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A review of graduated compression wear

1,721 bytes added, 21:24, 30 July 2012
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I've tried a number of different graduated compression bottoms for both recovery and training. I was initially skeptical of the benefits of compression clothing, but I've become a believer over time. My [[Why compression clothes|review of the available research]] indicates that compression clothing is a worthwhile investment. Personally, I found wearing compression clothing while training improves comfort and reduces leg pain. I have also found that wearing compression clothing does make makes a significant difference to recovery. Recovery compression tights reduce discomfort while they are worn, and they also reduce overall recovery times. I even [[Zeo Sleep Monitor|sleep]] in compression tights on occasion.
==Training Tights==
These tights are explicitly designed for use while running and training.
These are my preferred running tights, with a useful level of compression. I've worn these for recovery until my wife added in some extra pockets in the back from some old Race Ready shorts. The latest version of these tights comes with a key pocket, and a waistband with a fastening cord. Like all graduated compression tights, they do tend to slip down slightly, but the waistband keeps them in place. I find they are far more comfortable than Form Fitting tights and I miss them if I run in my 'ordinary' tights. [http://go.redirectingat.com?id=35454X937677&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com%2F2xu-elite-compression-tight-black-steel~1%3Fzlfid%3D111%26recoName%3Dzap_brand_page 2XU Elite Compression Tight at Zappos]
=== Zoot CompressRx Active Tight (worth considering) ===
{| class="wikitable" |- valign="top"|[[File:ZAT.JPG|none|thumb|x300px|Zoot CompressRx Active Tight]]|[[File:Zoot Knee.JPG|right|thumb|300px|A close up of the knee area showing the variable weave. You can see that there is less pressure and more room for the kneecap.]]|[[File:Zoot Side Closeup.JPG|right|thumb|300px|A side view, showing how the variable weave matches up with the kneecap. I’ve highlighted the changes in weave (and therefore pressure) using the blue diamonds.]]|[[File:Zoot Top Closeup.JPG|right|thumb|300px|The top view, showing that these tights have the extra pressure closer to the kneecap than the CW-X below.]]|}These tights offer high levels of compression and use a variable weave to apply the different pressure to specific areas. This variable weave is the most technically advanced of the tights I’ve tried, and they are a more effective approach than the extra material used in the CW-X shown below. The tights are a little tricky to put on, and the lack of distinct waistband causes them to slip down more than the Saucony. Like the 2XU there are no pockets, but there is also no waistband. This means pulling them up periodically, which is a major distraction. While I liked the high compression, the extra tension made them slip down too often to be viable. If Zoot changed the design to include a waistband, I order a pair immediately. These may be worth trying to see if they stay up for you. [http://go.redirectingat.com?id=35454X937677&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FZoot-Compressrx-Ultra-Active-Tight%2Fdp%2FB001HBRM0C%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Fs%3Dsporting-goods%26ie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1341316960%26sr%3D1-1%26keywords%3DZoot%2BActive%2BTight Zoot CompressRx Active Tight at amazon.com] ===CW-X Stabilyx Tights==={| class="wikitable" |- valign="top"|[[File:CW-XStabilyx.jpg|noneright|thumb|x300px300px|I like the way the CW-X TightsStabilxy looks in this color scheme, though they are also available without any contrasting panels or outlining.]]I used |[[File:StabilyXTights.jpg|right|thumb|300px|A schematic of where the original extra layer of material is positioned.]]|[[File:CW-X tights and they do provide a little more compression than Form Fitting clothesCloseup Top.48. jpg|right|thumb|300px|The CW-X Stabilyx tights showing the support bands going around the kneecap.]]|[[File:CW-X Closeup Side.14.jpg|right|thumb|300px|A side view, again showing the distance between the support bands and the kneecap.]]|}The Stabilyx tights are intended to provide most of the extra pressure along certain lines, indented to help align muscles and bones. I found that the This extra pressure provided had marginal benefits compared with Form Fitting comes from a second layer of material, so these tights are quite a bit thicker, less flexible and nothing warmer than other tights like the 2XU or Zoot . There is also rather more vertical tension, pulling the tightsdown at the waistband, which is a little uncomfortable. Note I was hoping that the tights I own are now several years old, and later versions may would provide more knee support than other tights, but as you can see from the pictures, the extra supporting bands are some distance from the kneecap. If you like the idea of variable compression, then I’d suggest the Zoot approach of using different weaves of material is superior to the CW-X approach of adding a second layer. CW-X does have a similar approach in their [http://go.redirectingat.com?id=35454X937677&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwwwwww.zappos.com%2Fcw/cw-x-stabilyxrevolution-tight-black-rapsberry CW-X at Zappos.com~1 Revolution]tights, but these are rather expensive and don’t provide as much compression.
===CW-X Ventilator Tights===
{| class="wikitable"
|[[File:CW-X Vent-back-org.jpg|none|thumb|x300px|The back view.]]
|[[File:CW-X Ventilator-back.jpg|none|thumb|x300px|Another heavily manipulated image, showing the calf mesh.]]
|[[File:Cw-x-ventilator-panels.jpg|none|thumb|300px|The ventilation panels highlighted in light blue.]]
|}
These compression tights are unusual as they have mesh panels to reduce the heat buildup. These While this makes them cooler than the standard CW-X Stabilyx, they are still going to be warmer than shortsother tights like the 2XU. If you prefer the CW-X style of support webbing, but may be then these are a good better option if you want to run with compression in than the summer. [http://go.redirectingat.com?id=35454X937677&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com%2Fcw-x-ventilator-standard tights-black CW-X Ventilator at Zappos.com]until the weather gets cold.
=== Saucony Men's AMP PRO2 Training Tight] (limited availability) ===
[[File:SMAPTT.JPG |none|thumb|x300px|Saucony Men's AMP PRO2 Training Tight]]

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