Thanks to Full Stride for asking me to review the Skins DNAmic Men’s Compression Running Tights. Having always ran in shorts no matter what the weather I was apprehensive about giving running tights a go. I was sceptical about the science behind them and could they actually aid performance and recovery?
The SKINS website claim the tights increase endurance performance and reduce fatigue by increasing circulation and muscle oxygenation, so you can go harder for longer. The science behind the DNamic tights is based on ‘Dynamic Gradient Compression’ which is claimed to increase oxygen delivery to active muscles while in motion and reduce lactic-acid build-up leading to less recovery time.
Firstly the look of the tights is quite striking, stylish and makes an impact with two yellow streaks down both legs. The pair that I was sent (medium sized) fit comfortably, the waist is snug enough so that there is no movement but not that tight that I felt as though I was squeezing into a size too small. The tights are very lightweight and easy to get on and once on they really feel as though they are giving your legs and muscles support. I felt this especially around the hamstrings and quadriceps. Only negative I found before trying them out was that the tights had no pockets, which would of been of advantage to keep a car key in or something like a parkrun barcode.
I’m training for a half marathon at the moment so doing high mileage and I’ve used the tights for 2-3 weeks now. Although the fabric is pretty thin and breathable, it felt as though they would be more suitable and ideal to wear later in the year rather than in the summer month as at times did feel a little hot in them.
So down to performance! I wanted to give the tights a good go to see if they do in fact aid performance so I’ve been using them when doing my longer Sunday runs of about 10-12 miles. Whilst running the tights felt really comfortable and due to the elastic waist didn’t feel the need to have a draw string to keep them up as there was no movement at all. They felt very supportive and non-restrictive throughout my runs and compared to normal I felt as though I could run for longer before feeling any effects of tiredness and lactic acid build up. So yes I feel as though they do aid performance during a long run. I decided to also try the tights as a recovery aid too to see if they helped to reduce the effects of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) which I normally suffer a little bit with after a long run. I decided to have a bath and put the tights back on (after washing them of course) to see what if they would have any impact. The next day legs felt as they normally would after a long run so couldn’t really tell if they helped with recovery, but definitely felt a difference whilst out running.
Only negative like I pointed out earlier in the review is that they don’t have a little side or back pocket, as for me this would be a welcome addition. Overall I think the skins tights and the technology behind them are great piece of kit for any runner.
*Disclaimer: This was a collaborative post with Skins and I was given the running tights in order to give an honest review. All words and opinions are my own.
About Philip Connor
Having been really active since an early age and throughout my professional career working as a gym instructor, personal trainer and exercise rehabilitation instructor 2011 proved to be a bit of a fitness turning point for me.
Playing Sunday league football was becoming a battle against injuries rather than for enjoyment due to previously suffering two bad dislocations of my right knee, so I made the hard decision to pack in playing and take up another activity which would allow me to stay fit but without the constant worry of getting regular injuries. The answer was to take up running!
