Ever since Paula donned her long socks at the Marathon, the compression market has boomed and is more sophisticated than ever with guards, shorts, tops, and socks…
2XU We tried… Mens’ Compression shorts, £45; compression recovery leggings, £36; compression recovery sleeves, £29.
www.triconsultants.com What they say: Shorts: “2XU utilizes a unique 50 denier high gauge knit material which provides an evenly distributed 360 stretch compression, not achievable in traditional tricot knit garments.”
Leggings and sleeves: “Maximise blood flow through targeted graduation compression.” Our reviewer: Mark, 32, West Bromwich:
“I love the look of the shorts and I felt more secure/less in pain (I’ve got a bad back). I’ve been wearing the sleeves and leggings for recovery; hard to tell if they’re working yet, but feel good on.” | 
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Skins We tried… She Compression Long Sleeve Top, £49.99; Mens’ Compression Tights, £59.98. www.skins.net
What they say: The gear: “Engineered gradient compression enhances circulation and helps to limit lactic acid build up”. Our reviewers: Fiona, 42, Eastbourne: “I loved this top for vanity reasons! It pulled everything in and felt amazing on, like a thick swimming cossie. And, it performed well in keeping me cool on a fairly hot morning at a 5k time trial in Brighton.” Simon, 33, Coventry: “I’ve worn the gear for the last year and think it’s helped me stay injury free. I’m looking forward to trying the recovery leggings (also £59.98, not shown) on my next flight, and to wear after races!” |   |
Linebreak We tried… Calf Guards, £34.99; Male Short Sleeve Tee, £49.99; and female singlet, £29.99. www.linebreak.co.uk What they say: The Calf Guards: “The original and still the best” the tops: “Zoned panelling supports muscle groups whilst the vented zones keep the skin drier.” Our reviewers: Rosie, 27, London: “I loved this for the look. It pulled everything in
and I felt ‘compressed’ – and I didn’t have sweaty patches!” Karl, 34, London: “I felt a bit of a plonker as I’m used to baggy
shorts and t-shirt, but in Hyde Park no one cared about my tight top.
The calf guards (not shown) felt great. I wore them for my speed work and didn’t feel as sore or crampy. And I liked not having to worry about sweaty feet!” |   |
Compression sport We tried… Calf Guards, £30 and Quad Guards, £49.
www.compressport.uk.com What they say: “The compression is graduated and around the muscle (we don’t need compression on our joints). People with the same waist size can have different quad sizes so how is a medium waist tight going have the same effects for people with different size muscles.” Our reviewer: Karen, 22, Brighton: “The cuffs don’t have compression so my blood wasn’t cut off at my knees and ankles. I prefer the guards to socks or leggings as I didn’t have to keep washing them, which means they’ll last longer. They felt like they were doing something, I wore them to race a hilly course and my legs were not achy after. My only worry – tan lines!” |   |