Mens Compression Tights - what to wear? - Gear

Neil Mayo

24/10/2011 at 16:03

Hi,

I am considerign buying some compression tights - i run middle distance (half marathons) 3 - 4 times a year and find compression tops seem to help with breathing and general recovery.

Do any of you guys wear compression tights whilst running or do you wear them after - what about shorts / underwear?

Any help appreciated!

Many thanks

Neil

Mick 'Stringy'

24/10/2011 at 21:56

Hi.

I own a pair of Linebreaks which I wear as recovery tights after half marathons and any longer training runs and I wore a pair of skins during the first part of an ultra earlier in the year.

As to their effectives, i'm not sure if they are beneficial or not as it's a bit like taking a tablet for a headache; you never know if the tablet has made the headache go away or it just disappeared by itself.

I don't wear anything under them or over them. Personally shorts over compression shorts or tights look a it odd but each to their own.

Mick

cougie

pirate

25/10/2011 at 01:13

Ok I can see the idea behind compression tights - but how would a compression top help you ? Extra resistance as you breathe - wouldn't that hinder you ?

Neil Mayo

25/10/2011 at 08:58

Hi, yeah, they are supposed to reduce muscle vibration and soreness and assist in compressing the chest which helps regulate breathing - this should be mean less time in recovery.

I've used Nike tops that compress and they seem to increase my ability to run for longer and feel less fatigued afterwards - i've tried wearing these on different days / lengths of run and the results do seem to bear out that the compression does help.

Mick 'Stringy'

25/10/2011 at 21:21

I wore a skins short sleeve a few weeks ago at kielder under my club vest, mainly to add a touch of warmth but It did change my upper body posture slightly for the better. Just a shame I haven't got decent sized guns to go under the skins tops.

Marc.S

26/10/2011 at 08:20

Make sure you wear underwear with compression tights, I didn't last weekend on a half marathon and they slowly ride down a little, which means you get plenty of space for "movement" which results in blue balls, but also increases chafing, I was so raw that night, red and blue haha, walking like I'd shat myself. It's not attractive lol.

Mick 'Stringy'

26/10/2011 at 20:25

blue balls....nice. I've never suffered from that to be honest.

I wear lyrca shorts (cycling short styley) all of the time to run in which fit like compression and they keep things secure and movement free.

Neil Mayo

26/10/2011 at 20:58

@ Marc, JESUS!! I can't begin to imagine your pain - will take note!

@ Mick, thanks for your help, think i'll consider the cycle short route, Cheers!

Sandy the Womble

27/10/2011 at 14:56

Another vote for short compression tights. I find they help with a groin problem I've had, and also they are good at keeping all the "bits" in place.

WRXMANIA

27/10/2011 at 18:56

Yeah - made the mistake of running "tights" without any suitable running underwear - was a bit "jiggly"...

Brian.

Chris Mison

09/12/2011 at 08:43

Bought some Skins recovery tights and used them twice, once after 80 mile cycle and once after 5 mile tempo run. Defiantly felt they helped, legs not at all sore the next day.

I'm doing a long (for me) 10 mile run on Saturday and will compare how legs feel Sunday after using Skins to how they flt without 2 weeks ago.

It may be placeo but I felt better.

Drummond

09/12/2011 at 20:03

I wear Skins compression shorts and have found them to work really well - before wearing them I always suffered from cramp in my legs in the latter stages of marathons and often on longer runs, but since wearing them I haven't cramped up once.

Neil H

16/01/2012 at 15:53

Have been experimenting with compression tops while exercising recently and for me the jury is out.

Already sold on the benefits of the tights particularly after exercise (100 miles on 3 consecutive days on a bike).

On the top front it does feel harder to breath deeply - makes sense as the expansion of my chest is being resisted by the top. Am wondering if I train with this on then race without whether breathing will suddenly feel easier...

Peter Roberts 18

25/05/2012 at 00:36

I've bought some compression tights which I will use after the Edingburgh marathon! Hopefully I'll be able to cope and that it will help me with the dreadful 5 hour drive back to Nottinghamshire!!!!!

GeekyNick

27/05/2012 at 00:21

I always wear my Skins A200 long tights during exercise rather than after. For one thing they are supposed to improve performance (hard to tell really) but also I can't really be bothered to change into them as soon as I finish.

Personally I wear them under baggy shorts. I haven't personally got anything against just tights but at my club it's just not the done thing.

RicF

27/05/2012 at 06:57

I did wear something like this a few years back but as I ran past a guy and his girlfriend I was still within hearing distance when I heard,'F me, look at the arse on that c..t'. Indeed, I don't possess the arse to get away with wearing such items in civilised company.

dancing in spikes

01/06/2012 at 16:39

I wear 2XU tights. I find the fabric nicer than skins, and for me the sizing is better. If you are worried about your behind, they do some under-over shorts for men now (compression shorts under, baggy shorts over), which are as cheap standard compression shorts. Just wish they had them for women, but my training partner loves them! Maybe next year!

Paggers

20/06/2012 at 09:23

I have just moved from Nike Dry-fit (lycra) to Skins A200. Like the feel of the Skins more, but are you meant to waer shorts over the top? I prefer not to.

Thomas Wall 2

23/06/2012 at 16:24

Skins tights give good compression but the 2XU thermal compression tights are fleecier and therefore warmer. Although I think the Skins give better compression, unlike the 2XU tights, they don't have a key pocket.

Mark Sumner 7

19/09/2012 at 21:53

I love the 2xu tights, I wear them with no underwear but with shorts over the top. I have skins tights aswell but prefer the 2xu as soon as I got the sizing right . I wear the tights for running and cycling then wear my other skins recovery tights purely for recovery. Wearing 2xu & skins to train in then skins recovery afterwards my legs do feel better whether it's the tights or in the mind I don't know . I find the skins and 2XU equally as good as each other.