Support tights are, as the name suggests, more supportive than regular tights. They exert pressure on the leg to help make an improvement in your blood circulation and to prevent or control varicose veins, which are caused when the connective tissue surrounding the veins is weak. Support tights can help to correct the blood circulation and may stop varicose veins.

Support tights usually come in three groups of light (factor 6), medium (factor and firm support (factor 10). For more severe cases, you can also find extra firm support, or factor 12. The level and factor you go for will depend on a number of things, from how much you’re on your feet to whether you have a tendency for varicose veins.

If your legs ache after being on your feet for long periods of time or after travelling long distances, it would be wise to invest in some support tights. If you’re only just noticing the problem, or if you’re young, light support should be sufficient. Light support tights can also be used if you just want your legs to look firmer or slimmer; you don’t have to have a problem with aching legs at all!

However, if you’ve had the problem for a while or if you’re already noticing the beginnings of varicose veins in your legs, then you might consider going for medium support to help your legs. The extra support could help prevent the onset of varicose veins or at least stop the ones you already have for getting worse, and should certainly help stop your legs aching so much.

If you already suffer with your legs from varicose veins or poor blood circulation, firm or extra firm support it advised. Very firm support tights may be able to keep pressure on your legs and you will feel relief.

One point to think about is that varicose veins (or the problem that causes them, i.e. weak connective tissue) often run in families. So even if you have yet to notice problems with your legs, wearing support tights now could stop problems later in life.

You should also consider your lifestyle and daily activities when deciding which kind of tights for support to go for. Some days you may need a stronger level of support than others, for example if you’ve got some travelling to do or you’re playing sport, whereas if you’re sitting in an office for most of the day light support will probably be sufficient.

Support tights can be a great help to sufferers of varicose veins or aching legs. As you can see, there are a number of things you should consider before deciding which level of support to go for, but if you make the right decision they can make being on your feet far more comfortable.