Compression Tights Information

Why are cyclists always trying to squeeze into smaller and smaller clothes? Well, it’s not always about style -- sometimes it’s about performance. All types of athletes use compression wear to delay fatigue during activity and to hasten recovery time. Unlike arteries, veins don’t do much pumping action on their own, but depend on the pressure that skeletal muscles exert on veins to get the blood back to the heart. By applying gentle pressure to the muscles, compression clothing helps the muscles to increase blood flow. More blood flow means that more oxygen reaches your muscle tissue, which means you can ride harder and recover faster!

Cyclists like to wear recovery tights before and after a big ride or race. Because they don’t have a chamois, like a pair of cycling shorts or tights and are not designed to fit well while riding, they are worn off the bike. They are perfect for people who want to make the most of recovery time while lounging, sleeping, and working a day job. Compression socks are a great first piece of compression wear because they are inexpensive and versatile. They can be worn while riding to improve blood flow, or they can be worn while resting to help prevent blood from pooling in the feet and ankles. Compression calf sleeves are like socks without the feet. When you are pedaling or exercising, dorsiflexion and plantar flexion, or “foot pump”, helps pump blood back to the heart. Because they are designed to apply pressure starting from the ankle to below the knee, calf sleeves are made to compliment the action of “foot pump."

In order for it to actually work, compression wear has to fit properly. As a general rule, the smallest size you can fit into is going to give you the most benefit (though you should read the size chart for the particular brand). Pulling on a pair of recovery tights should be a struggle, but it’s worth it! Although you might not be able to bust out a Cancellara-esque time trial after a night in tights, they can make a difference in how fresh and peppy your legs feel. Combined with proper nutrition, sleep, stretching, and all of those good things, compression clothing is an important piece of reaching your peak performance!