4.13.2010

CEP Compression Socks Review + GIVEAWAY

Michael at CEP Compression Sportswear contacted me to review a pair of CEP Compression Socks.  I received a pair of hot pink with black in the mail and wore them for the 10 mile Ocean Drive race a couple of weekends ago.  Just to remind you, I am not RACING right now, I am just getting by and finishing races, so I can't give you the full performance rating on these socks, only what I found running as a pregnant old bag.


The Company: (from the website)
CEP is owned by medi - one of the world's leading innovators compression therapy. They make Run/Recover compression socks that are medical grade. This is the first brand that I've seen that you can use to run in in addition to the recovery.  Every brand claims to have "graduated" compression, however anything below medical grade, 20mmHg, is considered over the counter and not regulated. 

In order to penetrate your deep veins and target the arteries you need a specific amount of compression. One sign to look for is when a product goes by shoe size.  Shoe size doesn't tell the circumference of one's leg which will determine the size range to get targeted compression. When I ordered my pair, I had to measure the circumference of my calf.  The socks are also right and left specific with silver ions to prevent blisters and bacteria formation.  The socks are great for any distance or recovery run. CEP also produces sleeves which are made for runs up to 18 miles - your feet can swell for runs much longer in the sleeves! 

**A published medical study found that runners had 5% better performance running in CEP socks and used 6% less energy.  Check out the website for best compression practices.





My Experience
I ran in the hot pink compression socks for a 10 mile race, 3 mile recovery run, 5k race and various training runs. For me right now, they keep me warm on the cooler mornings, and seem to help my calf and shin cramps to ease up more quickly.  The socks are definitely much more difficult to get on and off that the pair of Recovery Socks that I have by Recovery Sock which I believe attests to the medical grade compression. They feel comfortable on - I wear them all around the house after a run and wore them all day after the 10 miler.  I can definitely tell you they are a better fit than the Recovery socks which makes me think they are doing a better job.

I am somewhat biased to the look of knee socks because I love wearing them around and I think they make my legs look thinner.   I cannot speak to the performance aspect since obviously I get slower every day, but I plan to try these out in the fall for sure.  I like how you can wear these not only for recovery, but for running itself! These go for $50 to $60 at most of the online dealers.  Check out amazon - I always think they have one the best prices. The sleeves go for around $40.  This is more than other brands you might see at the expos, but I feel that these are legit medical grade whereas most of the others are not. I am up for a black pair next - they go with everything. I could wear them out with a black skirt - wahoo!

COMING UP --->Check out the CEP booth at the Boston Marathon next week as well as Rock and Roll Nashville!





















GIVEAWAY
Michael has generously agreed to give one lucky reader a pair of compression socks. I would love to give one lucky reader a chance to try these out and let me know what you think!  Also, I am going to wear these for traveling and report back. I think that they are great for pregnancy and keeping the blood flowing!

TO ENTER:

Visit the website and let me know what product you would most like to try.


For extra entries (leave a comment for each one),
* Become a follower of my blog (or let me know if you already are)

* Link back from your blog (in a post) and send me the link


I will randomly select & announce a winner on April 23rd - winner will have 48 hours to contact me (then a new winner will be selected).  Please leave your email if you would like me to email you with the news!

Review/Giveaway Disclaimer: I was not compensated by CEP to write this review.  I received a free pair of socks to try and review on my blog.

115 comments:

  1. I have had my eye on those exact pink compression socks! I have a pair of white ones from Zensah, but I'm ready to add some more color to my running getups!

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  2. Just added you to my blogroll at runningthedawn.com

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  3. I think I would love the pink socks you have... I have wanted to try a pair of compression socks for awhile now! Thanks for the review. :)

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  4. You're already on my blogroll.

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  5. I have never tried compression socks but I really do like the black ones. Then I could wear them to work!! The pink ones are really nice though too!

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  6. The pink ones would be my choice too.

    I've been wanting to get my husband a pair to wear to work since pilots have a high risk for blood clots, but didn't know which brand to choose. I might be able to talk him into trying the sleeves.

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  7. They contacted me a while back about sending me some products as well... Is ent back all my info and they never got back to me again. Not so cool...

    Anyway, I guess I can try to win some instead! I'd definitely pick the hot pink compression socks!

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  8. i am dying for compression socks....i like the white with orange....

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  9. I was JUST looking at compression socks at my local running store. Way out of budget though. I'd be stoked to score the pink ones your wearing here!

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  10. I'm a follower too!

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  11. I like the hot pink runners socks the best! I have some that I like but I don't think they are medical grade. I would love to have a pair of these to compare. I love the leg hug feeling they give!

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  12. I am a follower of your blog!! I wish I would have had socks like that during my pregnancies. Its a great idea!

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  13. Thanks for your review on these, they really sound great! I know I need some!
    I would also love to test out the walking socks. I am going to tell my mom about them as well because she has had issues with her feet when she does a lot of walking for exercise.

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  14. I really like the pink compression socks your rockin but I would rock the black one in their "new progressive look" to.

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  15. I would have to say that the compression 'running' socks are the most interesting things on the website, I can't imagine needing/wanting a compression sock for WALKING...

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  16. Hey you know I'm a follower and I WANT those socks. ;)

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  17. been following for a long time!

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  18. and i want the socks you have!

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  19. I'm following. You're also on my blogroll. I would love the socks you have in either hot pink or white... thanks for the review.

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  20. I love the pink compression socks! Socks are kind of my thing.

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  21. I've been eying up a new pair of compression socks, because the pair I have doesn't fit very well. The pink ones would be a fun change, and make them easy to find in the sock drawer!

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  22. And of course I follow your wonderful blog :)

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  23. I would like to try the compression socks - anything that might help my running right now would be a God send!

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  24. These socks and the company are really cool! I would love to try these out! I love the pink ones for running, but the skiing ones are coo, too! Might have to look into those for the hubs :) Thanks for the giveaway, I really, really want to win :)

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  25. Oh, and you know I'm a faithful reader/follower/friend :)

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  26. I read all the time and am starting to find your reviews pretty helpful. I have the stuff I use but it's good to hear what other people use. I would love a pain of pink CEP compression socks!

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  27. and of course these would come in handy for the IM training...it's going to pick up full force after may 1st.

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  28. I would LOVE to try the Hot Pink Compression socks!

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  29. This has nothing to do with the socks, but I ordered the Double BOB this week, and I'm SUPER excited about it. I got the utility sport, so we'll be BOB twins!!

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  30. CEP Running Socks! Yum, padded foot soles! And come on! They come in pink?! Outrageous!

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  31. I blogged this giveaway on my blog:
    http://corgipants.blogspot.com/2010/04/wanna-win.html

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  32. wow! giveaways sure draw comments! i like the hot pink compression tri socks...would be perfect for all the cycling i'm in for...

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  33. I would definitely go with the pink!

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  34. Posting the giveaway to my blog

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  35. I love the pink compression socks!

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  36. I love compression socks, but only have one pair from 2XU. I would likely go with the black ones.

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  37. I love the progressive running ones in bright pink!

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  38. I posted your giveaway on my sidebar here: http://wannabewriterrunner.com/

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  39. I'm a follower!

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  40. linked back to you here!

    http://longlegsontheloose.com/2010/04/14/delayed-but-fun-none-the-less/

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  41. i'm loving the progressives in pink!

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  42. I love the hot pink ones you wore...sooo super cute!

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  43. I just posted the contest on my blog!

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  44. I would love to have the bright pink socks, super cute!!!

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  45. i posted this in my sidebar but will put it in a post tomorrow!!! www.myreasontorun.blogspot.com.

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  46. I would love to try the pink socks, just can't have too much pink running gear!

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  47. I've put a link to your give away in my blog: http://adventuresofrunningmom.blogspot.com/2010/04/running-skirt-love.html

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  48. I would LOVE to try the pink socks.

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  49. I Love those compression socks! If i were to win, i would for sure pick those!! :)

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  50. I'm already a follower too! :)

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  51. I really like the pink ones that you have and would LOVE to have a pair of my own!

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  52. Now following, and I added you to my blog roll.

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  53. Aaaaand I just put a link to the giveaway on my blog. :)

    http://29goingon29again.blogspot.com/2010/04/top-10-reasons-to-hate-spring-running.html

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  54. I would love to try the running socks in pink. :)

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  55. I'm a follower of your blog

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  56. I reposted this giveaway on my blog

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  57. I would love to try the pink compression socks! I just got my first pair of compression socks and have become addicted to them!

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  58. Oh yeah, love the pink socks! I would love to try them. I'll have to get over my aversion to knee highs, but maybe I can wear them with pants first ;)

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  59. I must have missed this post this week, but saw it posted on Tall Mom's blog! I am already a follower!

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  60. PS. LOVE the pink compression socks! Want a pair bad!

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  61. I will link this post to my post today!

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  62. I think I would have to go with the pink runner's compression socks.

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  63. I am now "officially" a follower. :)

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  64. I'm a new follower, thanks for the great giveaway. I'd like to try the socks, either in white or hot pink.

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  65. I also linked on my blog...I'm keeping my fingers crossed. :)

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  66. You're linked on my sidebar and in my latest post.

    http://lauriehiggins.blogspot.com/2010/04/new-addiction.html

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  67. I would love to have these for Seattle! I really like the pink compression socks, who knew I'd be such a pink gal

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  68. linked back! http://runtothefinish.blogspot.com/2010/04/opinions-wanted-friday-anonymous.html

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  69. I'd love to try the same pink compression socks you are wearing...I've wondered if these really would help after my runs - thanks for the honest review!

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  70. And I'm a new follower! :)

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  71. I am now a follower of your blog :)

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  72. I posted a link of your contest on my last post:
    http://akvegandiscovery.blogspot.com/2010/04/tummy-troubles.html

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  73. I would really like to try the CEP running socks in hot pink :)

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  74. I've not tried compression gear before so would be interested in seeing what it's all about. The socks are cool (I'd dig the black over the pink mind), though I think I would actually wear the sleeves more as through trial and error I've found that different sock and shoe combinations work best for me on road and trail.

    Great giveaway, thank you for the chance to win.

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  75. Thanks, Natalie! Timely info for me. I just picked up a Pro-Tec tendon strap to deal with some knee discomfort, but given my recent calf injuries, I think I'll try the CEP socks and sleeve. I'm wondering how cushioned the foot of the sock might be, so I'm going to try the sleeve as well. My preference is black :-). Here's the link to my blog post (you're already on my blog roll): http://startinglate.wordpress.com/2010/04/17/ounce-of-prevention/

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  76. I would love the pink socks that you have! Great giveaway!!

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  77. Super cute pink ones! Those would probably be what I would want, although I'm interested in trying the sleeves versus the socks too.

    I just became a follower of your blog as well! :)

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  78. Nice giveaway! I'm thinking the white with orange toes would be my pick. I'm a sucker for orange. :)

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  79. I linked your giveaway on my blog. :)

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  80. I would like to the sleeves. I have a pair of the Zensah sleeves, so it'd be interesting to compare.

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  81. And I added you to my reader.

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  82. i would love a pair a compression socks to run in. the pair i have isn't for running.

    i'm already a follower!

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  83. would love to try the HOT PINK compression socks! LOVE THEM

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  84. I like the hot pink calf sleeves (no foot)!

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  85. Linked your giveaway on my blog sidebar:
    http://sherunslikeagirl.blogspot.com

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  86. The pink socks are great!

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  87. you are linked on my sidebar:
    http://running42km.blogspot.com/

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  88. I would love the hot pink socks! They are so fun!

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  89. i am a new follower! you are so cute! love your blog (found you through erica's blog!)

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  90. i am adding you to my sidebar :)

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  91. i would love to try the pink CEP running socks. i am having shin splints and wonder if these would help them feel better! thanks for a great contest!

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  92. I would love to try the CEP running socks in Pink! On shorter runs I don't usually have problems with my calves or shins, but during and after a half they would come in handy!

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  93. I posted a link in my sidebar at
    mommysfitfortheking.blogspot.com

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