Stocking donners and doffers are excellent accessories, but let’s take a look at the items outside of that category that our customers love.

First is the It Stays Body Adhesive, a gentle roll-on body adhesive that takes the place of a garter belt or silicone band to keep your stockings and sleeves in place all day. You simply roll it on to skin and press the article in place.It Stays washes off with water and is pliable so it moves with your skin. Fun fact: It Stays is the number one choice for beauty pageant contestants to keep swimsuit bottoms in place during judging. The uses go beyond pageants and compression garments, it can be used for shoulder straps, bra straps, wigs, toupees, theatrical make-up devices and more!

Customer reviews are plentiful and positive. One reviewer wrote:

“It's wonderful. I wear super support hose and with your product they last much longer and stay up much better. Thank you.”

Next is the Compression Assist Donning Aide, since this isn’t a traditional donning tool and it does so much more, I’m mentioning it here. This hypoallergenic spray does make getting your compression stockings on a breeze, but it also allows you to easily adjust and remove your stockings, it reduces wrinkling/creasing and increases wearing comfort.

Another fan favorite is ALPS Fitting Lotion. This lotion helps your stockings glide on but has an added bonus, it protects sensitive skin, makes dry skin feel silky smooth and it helps prevent garments from snagging. It’s made from 100% silicone and contains no perfumes or dyes. Additionally, it isn’t just for compression, it is used with prosthetic's as well.

Customers have said:

“For anyone wearing compression stockings-this is a God sent product. It makes putting the garments on much easier”

“Use with leg prosthesis. By using lotion prior to putting on leg prosthesis-insures comfort. Highly recommend”

Wearing compression garments on a regular basis can really dry out your skin, making legs and arms flaky and itchy. Using regular lotions can make it difficult to put your compression garments on and can reduce the lifespan of the fabric. lebontadipio offers a selection of compression-friendly lotions and creams that keep your skin soft and smooth and won’t harm your compression stockings or sleeves. Lymphoderm Body Lotion is an all natural, pH balancing lotion that softens skin, soothes irritation and is ideal for those with lymphedema.

Take a look at the full selection of skin care products offered by lebontadipio.

If you wear bandages regularly, the EZ-Roller Bandage Roller is for you. This product makes it easy to quickly re-roll elastic and non-elastic bandages, while being lightweight and portable. The tension can be easily adjusted, it works with any size bandage, and the handle can be switched to accommodate right or left handed users. The Lohmann & Rauscher Bandage Roller is very easy to use and is great for those who regularly wash and re-use bandages. It comes with a bracket for mounting on any flat surface, when not in use it can be taken out of the bracket holder and stored for next time.

If you prefer to wash your compression hosiery and other delicates in the washing machine, the Juzo Laundry Bag is perfect for you. Using a laundry bag is an inexpensive way to prevent snags, tangling and stretching. The flow-thru mesh bag lets water circulate freely for through cleaning. A zipper pull pocket prevents the zipper pull from catching on other items in the wash. This product has abundant reviews from happy customers.

lebontadipio offers a range of accessories designed to put it on, hold it up, take it off, wash it and more. We’re sure you will find something to make your life easier and better. Let us know in the comments which of our accessories is your favorite. If you need help finding the right one for you, our friendly and knowledgeable customer service representatives are here to help.

If you’ve watched all the videos on properly putting on, or taking off your compression socks and you’re still having trouble, this blog is for you. Let’s face it – putting on and taking off compression stockings is a challenge. Don’t let your frustrations win out and give up, try out some of these tips, tricks and tools to help you get your socks on and off easily.

Let’s start with how to get your socks on. This video demonstrates three different ways to put your compression stockings on – the heel pocket method, wearing donning gloves, and using a stocking donner:

The heel pocket method is a great way to get on stockings made from a thick fabric or socks that provide a high level of compression (over 20 mmHg). Don sheer or less firm compression socks with donning gloves to protect delicate fabric from snags and runs. Donning gloves are great for anyone with limited hand mobility, arthritis, or have weak hands or fingers - it gives you a better grip on the fabric. Gloves are the easiest, cheapest and most effective tool available to help you put your compression socks on.

Wearing pantyhose? Here’s a helpful video on putting on compression pantyhose.

The Best Donning Gloves:

Donning gloves are a great assistant for getting socks on, as well as off. The Jobst donning glove is unique because it is actually a cotton mitt with the palm and fingers dipped in a latex solution to grip onto support hose. It is a loose fitting glove which can be easier to put on for people with limited hand mobility. On the downside, there are no ridges or nubs on the latex which limits its ability to move stockings up the leg. We have heard from customers that this glove wears out too quickly.

If you are sensitive or allergic to rubber (latex), try the latex free Juzo donning gloves. These gloves work well for protecting the fabric, but do not have any nubs to help grip the garment. If you want something that will get a strong hold on the sock, try these: Sigvaris Latex Free Donning Gloves.

The Medi glove has textured fingers and palms for additional gripping power to help you get the compression stocking over your foot and heel. Then you can use your palms to slide the hose up your legs rather than pulling. The Sigvaris glove is our highest-rated glove and features very pronounced ridges that makes it easy to don stockings and armsleeves. Here’s what our customer’s have to say about Sigvaris gloves:

“My donning gloves are my best friend in the mornings. I would not be able to get my socks on without them. I also use them to remove my socks in the evening. Great product. I have tried other gloves and have to go back to the Sigvaris brand.”

“These are the best donning gloves that I and/or my patients have found for compression stockings of all materials and compression amount. I have been working with patients who have Lymphedema and are required to wear high amounts of compression. It’s a struggle to get them on even when you have the strength and mobility, so these gloves are a great aide for everyone. The price is very reasonable compared to other compression stockings manufacturers.”

The Best Stocking Donners:

If you have trouble bending over or crossing your legs, stocking donners do the work for you. Donners come in regular and wide-calf sizes, as well as some for putting on armsleeves and pantyhose. Long story short – there’s a donning device to make anyone’s life easier! Stocking donners require patience and practice and are most useful for individuals who have trouble bending at the waist. Since there a lot of donners to choose from, we’ll cover our customer’s favorites.

Sigvaris launched the SIMON donning and doffing aid in 2018 – and it has been getting amazing feedback from customers. The SIMON is convenient for a number of reasons – its long arms are perfect for anyone with limited bend at the waist or strength in their hands and arms. Unlike many of the bulky donners on the market, it can fold down for easy storage or travel. It can be used for knee highs, pantyhose and thigh highs – it can also be used to help take your stockings OFF. This is available in four different sizes – based on your calf measurement. Check out the video below to see just how magical it is:

Here’s what our customers have to say about the SIMON aid:

“Very satisfied. Ordered it because I couldn't get thigh highs support hose on. Makes putting on both the thigh high and knee high stockings and quick and easy task.”

The Jobst and Medi stocking donner’s have the classic fixed style that our customers have been using for years. Simply stretch the stocking over the frame and step into the sock until your foot is on the floor. Slowly lift the handles to work the stocking up your leg. Both Jobst and Medi offer donners designed specifically for larger calves. Here’s how it works:

Once you master using the Juzo Slippie Gator, you’ll be incredibly happy with it. This tool is especially useful for customers who have a lot of trouble bending over to touch their feet. Using a leg sleeve with handles and a rubber foot pad, you’ll be able to quickly and comfortably pull your stocking on in minutes. Like the Doff ‘n Donner, the Gator can be used to put stockings on and take them off.

A healthcare worker told us, “I bought the Juzo Slippy Gator to try with some of my clients. Most people I work on can’t bend over, much less pull compression socks up. The Gator is a great tool and has moved two of my clients to independently donning their socks.”

Watch this video to learn how to use the Juzo Slippie Gator:

The Easy-Slide for Open-Toe Stockings is only available for open toe socks and stockings, but it is simple to use and makes putting open-toe socks on a breeze. It’s getting rave reviews from customers and therapists alike.

“This device makes placing compression stockings on my patients a breeze. No more pinching, no more struggling to place the stockings on the patient. Saves me quite a bit of time in my busy day.”

This video shows you how the Easy-Slide works:

Going somewhere? The Magnide Easy-Slide for Closed Toe Stockings is washable and easy to transport. This is one of the easiest closed toe stocking donners available. Here’s how it works:

The Juzo Slippie and the Easy-Slides for open and closed toe use slippery and durable “parachute” nylon fabric that you put on your leg and pull the stocking over. Using your new favorite donning gloves, work the stocking up the leg and pull the donning aid out from the top of the stocking or through the open toe. If you wear closed toe stockings, make sure you are using a donning aid designed specifically for closed toe style stockings.

Tips and Tricks:

Once the stocking is in the right position, use the palms of your hands to smooth out any wrinkles. Your stocking is applied correctly if the toe is in the toe box, the heel in the heel box and their are no wrinkles around the ankles or leg. Ideally, your knee-high should end about one inch below the crease in your knee. Never pull the stocking up the calf or thigh by just the top of the garment.

If you have swelling or edema, it is best to don your stockings early in the morning when you get out of bed. Our legs start to swell while we are standing and the compression stockings applied early will keep the swelling down throughout the day.

Before you put your compression socks on, apply baby powder, corn starch or Alps Fitting Lotion to help the stocking glide up your leg more easily. As an added bonus, this lotion protects sensitive skin and makes dry, chapped skin feel silky and smooth.

Help! I can’t get these compression socks off!

Now let’s talk about how to get your stockings off. Taking compression socks off can be as difficult as putting them on, especially when dealing with a higher compression, full length pantyhose or the heat of summer. First you want to grab them from the top of the stocking where the fabric is, NOT the top band. Grabbing them by the top band can cause them to rip so be sure you are holding the fabric of the stocking. Once you have a grip on the sock, slowly fold the stocking down your leg, similar to peeling a banana. Then, you should be able to slip it right off your foot. Here is a helpful video on how to take your compression socks off:

Stocking Doffers:

The gloves we mentioned above under Donning Gloves, not only help you get your stockings on, but can help you take them off as well. Same for the Sigvaris SIMON, and Doff N’ Donner, both of these aids assist in getting your stockings on and OFF! The Medi Butler Off works like a shoe horn in reverse, slide the horn into the top of your stocking and gently push down. As a bonus, it makes a great, long handled shoe horn too! Here’s what our customers have to say about the Medi Butler Off:

“Ingenious. Makes everything possible.”

“For me, this tool is the perfect length. A convenient handle for my hand. And the best for last, is that HOOK on the back,to push the stockings off. I feel like I have help now,(I just love that little hook!)”

The Sigvaris MELANY donning and doffing device for compression stockings is excellent for those with limited mobility. No more gripping the foot or extreme bending efforts are required when donning and doffing stockings. Height-adjustable grips adapt to body size. One customer said: 

"Neat product. I've used it for over a year. The socks go on easy and off even easier. Be sure to get the donning gloves also. They do make a difference"

Do you have another tool that helps or tips and tricks to share? Let us know in the “Comments” section. Check out all of our donning and doffing aides at lebontadipio. If you are still struggling or have questions, give us a call at (+31)262843975.

Donning (putting on) and doffing (taking off) compression hosiery can be difficult. Especially for people who have difficulty bending at the waist or with limited hand dexterity. This is especially true if you must wear a compression level over 20mmHg.

There are a lot of “donning aids” available but some are better than others. Based on feedback from our customers we recommend the following, in no particular order:

1. Easy-Slide for Open Toe Stockings
2. Magnide Easy-Slide for Closed Toe Stockings
3. Alps Fitting Lotion (open or closed toe)
4. Compression Assist (open or closed toe)
5. Mediven 2in1 (open or closed toe)
6. Juzo Slippie Gator with Pad (open or closed toe)

Except for the fitting lotions (3 & 4 above), these all use a very slippery and durable “parachute” nylon fabric that you place on your leg and then pull the stocking over. Using rubber donning gloves, you work the stocking up the leg and then pull the donning aid out from the top of the stocking or through the open toe. If you wear closed toe stockings, it is important to use a donning aid designed to work with closed toe stockings.

We now have instructional donning videos on our website for the Easy-Slides, Mediven 2in1, stocking donners and a donning video using the “heel pocket” method. You can watch the videos before you make a purchase to determine if the donning aid is right for you. And you might want to watch again after you receive your purchase to ensure you’re using the device properly.

Do you have any donning or doffing tips? Let us know!

Pete@lebontadipio
Google+

The heel pocket method works very well for stockings that are thicker or have a lot of compression. Sheer and less firm stockings are best put on with donning gloves. The gloves protect the delicate fabric from snags and runs and gives you a better grip on the fabric.

Here's how to put your socks on in 4 simple steps:

Step 1:

With the sock turned right side out, reach inside and grab the heel of the stocking.

Step 2:

Holding onto the heel of the sock, turn it inside out, stopping at the heel. This creates a "pocket" to stick your foot into.

Step 3:

Slide your foot all the way into the sock, just over the back of the heel. Adjust the toe and heel areas to make sure they are in the right place. Make sure the sock isn't twisted around!

Step 4:

Grab the top of the sock and pull it over your heel and up your leg. The sock should rest about two finger-widths below the crease of your knee.

Other Options:

The metal frame Stocking Donner is a great solution if you have difficulty bending or crossing your legs. Stocking Donners are available in regular size, wide-calf size and even a specially designed two-leg donner for pantyhose.

Need more help? Check out this video on how to quickly and easily don your compression socks:

Pete@lebontadipio
Google+

First, you pre-position the stocking over a wide circular metal frame. You begin the donning process by using your leg muscles and gravity to step into the stocking until your foot is flat on the floor. Next, grab hold of the donner’s handles and pull up, pulling the stocking up your leg. It sounds easy to use, and really is, but figuring out how to use the device can be difficult. Now you can watch a short 1 minute video demonstration.

There are 4 different stocking donners available. The Jobst Stocking Donner is the most basic and priced at $26.95. If you have average sized legs and a moderate amount of mobility this donner should work for you.

Individuals with big legs will need the Medi Big Butler. The big butler has an extra wide frame to accommodate wide calves and is priced at $59.95.

The Vario Donning Butler by Medi has adjustable height handles. Perfect for people with difficulty bending or limited mobility.

Finally there is the Medi Double Butler, which is made for stepping into both legs of pantyhose.

Whichever butler you choose, they all work in the same way and after watching our video you’ll be donning your stockings like a pro.

Pete@lebontadipio
Google+

Rubber or latex donning gloves – even Playtex dish washing gloves – can help! The rubber grips onto the stocking to provide you with extra leverage and also prevents creating a sharp pressure point with your fingers which can result in a run or poking through the fabric.

We do sell donning gloves, which range in price from $3.95-$5.95 depending on the brand and style. The advantage of these is that they have nubs or ridges on the fingers and palm which are more efficient.

For people with severe arthritis or conditions that prevent good mobility we offer donning aids such as the Donning Butler and Easy Slide. They are not necessary for most people, but a Godsend for others.

Before putting on the stocking, turn it inside out to the heel. Slide your foot in and position your heel in the heel pocket of the stocking. When positioned properly on your foot, use the palms of your hands to smooth the fabric up your leg. Never pull the stocking up the calf or thigh by just the top of the garment. When you have it almost to the calf, fold the upper part over so that you have two layers of fabric and start pulling up on that.

Once the stocking is in the right position, smooth out any wrinkles. Your stocking is applied correctly if the toe is in the toe box, the heel in the heel box and their are no wrinkles around the ankles or leg. Ideally, your knee-high should end about one inch below the crease in your knee.

If need any further assistance, call one of your certified fitters at (+31)262843975, Mon-Fri, 9AM-6PM ET. If you have swelling or edema, it is best to don your stockings early in the morning when you get out of bed. Our legs start to swell while we are standing and the compression stockings applied early will keep the swelling down throughout the day.

Pete@lebontadipio
Google+

There are a lot of donning aids available but some are better than others. Based on feedback from our customers we recommend the following, in no particular order:

1. Easy-Slide for Open Toe Stockings
2. Easy-Slide for Closed Toe Stockings
3. Alps Fitting Lotion (open or closed toe)
4. Mediven 2in1 (open or closed toe)
5. Juzo Slippie Gator with Pad (open or closed toe)

Except for the fitting lotion, these all use a very slippery and durable “parachute” nylon fabric that you place on your leg and then pull the stocking over. Using rubber donning gloves, you work the stocking up the leg and then pull the donning aid out from the top of the stocking or through the open toe. If you wear closed toe stockings, it is important to use a donning aid that works with closed toe stockings.

We now have instructional videos on our website for the Easy-Slide for open toe, Easy-Slide for closed toe, and the Mediven 2in1. You can watch the videos before you make a purchase to determine if the donning aid is right for you. And you might want to watch again after you receive your purchase to ensure you’re using the device properly.

Getting compression hosiery off can also be a challenge. We now offer the Sock-Eez Removal Device. Slide the plastic paddle between your leg and stocking. Place the hook over the top hem of the stocking. While sitting you straighten your leg and push down on the Sock-Eez to push the stocking off. This device takes advantage of muscles in your upper body and does not rely on just tugging with your hands, which can cause strain and damage the fabric.

Do you have any donning or doffing tips? Let us know!