received by Niall O Crualaoich Hi all,
I “won” the right to do the review of compression gear and its time to share.
First let me say that 2 pairs of running compression tights were sent to me by www.amphibianking.ie (thanks). I have no dealing with the shop in question other than this review and Damian told me I could say whatever I wanted, good, bad or indifferent.
Since this is a work in progress feel free to add to it. Save me a load of work.
Alrighty, time to start. I had an e-mail from Damian about sizing. And while I rarely buy gear over the internet because of finding the right size, he got it spot on. So while he is not the subject of this thread he get an A- for customer support. (I don’t like A+).
So what do I have?
Skins
BSC (body science compression)
2XU (my own)
::::2XU::::
Well what can I say about these? I have had these the longest and own two pairs. I have used them for everything and thought this is the best place to start. I have various headings and I reserve the right to edit as more strikes me.
I find wearing running tight a fashion mistake for most men but I am willing to swallow my pride for the sake of performance. Just buy black and cover any bulge. 🙂
Fitting:
A great fit even with my body shape which is resistant to standard sizing. I found the crotch area not great for long runs. So I generally wear something under them for longish races or training of long duration.
Thermal:
A light material that I found doesn’t offer much in the way of thermal protection (it’s not designed to) but sufficient for much of the Irish climate where it is sunny one minute and freezing the next.
Compression:
A medium compression feeling from ankle to waist, in no way discomforting while running. As a post session recovery garment I would prefer a tighter feeling but ideal for running.
Performance:
Did the make me faster? Did the do the running for me? I don’t think so but they sure didn’t hinder my run.
Cross-purpose:
Not what you would expect in a review but I am testing these in a non running setting. You could wear these on flights, for example on the way back from a European marathon, as an aid to recovery and to join the growing community of face mask wearing, DVT heads. If you do? Wear them under your jeans for fashion sakes.
I took these tight for a trip to the gym. I felt better doing dead lifts to fail wearing tights than without. And they didn’t impede my while kayaking which is what I expected to happen.
Durability:
I found a couple of brambles with huge thorns did a bit of damage but the holes haven’t increase with 3-4 washes. So from that I maintain the fabric weave is pretty good. I also found with 5 washes the compression is still as effective as out of the packet but will report back after a few more.
Overall:
I would buy another pair. I find them great and would give them a 3-4 out of five.
Below is an article written on compression tights which should give an overview. It is an old one but gives a very good overview.
FYI- Medical compression tights have been around for a long time and have the research behind them as well. If I remember rightly (please correct me) they usually have between 30-40 mmhg worth of pressure. Not great for running in then. A number of studies have proven the recovery aspect and from a pure logic point of view they should help diminish DOMS, promote blood circulation and general help the recovery process.
Problem I have is with the intra-race wearing of compression gear. The studies I have read and followed seem to be in small numbers of athletes and mixed testing methods as well as mixed between pros and ‘normal’ fun athletes.The results have been very mixed either measured on exercise performance or vascular function. I am waiting of a large study to prove the in-race wearing benefits. And not focused on the unhealthy side of the population. I am waiting of a large study to prove the in-race wearing benifits. But there are a lot more smarter heads than me on this forum so I will await others comments.
Tights may give runners a lift
Sydney Morning Herald – June 14, 2006 – 8:29AM
Running tights designed to support the muscles and boost runners’ performance may actually work as advertised, a small study suggests.
Known as compression tights, the apparel is marketed to distance runners as a way to make their muscles work more efficiently – expending less energy to do a given amount of work.
In the new study, French researchers found that the high-tech pants allowed 12 male runners to expend less effort during their runs compared with shorts or traditional low-tech tights.
This implies that the gear could delay muscle fatigue and permit runners to go farther or burn less energy to reach their usual performance level, according to study co-author Dr Stephane Perrey, of the University of Montpellier’s Motor Efficiency and Deficiency Laboratory in France.
The findings are published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine.
Compression tights have strategically placed bands of sturdier fabric that are supposed to support the leg’s major muscles and limit excess muscle motion as a runner strides along.
This protection against muscle "oscillation" may be what allowed runners in the study to move more efficiently, according to the researchers.
In addition, they note, the extra-supportive tights may facilitate blood circulation back to the heart.
The study included trained male runners who volunteered to test the performance effects of three types of sportswear clothes – compression tights, standard shorts and conventional elastic tights.
The researchers measured the runners’ efficiency using portable monitors that gauged their oxygen needs during the run.
In the initial experiment, in which the men were asked to run a short distance, both compression and conventional tights helped the runners to move more efficiently compared with when they wore ordinary shorts.
During more intense, 15-minute runs, the compression tights performed best, trimming the runners’ oxygen use.
Perrey estimated that, for a marathoner who normally clocks in at 3.5 hours, compression tights could shave about 6 minutes off that time.
But, he told Reuters Health, the average jogger could also get a performance boost from the apparel – as long as the size is right.
::::BSC::::
A company and a set of tights I know nothing about, and I was very pleasantly surprised at the overall product.
Fitting:
A very good fit and the feeling that the material is thicker and more durable. Slightly harder pair of tights to get into but it didn’t require much extra effort. I found that on the longer runs that I tended to get a small wrinkle in the back of the knee joints which, while not affecting me would get very irritating over the course of a marathon.
Thermal:
A heavy material that might be a bit too warm in the high of summer. (all 2 weeks of it) But it offered a warm but very breathable alternative to the competition.
Compression:
A heavy compression feeling from ankle to waist evenly distributed, that while not uncomfortable was noticeable. Felt that it would make an excellent post race recovery garment if you didn’t wish to wear it in the race.
Performance:
I definitely felt better and while that might be a pure subjective feeling, in long distance running I have found that as long as I believe then it’s ok. I also like the fact the box stated it had an SPF of 50. A great asset in today’s cancer conscious environment.
Cross-purpose:
A bit too thick for my liking in a kayak but it would offer better protection than the 2XU ones. It also felt more substantial and therefore more adaptable to other activities.
Durability:
I found a couple of brambles with huge thorns like I did for the other tights and it didn’t even dent the tights. I am sure I must have felt the thorns and expected to see a bit of slight damage but none present. This pair has only had 4 washes but is still packet fresh. But I wonder how long the anti-bacterial effect lasts.
Overall:
I would switch from 2XU to these. Just because they are tougher wearing and I am very destructive on gear in general. But I would keep an old pair of a light brand for warm climates. 4 out of five.
Alrighty, time to start. I had an e-mail from Damian about sizing. And while I rarely buy gear over the internet because of finding the right size, he got it spot on. So while he is not the subject of this thread he get an A- for customer support. (I don’t like A+).
So what do I have?
Skins
BSC (body science compression)
2XU (my own)
::::2XU::::
Well what can I say about these? I have had these the longest and own two pairs. I have used them for everything and thought this is the best place to start. I have various headings and I reserve the right to edit as more strikes me.
I find wearing running tight a fashion mistake for most men but I am willing to swallow my pride for the sake of performance. Just buy black and cover any bulge. 🙂
Fitting:
A great fit even with my body shape which is resistant to standard sizing. I found the crotch area not great for long runs. So I generally wear something under them for longish races or training of long duration.
Thermal:
A light material that I found doesn’t offer much in the way of thermal protection (it’s not designed to) but sufficient for much of the Irish climate where it is sunny one minute and freezing the next.
Compression:
A medium compression feeling from ankle to waist, in no way discomforting while running. As a post session recovery garment I would prefer a tighter feeling but ideal for running.
Performance:
Did the make me faster? Did the do the running for me? I don’t think so but they sure didn’t hinder my run.
Cross-purpose:
Not what you would expect in a review but I am testing these in a non running setting. You could wear these on flights, for example on the way back from a European marathon, as an aid to recovery and to join the growing community of face mask wearing, DVT heads. If you do? Wear them under your jeans for fashion sakes.
I took these tight for a trip to the gym. I felt better doing dead lifts to fail wearing tights than without. And they didn’t impede my while kayaking which is what I expected to happen.
Durability:
I found a couple of brambles with huge thorns did a bit of damage but the holes haven’t increase with 3-4 washes. So from that I maintain the fabric weave is pretty good. I also found with 5 washes the compression is still as effective as out of the packet but will report back after a few more.
Overall:
I would buy another pair. I find them great and would give them a 3-4 out of five.
Below is an article written on compression tights which should give an overview. It is an old one but gives a very good overview.
FYI- Medical compression tights have been around for a long time and have the research behind them as well. If I remember rightly (please correct me) they usually have between 30-40 mmhg worth of pressure. Not great for running in then. A number of studies have proven the recovery aspect and from a pure logic point of view they should help diminish DOMS, promote blood circulation and general help the recovery process.
Problem I have is with the intra-race wearing of compression gear. The studies I have read and followed seem to be in small numbers of athletes and mixed testing methods as well as mixed between pros and ‘normal’ fun athletes.The results have been very mixed either measured on exercise performance or vascular function. I am waiting of a large study to prove the in-race wearing benefits. And not focused on the unhealthy side of the population. I am waiting of a large study to prove the in-race wearing benifits. But there are a lot more smarter heads than me on this forum so I will await others comments.
Tights may give runners a lift
Sydney Morning Herald – June 14, 2006 – 8:29AM
Running tights designed to support the muscles and boost runners’ performance may actually work as advertised, a small study suggests.
Known as compression tights, the apparel is marketed to distance runners as a way to make their muscles work more efficiently – expending less energy to do a given amount of work.
In the new study, French researchers found that the high-tech pants allowed 12 male runners to expend less effort during their runs compared with shorts or traditional low-tech tights.
This implies that the gear could delay muscle fatigue and permit runners to go farther or burn less energy to reach their usual performance level, according to study co-author Dr Stephane Perrey, of the University of Montpellier’s Motor Efficiency and Deficiency Laboratory in France.
The findings are published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine.
Compression tights have strategically placed bands of sturdier fabric that are supposed to support the leg’s major muscles and limit excess muscle motion as a runner strides along.
This protection against muscle "oscillation" may be what allowed runners in the study to move more efficiently, according to the researchers.
In addition, they note, the extra-supportive tights may facilitate blood circulation back to the heart.
The study included trained male runners who volunteered to test the performance effects of three types of sportswear clothes – compression tights, standard shorts and conventional elastic tights.
The researchers measured the runners’ efficiency using portable monitors that gauged their oxygen needs during the run.
In the initial experiment, in which the men were asked to run a short distance, both compression and conventional tights helped the runners to move more efficiently compared with when they wore ordinary shorts.
During more intense, 15-minute runs, the compression tights performed best, trimming the runners’ oxygen use.
Perrey estimated that, for a marathoner who normally clocks in at 3.5 hours, compression tights could shave about 6 minutes off that time.
But, he told Reuters Health, the average jogger could also get a performance boost from the apparel – as long as the size is right.
::::BSC::::
A company and a set of tights I know nothing about, and I was very pleasantly surprised at the overall product.
Fitting:
A very good fit and the feeling that the material is thicker and more durable. Slightly harder pair of tights to get into but it didn’t require much extra effort. I found that on the longer runs that I tended to get a small wrinkle in the back of the knee joints which, while not affecting me would get very irritating over the course of a marathon.
Thermal:
A heavy material that might be a bit too warm in the high of summer. (all 2 weeks of it) But it offered a warm but very breathable alternative to the competition.
Compression:
A heavy compression feeling from ankle to waist evenly distributed, that while not uncomfortable was noticeable. Felt that it would make an excellent post race recovery garment if you didn’t wish to wear it in the race.
Performance:
I definitely felt better and while that might be a pure subjective feeling, in long distance running I have found that as long as I believe then it’s ok. I also like the fact the box stated it had an SPF of 50. A great asset in today’s cancer conscious environment.
Cross-purpose:
A bit too thick for my liking in a kayak but it would offer better protection than the 2XU ones. It also felt more substantial and therefore more adaptable to other activities.
Durability:
I found a couple of brambles with huge thorns like I did for the other tights and it didn’t even dent the tights. I am sure I must have felt the thorns and expected to see a bit of slight damage but none present. This pair has only had 4 washes but is still packet fresh. But I wonder how long the anti-bacterial effect lasts.
Overall:
I would switch from 2XU to these. Just because they are tougher wearing and I am very destructive on gear in general. But I would keep an old pair of a light brand for warm climates. 4 out of five.