Mediven Forte

As I've been looking for a stronger compression to wear for exercise, the Mediven rep at the Lipoedema UK conference suggested I try their Forte line which is still round knit but firmer than their other round knits.  She kindly sent me a pair of their petite socks in this fabric so I could feel and try them to see if I would like to order a pair of the tights. 

You can see the normal "medi" writing on them in pink and the nice purpose made elastic areas at the calf top and the open toe end.  I like the robust and comfortable stretch in the finishing of these open ends.  I think they would be comfortable for longer wear and they did feel firm.   

I really liked their texture, they did indeed feel very firm but supportive and had a nice comfortable foot band.  I would like to try running around with them as I imagine they would be very comfortable.  The colour is the predictable "too dark for pale celtic skin" as you can see - these would not be at all discrete unless you could get a better colour match. 

You can see that the sample I was sent was a petite and I am not a petite, as you would not normally stop that far below your knee!   
 

 
You get the usual device with them for putting on open toed garments.  It is really big so be careful it doesn't go right round the back of your heel as it will be hard to pull out through the toe.  I have size 4 feet so had a bit of a tug of war when I realised I had got it up behind my ankle inside the sock!



So overall these are an interesting texture which do feel more firm than the Mediven Elegance and I think they are worth trying for sport or active lifestyles.  I would need to find out about the compressive panty section to decide if I wanted to buy these as tights for my sports.