Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Running Tights and Compression Pants

"Not tight enough," the Malay lady shop assistant said, "you need size XS (extra small) for this compression shorts." I was testing a size M (medium) 2XU compression shorts; it was quite a mental and cultural shock for me to be advised to down-size three sizes smaller. All these while, I am wearing the loose running shorts of size L (large).

On Saturday 20 August 2011, I was supposed to take Cheban, the Nepal trekking agent for shopping. He wanted to buy a watch and a camcorder to take home. While passing by Federal Highway, I detour to The Gardens, Mid-valley to buy running tights and compression shorts – the in-thing for runners these days.

I went to Adidas, Nike, Mizuno, New Balance, 2XU, and Salomon shops to look around. What amazes me is the 2XU shop. Their normal tights are selling at RM 200! The compression shorts are selling at RM 300. For the long pants, it is RM 500 or higher – even more expansive than a high-end running shoes! Interesting observation: the shorts are labelled “Made in China”. So before I made a graceful exit, I asked the shop assistant what is the meaning of '2XU'. Since she could not answer, I quipped, "To Compress You" which is exactly the main concept of the compression shorts.

Salomon tights is slightly longer, material is slightly thicker compare to Mizuno that has a distinctive blue strip that enhance the look.
.
With the XS size, everything is solidly compressed or squeezed including the butts and the 'brudder' ... :-) After years of running, I would have burn away much fat at the bottom; compress some more, nothing is left to see ... :-) Of course, the challenge to the manufacturer/inventor is to compress those that require compression; those not supposed are to be exempted - that would be another technological breakthrough ... :-)

Finally, a logical change from the loose running shorts would be the normal running tights for me. I bought one each from Mizuno and Salomon.

Yours truly (KC)

Comments by Mak:

Welcome to the Compression club. You will love it and some other will love after you wear it ... he he [I am not sure the word 'you' is inadvertently left out after the word 'love' since Mak replied via BlackBerry ... :-) ]. According to unconfirmed sources, he wrote that
the compression effect may not be good for young men as it may impede the ability to produce.

Written by KC Leong

 

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi KC, interesting posting. May I check whether the Mizuno tights have any pockets? Thanks.
Rgds, Chan

Anonymous said...

Try ordering from amazon in us or racingtheplanet in hongkong. Much cheaper. Either 2xu or cwx

KC & the Sunshine Runners said...

Thanks for the info ... :-) Both Mizuno and Salomon have a zip pocket at the back... KC

Anonymous said...

Nice blog, know what you mean about the ridiculous price tag @.@ Majority of Malaysian staff in sports stores are very very inexperienced... Tried out the Mizuno tights in Sabah a while back and I find it irritating that it slides up so easily :(

JosephOng said...

:).. The main concept of "2XU" is actually "human performance multiplied" in other words, the garment theorytically gives you "2 times your performance". Well, not 2 times your performance though.. probably you get 20 to 30% increase in your performance wearing their compression performance garment.. :) cheers.

JosephOng said...

:).. The main concept of "2XU" is actually "human performance multiplied" in other words, the garment theorytically gives you "2 times your performance". Well, not 2 times your performance though.. probably you get 20 to 30% increase in your performance wearing their compression performance garment.. :) cheers.

JosephOng said...

:).. The main concept of "2XU" is actually "human performance multiplied" in other words, the garment theorytically gives you "2 times your performance". Well, not 2 times your performance though.. probably you get 20 to 30% increase in your performance wearing their compression performance garment.. :) cheers.

JosephOng said...

Sorry my mistake... i correct the percentage.. most probably will increase your performance from 10 to 20%.. :)