It’s often the signature tribal looking silver streaks emblazoned on the compression fabric of 2XU workout and compression clothing that makes it stand out from the numerous other manufactures of “black tights” out there. For the athlete wearing 2XU products, however, it’s the performance of the apparel that is the difference maker.
Triathletes, CrossFitters, runners, and cyclists around the world are feeling the stand-alone benefits of 2XU products. For me, the muddled world of compression gear has nearly made compression apparel a commodity. As a baseball player, I remember when Eric Karros was the first Los Angeles Dodger to embrace Under Armour, which provided a novel product at the time with compression sleeves. I also remember, soon thereafter, purchasing a pair for myself.
Since then Under Armour has become just one of the countless sports performance brands that sell compression tops, bottoms, sleeves, etc. With Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Under Armour, and the likes in the compression business, I’d like to argue that many consumers take compression gear for granted. In many ways, it’s a fashion statement that may also have some performance benefit with regards to maneuverability, lack of resistance, etc.
I tried 2XU for the first time and I reconsidered all of the above. For me, I saw a company that took an ubiquitous sports trend (in compression gear) and completely raised the bar. I wore the Men’s Elite Compression tights for a CrossFit Games Open workout and felt great. I slept in the Recovery Compression Tights the night after, and wore their Compression Recovery Socks the following day.
The compression gear fit better than any other brand I’ve tried. There is a bit of an intangible attention to detail about the work they have done with these products, as well. You “get it” when you put them on, especially in comparison to a similar pair from Nike or Under Armour. 2XU has the world of compression down pat.
This experience was the first time I’d felt there could be some benefits to compression tights like these. Other than the obvious added shin protection, warmth, and replacement of sliders to wear under workout shorts, compression tights often seem like a fashion statement. 2XU is a different story.
I can echo the same notion in the recovery tights as well. I think there is a fine line between tight fitting clothing and performance compression clothing. 2XU is the only brand that stands on the performance compression side of things. As I went to sleep in the recovery tights, I felt like the tights gripped my sore calves, quads, and glutes. I felt like there was something being done with regards to recovery. 2XU has earned the fact that a consumer may assume the world of their products.
2XU targets fitness enthusiasts in the world of endurance sports, CrossFit, and even golf. The benefits of quality compression gear are just limited to those that toe the line of competitive sport. There is plenty of literature to support the use of compression gear for improved circulation while traveling and even during pregnancy, especially on the lower legs.
The only way to poke a jab at 2XU is at the price tag. It’s expensive, but they’ve put their money where their mouth is. 2XU is simply the best I’ve seen.
2XU gear is available online through their website.