Compression: How do you know which style, brand?

Triathlon Forum
1

I’m looking at picking up some compression attire for recovery. Not to wear at a race per say and look neat-o.

How do I know what to get!?

There are compression tube socks, calf sleeves/.guards, and full tights.

I like the idea of the sleeves because I could just wear them around, especially in the summer. Do you lose a lot of effectiveness since they cover a smaller area than the socks and full tights?

Then when it comes to brands. I imagine that I would want the most compression…which brand offers that?
They all ‘look’ fine to me…Do stores let you try them on?

Thanks!

2

First off compression really does help for recovery; make sure to get something. I’d recommend calf sleeves. I have the full tights and they are just kinda uncomfortable. The socks (also have a pair) have to be washed a lot more, whereas I can just throw the sleeves on under jeans after a workout, or sleep with them on without having to own a zillion pairs.

For recovery, look for 20-30mm hg compression (brand is less important). 12-20mm hg is good for racing, and 30-40mm hg is available, but is overkill and not too comfortable.

I have 2XU compression calf sleeves, and recovery tights, but what I actually end up using most are Ames Walker coolmax compression socks with the feet cut off. They cost all of $15. I got the black so they show dirt less.

http://www.ameswalker.com/mencoolovcal.html

3

Great info. I have only seen CEP and SL3 mention the #mm HG. What does this say about the other brands?

4

Calf sleeves are NOT designed for recovery, only for event use. They lock blood into your feet, and can actually slow down the recovery process.

Make sure you have something with graduated compression- more at the foot and less as it gets up your calf. This helps more blood move around your feet and legs speeding up the process. I’m a fan of the Zoot/CEP socks.

5

Yeah, the calf sleeves are really an active wear form of compression as opposed to recovery. The full tights are the best as they begin compression in the foot and continue it all the way up the leg to the hips. The socks would be a second best option as the whole foot is at least covered. You want recovery gear with a high degree of compression in the garment. I love my ZOOT recovery tights and socks. They are my sponsor.

6

if the calf guards pool blood in your feet because there is no compression there wouldnt the tights do the same? I dont know a whole lot about this but i do like wearing the calf guards after hard workouts and find them easier to wear than the full tights.

7

x2, minus the sponsor part. My local running shop didn’t have a problem with me trying on the different brands they carry. The Zoots just felt better and provided more compression. Though they could be a little longer, next time I’ll try a size bigger to get a longer fit.

8

if the calf guards pool blood in your feet because there is no compression there wouldnt the tights do the same? I dont know a whole lot about this but i do like wearing the calf guards after hard workouts and find them easier to wear than the full tights.

The tights have a stir-up on the bottom that covers your feet. Just your toes and the back of your heel stick out.

9

How do you know that they lock blood in your feet?

Did you read that in a jounal somewhere or just repeating what you heard from someone else?

jaretj

10

The biggest questions people ask and want to know are:

Does compression work?

What product is the best?

What makes them all different?

First of all NOT ALL COMPRESSION Is the same. CEP is owned and made by medi, the world leader in medical compression. We have 80 years of history making medical devices and compression hosiery in Germany. (We also currently make ZOOT’s socks until June 2010) CEP was founded off of the same principals of medical compression but with some fine tuning for the athlete. Our medical socks simply bring blood back to the heart with “graduated” compression (tighter in ankle and decreasing as it goes up the leg). With CEP the compression is different and optimized to targeted not just your veins (bring de-oxygenated blood back to the heart) but also your arteries which carry all the O2 and nutrients to every cell in your body.

This compression was developed by us in Germany and is featured in all CEP compression products. Too much compression on your arteries can hinder blood flow but not enough will simply not help. CEP is targeted compression with medical grade graduated compression in the ankle and consistent compression in the calf. We made them for you to RUN AND RECOVER in. CEP is used for training, running, recovery, travel, shin splints, plantar, achilles issues etc. Because it’s medically tuned it provides more than just a recovery benefit. The published medical study in the Journal of Strength and conditioning shows an increase in performance by 5% wearing CEP socks vs not wearing them… that’s 10-12 min in a marathon! So, you can recovery but also run in CEP and experience the benefit of increased 02 levels in your legs. We also now have Compression Shorts for Triathlon and Running. They will be available in a couple of weeks and can be found in the top online Tri Stores (Nytro, Trisports)

There are so many companies making compression now but almost all of them come from the same manufacturer of Lycra tights in Asia. We know of 2 competitors that have their stuff all made at the same factory but put their name on them and another who’s manufacturer didn’t know what MMHG was when asked??? (mmHg is how we measure the compression: millimeters of mercury).This information just isn’t disclosed by most companies because it’s all just marketing and their products don’t work. When you’re talking about a medical based product and tool it’s imperative it is made from a reliable source. CEP (medi) is that source and our products aren’t just a “gimmick”. We pioneered this industry and have many techniques and patents at our disposal. Be careful what you buy because most products don’t actually increase circulation. They can reduce muscle vibration, which helps muscle damage, but are they tight enough to penetrate the deep veins? NO… are they “graduated” compression? No… are they made from a medical company? NO… these are all things one should consider when investing in a $50-60 pair of socks/sleeves. Another thing is wearing Calf Sleeves for recovery. This should only be done if you’re at home with your legs elevated. Sleeves are only to be worn for 2-3 Hours tops and at most in a 1/2 marathon. The reason is gravity is pushing everything down and if compression stops at the ankle your feet can swell. Any doctor will tell you that a SOCK is always better because it prevents blood from pooling in your feet. Of course this sock has to be “Graduated” medical grade compression. Most sleeves on the market are also tighter in the calf than the ankle and the seems at the top are restricting. This is a big problem. Our sleeve is like our sock but without a foot, provides graduated compression but should still only be worn for up to a 1/2 marathon. . CEP socks are always better.

That leads to my next point. Someone mentioned buying a $15 pair of Ames Walker socks. We don’t recommend this. Those socks aren’t “graduated” compression and are simply a SUPPORT HOSE which go by shoe size. Your veins have 18mmHg of compression in your ankle area when standing. This means you need at least 20mmhg in the ankle to even increase blood flow to the heart. Products that go by shoe size or that are less than $30 typically aren’t tight enough to help you and can even do more harm than good. Check out this link on DVT prevention when traveling. It has some great info about DVT’s in endurance athletes (83% of all in the USA are endurance athletes!)

http://airhealth.org/athletes.html

http://airhealth.org/compression.html
(For this part please notice that it states that if compression is not tighter at the ankle it can actually cause harm. Any product going by shoe size will not provide proper compression and can and usually is tighter in the calf than the ankle)

There’s a lot more we can discuss but I think I’ve overdone it here anyway:) if you want more info on compression our website is a great resource and we have our studies on there as well: www.cepcompression.com (www.mediusa.com) Feel free to email us if you need more assistance.

Thanks,

11

Calf sleeves are NOT designed for recovery, only for event use. They lock blood into your feet, and can actually slow down the recovery process.

Make sure you have something with graduated compression- more at the foot and less as it gets up your calf. This helps more blood move around your feet and legs speeding up the process. I’m a fan of the Zoot/CEP socks.

Anecdotal, but I’ve found they help and my legs feel just as good as with the full socks (plus my feet are more comfortable). The benefit I seem to get is not around bloodflow, it’s the compression helping with inflammation, and muscle repair. Compression gear managed to clear up my chronic shinsplints.

12

Great info. I have only seen CEP and SL3 mention the #mm HG. What does this say about the other brands?

Some of the brands started a bit more on the medical side vs. performance apparel. Doesn’t mean that the guys who don’t quote mm Hg don’t work…but it does mean you don’t know exactly what you are getting.

13

The published medical study in the Journal of Strength and conditioning shows an increase in performance by 5% wearing CEP socks vs not wearing them… that’s 10-12 min in a marathon!

WTF? You really think I can qualify for the US marathon trials just by wearing tube socks?

Oh wait a minute, I’m not American.

Nevermind.

14

Sleeves can be useful as long as they’re not tighter in the calf than the ankle area. Always make sure their “graduated” and/or not tight enough to push blood down. Also, never wear them for more than a 1/2 marathon or 3 hours standing. If you’re legs are kicked up at home no worries. Just be careful as blood can pool in your feet.

CEP Compression

15

Thorlos Anti-Fatigue socks…great compression, super comfortable and MADE IN THE USA. Best of all, they are 14$ a pair.

16

BS? Your entitled to your opinion but the thousands of runners and triathlete who’ve experience our product speak the truth. Sure we have the only published medical study but the truth comes from the athletes. Take the challenge my friend. We back up our product with a 30 day guarantee that you’ll have a faster, easier, better experience in your run. . . you don’t believe it but trust me you’re not the only person who’s skeptical. I see it week after week and know what happens when someone tries CEP for the first time. Buy some and let me know via email what your experience was/is. If you don’t find a benefit just keep your receipt and return them to the store within 30 days of purchase. Email me directly and I’ll send you to the right dealer who can measure you correctly.

This Forum is designed for people to get questions answered and post ideas/experiences. We provide 80 years of medical expertise on compression socks. We are here to help people understand a growing product category that is flooded with incorrect information and product design. It’s our JOB to make sure people get the right products. Why spend money on things that may not be effective? My post wasn’t a marketing piece but an informational post with medical links to studies from third parties. Don’t you want to know that you’re more at risk of a DVT (Blood Clot) when traveling than anyone else because you’re an endurance athlete? If you don’t buy CEP go get a 15-20mmHg medical stocking that measures by ankle & calf circumference for travel. We could care less if anyone buys into compression when running but we definitely want to make sure people don’t do more harm then good.

Good luck

17

Shoe size? For that price they’re likely under 10mmHg. You need 20mmHg minimum to effectively bring blood out of the deep veins in your lower leg to back to the heart. (Flush out lactic acid) The Injinji compression socks are like this too. They claim to have 15mmHg but they clearly don’t. Again, this is all relevant to the way their made, how their made and what machine it’s made on. The cheaper the compression product the less effective. Even in the medical field.

18

CEP:
I’m a pilot (and an IM and a marathoner) and I spend 10-20 hours at a stretch flying several times a month. I’ve worn the Thorlos anti-fatigue sock for 4 years and have never had an issue whilst flying. I realize they probably don’t supply 20 mmhg like med-grade products but there can be no doubt that the provide considerable relief. I also have worn them before/after a race and noticed a considerable difference in recovery. I realize that you have a vested interest in all this but from your posts, the impression is that yours is the ONLY adequate product out there. That is probably why you are getting sarcasm and criticism in this thread.

19

I was simply complaining about the “10-12 min. faster” comment. I just think you would be more credible if you’d leave this BS out.

I own a pair of CEP which I got as a tester for a website. I wear them in races when it’s really cold. They keep my calves warm in the 10s. And I fly with them.
Otherwise, no effect for me. Zero. Nada. Nothing. n=1 of course.

But again, my comment was related to that ridiculous “5% faster” statement. I think your products don’t need such cheap advertisement.

20

It’s the results of the study. The first person was asking if he could wear them running or just for recovery. It was to let him know with the right compression design he could see benefits. With any study you have certain parameters and things that aren’t accounted for (Weather, hills no hills, hydration, recovery before test, diet etc.) Have you ever worn them in a marathon? Training? Again, everyone’s body is different. I appreciate you looking at both sides as this should always be questioned. We guarantee CEP because we want people to know we aren’t BS ing them. That they will “Feel” and experience a difference. What that benefit is may be different from person to person? Faster times, shin splint prevention, recovery, cramping etc. One Triathlete we had PR’d his run by 35 mins in the IM race because he’d always cramp up. . . the benefit varies based on the athletes needs.