To compress or not?

[tamiknight]

Can anyone tell me what I am gaining by wearing cycling pants that have some compression? I really like the comfort of the softer fabrics and prefer things not be so snug. Is the benifit really measurable? Thanks!
Tami Knight

[shootingstar]

If it's just cycling around town/city, compression in cycling pants isn't crucial.

It helps for cycling shorts at least, that they fit you snug (but not tight) around thighs, etc. so that the fabric doesn't slide up after riding for awhile.

But then there are people who can and have cycled in walking shorts for over 100 kms.+ a day. Like me...I used to do that when I return to cycling during first few years. And I was putting in 4,000 to 6,000 kms. annually of cycling.

You do want to be comfortable around the waistline also so that you wear layers onto ...ie. wind pants ontop of cycling shorts/pants.

So smooth lycra is not "soft" for you? Or unless it's a thicker /lightly fleece-lined, maybe lycra cycling pants feels too cold for winter??

[OakLeaf]

Depends on the kind of riding you do. If you ride hard for long stretches, you may notice the difference. I don't ride that way any more (and when I did was so long ago, there weren't athletic compression garments), but for running, compression tights definitely give me a boost.

[roadie gal]

I like compression clothing more as a recovery item than I do when riding. I hate feeling like I'm in a sausage casing! That being said, I have both compressive and noncompressive riding shorts. I don't notice a difference when I ride.

[lph]

I like and much prefer compression clothing for rides (or runs or other vigorous exercise) up to an hour and a half. I dunno, I feel faster and more efficient, nothing jiggling If I plan to be out longer than that I prefer slightly more forgiving clothing and a looser waistband or bibs, since intensity is naturally lower and I'm more likely to eat along the way.

[tamiknight]

OK, thanks for the quick replies! So there is no science that afirms that blood flows better,,,stamina is improved,,, or that my butt will be smaller?! Re; the comment on lycra, some are softer than others and lighter than others, in my short time biking. Onward, I am sticking with comfort!
Tami

[OakLeaf]

Wait, we didn't say there was no science! We gave our different preferences and impressions.

Here's an article from the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine that I came up with on a quick search. According to the abstract,

Compression garments may alter potential indices of the repair processes accompanying structural damage to the skeletal muscle following eccentric exercise allowing a faster cellular repair.

That's just from a quick Google, and pulling out the first peer-reviewed article I saw...

Here's a NYT article from a few months ago, referencing other research (preliminary conclusion being that worn during events, compression garments benefit endurance athletes but not middle-distance runners; effect on recovery was apparently not examined).

Another summary of research, with citations.



...wondering what the post-workout window for benefit might be, and scurrying off to put mine on - the boys beat me up on this morning's ride!

[tulip]

Once you experience scrunching up of fabric in uncomfortable areas, you will appreciate the benefits of lycra/spandex. But the important thing is the you're comfortable. So do whatever is comfy for you.