Review; Amp Pro2 Compression: Training Tights & Training Short Sleeve Shirt

So a while ago Saucony contacted me and asked would I be willing to review their new Amp Pro2 Compression clothing and of course who was I to say no. So in time honored fashion here’s the info from their website:

Compression fit reduces muscle vibration and AMP PRO2 responsive fibers improve overall circulation to keep you going for as long as you need to.

• AMP PRO2 41% Celliant Polyester, 43% Nylon, 16% Lycra
• Features Microban antimicrobial
• Contrast panels with tonal geometric print
• Back storage pocket with lockdown zipper pull
• Zippered entry at leg opening with grippers
• Reflective elements and AMP PRO2 heat transfer logo
• 29" inseam

So having worn them for several months over multiple runs and distances I now feel pretty qualified to write the review.

Let’s talk about the tights first. First of all I am tall, at 6’1” I am not super tall, but above average and that usually means that to get the right length I end up have to up size and then things don’t fit widthwise, I am the not so classic 31/32 waist 34 leg rather than the 32/34 waist 32 leg which is more commonly seen. However these come with a 29’ inseam, what does that mean…it means they fit!!! Yes they reach all the way down to my boney ankles! Hooray!

The compression is very…well compressed, they fit tightly and it’s a wriggle to get them on…but that is the point! One nice touch is that there are zips at the bottom of the legs and this helps with the wriggling, they also have rubber grippers, think cycling shorts, round the ankles to stop them from riding up! As best I can tell the red panels are thinner and this helps cool you down, like most tights these are warm and so I would not recommend them on a summer day, but for an early morning run when it’s a bit cold they are perfect. I can’t vouch for them in the thick of winter though…we don’t really have those in Southern California. Another nice touch is the built in pocket at the back, it’s nestled in just below the waistband so none of that digging you in the hip as you run. Talking of waistbands this one sits true, that is round your waist, which overcomes the issue I had with my Sugoi tights which wear more like hipsters and so now I am not constantly having to hitch them up. In terms of the compression as it relates to the actual running, from a scientific perspective the jury is out, check out what Joe Friel has to say here, that being said do my legs feel better for wearing them, the answer is yes, it may not be empirical or quantifiable but it is qualitative based on my experience. My only real criticism is that when stretched there is a distinct waffle or fishnet pattern…it’s a little off putting but you have to get pretty close to see it and I assume that it serves some ventilation purpose.

Now for the shirt, which has some different features from the tights;  the big difference is the fabric content with there being more Celliant; the mix is 54% Celliant Polyester, 27% Nylon, 19% Lycra;  from Celliant’s website:

Celliant is a technology that modifies visible and infrared light, recycling them into energy that the body can use more effectively. When Celliant is worn as clothing, or placed near the body (like in a bed liner or a blanket), it redirects this recycled energy back to the body increasing blood flow and blood oxygen levels in the tissue.

Sounds like voodoo? Well there is some science behind it backed by some clinical studies too. Anyway this was the first compression shirt I have tried, again like the tights it’s plenty long enough. It’s very very figure hugging, and it was a sharp reminder that I am not as skinny as I used to be and not as toned as I should be…in other words if you have a little excess it’s gonna roll right over it and make look like it’s there! That being said it’s easy to wear under something else after all we’re not all built like Usain Bolt or Shalane Flanagan…hence the stock photos! That being said it is very comfortable and very, very wicking, having anything that close to your skin needs to be especially if like me your a sweater (sorry TMI?) my only complaint is that the sleeves are a little long but I assume that if your biceps resemble anything more than bits of string with knots in at the elbow then you should be fine…seriously that what my arms look like.  The direct effect of compression is a bit harder the note with a shirt, it’s not like my arms ache from running right?!? But I do feel that there is some benefit and it’s much more noticeable now when I run with a regular shirt…I am thinking that when I start into the speed work that next month will bring this shirt will come into it’s own…well see.

So in summary I have written many reviews on compression clothing (see right tool bar), tights, sleeves, socks and shorts but these could quite possibly be the best compression clothing items that I have tried, most certainly the tights.  The one big difference is that they really fit well, not just in terms of compression but the actual cut fits out of  the package. The compression, which let’s face it is why you would get them,  is very effective not only in the fit but in it’s efficacy during and post run, but remember this is only anecdotal. Finally the look is attractive, subdued in color but pretty stylish. Available through Saucony direct you can also pick these up through multiple outlets on the web. Through Saucony the tights retail for $110 and the shirt is $90, yeah they’re not cheap but what’s how do you put a price on performance

These tights were provided free of charge by Saucony See previous gear reviews in the sidebar on the right. If you have a product you’d like reviewed, contact me at quadrathon@gmail.com.

Review; CEP Compression Shorts

So a while back, in fact quite a while back the good folks at CEP sent me a pair of their new compression shorts to review. If you have been following this blog for anytime you’ll know that I am a big fan of compression clothing, there is some ongoing discussion about the benefit of compression clothing while training and for recovery for a good list of the literature check out Joe Friel’s post here. Personally I used various items; sock, sleeves, shorts and tights while training and for my last three or four races I have worn a pair of compression shorts and I firmly believe in the benefits of it for recovery. So with this is mind I welcomed their arrival and set out to put them through their paces. But first some info from CEP:

The CEP Compression Tri Shorts represents a unique new version of what you've known as triathlon racing apparel. The shorts feature a compressive knit in the leg section which absorbs less than 3% moisture and dries very quickly. Constructed with an upper and lower section, the compression Tri shorts offer an incredible amount of compression for the quads and hamstrings for a truly new experience in muscle oscillation dampening.

Simply put, your muscle are free to perform the task at hand without flying all over the place, wasting energy and increasing fatigue. The upper, or brief section, is made with POWER material which offers additional support for the buttocks and hip flexors without causing discomfort in the aero position. 3-D fit further promotes muscle support and as close to a perfect fit as you are going to find. Rear ventilation mesh panels and a secure rear pocket for personal items. Forget what you thought you knew about top notch triathlon racing apparel. The CEP Compression Tri Shorts will open your eyes to an exciting new world of PR's and race finishes.

Features:

Secure back pocket

Fleece Chamois (Triathlon Shorts * Not in Running)

Elastic waist band

Flat seams

3D Fit with Ventilation Panels in the back

Compressive legs, no gripper needed
* Running is the exact same without the padding for Triathlon (Chamois)

In terms of their trial I have worn them outside, inside (with a few odd looks, whatever people) mostly while running and also while  cross training  during the forefoot transition which involved the elliptical, lot’s stretching, jump rope, lunges, skipping and plyometric work so they have been put through their paces although I would say I have yet to put any real long runs on them.

As the description above states they are made of two sections and of two distinct materials. The upper material, fits around the waist and hips down to the top of the thighs. Made from a thinner material it is less compressing than the lower section. There are multiple panels that allow the shorts to become sculptured to your body, the panels are connected by super flat seams and I had no issues with chaffing, for preference I wear Asics Transistors underneath. There is a small flap over pocket (no zip) which is larger enough for a gel or a key in the back just below the ventilation strip which helps with the breathability. The legs have two panels  and again have super flat seams. I had a size IV which equates to a Large, the sizing is based on the circumference around your thigh and for my height (6’1”) they are plenty long enough reaching down to the top of my knee comfortably. The material in these sections is considerably thicker and this is where the shorts have the most compression and as a result are their most snuggiest and of course this makes total sense as this is around your quads and upper hamstrings.

So how to they perform, well the first thing is getting them on. Not that I have ever put a wet suit on (yet…I do have one in a box under my bed!) but I know there is some risk of putting your fingers through the neoprene and there feels a similar risk because these shorts are tight, tight, tight but with a bit of wriggling it’s all good, you have to actually feel like you are pulling them up a bit too high to let them settle down! Now with tightness comes effectiveness, and these shorts are effective, that being said I have not put major mileage on them in terms of distance but I have comfortably worn them for several hours at a time, the comfort level is high; the chaffing is zero. The wicking is effective and they dry well. Overall these are comfortable and effective in helping  with the percussion on the muscles…and that is really the point right. Now I get it that some of it might be psychological but I have to say that some of it really is physiological and that combination is pretty powerful…after all how many pairs of compression socks have you seen in the last few seasons and expect to see more this year ? Compression Shorts and their big brother Compression Tights are only a step away.

Available in Black, the are gender specific and come in five sizes; XS through XL. Pricewise they are all over the map and a quick Google shopping search online found them from $90 all the way up to $214! These shorts are also available as a Tri Short for a similar price.

If you’re interested in any of my other reviews on compression clothing you can follow the links in the right hand list to the review.

Product kindly supplied free of charge by CEP. See previous gear reviews in the sidebar on the right. If you have a product you’d like reviewed, contact me at quadrathon@gmail.com.