Upon the advice of a woman who had been on her feet in the Nursing profession for 30+ years, I never hit the floor ONCE without compression socks/stockings.

They REALLY make a huge difference.  On days that I am in dress clothes instead of my scrubs and compression socks, I can really tell the difference in how tired my legs are.

I have two pair of the black Coolmax Support socks; one to wash, one to wear.

They are thicker than a woman's athletic sock, and are certainly a SOCK, not a stocking.  Just FYI on that.

They fit in my New Balances and Rykas just fine.  They do make my beloved Danskos tight.  Looking into having those shoes stretched a bit.

Happy.  :-)