here is why.

  1. 1You never have to drag a sock over your heel again

    How it works: unzip, slip in, zip up

    A full-length zip runs down the side of the sock. Unzip it and it opens wide, like a boot. Slip your foot in, then zip it closed. No stretching, no tugging, no wrestling the fabric over your heel.

    It takes seconds, sitting down, and you still get the snug fit of a regular compression sock.

  2. 2It works with stiff or sore hands

    Close-up of the easy-grip zipper and soft fabric backing

    Pulling on a regular compression sock takes a strong pinch grip, which is exactly what gets harder over the years. The zip pull is held with your whole fingers instead of your fingertips.

    If buttons and jar lids have become a struggle, this is the difference between wearing your socks and leaving them in the drawer.

  3. 3Graduated compression, firmest where swelling collects

    Graduated compression: gentle at the calf, firmer mid-leg, firmest at the ankle

    The squeeze is strongest at the ankle and eases off toward the knee. That gentle squeeze helps reduce swelling and supports healthy circulation in tired legs.

    It is the same graduated design as regular compression socks. The only thing that changes is how you get them on.

  1. 4You get your mornings back, without asking for help

    Step 2: slipping the foot into the open sock while seated

    Many people only manage regular compression socks with a partner or carer pulling them on. It works, but it means waiting for help every single morning.

    With a zip you can do it yourself, at your own pace, on the edge of the bed or the sofa. A small thing that makes a big difference.

  2. 5A soft guard behind the zip, so nothing pinches

    Step 3: pulling the big zip tab up the calf

    Behind the zipper sits a soft strip of fabric. It keeps the teeth away from your skin and leg hair, so the zip does not pinch or rub when you sit down or bend your knee.

    Caring for them is easy too: zip them closed, wash cool and hang them to dry.

  3. 6A size and style for more legs

    Classic Beige Classic Black Open-toe Beige Open-toe Black Classic White Classic Grey Open-toe Grey Pink Open-toe Black Copper

    Choose Classic (closed toe) or Open-toe, in 6 colors, from size M to 3XL. Every size shows its US shoe size, and the largest sizes are made for fuller calves.

    Most people get a few pairs: one to wear, one in the wash and one spare. You can mix colors and sizes in the same pack.

  4. 7You have 90 days to decide

    Wear them for up to 90 days. If they do not make your mornings easier, email us and we refund you. You do not even need to send them back.

    So there is no risk in trying them on your own legs.

Regular compression socks vs zip-on

Regular compression socks versus Sestova zip-on socks
Regular socksSock aidSestova
No pulling over the heelNoNoYes
Easy with stiff handsNoSomeYes
No bending doubleNoSomeYes
Graduated compressionYesn/aYes
Nothing extra to carryYesNoYes

Questions people ask before they switch

Can I put them on with stiff or sore hands?

That is what the zip is for. Open the sock, place your foot and pull the zip up. There is no fabric to stretch over your heel.

Which size do I need?

Start with your US shoe size. XL, 2XL and 3XL share the same shoe size, so for those pick by the widest part of your calf. The full size chart is on the product page.

Do they work like regular compression socks?

Yes. They use graduated compression, firmest at the ankle and gentler up the calf. The zip only changes how you put them on.

How do the packs work?

3 pairs are $49.90 and 6 pairs are $89.85. The pack price is applied automatically in your cart. You can mix styles, colors and sizes.

I have diabetes or poor circulation. Are they right for me?

Please ask your doctor before wearing any compression sock. They can tell you which level suits you.

Sestova zip-on compression socks are everyday comfort wear, not a medical device or treatment. If you have diabetes, circulation problems, skin conditions or are recovering from surgery, ask your doctor which compression level is right for you before wearing them.