IMPROVED PERFORMANCE AND RECOVERY FOR ELITE ATHLETES AND WEEKEND WARRIORS
OUTDOOR RETAILER MARKET, SLC-UTAH
Words, Judith Ecochard
Images from the website and J. Ecochard
Compression garments have been gaining big time-in popularity as the buzz about the benefits blasts the media and filters out.
WHAT IT IS: Think what an ACE (All Cotton Elastic) bandage did when we sprained our ankles as kids. Since then the mash-up of medical types, athletic wear companies and the birth of Lycra Power® has yielded a host of performance labels that offer tops, tights, shorts, sleeves, calf guards, and socks under the compression umbrella.
The basic premise is that carefully ‘engineered’ garments graduated in fit (tighter at the extremities-like at the wrists of a long sleeve top- to aid blood flow back to the heart) improves performance, aids recovery, and reduces fatigue.
2XU:
This company was new to us…but then we went on 2XU’s website…and went WHOA…
As this entity manufactures a wide range of garments/separates for assorted athletic adventures including running, triathlons (our new thing), biking (extra padding where needed)…
… and a sleek, hot, hot, hot engineered swimsuit that made a splash at OR -the 2XU X: 1 Wetsuit built for open water swimming (aids buoyancy/propulsion for non-believers)- that’s a 5 millimeter suit with a 40 cell neoprene X flex panel in the front (efficiency plus), —with internal air cells for flexibility... and a metallic alloy coating on the inner lining- for warmth and to get the blood flowing.
The 2XU Compression garments offered include the popular Calf Guards that every soccer player seems to wear these days…and Race- as well as Recovery- to the knee socks that we wish we had when running the marathons. And def. afterwards as our legs were vibrating and 2XU’s socks ‘minimize’ this common muscle problem.
At the show, we got to review the thermal line too-for cooler temps.
Added Plus: The line of long sleeve, short sleeve, and sleeveless tops, tights, and shorts are gender specific.
WHAT”S DIFFERENT:
We got schooled on 2XUs special features…
-“…a circular knit structure for a 360 degree stretch”
-Thicker yarns (50 denier as standard and 50/70 denier combo in elite styles = durability
-“Therapeutic rated fabric delivers greater compression priming the cardiovascular system for a faster removal of blood lactate and a reduction in Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness.”
-Primo Invista Lycra® enhances elasticity, stability, and life of garment for superior performance vs. other brands.
We seen real jocks/jockettes as well as gym bunnies donning compression wear…and we realize that our action wear is ready for a major bump up…
Because, we can use every edge we can get when doing all the athletic/adventure stuff we do…and the garments, frankly are quite sexy on.
INFO
2XU
DIGRESSION: In an Oeko-Tex sponsored seminar we attended, titled INSIGHT ON WHAT’S NEXT FROM DESIGN TO DOLLARS-HOW THE RIGHT TEXTILES DRIVE RETAIL APPAREL SALES…
…speaker Brad Poorman, CEO of Cocona™ (an eco natural fiber made from coconut shells)…wisely observed, “Garments are not designed but engineered.”
“It’s a piece of equipment,” he added.
YES!
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