Disclosure: I received one free Jobst Relax to review on The Lymphie Life. Although this post is sponsored, all opinions expressed here are my own honest impressions of the product!
When I first saw the Relax last autumn before it’s official launch, I thought it was totally different than anything I had seen before. After wearing it for a good couple months now, the initial impression of novelty has evolved into genuine appreciation, as the Relax has become the garment I never knew I needed.
This latest compression tech from Jobst is not quite a nighttime garment, and it’s not quite a daytime one, either: it’s more of a lifestyle garment. That’s what I love most about it, because it fits whatever need you may have for it.
The Product
Just one look at the Relax and you can tell it’s different from most custom garments out there because of its unique material.
Flexible, lightweight, and thin, the Relax is flat-knit with COOLMAX® yarns that encourage air flow, giving the material a refreshing breathability that I haven’t felt before with other garments. Its soft but textured surface creates a micro-massaging effect to stimulate lymphatic flow, and its monofilament spacer layer provides cushiony comfort.
It’s a custom garment, which means you’ll need to be measured by a garment fitter before ordering. Currently, the Relax is available in both upper and lower extremity styles (armsleeve with or without gauntlet; knee high; thigh high) and offers the option to include an integrated zipper for easier donning and doffing.
Because it’s flat-knit, it provides consistent gradient compression that’s available in both compression class 1 (15-20 mmHg) and class 2 (20-30 mmHg), making it a great option for patients with mild to moderate lymphedema in the maintenance phase.
Click the photos to enlarge:
My Impressions
You know when you get home from a long day, and you kick off your shoes and swap your constricting work clothes for comfy sweats? Wearing the Jobst Relax is like that: it’s the sweatpants of compression, and I mean that in the best way possible.
Because I work at a computer and am a full-time student, I sit a lot. After spending long hours at my desk, regular daytime compression tends to get really pinchy and uncomfortable, to the point where my leg goes numb with painful pins and needles. The Relax, though, has proven much comfier and way less restrictive — its lightweight, breathable material makes it so I almost forget I’m wearing a compression garment at all!
Like I said before: it’s a lifestyle garment, adaptable to whatever you need it to be. I wear the Relax whenever I’m around the house: Working from home? Wear the Relax. Just got back from a late night class? Get that Relax on, STAT! Spending a lazy weekend morning with a cup of coffee and my cat? I’m Relaxing, in every sense of the word.
Because it isn’t bulky, I’ve found it fits comfortably under lounge pants, sweats, or any loose-fitting pants; I can also wear it with my tennis shoes. I haven’t worn the Relax out of the house yet, but I imagine it’d be great for travel, especially if you’re sitting on a plane or in a car for hours.
The fit has been good, although sometimes it slips down to about mid-thigh during daytime wear and I find myself having to pull or tug it back into place. Regular washing helps address this, but I’ve heard a couple other people mention its “bagginess” at the top, too; they’ve spoken with the lovely people over at Jobst about it, as have I, so the team is aware of that as they continue to improve and develop the Relax!
Click the photos to enlarge.
One thing I’m not super keen on is the foot length: the garment cuts off a little below my toe line, which exacerbates what’s already a problem area for my swelling.
When I wear my Relax during the day, I often pair it with my Jobst Elvarex toe caps to make sure my puffy toes are getting the compression they need. This works beautifully for now — us lymphies are masters of the art of creative problem solving, after all!
As for nighttime wear, it’s proven to reduce my swelling about the same as the Solaris Tribute I’ve been wearing for the past five years. The Relax is so much slimmer and more breathable that I’m honestly hardly even cognizant of wearing overnight compression. Trust me: there’s been many a night where I wake up, overheated and drenched in sweat, only to peel off my Tribute in a desperate attempt to get comfortable; I’ve yet to get overheated like that wearing the Relax.
Due to the aforementioned foot length issue, though, the top of my foot and my toes feel a little swollen the morning after a Relax night. Because I don’t like wearing my toe caps overnight, I still opt for my trusty (albeit bulky) Tribute most nights in order to get the compression coverage I need.
Here’s a visual comparison of the two:
My bottom line? The Relax is an excellent choice for patients who are looking for something comfy without sacrificing effective compression. It’s a great alternative to the usual bulky nighttime garments or bandaging, while also offering a welcome reprieve from the more restrictive daytime garments.
Now, remember: this is just my personal opinion based on my experience with the product, and my lymphedema and its treatment needs may be different from yours. When reading reviews, it’s important to be mindful that what works for one person may not work for you, and vice versa.
It’s also worth noting that the Relax is still a relatively new product, so it’ll only continue developing and improving as time goes on. It’s limited to leg and arm styles for now, but it’s likely that more options will be coming down the pipeline soon. If you like the Relax but it doesn’t quite fit your needs, let them know! In my experience, the Jobst team are super open to feedback — they want to hear what you think, so they can continue to improve their products to better serve the lymphedema community.
Interested in the Jobst Relax? Be sure to visit their site for more information or check out their list of distributors to find Jobst products near you. As with anything regarding your lymphedema treatment, chat with your lymphedema therapist or garment fitter about your options first!
Exclusive Offer for Lymphie Life Readers
Purchase a Jobst Relax through North American Rehab and use the discount code TLLRLX to receive 15% off* your order! Click to download this order form and present it to your therapist or garment fitter.
*This offer is valid through May 31st, 2017. For more information or questions, call North American Rehab at 800-845-6050.
Hi Alexa….. love this posting! I shared it with my lymphie support group. Thanks for sharing!….. Julia
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I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, Julia!! Thank you for sharing it with your group, too — I really appreciate it! :)
Hope all’s well — sending love!
Alexa
Hi Alexa, thanks so much for your review! I have been considering getting this and saw one this past weekend at the MO LERN walk. I am just worried about my toes bc they swell so much. Besides your toe caps, do you use anything else at night to keep compression on your toes? I have the tribute and Reid sleeve and keep running into the same problem with my toes just not getting that needed compression : ( thanks for sharing your impressions of the relax!! -Lauren
Hi, Lauren,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the review! The quest for nighttime toe compression is tough: I find wearing anything tight or restrictive (such as toe caps) can be super uncomfortable for me overnight. The foot of my Tribute is long enough that it provides some compression on my toes, and that’s been effective enough for me lately… otherwise, I don’t do anything else as far as overnight toe compression goes.
I know some people bandage or wrap their toes at night — that could be a good option for you, as it would give you the ability to adjust it as needed. Is that something you’ve tried before, or think could help you? Other than that, I’m not too sure… :( I’m sorry!
Hope you find relief soon!
Be well,
Alexa
Hi – I have secondary Lymphedema in my right leg too. A few months ago I got this Jobst Relax and I agree with everything you said. The bagging & sagging around the thigh needs to be improved, but other than that, it’s the best of a lot of not-so-great options I’ve tried. Question for you: Am I seeing you where it over your leggings? Does it still work like that?
Hi, Anette,
Nope — I’ve got the one leg folded up at the hip, although I definitely see how it looks otherwise in the photo! :)
That’s interesting you’ve experienced the bagging, too… I’m hopeful they’ll change that in upcoming styles, as it really is such a great garment overall. Thanks for sharing your feedback!
Be well,
Alexa
Thanks for the info! I just stumbled on your site after seeing your Facebook page recently! We have a similar story (and I think are about the same age). I have primary lymphedema in my right leg also that took a long time to diagnose when I was younger. It was finally diagnosed when I was in the 1st grade. I deal with the puffy toes & I totally know what you’re talking about peeling your hot compression stuff off at night (I have a JoViPak). Love being asked for 90% of my life why I have a sock or knee-highs on just 1 foot. I’m like, really, you don’t think this has a purpose other than me forgetting my other sock? Haha :P
Hey, Courtney,
So glad you’ve found the site! Thanks for sharing your story — you’re right in that they’re pretty similar. I laughed out loud at the bit about “forgetting your other sock” 😂 — too real!! Like you said, it can get soo redundant sometimes having to field the same questions over and over… I usually keep a couple stock answers at the ready for just such an occasion!
Be well, and thanks again for commenting!
Alexa
Reblogged this on My Lymph Node Transplant and commented:
This may be a new type of compression garment for you to try ..thanks for sharing this review based on your experience… it is certainly less bulky than other options
Hi Alexa
I just wanted to let you know that because of your post I recently bought the Relax for my 11 year old who has Lymphedema on his left leg. Until then I would often use bandages during the night and in 9 out of 10 nights he would wake me up at 2 a.m. crying because it would hurt… Since we bought the Relax I (and he) can finally sleep through the night! Yay! Thank you soooo much!!
Hey, Gabriela!
Yaay, I’m so thrilled to hear that the Relax worked for your son – that’s awesome!! 💙 It’s such a comfy alternative to bandaging.
Wishing you both the best – Stay Elevated!
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I just slept wearing my new jobst relax last night. It was much more comfortable than the tribute, but I was disappointed that it slipped down my leg some while I slept. Any suggestions? What about some skin adhesive?
Alexa-i was just diagnosed with secondary lymphedema in the leg after cancer treatment. Cried my eyes out over it for a few days but am ready to do research and be ready knowing what I want when the time comes to order my compression garment. I doubt my insurance will cover more than two thigh highs for day wear but After reading your review for the Jobst Relax I know I MUST have one of them for lounging.
Just wondering how much one of those will set me back-do I start saving my dollars now?
Thanks for your blog. After reading lots of it I feel not quite so freaked out.
I wear the Jobst Relax ALL of the time now. I live in Florida and the heat makes wearing a compression garment unbearable during the summer time. Additionally, I am convinced I get better reduction of swelling from the Relax than I the Elvarex. This is the first garment I have worn that does not make me want to lose my mind completely after wearing it for an hour. I still hate having to wear compression garments 23/7 but this does not feel as miserable for me!
Hi Alexa,
I have a question about Jobst Relax, I am going to order it for my leg. What do you think about zipper in this garment. I have the ankle, foot and toes swallen. How easy to put it on without zipper?
Thank you,
Hi Irina,
I carry most of my swelling in my foot and ankle as well, and have found it fairly easy to pull on the Relax without the zipper. If you have any physical limitations that make donning difficult however, I think the zipper could be a great option!
This video demonstrates the arm garment, but it may help give you a better idea of what it’s like to get the Relax on and off: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77fgroINjJo
Best of luck!
Alexa
Thank you, Alexa. Your answer is very helpful for me. I will order without zipper:)
Allo Alexa! Thank you for your useful website! I have secondary lymphedema in both legs, but the left one is worse. I wear the Tribute during the day and evening when I am at home, with a thigh-high compression stocking on top of it to soften more the fibrotic tissues around the knee and thigh areas. I am considering trying the Jobst Relax, but I am wondering if it would do a good job on softening the fibrotic (hard) tissues. From what I understand, you have tried both the Tribute and Jobst Relax on your leg. I would be interested in knowing if you have found the Jobst Relax good at softening the fibrotic tissues. Thanks in advance!
Thank you for this info on RELAX; I just got one and it has already been taken in on the top due to it falling; Now I am finding the ankle area is too loose; The rep told me that I am permitted only one alteration and this is very upsetting to me since it costs me $1100 (it is a thigh high); It has helped me some, but again, I’ve really only had it long enough to wear for a few nights. I am very interested in knowing how you received a free Relax?! So now I wait to hear back from rep if they will alter it again or I am simply stuck with this not fitting properly. Same experience with a recent flat knit thigh high 30-40 compression nylon; (altered once and still not fitting properly–(that was $350); So living with LE for 22 yrs now and having these frustrations is —well, very disappointing and frustrating. I have tried always to be as compliant as possible with my LE and need the support of properly fitting garments!
Thank you,
Karen
I wore my thigh-high Relax for the first time last night. It feels super great when pulled up to full length, but unfortunately, it scoots down to mid thigh and is very wrinkled in the knee area. I’m hoping the garment can be improved because it is so much more convenient to wear under night clothes.