Compression GarmentsBrand V Brand
#101
Posted 06 June 2008 - 12:12 PM
I was reluctant to buy or wear compression tights for a couple of years. Then the kids I coach chipped in on a gift certificate for me for Christmas a few years ago. Guess what the gift certificate was for. Yep.
I went and purchased the skins and loved them. But the first year I only used them for recovery after very hard races. Then I got a hamstring strain one day. I was out of training about a week, then thought I would put the tights on and see if I could run. Strangely I was able to run without pain again (without the tights there was still a bit of tenderness and soreness in the area). So I wore them for training over the next few days.
Before , I had thought it a bit silly lookin, an old woman like me wearing skins.
I still didn't wear them for racing in. Then one day it was just too cold to take off my tights. I would probably have raced in 3/4 tights but when I left home it was warm, so I only had my skins and short shorts in my bag. I decided to race in the tights as it was so cold and I wanted to reduce the risk of injury. The skins were fantastic, warm enough but not too hot. A few weeks later the same thing happened. I was very happy with them, and I didn't care what I looked like or what anyone else thought about it.
Now, I no longer even look at normal tights and would not waste my money on them. I use my old compression tights for training in and keep my new ones for recovery after very hard races.
I reckon, it means purchasing one new pair a year.
Considering a new pair of normal tights are 80$ here and I can get new 2XUs for 115$ from the UK and get much more use out of the compression tights, then why buy normal tights anymore?
I use the compression tights for training in in the winter, racing in when it's really cold, long flights, and sometimes when it's really cold I even wear them underneath my jeans for extra warmth. Pretty good value.
I do think they help support the muscles a bit and reduce the risk of injury, as well as keep the muscles warm. They do not overheat as much as normal tights (IMHO).
I even bought a pair of short compression shorts for racing in when it is hot. I find that the tightness around the hips supports the muscles and also reminds me to use my glutes more when I am running instead of relying only on my calves and quads). It reminds me to pay attention to my form when racing (keep hips forward and high).
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#102
Posted 06 June 2008 - 03:17 PM
sj
#103
Posted 08 June 2008 - 03:06 PM
sj
#104
Posted 08 June 2008 - 03:27 PM
#105
Posted 08 June 2008 - 04:15 PM
I was thinking, it's my calves and achilles that give me the most probs other than my hips. I have the 3/4 skins which would take care of my hips but nothing for the lower leg.
Perhaps if they don't exist someone shld make em!
Guess I'll have to contemplate purchasing full length ones... are 2xu cheaper than skins?
#106
Posted 08 June 2008 - 05:10 PM
#107
Posted 08 June 2008 - 06:19 PM
StellaBella, on Jun 8 2008, 02:15 PM, said:
I was thinking, it's my calves and achilles that give me the most probs other than my hips. I have the 3/4 skins which would take care of my hips but nothing for the lower leg.
Perhaps if they don't exist someone shld make em!
Guess I'll have to contemplate purchasing full length ones... are 2xu cheaper than skins?
StellaBella - think about the fulls. I absolutely LOVE them. I slept in them last night. I want to marry them (OK going a bit far now, but I really did sleep in them, woke up feeling great).
sj
#108
Posted 08 June 2008 - 06:38 PM
sjnathan, on Jun 8 2008, 06:19 PM, said:
StellaBella - think about the fulls. I absolutely LOVE them. I slept in them last night. I want to marry them (OK going a bit far now, but I really did sleep in them, woke up feeling great).
sj
Thanks SJ... There's a sportsfever in Inglewood/Maylands down the road from me as well (fairly new). Mind you, being a WAMC member I get a 15% discount at Runners World so I shld go there first (gotta go and get some gels at some stage this week anyway).
I sleep in my skins too... last weekend when I did 17.5km which was my second longest run ever the next day the only bits that hurt were the ones below the knees... which is where the skins didnt reach!
#109
Posted 09 June 2008 - 10:18 PM
sj
#110
Posted 09 June 2008 - 11:14 PM
Got the shorts and a top as well - cheap enough.
Also anyone who likes the UnderArmour brand of compression gear (hot and cold) I buy my stuff from Cabelas.com in the US and they are working out pretty cheap even with airmail - tights for about $17.99 US and the tops about the same, check out the bargain cave - and no I dont have any financial interest in cabelas - although I wish I did..... I have bought from them before and the delivery was super fast airmail, from memory less than a week.
Ross...
#111
Posted 09 June 2008 - 11:27 PM
RossBris, on Jun 10 2008, 12:14 AM, said:
Got the shorts and a top as well - cheap enough.
Also anyone who likes the UnderArmour brand of compression gear (hot and cold) I buy my stuff from Cabelas.com in the US and they are working out pretty cheap even with airmail - tights for about $17.99 US and the tops about the same, check out the bargain cave - and no I dont have any financial interest in cabelas - although I wish I did..... I have bought from them before and the delivery was super fast airmail, from memory less than a week.
Ross...
How do you find the UA gear Ross? And what's the diff between the hot and cold gear... what would you wear for recovery and what would you wear to run in!?
#112
Posted 10 June 2008 - 10:05 AM
My thought - try both they are cheap enough to get them from OS - a tip re: postage, I ask around friends / family etc and do one big order, my dad gets some of the fishing gear and stuff and I have bought jackets from there - that way you split the postage much cheaper.
Ross...
#113
Posted 10 June 2008 - 01:00 PM
Thanks for that site.
#114
Posted 10 June 2008 - 02:54 PM
I got a pair of Nike tight shorts (compression garment presumably) for a birthday present.
They were very comfortable, but quite honestly what are they supposed to do? I see mixed posts about running AND recovery.
I suppose my question is what do they do and how do they work?
Thanks
#115
Posted 11 June 2008 - 07:00 PM
I reckon tights are fantastic, both for longer runs and for recovery. They compress the superficial vasculature in your legs and also support the muscles so they don't bounce around as much. Always buy them so they're quite tight on, then drop down a size and let them stretch, they shouldn't be a cinch to get on the first few times.
I like wearing the ankle length ones (personal preference) and have multiple pairs. Wear a pair to run in, get home and toss them into the washing basket, shower and put on a clean pair for the next few hours. The compression in the recovery period seems to reduce soreness noticeably. Most of my tights are the Slazenger ones from BigW that Ross mentioned, for under 40 bucks they perform well and are great value.
#116
Posted 12 June 2008 - 08:23 AM
Spectre, on Jun 11 2008, 07:00 PM, said:
I won't be wearing them for a run again in a hurry.
#117
Posted 13 June 2008 - 01:46 PM
And I have always been sceptical about gear, you know all you need is a pair of shorts, a singlet and some shoes. As time has passed, inevitably I have accumulated the usual stuff: fuel belts, camel baks, arm wallet thingamabob, key holders, shoe lace control devices... most of which doesn't really get an outing after the novelty wears off.
But, these compression thingies may see some more action. At the moment only using them for slightly longer runs. One other positive side effect: seems to reduce chafing.
#118
Posted 24 June 2008 - 08:57 PM
But my run this evening was quite late, a bit colder than normal and I had been feeling quite sore during and after my runs this week due to some 'body abuse'.
So I decided to don the pants for the run and I am blown away by how good my legs felt during and afterwards. My leg muscles did not feel any fatigue throughout the run. Even when I took them off after about 15 minutes cool down I could hardly feel any fatigue.
Like the previous poster I thought it was all sales talk but these things really work!
I dont think I run as fast in them but for training they are King!
#119
Posted 25 June 2008 - 01:01 PM
#120
Posted 25 June 2008 - 01:15 PM
SJ
#121
Posted 25 June 2008 - 01:23 PM
#122
Posted 25 June 2008 - 01:52 PM
sjnathan, on Jun 25 2008, 01:15 PM, said:
SJ
I'm not sure if they are sold anywhere else, but I was speaking to Customer Service at Big W this morning trying to find out which stores near me had them in stock (Answer:none!). I was told that they aren't able to get them at the moment to restock, so that explains why they are so hard to find. The number is 1800 251 311 (Thanks Deb!)... it is worth giving them a call.
#123
Posted 25 June 2008 - 02:27 PM
I also learnt that they don't need to be washed after each wear (???) as they are antibacterial and will last longer if only rinsed lightly after every couple of runs - the jogging type that is. I recall an old thread about how often people wash their running gear and the clean freak in me was shocked to learn that some people don't wash their clothes after each workout. Apparently they are doing the right thing when it comes to 2XU compressions.
I also have the performaxx and think they are a good price and the most flattering (there's always room for vanity in this sport) but they are unravelling at the seams and are only a few months old. So perhaps not quite as good value.
#124
Posted 25 June 2008 - 04:20 PM
maryclaire, on Jun 25 2008, 12:27 PM, said:
I also learnt that they don't need to be washed after each wear (???) as they are antibacterial and will last longer if only rinsed lightly after every couple of runs - the jogging type that is. I recall an old thread about how often people wash their running gear and the clean freak in me was shocked to learn that some people don't wash their clothes after each workout. Apparently they are doing the right thing when it comes to 2XU compressions.
I also have the performaxx and think they are a good price and the most flattering (there's always room for vanity in this sport) but they are unravelling at the seams and are only a few months old. So perhaps not quite as good value.
thanks maryclaire, great info about the washing. I didn't know that. I am constantly putting mine in the wash. will be looking out for the new ones in august!
sj
#125
Posted 25 June 2008 - 05:12 PM
StellaBella, on Jun 8 2008, 02:15 PM, said:
I was thinking, it's my calves and achilles that give me the most probs other than my hips. I have the 3/4 skins which would take care of my hips but nothing for the lower leg.
Perhaps if they don't exist someone shld make em!
Stella - check out CEP Compression Socks
Theres a distributor in Perth, who is sponsoring the C2S squad and so you can get them cheaper through that. Im getting a pair to try to see how they help my calves and shins.
Anyone else tried compression socks and have any thoughts on them???
#126
Posted 26 June 2008 - 08:46 AM
Just wanted to share this with my fellow runner mates. I found this awesome site: www.marenaeveryday.com with garments that are made for running and everyday use. They are kind of like active wear garments and shape wear at the same time made by the same company that make compression garments. I just got 4 different leggings and a shirt from them and it feels amazing. Better then any underarmor or skins. The products feel like a second layer of skin on you.
Check them out: www.marenaeveryday.com
#127
Posted 26 June 2008 - 08:56 AM
sjnathan, on Jun 25 2008, 01:15 PM, said:
SJ
I found them in Lowes for Women, but they only had a few, and not all sizes. Love the pink seams!
#128
Posted 26 June 2008 - 01:49 PM
Just my 2c worth - someone else might have seen them at Rebel and not be aware of how good they are.
#129
Posted 26 June 2008 - 05:30 PM
I got the slazenger ones and wore them after playing hockey and running, but i would imagine the fact they come down in the groin area would REALLY annoy me when running.
#130
Posted 26 June 2008 - 08:06 PM
sjnathan, on Jun 25 2008, 01:15 PM, said:
SJ
I was in K Mart the other day and noticed that they had a range of compression garments at similar prices to the Slazenger ones. I bought a long sleeved top to wear under a short sleeved top and keep warm in winter. Happy with it in general, but I bought the wrong size, an L instead on an M. But give them a go if you like.
#131
Posted 26 June 2008 - 10:22 PM
Traderjoe, do you have the skins and under armour? Just wondering how you compare them with Marena, if you have all of them? It looks like an interesting fit, is it as firm as something like the 2xu, do you know? Is postage expensive?
SJ
#132
Posted 26 June 2008 - 10:38 PM
#133
Posted 26 June 2008 - 11:06 PM
lexah, on Jun 26 2008, 08:38 PM, said:
I hope you enjoy them as much as I have Lexah.
SJ
#134
Posted 27 June 2008 - 01:13 PM
#135
Posted 27 June 2008 - 02:21 PM
I am mainly talking for running comparisons, not recovery.
#136
Posted 27 June 2008 - 02:59 PM
Colsy, on Jun 27 2008, 02:21 PM, said:
I am mainly talking for running comparisons, not recovery.
I am going to be really honest here and say I can't really tell the difference in running between the performaxx and 2xu. But I didn't try the cheapies first and then go up market.
I do also have a pair of cx-w stability tights which I notice are now available in Australia - again, great theory but I can't really say they add much in performance. And they are quite heavy so I only wear them on colder days when there's no speedwork scheduled.
The real reason I wear long compression tights (if I'm honest with myself) has nothing to do with performance - I just don't wear shorts 'cos I hate my legs! I am hoping I can wear long tights in the Melb Marathon and get away with it if it's not too hot.
#137
Posted 27 June 2008 - 03:00 PM
traderjoe, on Jun 26 2008, 08:46 AM, said:
Just wanted to share this with my fellow runner mates. I found this awesome site: www.marenaeveryday.com with garments that are made for running and everyday use. They are kind of like active wear garments and shape wear at the same time made by the same company that make compression garments. I just got 4 different leggings and a shirt from them and it feels amazing. Better then any underarmor or skins. The products feel like a second layer of skin on you.
Check them out: www.marenaeveryday.com
Any vested interests to declare there traderjoe???
#138
Posted 27 June 2008 - 03:12 PM
Quote
I am mainly talking for running comparisons, not recovery.
Hi Colsy,
Yes, I have 3/4 Performax and full length Skins. I have trained in both but only raced in the Performax. They both feel great to run in. I think the reason I race in the performax is so I can wear the Skins afterwards.
I didn't really mean to get both, I had ordered some Skins off eBay before GCHM last year and they hadn't arrived before I headed south. I bought the Performax 2 days before the run at Brisbane DFO, from memory they were very good value.
I tried the KMart brand ones before the Skins and Performax, I think it's Thorpedo brand? Anyway, I don't rate them at all for compression, they are really just tights.
#139
Posted 28 June 2008 - 09:54 PM
I love my long 2XUs they are super comfy and you don't even know you're wearing them. I wear them in all weather and over all distances, and have raced in them (if you can call my running racing). I was at the 2XU factory shop yesterday and was told that a new compression pant will come out in August and according to the salesman is much better than the current one. So for anyone considering forking out the $$$, perhaps wait until then.
Where is the 2XU factory shop in Melbourne? Would be keen to try a pair of 2XU instead of Skins next time round.
Edited by PEEKIE, 28 June 2008 - 09:56 PM.
#140
Posted 28 June 2008 - 10:41 PM
Olmy, on Jun 26 2008, 06:06 PM, said:
SJ
#141
Posted 29 June 2008 - 12:54 AM
stop wasting your money
seriously.
I'm not going to argue it or discuss it in great detail, because i'm tired, and everyone loves a med student rambling in a different language right?! But one of our physiology venous return tutorials turned into a stupidly detailed skins/compression garment discussion with the senior cardiovascular physiology lecturer (who's a big fan of exercising too by the way), thanks to me and my extreme love for wearing the leggings almost 24/7, and the bottom line is:
- they are a waste unless you're exercising or recovering where the ambient temperature is over 38 degrees celcius!!
If you want to disagree, then that's fine - your mind is weak and succumbs to the placebo, but whatever works eh
But get a Dr preceding your name, and a BSc PhD following it and then you may have some grounds to talk business. This guy is the man, and shattered my love, because I was addicted to wearing skins. But now I still wear skins long leggings (and yes they're high at the waist and bunch at the ankles but i don't care about that), but only to cycle in, because I HATE bike shorts and their stupid perineum padding. And regular gym shorts reeks of wind resistance.
Any Perth person to benefit from that post and save a few dollars owes me a latte and a muffin
#142
Posted 29 June 2008 - 02:51 AM
Edited by Colsy, 29 June 2008 - 10:08 AM.
#143
Posted 29 June 2008 - 10:13 AM
I think when you write in such large type it sort of comes across as shouting, rather than your intent of liberating us with your knowledge.
I know of a couple of running doctors (one an ultra runner) who feel they benefit from their compression gear and also like wearing it when it's cold. I also think that suggesting that those who disagree with your opinion are "weak" is just a bit of an unwise thing to do if you're hoping to get along with people.
Personally, I feel I get a lot from my 2XU's, and they feel good and they don't look so bad (IMO) so I am going to keep on wearing them, despite what your lecturer (who's an "exercising fan") says.
also, I can afford them AND I can also afford to buy you that latte when we get the perth lot together for the 5km challenge in september if you're up for it. I'll even wear my 2XU's.
SJ
#144
Posted 29 June 2008 - 10:50 AM
#145
Posted 29 June 2008 - 11:02 AM
sjnathan, on Jun 29 2008, 10:13 AM, said:
I think when you write in such large type it sort of comes across as shouting, rather than your intent of liberating us with your knowledge.
I know of a couple of running doctors (one an ultra runner) who feel they benefit from their compression gear and also like wearing it when it's cold. I also think that suggesting that those who disagree with your opinion are "weak" is just a bit of an unwise thing to do if you're hoping to get along with people.
Personally, I feel I get a lot from my 2XU's, and they feel good and they don't look so bad (IMO) so I am going to keep on wearing them, despite what your lecturer (who's an "exercising fan") says.
also, I can afford them AND I can also afford to buy you that latte when we get the perth lot together for the 5km challenge in september if you're up for it. I'll even wear my 2XU's.
SJ
Very diplomatic SJN. I've been thinking of the mentioned post
#146
Posted 29 June 2008 - 02:29 PM
Easy does it! I do mean well, in a non shouty holier-than-thou way, limitations of text though eh? (I did try to chuck in a few more smileys to help my cause, but hit the ole "too many smiley" roadblock)
Regarding being "weak", I jest.
I still do believe they are a waste of money, and I take such a strong stance on them due to how popular they've become, with a lot of people placing a lot of faith on the 'research' on the skins site, thats all.
5km challenge in September? I look forward to it
#147
Posted 29 June 2008 - 03:05 PM
robbo22, on Jun 29 2008, 12:29 PM, said:
Easy does it! I do mean well, in a non shouty holier-than-thou way, limitations of text though eh? (I did try to chuck in a few more smileys to help my cause, but hit the ole "too many smiley" roadblock)
Regarding being "weak", I jest.
I still do believe they are a waste of money, and I take such a strong stance on them due to how popular they've become, with a lot of people placing a lot of faith on the 'research' on the skins site, thats all.
5km challenge in September? I look forward to it
Good to hear (re Sept) - and even though I will be wearing the gear, I can guarantee you Robbo you will be running heaps faster than me, but I'll still be buying you that latte at the end.
Cheers, and apologies for the bollocking; it's sometimes hard to gauge the tone with typed words, as you rightly point out.
Where are you studying? Just wondering as I am involved with Notre Dame and know they have an exceptional medical school both here and in Darlinghurst.
Haven't actually studied there, though; I was at UWA many years ago. Excelled at Tavern 101.
SJ
Edited by sjnathan, 29 June 2008 - 03:08 PM.
#148
Posted 29 June 2008 - 05:22 PM
I study medicine, we have a few, though not many, UWA-ND med events, everyone's really cool.
Tavernology 101, a unit I am verryyy familiar with. Apart from minoring (or majoring?) in that, what did you study / how are you involved with Notre Dame? I love UWA, it's like walking into a postcard
#149
Posted 29 June 2008 - 07:51 PM
robbo22, on Jun 29 2008, 05:22 PM, said:
I study medicine, we have a few, though not many, UWA-ND med events, everyone's really cool.
Tavernology 101, a unit I am verryyy familiar with. Apart from minoring (or majoring?) in that, what did you study / how are you involved with Notre Dame? I love UWA, it's like walking into a postcard
I like wearing compression garments to run in and placebo or not i feel a lot better afterwards and have had to stop buying body glide since starting to wear them.
Just remember Robbo22 your professor maybe wrong, it is difficult to do double blind placebo controlled trials on something so subjective, and don't forget the West Aussie doctors who were laughed at by the medical establishment for many years only to eventually win a Nobel prize for Medicine....opinions change
#150
Posted 30 June 2008 - 09:25 AM
I asked her about the new ones coming out later this year & she said it could be that they will have more of the 70 Denier in them.














