Review: Zensah Even Stripes Compression Socks

As a traveler, I often find myself on long flights and walking all day long. I have poor circulation in my hands and feet, which is not normally a huge problem, unless its winter or I’m on my feet all day pounding the pavement. I’m also short, so my feet don’t always touch the floor on planes if I’m all the way back in my seat. I’ve been on a flight to London where I was unable to wear the shoes I had on the plane the whole rest of the trip. I’ve taken to bringing wide shoes where I can, but a better solution would be if my feet and ankles didn’t swell at all.

Compression socks are becoming more mainstream lately, but it’s still hard to find ones that aren’t boring that you would actually want to wear, instead of looking like an elderly person trying to dress cool. Zensah has swooped in and fixed this problem for those of us who need compression socks. They make their socks in several designs, colors and heights, so whether you’re a man or a woman, you need plain or funky socks, you’ll find something that works for you.

I had the opportunity to test out some of their stripey compression socks on my trip to New Orleans, where I was walking all day long and was on the plane for 6 hours each way. While it was very hot during the day and didn’t lend itself to wearing anything more on my feet than breathable shoes and sandals, I still used them at my destination. After a long day of walking their hilly streets – because they are seriously like walking a treadmill with all the broken sidewalks and tree roots trying to be free – I found myself with heat rash on my legs, plus swollen feet and ankles. As soon as I got back to my room, I put my Zensah compression socks on to chill out and sleep in.

A photo posted by Shereen Travels Cheap (@srayle) on Oct 8, 2016 at 2:40pm PDT

potato feet :(

I was a bit skeptical that they would actually help, but if you remember the review I did on their coffee socks, which kept my feet warm and cozy, plus odor-free on my Vegas trip, then you probably have high hopes for these. Well, that’s good, because they work! You can feel the tingle of them massaging your legs while you have them on, getting your blood flowing the way it should. I enjoyed that my feet and legs felt supported, but not hot, which is normally what prevents me from wearing socks to bed.

Look! I do have ankles!

The toe box is looser, so you don’t feel like your foot is in a straightjacket, but it’s snug where you need the help. When I went to bed, my feet looked like potatoes (pretty, right?) and when I got up after wearing my compression socks all night, they looked normal. You can see the difference in the two photos above. My heat rash was much, much better as well. I spared you that picture, because it was not cool.

With how awesome my legs and feet felt in these socks, I was sad to take them off. Also, look at these fun colors! I’m ready for Halloween (and Thanksgiving, and Fall in general). My legs didn’t hurt while wearing them and I could feel them helping my swollen legs immediately. I hoped that it wasn’t just because I wanted them to work so bad and my legs and feet were a mess, but no, they actually helped.

Know what else is awesome? The breathable fabric may be snug against your legs and feet, but it is moisture-wicking, so you don’t get all sweaty. They are also odor-resistant, so you’ll never have that gross stinky foot smell, even after wearing them all day long. You won’t be that offensive shoe-off person on the plane that makes everyone swear under their breath about recycled air that smells like feet.

Even after taking these socks off and putting them back on days in a row, they still fit just as well the last time as the first time, never sliding down my leg like a lot of long socks can do. If you’re wearing them for hours, you’ll probably notice that you have sock line under your knees, but the wider band minimizes this. These socks aren’t restrictive at all and don’t cut off your circulation near your knees like others might. They are snug, but they aren’t tight.

A photo posted by Shereen Travels Cheap (@srayle) on Sep 21, 2016 at 12:26pm PDT

Overall, I think these are going to be a must in my carry-on, as the coffee socks are to keep me warm when I’m puttering around in the room after a busy day. As someone who finds that their ankles and feet swell to the point that not all shoes fit properly, these are a necessity. They’re also wonderful if you have general circulation problems. Long flights can cause blood clots in your legs from them dangling for hours on end, so if you can’t get up and walk around, these are the next best thing. They’ll keep your blood flowing and hopefully keep your legs from falling asleep in the limited space you have to stretch out.

Other details

Where can I buy them? On Zensah website or Amazon

How much are they? $29.99 per pair

What colors do they come in? brown/orange (shown) | navy/red | gray/black | they also come in solid colors, argyle, flowers and chevron.

Bonus specs: Polyamide and spandex, made in Italy, fit men sizes 4-12.5 and women 5-14.

Have you used compression socks on your travels?

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Disclaimer: I was provided with a pair of Zensah compression socks for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own.

Visiting Portland's Doll Asylum

Sometimes you find a local attraction that is a total gem. I'm not one for haunted houses and I kinda think dolls are totally creepy, but when I saw the Doll Asylum was open again in Portland and was free, I was willing to give it a shot. An awesome North Portland family opens up their home to visitors for four days around Halloween, where they display over a thousand dolls of all sorts. Many are donated by fans, but the first ones were the mother's beloved dolls and thrift store finds. 

The whole first floor of the home is packed with dolls of all kinds. Some are old, some are broken, some have been dismembered. There are disturbing dolls for those that love Halloween and pretty dolls for those that don't. 

Are you a scaredy cat like me? You can still visit. I didn't feel disturbed enough by anything to leave and actually thought the displays were entertaining and creative. In the daytime, the many groups of dolls are probably even less creepy, as seen in the videos for the house, but in the evening when the Doll Asylum is open to the public it is still mostly appropriate for children or those that proclaim themselves wusses. Not that I'd want to be left alone with any of those dolls, mind you. 

If you're hoping (or afraid) it's going to be like Mexico's Island of the Dolls, I'll tell you now, I didn't feel any malevolent vibes from any of the dolls, nor did any of their eyes follow me around. That I noticed. I also didn't have any crazy dreams when I left...not even about that disturbing Home Alone Macaulay Culkin doll up there.

I was surprised by how many people had come out to see the dolls in all their Halloween glory. Most of the dolls in the house are normal. The more disturbing of the bunch are outside in the workshop and the Freak Show tent where you exit, but there are warm drinks out there, so it's kind of cozy. I enjoyed the laboratory where "experiments" were being done and a disembodied hand came out from behind the curtain to say hello, shake hands and offer candy treat. Gotta love that. 

The light and my phone may have made these much scarier than they really were.

Want to see a vast array of dolls in different poses and situations? Whether you think dolls are fun or creepy, you'll be amused by a visit to the Doll Asylum. Bring  your camera and a few bucks to donate at the end, after all, you are tromping through someone's house, drinking their complementary beverages and possibly using their bathroom (because they're that nice), so even if you spend a dollar per visitor, it's still one of the cheapest evenings you can have out. I enjoyed my visit and will be return with a doll to admit to the asylum, too. 

What's your favorite hokey/kitschy attraction to see/do near where you live?

Review: Travelon's Anti-Theft Heritage Small Crossbody Bag

I've just gotten back from New Orleans, you guys. It was a whirlwind week packed full of tours, beignets and lots and lots of walking. I took several new bags on my trip, all of which helped me in a different way. Travelon released four new lines this year, which is crazy. One of the bags I carried each day was the new small Heritage Crossbody Bag that has all the anti-theft features you love, packed in a smaller bag that holds all your everyday items at home and beyond.

The new crossbody bag comes in a new neutral color palette, one of which is this lovely denim color that goes wonderfully with all my usual travel pieces, because blue is a color I enjoy wearing and tend to pack heavily. Jeans are also a staple of my travel wardrobe, because a nice stretchy pair work well on the plane and look great with any top I pack when the weather is a bit cooler in the evenings.

Here I am in the creepy hallway of our hotel, getting ready to head out for a day of sightseeing in the Big Easy. (It was almost always empty and kind of made me think I'd be seeing something scary anytime I went out there alone.) But, let's talk about the insides of this bag before we go off on a tangent and also get to the security aspects.

The Heritage Crossbody has three different compartments. The main compartment and the front both have locking zippers. This back zippered pocket, that lays against your body, does not. It would be very difficult for someone to open it without you realizing it, plus it's not large enough for more than a few items you want to keep easily accessible. This is where I stashed some mints, gum, a tinted lip balm and my metal card holder that has things like my ID and health insurance cards.

Inside the main compartment, there are several great pockets to keep things organized, including this large zipper pocket that is RFID blocking, so it's perfect for your passport and travel docs (like your boarding pass). I love the large zipper pulls, too. They are sturdy and ergonomically-designed. They make me feel like they were purposeful in the design process instead of just an afterthought, like some zipper pulls are, feeling cheap, flimsy and angular. They feel good on your fingers. (Is that weird sounding? Sorry, not sorry!)

This main compartment is lovely and holds quite a bit, despite it's size. The Heritage bag is small, but mighty, in my opinion. I was able to get a lot more in the bag than what I started with here (because, if you're like me, you end up picking up a bunch of random brochures, trinkets and small souvenirs while you're traveling). Here's what I originally packed in this little bag:  

Here you'll see my phone, phone clip-on lenses, my keys, business cards, back-up battery, compact, tissues, gum and my "necessities" bag that has sunscreen, lotion, lady products, allergy pills, aspirin, bandages and other small bits and pieces.

Ever try to find something in your bag and can't because it's too dark? Travelon hates that, so, just like with all their bags, they include this handy dandy pinch light to help you out. You never know how convenient this is until you don't have one. It comes attached to a leash clip. I use this to keep my business cards at hand, but have also used it in other bags for my rental car keys. You know, things that have a habit of falling all the way to the bottom of your purse, no matter what size it is, but you need often and end up rummaging like a bag lady. 

How often do you need a pen and can't find one? Urg! I'll write down your number or those directions in a minute. Wait! I know I have a pen here somewhere! Stop digging and just pull your pen (which is a must-have item no matter where you go) out of this fancy pen compartment. Voila! You're always prepared!

The front zipper compartment is my favorite part of this bag. It has large pockets to hold money, small electronics and other things you need. The pockets are also RFID blocking, so this is the perfect place for your credit cards. I used it for this, but also for my streetcar pass and any cards I picked up along the way. 

Also, can we talk about the lovely striped lining? I love it! It makes for a fun surprise when you open the bag and easier to find things inside.

Okay, onto the other fun and functional security features. The main two compartments, as I mentioned earlier, have locking zippers. They are super easy to use, which has been a deterrent in me using them much in the past. This front compartment conveniently zips from the bottom, so you don't have to fuss with it to actually clip it closed. This was really useful to me, because you can open it up, get out what you need, and smoothly zip it closed and clip it with the locking mechanism in one easy move. 

You never look like you're using security measures, because there's no fumbling. The same can be said for the top zipper. Keep your stuff away from thieves by locking that zipper as well. These cute little D-rings are not in your face and they are integrated into the details of the bag as well.

Look how nice your bag looks, even while locked to keep out pickpocketing fingers.

Like all your other anti-theft Travelon bags, you have a great slash-proof body and reinforced strap. One end has a security clip, which takes a little extra effort to open. Want to put your purse next to you when you're at the restaurant, but afraid someone might scoop it up and run off? Open the clip, wrap the strap through either the chair arm/back or the table leg and then clip closed. It's a lot harder to be a purse snatcher when a chair comes with the bag you grab. The reinforced strap always makes me feel safer, because not only can it not be slashed through, but that means if someone tries to rip the bag off my shoulder, they're going to take me with it instead of the strap just snapping like a regular purse might. 

The slash-proof body means nobody can get one over on you by slicing into the bottom and shaking your purse contents into their waiting hands. The strap is wide enough to be comfortable, plus it adjusts enough for anyone to wear as a crossbody, but you can also carry it as a regular shoulder bag. I love that. 

My mom saw this bag before I left for my trip and already declared she wants to take it on her next trip, so it's definitely getting a beating this month. After a whole week of tossing it around and putting it on the floor of restaurants, it still looks just like new. In fact, the only thing that seemed to stick to it was powdered sugar from all the beignets (honestly, one beignet has as much sugar as "all" the beignets). I wiped it down with a damp cloth and it was good as new. It feels broken  in, like your favorite jeans, but it's definitely not worn. 

The details are a suede and give it a little more character. The only thing you may find a problem with is that it's not water-resistant as their other bags tend to be, but I didn't have any issues, even when the rain showed up.

Other Features:
Where can I get it? Travelon online or Amazon
How much is it? $50 at Travelon | $39.99 at Amazon
Colors it comes in: Oatmeal | Indigo (shown) | Pewter | Wine
How big is it? Size: 9.75" x 7.75" x 2.5"
Other specs: Strap Drop Length: 13" – 25", cotton canvas with suede details

Don't forget that the holidays are coming, so if you have anyone on your list that travels or loves a smaller bag, the price-point is right for a fantastic gift. In fact, get one for yourself while you're at it!

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Disclaimer: I  received the anti-theft Heritage Small Crossbody Bag from Travelon for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own.