Any runners out there tried SKINS (compression clothing)? - YouLookFab Forum

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Any runners out there tried SKINS (compression clothing)?

anne

Veteran

These
http://www.skinsusa.com/index......ights.html
seem very popular among runners in Aus at the moment. A couple of my running friends say they make a real difference.
At the moment I run in either too short tracksuit material shorts, with associated chafing issues, or cut off tracksuit pants (not a finished look) and wonder if it is worth getting these.

What do you think?

ETA this is how they are supposed to work
http://www.skinsusa.com/index......atareskins

Shopping

17 replies

Latest reply was from Velma

Bianca

Veteran

I think Nike makes a similar product I have seen advertised recently. I usually run in a track suit or yoga pants...I may consider a product like this.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I like my Lululemon running skirt but I also run in Nike+ Fit Dry pants that are semi fitted and have ventilation mesh behind the knee which is nice. .

NK

I always wear Champion capri pants from Target like these:

http://www.target.com/C9-Champ.....detaillink

and they work fine for me, even with my flabby thighs - no chafing.

These seem very expensive to me but I'm sure they're much nicer than what I wear.

anne

Veteran

You are right NK, they are MUCH more expensive. I don't think the difference is about looks, but about performance. I haven't really investigated how that works though - I think it is about compression. I was hoping some runners on the forum have tried them.

Thanks Mo and Bianca!

anne

Veteran

bumping

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Anne I haven't tried skins but I bought a pair of Nike Dri-Fits in full and knee length. I find them a lot better than the previous tights I used to run in in terms of staying up properly and not moving around. Even my lululemon tights I had to pull up every 100m or so as they slide down. One shop assistant said that's because the lululemon tights are too big, but I simply bought the size that another one recomended, so that made me a bit grumpy. These don't budge at all, so a big plus for me.

The Nike pants are cheaper than lululemon pants too. Not sure how much skins are though so I don't know how they compare in terms of price.

anne

Veteran

Oh the skins are expensive al right! At least $100. But they are supposed to cut down on all sorts of muscle soreness etc.

I think the reason most of you haven't heard of them is that they are an Australian product (which I didn't realise when I originally posted)
I have looked online for review and most of them are very favourable.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have heard of cw-x which I think is a similar product but have never tried anything by them. http://www.zappos.com/cw-x-womens~1 How serious of an athlete are you? If you really want that competitive edge they may be worth looking into. I am happy with a good fit with good wicking ability

anne

Veteran

Whoops, forgot to reply to my own thread.

Mo, those do look similar (and similar price too).

The questions of how serious I am is a good one - in fact I realise that this would be a luxury purchase for me. I am not even running all that much at the moment while I concentrate on swimming. But I guess some of the women I run with who wear them aren't much more serious that I am.

And I am quite slow and would love to break the 1 hour barrier for 10km. I think what holds me back is not so much cardio capacity as sore leg muscles, and this has the potential to help with that.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

If you try them, let us know how they work out! I would just add to be sure your shoes are a good fit and in good shape still, as well. Worn out or improper shoes can make your legs hurt, too.

afterism

My Fiance loves his. He got a different brand (BCS) and he got the long tights & a long sleeve top.

The tights help him with endurance and residual soreness and the top is for when he is doing weightlifting.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

This woman swears by compression tights. She listed hers at 80USD:

About half way down this post you'll see her list her gear, and the top items is her compression pants:
http://msbitchcakes.blogspot.c.....-post.html

I want to try some, but I just bought some Nike cold weather tights (they aren't compression tights, though) so I feel like I should hold off on buying more running gear for a while (first priority is new shoes and another running bra, anyway)

wilson

I've never heard of these, but then again I haven't done any races or events for quite a while and am out of the loop. If you do get these, will you do a review for us? I am curious about the barefoot shoes too. Has anyone tried those? My neighbor swears by them but I don't have any extra spending cash to spare on something expiramental right now.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

wilson, my mom has the barefoot shoes, and she likes them. However, word of warning they are NOT for those of us (me) who have flat feet. Ppl like me need arch support because we don't naturally have it, so those shoes would be a nightmare. But for ppl with normal feet I guess they are pretty good.

They do take a long time to get used to, though. At first my mom overdid it and it took her a while to get back to them after that.

anne

Veteran

Thanks for the comments. Seems that those who have tried them have been positive!
Will let you know what they are like if I do spring for them!
I know someone who is a VERY keen advocate of the barefoot shoes. I am not yet convinced - I don't even like wearing flats in normal shoes (I always have at least a 1 inch heel)

Heather

Veteran

Anne: Check out http://www.lululemon.com for their running tights and crops. Lululemon alters all of their clothing for free. I own three pairs of their running tights and adore them. Look for the tights that are listed as Run. Warm for cooler weather, but the luon fabric wicks very well so one doesn't overheat. They provide the perfect amount of compression (hold your muscles in place to prevent any jiggle, unwanted movement without causing bulge or muffin top). The seaming and construction is made for a woman.

The CW-X tights are very popular, too; however, I have not road tested a pair.

Also, if you decide to test out the Vibrams, shorten your mileage. It will take a while for your feet to adjust from arch support and cushioning of your regular trainers. I do not own a pair, but most of the folks at my gym do and swear by them. Like you, Anne, I do not enjoy wearing flats unless they are trainers. Love me some 3-4" heels.

Let us know what you decide.

Velma

Veteran

I wear Under Armour compression shorts for skating--except when it is hot or very humid. They are quite warm, so the tights should be nice for outdoor running in cool weather.