Zoot Compression Tights

[Veronica]

In Susan's photo everyone is wearing those tights. Do you guys really think they aid in recovery. I know Zoot wants me to think they do.

Veronica

[SadieKate]

Yes.

I couldn't have gone from 0 to 10 miles in a few months without my calf sleeves most of all (because that was where the first and major pain was). I then invested in the active knickers and also wore them for recovery when I got a groin pull (non-run related).

Bill wears the calf sleeves on long distance drives to help circulation.



PS - the sizing by body measurements is spot on.

[rocknrollgirl]

I have been using Skins recovery tights for about a year, and yes, I do think that they work. I wish I could wear them all of the time. I love them that much. I carry mine with me all of the time and use them after most of my runs and rides.

[Tri Girl]

I have a couple friends who swear by them. I'm seriously thinking about them. I would love to have just thigh and knee sleeves, tho. I might check into the tights.

[GLC1968]

In Susan's photo everyone is wearing those tights. Do you guys really think they aid in recovery. I know Zoot wants me to think they do.

Veronica

They looked damn cool in person. Like they all had these weird amphibian legs or something. I have no idea if they work as I've never used them before but I too, am curious.

[Veronica]

The size chart is not made for me!

I have giant legs - 15.5 inch calf, 23.5 inch thigh and 28 inch waist.

Clearly my proportions are all wrong.

Veronica

[GLC1968]

The size chart is not made for me!

I have giant legs - 15.5 inch calf, 23.5 inch thigh and 28 inch waist.

Clearly my proportions are all wrong.

Veronica

You and me both. Less 15 more pounds, mine will match! )

[Veronica]

The calf measurement surprised me. I knew they were big... but geez... At least on the calf it really is all muscle.

Veronica

[GLC1968]

Have you tried buying tall boots? It sucks. Don't bother.

[Veronica]

My motorcycle boots are actually about half a size too big.

That's all I could find to get over my calves. They're Sidis though!

Veronica

[maillotpois]

thread drifting....

Try finding tall (English horseback) riding boots - there is just no way. For "work" boots I have found that Sudinis work great for my muscly calves. When you look at boots on Zappos.com, they give you a calf circumference measurement.

[Red Rock]

At the most recent St. George Ironman, everyone was wearing these compression tights. I noticed the majority of the runners had them on while they were running. I also noticed a guy wearing his skins when he was doing his registration/number tatooing. They must be all over the tri world.

However, after seeing everyone complete the IM, I can totally understand and see why someone would want some of these tights. The thought and this thread makes me think seriously about them.

Red Rock

[Alex]

I agree with everyone who posted that they do work. I have the Zoot recovery tights and the calf sleeves. DH has Skins tights and another brand of calf sleeves. He wore the calf sleeves during the IMSG run and wore his recovery tights that night. DH experimented with compression wear last year and was so pleased with the results that he bought me some, too.

[Selkie]

I'm tempted, too, but I'm worried that the waist would be too big (my thigh/calf measurement puts me in one size, but the waist measurement for that size is too big). Too bad these are unisex sizes.

[OakLeaf]

I just got a pair of Futuro thigh-highs from the drugstore. They claim 18 mm hg compression.

These don't come in small sizes, is the main complaint. Still, I can get useful compression from the Medium (for reference, I'm on the small end of small in CW-X tights).

Futuro firm support pantyhose go to 20-30 mm hg, although again they don't come in small.

I don't think they're any less money than the ones sold specifically for athletic recovery, and they surely are ugly, but they're a lot more easily available.

I posted a couple of links a while back when someone else asked the question ... there's plenty of research showing that graduated compression is beneficial for recovery (and I think anyone here who uses them will verify that anecdotally). Usefulness during exertion is less well established, but I will swear that I can run a faster pace at the same effort in my CW-X tights than without compression.