What do you prefer and why? I have used the socks but it take me too long to get them on at T1. Does a wetsuit slip off easily over the calf sleeves?
Compression is best reserved for recovery, not racing. YMMV.
If you are going to wear them in a race, consider the temperature. If it is hot, and you are dumping ice/water on you, calf sleeves will actually help you keep your feet dry since they are not connected to your socks. And yes, they can be worn without issue under a wetsuit.
I was just wondering the same exact thing. My wife got me a pair of socks by Defeet, which i thought were a total gimmick, for Christmas and never actually tried them till a couple of weeks ago… what a difference- these things are great for recovery but what a pain in the ass to get on and off. I’m guessing the sleeves would be similar- looking to buy a pair today. 2XU? Cep? any advise? I’ve been told for racing and training they can help stabilze the muscle and lessen the chance for injury which i could understand with the experience i’ve seen.
D
That is up for debate - I noted a faster run split on a hillier course, better race leg “feel”, and better post-race recovery last year when wearing the socks in a Half compared to not wearing them a few weeks earlier for a flatter/faster Half.
LOVE my CEP running socks. Dont run in them but wear them for recovery and they absolutely work.
I wore my CEP socks to sleep last night after a long run in my Newtons. Woke up with my legs, especially the calves, feeling refreshed. I am with you though - I am thinking of going to sleeves for Half and Full Irons to wear under my wetsuit and not have to worry about at T1.
To each his own. I’m pretty comfortable in the use of compression as recovery. As for performance and racing, not so much. It just seems like extra baggage for me:
Ali, A., R.H. Creasy, J.A. Edge. 2011. The effect of graduated compression stockings on running performance. J Strength Cod Res Feb 2
Summary: Nine male and three female competitive runners (VO2 max 68.7 +/-5.8 mLO2/kg/min) ran four 10km time trials on a track over a period of several days. They wore either standard stockings (CON), 12-15 mmHg compression stockings (LOW), 18-21 mmHg compression stockings (MED), or 23-32 mmHg compression stockings (HIGH). (The higher the mmHg number the greater the pressure placed on the tissues—lower legs and ankles, in this case.) There was no significant difference in 10km times, heart rate or blood lactate levels regardless of the type of stocking worn.
Ali, A., R.H. Creasy, J.A. Edge. 2010. Physiological effects of wearing graduated compression stockings during running. Eur J Appl Physiol 109(6):1017-25.
Summary: Nine male and one female competitive runners ran 3 x 40-minute treadmill runs at 80% of their VO2 max. They wore either 0 mmHg stockings (CON), 12-15 mmHg compression stockings (LOW) or 23-32 mmHg compression stockings (HIGH). There were no significant differences in oxygen uptake, heart rate or blood lactate during the runs. There were no benefits post-exercise.
** Duffield, R., J. Cannon, M. King. 2010. The effects of compression garments on recovery of muscle performance following high-intensity sprint and plyometric exercise. J Sci Med Sport 13(1):136-40.**
Summary: Eleven subjects completed two exercise sessions separated by seven days. The sessions consisted of 20-meter sprints and 10 bounds every minute. For one session they wore compression stockings. For the other they did not wear compression stockings. Performance was measured for the sprints and bounds. Before each session, immediately after, 2 hours after and 24 hours after the researchers measured muscle twitch properties, knee extension strength, knee flexion strength, blood lactate, body fluid pH, creatine kinase, aspartate transaminase, C-reactive protein, heart rate, ratings of perceived exertion and muscle soreness. There were no differences in performance or other measures except for muscle soreness which was less after using the compression stockings.
Scanlon, A.T., B.J. Dascombe, P.R. Reaburn, M. Osborne. 2008. The effects of wearing lower-body compression garments during endurance cycling. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 3(4):424-38.
Summary: Twelve well-trained (VO2 max 70.5 +/-4.9 mL/kg/min), young (20.5 +/- 3.6 years old), male cyclists did 2 graded exercise tests and 2 one-hour time trials wearing either full-length SportSkins Classic compression garment (LBCG) or standard underwear briefs (CON). In the graded exercise tests there was a 5% increase in anaerobic threshold power (245.9 +/- 55.7 to 259.8 +/- 44.6 watts) when wearing LBCG. There was no performance enhancement in the time trial (as measured by total work achieved in kilojoules).
I will take the placebo effect then…
Thanks for posting those excerpts! I’d read a synopsis of studies like this that showed compression, by and large, seemed to have more of a placebo effect than anything else on people who tried using them for performance. From my own experience, I’ve tried running in them, and the only thing I found was that the socks ended up bruising my toes after a 50k because of the sheer tightness of them. Didn’t notice my legs feeling any better at all. But for recovery, they can be nice.
I wore my CEP socks to sleep last night after a long run in my Newtons. Woke up with my legs, especially the calves, feeling refreshed. I am with you though - I am thinking of going to sleeves for Half and Full Irons to wear under my wetsuit and not have to worry about at T1.
I sleep in mine from time to time too and am wearing then to work as well after AM runs. 
D
That’s a good call - I need to get some more pairs. If only they came in Argyle.
I really like the SLS3 brand and I have both the sleeves and the socks but only use them after I finish my race. I personally wear the sleeves immediately after and then once I’m home and relaxing around the house I’ll switch to the socks.
I sleep in mine from time to time too and am wearing then to work as well after AM runs.
D
The black ones work well under office clothes, they are just a bit shiner, and stay up a lot better, than normal dress socks…
I prefer the sleeves because the foot part is usually too compressive for me on longer runs. Plus the fabric on CEP’s is rough and not kind to my heels.
I use CEP full socks for post race and flying.
I use Reco-Fit sleeves for long races.
I use Zensha for post training runs/sleeping.
(I pick based on compression and how hot they are)
If you are doing IM races they are not allowed on during the swim in non-wetsuit races. Just FYI. So sleeves are easier to get on in T2.
I will take the placebo effect then…
Agree. A placebo effect is still an effect. They work for me, and I love the placebo effect. I use sleeves (CEP) under the wetsuit on HIM, and during the run/after anything 8+ miles training. I don’t mess with them post bike or swim workouts.
Personally, and keep in mind I’m yet to do a full IM, but do have a early season one (CDA) so am fairly deep into my training the 110% socks + sleeves have been amazing for recovery. Was so impressed I picked up the juggler knicker pants as well. Dont use any of this compression gear to train, recovery only and I’ll say the combo of having ice sleeves in the compression gear has been well worth the investment.
Cheers,
Brian
As a matter of fact Zensah has some nice argyles. I love adding some flavor.
After running with and with out them I am a believer in the sleeves. I have both 2xu and Zenzah and prefer the Zenzah sleeves. The biggest thing that I have noticed after running with them (13+ miles) is that my legs don’t feel nearly as fatigued when I am done. I have never noticed any increase in speed or anything like that but I can honestly say that my legs do feel better when I finish.
I’ve never had a problem taking off a wetsuit when I’ve worm sleeves. One thing to note though is that if the swim is not wetsuit legal, you can’t have sleeves on.