Well folks they are compression socks so they are a bit hard and painful to get on, but once they are on they are great. I work an office job and by the end of the day my calf’s would be swollen enough that my pants legs would not fall done. No more!!! Once they are on they are very comfortable and no more swelling. My legs are exactly 19 cm around and the xl is perfect. I will be buying more.I’m happy with theseBought these as a gift for my mother. She loved them, especially the colors.They do the job and help with my on leg swelling after long days sitting out standing. I really like them. The pattern gets a little distorted and thin when wearing them but I like them for what they’re doing for my swelling and not the design.I like that they are comfortable and don't fall down and that that toe area is loose.loves themThey are great for working long shifts as a nurse.These are cute, and the roomy toe box & heel can't be beat. If you have skinny ankles and thin feet, though, you're not going to get the proper graduated compression. I do like them well enough to keep them for every day socks. They stay up without binding, and they're warm. They just won't be my go-to when compression socks are called for.This is pretty subjective. I wear these compression socks for work as a nurse. I prefer really tight ones, which is listed on the package, but these socks don't have a compression listing. They are a bit "weak" so they don't compress as well. If you're not using them for work, and only want to use them for sports they are definitely worth it and very comfortable. If you're going to use them for work, make sure to check the pressure rating.these are a great value, they are cute, and for me they are in fact very effective..12-14hr nursing shifts on my feet and when I take these off afterwards I truly cannot feel even a minute of it. These do work great.BUT...these SMELL. There is this scent, that I cannot describe...I purchased these 6+ months ago and have been using these in rotation. No matter how much I wash them...what detergent I use...these have this weird smell. Its almost like it is a reaction to sweat somehow. I don't notice a smell until about 6, 7, 8 hrs into the shift...then these have this strong awful smell that I cant get over.Overall...would maybe recommend these based on your needs. these are not sweat wicking at all so if thats a concern, wouldnt recommend. but just for day to day wear, you would be fine with these.I ordered a size L/XL as my calf is 16''. These socks are absolutely not tight enough to support venous return, they are tight on my calf but very loose around my ankle and feet. I have varicose veins and I have some degree of venous stasis as I always sit for a long period of time. After I put these socks on, I can still see my veins bulging on my feet when my legs are in a dependent position and I can feel my legs going numb because these socks are not tight enough to squeeze my veins... I personally have other pairs of compression socks and those are way tighter than these ones...... But at least it keeps your feet warm I guess....Ever in my life. So I have no comparison. For me, it was horrible first time experience - I can't imagine wearing these thick, hot, smelly with crude oil or similar chemical - socks. I am scared to even try them on, based on lifetime experience with polymers and my sensitive skin. I opened one of the six individual packages and that was it. I won't even rate them, because I don't know, if all brands smell and feel to touch so bad.These work great on my ankle and that’s where I think I need the most compression as my foot and ankle swell a lot occasionally. I wish the top band was not sooooo tight as it digs in mid day and really hurts - enough that I have to roll them down until the top band is comfortable which is about 3” above my ankle bone. I will sacrifice a pair and try to cut the top band off. I hate to order a size bigger because I may lose the firm support in the ankle/foot. We will see…