Scholl, the footwear brand known for its range of comfortable shoes and sandals, have introduced two new items in its line of compression hosiery - Medi Qtto Sleeping Leggings and Medi Qtto Sheer Stockings.

The Medi Qtto Sleep Leggings (in lavender to promote restful sleep) are designed for overnight use as you are resting.The soft-woven cotten leggings support the entire lower body, right up to the hips, and help to tone legs, buttocks and hips, and provide graduated compression to relieve tired, aching legs.

The leggings have open toes to help dissipate heat as you sleep. They are also designed with a flat L-shape to accommodate the ankles' position as you lie on your back and with your feet splayed apart.

For women who are constantly on their feet, they can also opt to wear the Medi Qtto Sheer Stockings (Nude). The 25-denier sheer stockings are run-resistant, and have anti-bacterial and anti-odour treatments to keep odd smells from your feet at bay, as well as sport a soft, sheer look that is very natural-looking.

But if you are hoping to get away from exercise and still achieve toned-looking gams, you are barking up the wrong tree.

Compression hosiery are generally used to treat leg pains and aches, as well as varicose veins and leg circulatory problems that arise from not moving your legs for a long period of time (think sitting too long on the office chair or in a aeroplane with inadequate leg room, or sleeping too long in a single position). You may be able to reduce water retention, if you do suffer from this problem, slightly, but a short period of use will not be able to yield significantly visible results.

Having road-tested both, we give the thumbs-up for the hosiery's softness and comfort factor. Sleeping in an air-conditioned room with the leggings on felt comfortable enough, although it will be a different story if your room isn't chilled to a cool enough temperature in our humid weather. The first night of use left us feeling physically lighter the next morning, as if more blood was forced into our upper bodies due to the compression factor and which left us feeling light-footed.

Any fatigue we felt in legs were also relieved.

I road-tested the sheer stockings while on holiday in autumn weather, with lots of active walking involved. True to form, the stockings looked good, and did not shift at all even while I was on the move. I never had to do any discreet adjustments to my clothes.

However, I must say that as I was doing a lot of walking, the stockings only did so much to relieve the aches in my feet which I would feel at the end of the day. They also did not quite agree with the bunion that I had on my left foot, which would be sore from the stockings' compression by the time night fell. On the upside though, my calves hardly felt tired when I was moving around - which mostly included walking from mall to mall and checking out tourist sights.

Scholl Medi Qtto Sleeping Leggings retail at S$56.90, while Scholl Medi Qtto Out Sheer Stockings retail at S$20.90 at leading pharmacies and major departmental stores.

1) Medi Qtto Sleeping Leggings (Full-waisted)

- Designed specifically for overnight use when user is lying down

- Leggings-type product steadily supports the lower body right up to the hips

- Soft-woven cotton-feel material for better comfort

- Flat L-shaped designed to accomodate the ankles' position when the user is lying down on her back

- Lavender colour to promote better rest

- Open toes to help to dissipate heat during sleep

- Graduated compression to relieve tired, aching legs

- Maintains fit even when you move while sleeping

2) Medi Qtto Out Sheer Stockings (Nude)

- Natural-looking nude colour

- Run-resistant fusion treatment

- Anti-bacterial and anti-odour treatments

- Adequate spacing around toes for comfort

- Replaceable toe section (to prevent fabric from running)

- 25-denier stockings

- Ideal for ladies who walk often or stand for long periods of time

- Natural appearance and comfortable fit

- Supports the waist and hips

- Can be paired with skirts and dresses