with all the talk of compression lately i was wondering if the compression tights (zoot-2xu-skins-ect) were supposed to be used only for recovery or if they would work as an option for cold weather running like other running/cycling tights - if so are they warm enough?
They are warm enough for Arizona when it gets cool, but I doubt they would be enough for colder weather.
thank you - i should have been more specific about cold - i was thinking new england or eastern canada type cold -
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I’ve used them for rides/runs down to mid 40’s but they don’t really insulate well.
edit: i have the 2xu ones
I have a pair of CWX compression thermal tights. I’ve never tried on Skins or any of the other brands, so I can’t compare the ‘compression’ factor, but I love 'em. They are very warm and supportive. And, even better, they don’t fall down and give you diaper crotch when you run.
Ahh, the little joys in life.
I have the zoot recovery tights, which are not supposed to be worn while exercising, but im sure the regular ones are the same material, and in the Michigan winter i would have lost a nut or two to frostbite if i wore those for a run. They do seem to get the job done as far as recovery though, so if you get some dough, id at least try them out
I have the cwx insulated ones as well as the non insulated ones. The non insulated ones are comparable to regular tights as far as warmth, good to mid 20’s oe so. The insulated ones have some wind stopper panels and have been fine into the single digit temps. They are comfy and look cool, as for the compression thing actually providing any benefit, I am still not convinced…
I have the CW-X insulator tights and just picked up a pair of the 2XU compression tights (sitting under the Christmas tree). The CW-X are great in cold weather (down to about 25 degrees) but the 2XU are much thinner and I doubt they will offer much when the weather is below 40 degrees.
thanks - makes me wonder why they (2xu) are called “thermal” tights on many of the triathlon retail websites …a little misleading .
2XU make a thermal tight, but its not in the US yet. due to opposing seasons with Australia, they are launching it now in preperation for winter, but we will have it here in the fall.
Compression tights offer thermal regulating properties, but the material of 2XU is not designed to be thermal in the current US versions
thank you for the info - thats good news and i am looking forward to seeing them when they arrive…but that still doesnt explain why they are listed as thermal tight - not thermal regulating - with the winter here it is a little confusing.
I also have the CWX Pro Insulator tight (and the regular CWX Pro tight). The warm version is my favorite winter tight - use 'em for running, snowshoeing and XC skiiing. As someone else already posted, they are good to whatever temp you would wear a tight that did not have compression - for me that is about 40F for the regular and 20-25F for the thermal version, with no wind. With wind it is an entirely different story - but I still wear the tights. Just add a windshell over them. Last Sat I did a 12 mile run in the calm before the storm (big blizzard on Sunday) - temp was -5F with winds about 20 mph. A bit chilly - I wore the CWX thermal tights with a wind shell over them (and layered up the upper body and head too). Worked great.