Best compression tops eg. Zensah, UnderArmour etc?

Triathlon Forum
1

I wonder who makes the best compression tops. I started to wear them last year and really like the fact that there is no chafing, no flapping around when runinng and they also wear very well as a baselayer for cycling. However I noticed that especially Underarmour’s moisture wicking is not great and once its moist it starts to cling and I get chilled on cooler days. Also tried some base layer from Jockey that I bought at Macy’s for for 75% off, it actually seems to work better than UA. Does anyone have experience with other brands such as Pearl Izumi and Zensah?

My favorite wicking test is the washing machine. Whichever garment is the driest after the spin cycle is the best. So far Pearl Izumi Microsensor baselayer seems to set the standard.

AR

2

i like nike
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3

Under Armour is good but not great. Nike seems to work best, my Nike Dri-Fit stuff is dry when it comes out of the washing machine.

4

I got a Zensah a while back and really like it. I view it more of a warm base layer though rather than something to wear on a hot day. It works great though, kept me very warm on a couple of runs this winter. Haven’t tried it in the heat yet.

5

I’ve tried Zensah, UnderArmour, EMS, and some assorted others. I’ve used them in five applications: cycling, skiing, lacrosse, yoga, and at the gym. Here are my impressions:

Under Armour:
You can’t beat their compression shorts. They’re fantastic as a base at the gym, playing active sports (eg lacrosse) and when skiing. Wicking is excellent and compression is good. Sizing runs small-ish, but there’s enough stretch that it doesn’t matter much. In terms of tops, they tend to soak through and cool you down. This is either very nice, or very uncomfortaly damp. Thinnest material I’ve tried.

Zensah:
Super comfy stuff. It’s softer to the touch than UnderArmour, and exhibits less of the soak-through feeling of UnderArmour. Thicker material, but still nice and light. Compressive power is a little less, probably due to rather generic sizing. The arms on long-sleeve shirts seem a bit long and imprecise, although if you’re tall and lanky (say, over 6’) this would be a plus rather than an “eh” feature. FANTASTIC coupons available (30-50% off, just PM me). Haven’t tried it as a base for non-cycling cold weather activity yet, but very nice on the bike.

EMS:
I’ve got some older stuff from Eastern Mountain Sports. It’s fairly generic. Comfy, soft enough, feels like the same coolmax cloth as most manufacturers. It’s worn well for over 5 years. Nothing wrong with the basics!

Generics:
Generic stuff wears just like EMS, and feels more like UnderArmour than Zensah. Tends to be thin, exhibit soak-through qualities. As I said before, that’s great when it’s hot, not so great when it’s not.

When next I buy stuff, it’s going to be more Zensah, assuming it continues to wear as well as it has over the first few months. The only negatives I see are sizing, if it doesn’t fit you well (it fits me great, although it tends to ride up from the bottom at the gym. I’m 6’, 173 and wearing size S/M) and sleeve/arm warmer length. The arm warmers, by the way, are very light weight. Great for a day when you don’t quite want bare arms, or you’re warming up before a race/ride. Also good doubled up with long-sleeves for a little extra warmth and wicking. Made of the same material as the shirts.

6

I find Under Armour compression tops to be the best for accentuating the definition in my upper body “glory muscles.” That and a little cocoa butterahahhhaaahhh (sung like Horatio Sands doing Aaron Neville)
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7

I absolutely love my Zensah stuff. It seems to wick better than anything I’ve used in the past and it is the most comfortable fabric I’ve ever worn. As for the fit I think they’ve done a great job with their fitting especially for athletic builds. I’m 6’ 170lbs and the material coupled with the panel design they use make the shirts fit a glove. I would agree though that the waist can ride up. The beanie feels and fits fantastic too.

I use the shirts for base layering on the bike and for cold/cool weather runs. Haven’t had any hot weather to try out the sleeveless t-shirt though. The material is so soft and supple I’m not sure I would consider it true compression clothing.

And one of the best reasons for Zensah - nobody else has it. Call me a snob but I don’t want to wear the same crap that every other assclown at 24hr Fitness picked up at Kmart or Sports Chalet.

8

Has anyone tried the Pearl Izumi EKG tops?

9

I’ve been using Under Armour for years and I have found it to be the best. My stuff never has any wicking issues and comes out of the spin cycle almost totally dry.