Take a moment to think about your socks. Are they tight on your leg? Are they bunched up around your ankles? We don’t often stop to think about the way our socks fit, but they’re actually one of the most important wardrobe items for healthy legs and feet. Non-binding socks are more important thank you may think.

In most cases, traditional socks contain a band of elastic that holds them up. This is may seem harmless, but it’s actually pretty dangerous. Wearing traditional socks is essentially like wearing rubber bands around your calves every day of your life. By wearing these types of socks consistently, you’re compromising your blood circulation little by little. Over time, this can contribute to blood clots, varicose veins, and fatigue.

Fortunately, there are non-binding socks on the market designed to promote circulation and prevent blood from collecting in the ankles and feet. Also called diabetic socks, non-binding socks are made without an elastic band at the top. Of course, you don’t have to be diabetic to reap the health benefits of this special type of footwear. Anyone can wear non-binding or diabetic socks to keep his or her legs healthy and looking good for many years to come.

At this point, you’re probably wondering how non-binding socks stay up without a band of elastic holding them in place. It’s actually quite simple. Rather than having a singular piece of elastic cutting off your circulation at the top of the sock, non-binding socks are made of a cotton/nylon/spandex blend that evenly distributes the tightness around your leg. Not only does this prevent the “rubber band effect,” the way non-binding socks fit close to the foot and ankle prevents loose fabric from rubbing up against your skin and causing blisters.

When shopping for non-binding socks, make sure the pair you select not only stretches up to 10 inches wide, but also features a seamless toe and anti-microbial coating. Combined, these characteristics will ensure you’re wearing the best possible socks for healthy legs and feet for life.