Compression Socks for Nurses Australia: mmHg Levels, Sizing & Brand Guide (2026)
Twelve hours on your feet does something to your legs that regular socks were never designed to handle. By the end of a long shift, most nurses know the feeling — heavy calves, swollen ankles, that dull ache that doesn't fully go away overnight. Compression socks are the one accessory that actually addresses the cause rather than just the symptom, but most healthcare workers buy their first pair with almost no idea what mmHg means, what size to order, or whether a print sock or a plain support sock is the right call.
This guide covers everything: how graduated compression actually works, how to read an mmHg rating, which compression level suits shift work versus a genuine circulation issue, and how the two ranges we stock — Cherokee PrintSupport and LX Support bamboo — compare on fit, sizing and style.
Quick Answer: Most nurses and healthcare workers do well with a mild-to-moderate compression sock in the 8–15mmHg range — enough graduated support to reduce end-of-shift fatigue and swelling without needing a prescription. Infectious stocks two ranges: Cherokee PrintSupport (8–15mmHg, one-size, bold healthcare-themed prints) and LX Support bamboo (S/M or L/XL, breathable natural fibre, solid tones). If you have diagnosed varicose veins, poor circulation, or a vascular condition, talk to your GP before choosing a higher compression level — firmer compression (15–25mmHg+) can be medically indicated but should be fitted, not guessed. Free shipping on orders over $250 Australia-wide.
In this guide:
1. How graduated compression actually works
2. mmHg explained: choosing the right compression level
3. PrintSupport vs LX Support bamboo — full comparison
4. How to size compression socks correctly
How graduated compression actually works
Compression socks aren't just "tight socks." A genuine compression sock applies graduated pressure — firmest at the ankle, gradually easing as it moves up the calf. That pressure gradient assists the small muscle-pump action in your calves that pushes blood back up toward the heart against gravity. Over a long shift spent mostly standing or walking on hard hospital floors, that mechanism is what's doing the work — a flat, uniform-pressure sock (like most athletic compression wear) doesn't provide the same graduated effect.
For most healthcare workers, the benefit is straightforward: less pooling in the lower leg means less end-of-shift swelling, less heaviness, and a genuinely more comfortable walk to the car park at the end of a 10 or 12-hour day.
mmHg explained: choosing the right compression level
mmHg (millimetres of mercury) measures how much pressure the sock applies at the ankle. The number on the packet is the single most important spec — more important than brand, fabric or print.
| Compression level | Who it suits | Available at Infectious |
|---|---|---|
| 8–15mmHg (mild) | Everyday shift wear for healthy legs — general fatigue, mild end-of-day swelling, standing or walking most of a 8–12hr shift. The starting point for most first-time buyers. | Cherokee PrintSupport ✓ |
| 15–20mmHg (moderate) | Noticeable daily swelling, longer shifts, standing on concrete or tile most of the day, or those who've found mild compression isn't quite enough. | LX Support bamboo (check current mmHg rating in-store) |
| 20mmHg+ (firm/medical) | Diagnosed vascular conditions, post-surgical recovery, pregnancy-related swelling under medical guidance. Should be selected with a GP or pharmacist, not self-selected online. | Not stocked — see your GP or pharmacist for a prescription-grade fitting |
If you're buying your first pair and don't have a specific medical reason to go firmer, start at 8–15mmHg. It's comfortable enough to wear a full shift without a break-in period, and it's genuinely effective for the fatigue and mild swelling that comes with standing work.
PrintSupport vs LX Support bamboo — full comparison
Infectious stocks two compression sock ranges, built for different priorities.
Cherokee PrintSupport — best for style and everyday comfort
|
Compression & fit 8–15mmHg, one-size. Lycra 3D knit for stretch, durability and a smoother feel than standard compression fabric. Non-binding top band — won't dig in or restrict circulation at the knee. |
Style Bold healthcare-themed and seasonal prints — a genuine point of personality under solid-colour scrubs where facility policy doesn't regulate sock choice. Also available in solid black. |
LX Support bamboo — best for breathability and all-day wear
|
Compression & fit Sized S/M or L/XL based on ankle and calf measurement rather than one-size — a more precise graduated fit than PrintSupport for wearers outside the average range. |
Fabric Bamboo-blend knit — naturally breathable and moisture-wicking, a genuine advantage on long shifts in warmer climates or for anyone prone to hot, sweaty feet by hour six. |
Side-by-side
| Cherokee PrintSupport | LX Support bamboo | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | 8–15mmHg | 15-20mmHg |
| Sizing | One-size (shoe size guide) | S/M or L/XL (ankle + calf measurement) |
| Fabric | Lycra 3D knit | Bamboo blend |
| Best for | Print/style, everyday fatigue relief | Precise fit, breathability, warmer climates |
| Colours | Prints + solid black | Solid tones |
How to size compression socks correctly
Sizing matters more here than for regular socks — too loose and you lose the graduated pressure that makes them work; too tight and you get discomfort or a line that digs in behind the knee.
|
Cherokee PrintSupport (one-size) Use shoe size as a general guide — the one-size design accommodates most adult foot and calf sizes through the stretch of the Lycra 3D knit. If you're at either end of the size range (very small or very large calf), the fixed-size design may not deliver full graduated compression — LX Support's measured sizing is the better option. |
LX Support bamboo (S/M or L/XL) Measure around the narrowest part of your ankle and the widest part of your calf. These two measurements determine S/M vs L/XL — go by calf measurement if your ankle and calf sizing point to different sizes, since calf fit determines how well the graduated pressure works up the leg. |
When to wear them — and hospital dress code
Compression socks sit under your scrub pants, so — unlike a fob watch or scrub colour — they're rarely restricted by facility uniform policy. Most Australian hospitals and clinics have no rule against them at all, which is why they're one of the few genuinely "free" style choices left in an otherwise regulated uniform.
Put them on before your shift starts, not partway through — graduated compression is most effective when applied before swelling begins, not after. For shift workers doing back-to-back long days, wearing them consistently (rather than only on the days your legs already feel bad) is what delivers the cumulative benefit.
Compression socks work well alongside other end-of-shift recovery habits — supportive footwear, correct scrub fit, and posture all play a part too. See our guide to back pain relief for nurses for the fuller picture on managing physical strain from long shifts.
Washing and care
- Machine wash cold, gentle cycle — hot water breaks down the elastic fibres that create the graduated compression.
- Air dry where possible. Tumble drying on heat is the fastest way to lose compression effectiveness over time.
- Avoid fabric softener — it coats the elastic fibres and reduces compression performance.
- Rotate between at least two pairs. Compression fabric loses some elasticity with wear; alternating pairs extends the effective life of both.
