Article by Jonathan Hammond
From the running track to the local park, you’ll often see someone running in a pair of distinctive 2XU compression tights, with the large eye catching ‘X’ emblazoned across the right thigh. Many a Triathlete we know own a pair and we can’t tell you how many swear by the 2XU compression calf guards to speed up recovery, run longer distances or help them run if their calves are sore from a previous day’s training.
We’ve worn other compression tights in the past from brands such as LineBreak and Skins but have often found them too tight to do much more than lay at home on the sofa and recover in. Compression gear is meant to be tight but shouldn’t restrict your movement to such an extent that you can’t run or cycle in it. A fellow rider once bought a compression top that was too small for him and made the mistake of riding a 15% gradient hill in it. The material was so tight that it restricted his breathing and they had to stop half way up the climb to take it off.
Trying the 2XU compression tights on for the first time they also felt tight but once we walked around the room in them they quickly felt comfortable and snug, with the compression fabric almost moulding to our legs. Also, unlike other tights we’ve tried, the 2XU 50 Denier fabric feels a lot nicer against the skin (note: Denier represents the thickness of the yarn. A thicker yarn delivers a stronger compressive power.)
TEST: Legs heavy and sore from a 62 mile tempo session on the bike the day before, we pulled on our new figure hugging 2XU compression tights and decided to go for an inaugral run in them. The first 100 metres or so felt a little strange but that sensation quickly disappeared as did the soreness in our legs. Five minutes into the run and we started to run effortlessly (admittedly we weren’t pushing it at first) with the stretchy fabric of the tights allowing for a full range of movement in the legs. Also, the 2XU tights feel like they’re holding your muscles in place and somehow help you to keep a more upright running posture. As our legs warmed up, we started to pick up the pace to a quicker tempo and ended up sprinting the last leg of the run home.
THE FACTS: Compression gear is said to increase overall sports performance by helping to speed up recovery by contributing to a faster flushing of blood lactates, improving circulation, reducing muscle vibration ensuring endurance, reducing tissue damage and reducing the oxygen demands of the muscles. Compression clothing is designed to provide a constant pressure around the muscles to stimulate capillary blood flow and to reduce the build up of waste products such as lactic acid.
Anything (within reason) that can help you recover quicker and perform better is a plus for us, especially when you’re upping training levels and have less time to recover between sessions. We now wear 2XU compression tights for recovery, warm-ups and more and more for both running and cycling. We’ve not raced in the tights yet but we’ve raced in the 2XU calf guards and have definately noticed the benefits.
A note about sizing: Check the sizing chart before you buy. One of our athletes is 5ft 9 and weighs 71Kg. He initially ordered a small (without looking at the chart) and they were way too small. He ended up getting the medium, which fitted perfectly.
PRICE: £55 RRP.
Rating: 9/10
Pros: The 2XU compression tights are stylish & fit well. They give full mobility during sport and we’ve definitely found that they’ve helped improve performance and recovery.
Cons: The large distinctive ‘X’ branding may not be to everyone’s liking and their contoured fit show off every bump.
Let us know… What’s your experience with 2XU compression tights?
