Do Compression Shorts Work?

i don't know if they make you any faster or efficient but they are certainly comfortable to run in. i also think they are perfect for cold/rainy weather that is not so cold you need to wear full length tights.

this is usually what i go by when running

65 short shorts

If you get real compression shorts, they definitely do make a difference. I'm in pretty awful shape at the moment, and a pair of Zoot compression tights managed to get me through a hilly 7.5 mile race about 10 sec/mile faster than I thought I was in shape for.

Looking back, the most telling part for me was towards the end of the race, hitting one last big hill and feeling myself redline a little and the legs started to fill with lead. About 30 seconds after I crested the hill, the lead-leg feeling abated enough to pick the pace back up and finish strong. I have no way to prove that it was the compression tights that did it, but I certainly ran quite a bit better than I figured I would, and had no explanation as to why.

I think the skins recovery travel tights are good when you're not running, but the idea that having extra stuff on when you're actually running makes you run faster doesn't make sense to me. When I race I don't want anything on except the minimum, which is a singlet (or bare chest) and split leg short covering for my privates, and racing flats....no long socks, no long tights...feels too restrictive psychologically

For running tights in cold weather I like sugoi sub-zero or some mizuno breathethermo ones. The asics thermopoulos xp tights leg zipper fell apart after 2months so they seem to suck.

did a 35km run wearing them last week. It was cold and rainy, so I thot they'd help me keep warm.

However, I will say I noticed a delay in the onset of neuro-muscular distress. Normally my legs are screaming the last 20-30 minutes. This time, I made it to the last 10 minutes w/out feeling the hurt.

kurupt onsiteee wrote:

The asics thermopoulos xp tights

Did you buy yours in Greece?

Non, c'est toujours très grand

Très grand!

No that's just what they're called

Consider writing to asics if u don't like it

kurupt onsiteee wrote:

The asics thermopoulos xp tights

THIS IS WHERE WE HOLD THE MUSCLES. THIS IS WHERE WE FIGHT FATIGUE. THIS IS WHERE LACTIC ACID DIES!

actually i've had way better luck with cw-x tights. VERY pricey but equally effective.

They're actually called thermopolis, no u, since you mention it.

http://www.asicsamerica.com/products/product.aspx?PRODUCT_ID=240012669&TITLE_CATEGORY_ID=250001561&PARENT_CATEGORY_ID=250001540

Walking through a recent marathon expo it seemed that every other booth was some sort of "compression" something. Be it calf sleeve, tights, socks, etc..

I'm very cynical about most running "innovations". It just seems to me that after 30+ years of running people are just looking at this market and making up new things to sell because they can not accept the simplicity of the sport.

shoes, shirt, shorts, socks,(jog bra for the ladies)

For me over the last few years I'll say the dry fit has been the main product that I welcomed whole hearidly. And I will confess to using Gu on runs that are in excess of 16 miles. Most everything else is just a buncha unneccessary crap.