Forums >Gears and Wears>Compression wear
2018 Goals
Figure out the achilles thing...... and THEN try to get running regularly again.
No racing goals
I wear them nearly all the time, but not while running. I just wear the simple Futuro brand (dress socks) that you can buy at Walgreens.
I think they help with recovery, and keep my calves from getting really tight as I sit on my duff all day long.
I wear them after all my long runs. I feel that they help my legs recover fast and help keep my calfs from being sore.
+1 for the Futuro compression socks, I wear them after all my quality days. I think they improve recovery, but even if they don't they feel fantastic on. I also have a pair of CEP compression socks I wear for races, I really do believe they make a difference. It isn't less cramps or anything like that, the effort at a particular pace just feels slightly less. It could just be psychological but I like them.
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.
I wear them on planes after races to help defend against DVT. I have not (yet) suffered from DVT, so yay. Dunno if it was the socks.
I wear sleeves while running, but more for the side effects. I do think I feel better post-race if I have worn them during. But really, I wear them 1) because they help keep me warm and 2) in trail runs, they protect my lower legs from nasty pokey/scrapy/poisony things on the trail.
I wear Zensahs. The two negatives I've found: 1) I've gotten used to wearing them in all long races, but the "they keep me warm" is not so great in summer and Hawai'i races (so I don't wear them, but then it feels like I forgot my pants or my glasses or something) and 2) in rain, they soak up water... like wearing two washcloths, yuck.
And wet zensahs after a race standing around in the cold? B A D. Very bad.
Of course, all the brands fit a little differently. What you don't want - if you are muffin topping over the top of the socks/sleeves, they are too tight.
ultramarathon/triathlete
I swear by my CEP socks. I wear them to bed the night before a long/hard race and wear them around the house/to bed the night after a hard workout or marathon. I also have the CEP calf sleeves, running shorts and a pair of zoot compression knickers (which I've raced in, and quads felt nice) and zoot compression socks. I like the fit of the CEP socks the best, my wife likes her 2XU compression socks, but I haven't tried that brand.
They definitely appear to help me recover faster and my legs definitely feel fresher in the morning after wearing them. I also wear them when traveling far (by plane).
I figure, even if it's all a placebo effect, it seems to be working or at least tricking me into thinking it's working, and the end result is the same = my legs feel better.
Get some.
HTFU? Why not!
USATF Coach
Empire Tri Club CoachGatorade Endurance Team
Compression hose / socks started out in the medical field to help people who had inadequate peripheral blood flow. Also very useful for preventing clots after leg/joint surgery.
The theory for athletic use is that through mechanical constriction they can improve the blood flow to your legs and thus promote faster healing. I dont know of any real evidence to support this claim, but it doesn't seem outrageous to me.
I have a history of poor circulation and do a lot of international travel, so the doctor has me wear them for long flights. Also, I'll sometimes wear them for very long car trips after races or very hard workouts.
I dont like the futuro very much, the synthetic material doesnt breathe well. I prefer the Smartwool phd compression socks...very comfortable, hold shape, and fit me well. (Fit is very important to ensure proper compression.)
I also have a pair of CEP compression socks I wear for races, I really do believe they make a difference. It isn't less cramps or anything like that, the effort at a particular pace just feels slightly less. It could just be psychological but I like them.
I'm debating whether to run in compression sleeves/socks. I know the Futuro are good for recovery. But I've always questioned the value of actually running in compression socks/sleeves.
I pulled a calf muscle last week. Not major but cost me a 4 days. Maybe soleus, maybe some achilles involvement, I can't be sure. I'm back running but my calf/achilles does feel tight and a bit achy when i run. But I've been skeptical of the value of wearing them during running. Placebo effect or do they really help? I might be more willing to try b/c of this little injury and a marathon in May.
I wear sleeves while running, but more for the side effects. I do think I feel better post-race if I have worn them during.... I wear Zensahs.
I wear Zensahs.
+1 to the above. I had an Achilles injury in spring 2011, and I find that my leg feels better post-run if I've worn a sleeve. FWIW, I am completely unaware of the leg sleeve during the run and don't really think about it afterward, so I like to think it's an actual benefit and not a psychological-only effect.
"I want you to pray as if everything depends on it, but I want you to prepare yourself as if everything depends on you."
-- Dick LeBeau
fwiw, Futuro has a few choices for material. I don't recall which ones i liked or now,but the ones i'm wearing right now are very comfortable/breathable. I have had some that were too warm and seldom wear.
good to know, I just grabbed the only one in my size at CVS, they were quite inexpensive iirc.
I might grab a pair of CEPs next time I need to buy a pair. one thing about the smartwools is you probably would not want to run in them except in very cold weather.