I also saw several people using them at IMOO, many of them FOP athletes. I've been using them for the past 2 months or so on my long runs (15-22) they really help keep your calves feeling fresh and ward off the fatigue noticeably longer than going without. AND I put them on again (after washing) and sleep in them the night after a long hard day of running.

I don't recall which site I purchased mine from (so many online retailers these days) but they were the highest compression 'sport' sock you could get. I paid around $60 for mine. Here is a pair on all3sports.com

http://www.all3sports.com/product_info.php?pName=sls3-compression-sox

I won't do another long run without them.

are you looking at the powersox? Yeah, I thought they were going to be warm when I first wore them because I; 1) sweat alot, and 2) hate things on my legs ... I bike in shorts until it's unbearable. But after running in them I actually didn't even notice'm. They are super light so its more about the compression than the warmth insulation effects.

Sorry my link didn't work; but I noticed that there is a Compression race sock and a compression calf guard no stirrup
http://www.2xu.com/compression/ua1244b.html

Kylie- which one does your coach wear?
jhudalla- yeah those full socks like hot as h$ll but it sounds like they breathe well.
-M

Thanks kylie :)
-Mat

So us slow and pokey types should only use them for recovery? or not at all? ;-)

I'd say for recovery -- I especially can feel the difference if I race and then fly or have to sit at a desk all day. Although right now we only have one pair, so Mike and I have to share (and we forgot them for our last travel race ;)

My right leg needs it more than my left, and the same for his left, so it works out :P

Really, we got a great deal on them at a race expo but it was the last pair (and actually our experience at the expo made me know we'd have to buy a different brand next time since we were so unimpressed by the guy working the booth). We haven't bothered to get a second pair, as sharing them has worked out the couple times we used them (as in, one person got both socks :p). We don't race enough that we really feel a need for them, and actually often forget that we have them.

...and lets not under estimate the cool points that these socks are obviously taking away from you! I need some scientific proof that they are effective during the race before I go back to that 70s look.

I've tried the 2XU and Sugoi can feel a difference in recovery and post workouts (when used during training). I really didn't care for the 2Xu, I found they lost the compression after a wash or two, and yes I did follow the care instructions. The Sugoi on the other had are awesome and would highly recommend them.

We got some sweet medical compression socks when my husband had is discectomy/laminectomy surgery a couple of years ago. I swear they do the same thing. Maybe you could buy a box of those kind at a medical supply place and save some of the "hey-tri-geek-ya-gotta-get-these-things" mark up. Sure they're nasty sort of fleshy colored things, rather than awesome black with yellow accent stitching, but the function can't be that different....if at all.