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Athletes like Paula Radcliffe have been using calf guards for years to keep fatigue, soreness and injury at bay during exercise and to encourage recovery after it. Yes, they look wrong if you have them out on display, but they do help.These ones from 2XU are fairly simple tubes, flat stitched throughout, tapered so that they encourage blood flow back up towards your heart. They feature reflective graphics to help get you seen at night although one of the logos on our set soon started to look a bit tatty on the stretchy Lycra fabric.You can comfortably wear them under your Lycra tights while riding in winter although we didn't get any noticeable benefit there. We do, though, value them for wearing post-ride to stave off soreness and help you feel fresh and ready to train again sooner.The difference isn't dramatic - don't expect magic - but every little bit helps. Full tights are more effective but these aren't so hot when worn under your civvies. The calf guards come in five sizes and it's essential you get the right fit.
Simple but effective recovery-enhancing kit
Compression wear is all the rage these days. 2XU's compression tights are a well made and reasonably priced way to jump on the compression bandwagon, offering faster recovery, improved circulation and a reduction in muscle fatigue.It's easy to be put off by these tights straight out of the box. I imagined that compression wear would be, well compressive and thus tight. It still came as a shock when I held them up and looked in the mirror like a girl with her favorite pair of "skinny" jeans which she hasn't actually fitted into in years. Thankfully the 50 denier lycra was suitably stretchy.The quality of the material and the flat lock seams are excellent. According to 2XU the tights have a circular knit which helps achieve a 360° graduated compression. At the ankle the garment has a neat and clean hem. This is both comfortable and does not leave any marks on the skin when taken off. The waist has a narrow elasticated band with drawstring. This is my only gripe with the comfort as it tends to dig in a little, a thicker band would be better. Having said this they are pleasant to wear giving some warmth too. I personally find the graphics a little overkill but they may be to some peoples taste if not mine. Durability wise the compression has not deteriorated, however if you do like the graphics you may be disappointed to hear they haven't lasted as well. By 2XU's own admission logos 'may crack and discolour'.2XU gives plenty of advantages of using the tights, some more applicable to cycling than others. For example I do not feel I have 'heightened agility' whilst using the tights nor have they saved me from deep vein thrombosis. I can say however that they do give a noticeable improvement to the speed of recovery. Given the technical application of the garment I was expecting to have some kind of instructions explaining how to get the best results, the 2XU website has no advice on the matter either. With or without instructions I have noticed improved recovery between sessions, albeit unquantifiable.
Completely unnecessary for the casual cyclist but if your training seriously and want to get an edge on your rivals then the 2XU compression tights are well worth considering.
Getting the Compressportguards on was a battle but,unless you're trying it in transition,this tends to be a good sign. Thematerial felt durable and the cuffsand one-piece tube construction ofthe actual guard should mean nofraying or split seams. Neither theankle or below-the-knee cuff wereexcessively tight, and the generousamount of unusually positionedsilicon grippers did a really good jobof holding the guard in place. The fitwas spot on and gave a noticeableamount of compression without anydiscomfort. On the trails, everythingfelt perfectly held in place, andthe guards delivered that sense ofcompression, support and securitythat really makes you feel a strongerand more confident runner. There was no slipping or riding up and,even after a tough hill workout, ourtester's calves felt surprisingly fresh.
Excellent compression, support,performance and price.
THE "ultrasilicon" calf guard utilisesmuscular compression similar toother garments with the additionof 220 silicon spikes surroundingthe ankle. While this may sound alittle uncomfortable, they add to thesupport around the lower calf andachilles tendon and help absorbmuscle vibration. Our tester, whohad previously suffered with achillesproblems and calf cramping, wasparticularly impressed with the securefit and overall comfort of the guardsand was confident enough to try hisfirst track session in several monthswithout any adverse effects.The quad guard uses the samesilicon spikes as the calf guard andis primarily aimed at cyclists andtriathletes. Our test athletes againfound these extremely comfortableand felt they supported the quadsexceptionally well. The runners whowore them during some hill sessionswere most impressed due to anadded perception of reduced musclevibration.
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PERHAPS a little strangelooking at first, these are part of their Veino-Muscular Compression Technology and come in a specific fit for the user with the top and base of the quads being measured to fi nd the perfect size. They come in either black or white and in four sizes. The composition of 63 per cent polyamide, 28 per cent lycra and 9 per cent polyester has the benefits of a massage while on the run along with shock-absorbing properties. They are ultra-light and the claims, as with all compressionwear, are that they help with recuperation and fatigue.They also come with a two-year guarantee. Our tester was wary about their claims prior to trying them out but found they cut down any muscle vibration, all but eliminated any pre-run soreness and said that they benefited him on a recovery run after a hard session the previous day. He also thought they would be useful as a "thigh warmer", especially in the freezing cold winter days.
THESE conventional socks come in lowcut, high-cut and trail models with six different colourways. All feature the same technology, which includes: Grip3D.Dots, Achilles Tendon protection, Thermo-Aeration, Acupressure, Shock Absorber, Archstim Blood Circulation, Total Water Extract, Ergofit Technology, antibacterial, Anatomically Correct Fit and a two-year warranty with a guaranteed money-back pledge. They come in fi ve size options, so a perfect fit should be found by everyone and the composition is polyamide 68 percent, Timbrelle Care yarn 23 per cent and Elasthane 9 percent. Our tester who put the socks through their paces was impressed with their comfort and firm fit which moulded itself to the foot.
THESE conventional socks come in lowcut, high-cut and trail models with six diff erent colourways. All feature the same technology, which includes: Grip3D.Dots, Achilles Tendon Protection, Thermo-Aeration, Acupressure, Shock Absorber,Archstim Blood Circulation, Total WaterExtract, Ergofit Technology, Antibacterial, Anatomically Correct Fit and a two-year warranty with a guaranteed money-back pledge. They come in fi ve size options, so a perfect fit should be found by everyone and the composition is Polyamide 68 percent, Timbrelle Care Yarn 23 per cent and Elasthane 9 per cent. Our tester who put the socks through their paces was impressed with their comfort and firm fit which moulded itself to the foot.