The Tightest Tights
Intoxicated by the excitement of the Chicago Marathon expo, I threw caution to the wind and splurged on my first pair of compression tights. Money well spent, gang.
Amie had long raved about her CW-X tights (she wore them when she qualified for Boston), and her recommendation was enough for me to be on board. I went with the CW-X 3/4 Pro Tights, knowing the capri length would allow me to use them for more months out of the year than the full-length option.
According to the company website, CW-X Pro Tights help bring your hips, knees and ankles into proper alignment to reduce the impact on your legs; the “support web” (those kooky “Tron”-looking lines all over the fabric) create a suspension system for your hamstrings and quads to make the pull/push of the running motion easier. They also have standard compression gear qualities to increase circulation and reduce fatigue.
Whew. That’s a lot of jargon to wade through. But I tell you what, just putting these babies on makes me feel fitter, lighter and faster. Even just walking around my house before a run I feel like a gazelle.
Of course, getting them on is a whole task in and of itself. I realize they’re compression tights and they should be, well, tight, but holy Moses. I bought one size larger than I normally do, and it still takes a solid minute to get them properly into place. But once they’re on, man oh man, does it feel amazing. I’m sucked in from all sides and ready to rock.
The tights have a reflective logo, an inner key pocket and drawstring (though, they’re so tight, I don’t really NEED the drawstring). I’ve experienced zero chafing or riding, they keep me warm enough down to about 30 degrees, and they make me run faster. Sure, some of it might be mental, but seriously, I run faster with them on. I’m looking forward to really training for a race with these tights in my running gear arsenal.
One drawback: After I take them off, my legs are covered with the “support web” imprints — and they don’t go away for a while. And of course, the price point (anywhere between $85 and $100) can be tough to swallow. But I have a feeling I’m going to get my money’s worth out of them and then some. — Mags
Cant’ say I actually run faster in compression tights (although you are right – you do feel sleeker and faster). What I really like them for is recovery – the compression reduces delayed onset muscle soreness. I never forget them post big-run/race. I will sleep in them after and I think they really help.
Thanks for the tip. I’ll have to try ‘em out as post-race PJs sometime.