Compressport Trail Running Short V2 are compression shorts designed for long distance runners. The manufacturer promises a lot more comfort and increased muscle endurance during prolonged exercise, but also a fantastic regenerative effects. Are simple running shorts actually capable of so much?
BASIC DATA
- brand– Compressport
- type – Trail Running Shorts V2
- use – triathlon, running, cycling
- material – 70% poliamid, 30% elastan
- number of pockets- 3
- weight – 133 g
- catalogue price – 399 PLN
TECHNOLOGIES
REVIEW
1. FIRST IMPRESSION
Compressport is a company that conquered the sport compression market. Great quality of products has surely played an important role in this, but I have the impression that a very attractive appearance (stands out from the competition, especially at the beginning of growing fashion for compression) and a good marketing were the key to success of the company.
Therefore, yet before opening the box I knew that my shorts will be pleasant for an eye. I wasn’t mistaken – shorts are nice in touch, very comfortable, you put them on quite easily despite the substantial compression effect. Various tasteful decorative details also have their practical use, or at least so says the manufacturer. Generally, standing in front of a mirror, I note +5 points to „show-off”. You can definitely go jogging in such leggings.
2. INTENDED USE
According to the manufacturer, shorts are designed for endurance sports, where compression extends muscle endurance and reduces pain caused by microdamages in muscles caused by effort. Sports such as long-distance and trail running or triathlon come to mind.
Another advantage of compression shorts is their use in post-workout recovery. Compression is supposed to cause better blood flow and oxygen supply to the muscles, as well as faster removal of toxins.
3. QUALITY AND COMFORT
COMFORT – usually the there’s this a problem with compression products that they’re very hard to put on. In this case I didn’t have any struggle. Yes, the shorts are very tight and you need to set them up properly at once, but It was not that much of a trouble. Once you have them on, they cling to body very well and don’t slip while you run. On the other hand, if anything starts pinching during the run, then we have a problem – you can’t simply put them up or adjust, so you have to make sure that everything is where you need it right from the beginning.
DURABILITY – it’s hard for me to comment on that, because I 've been testing the shorts for a short time now. The material doesn’t worry me at all – they are really well sewn, the material is strong and flat seams are really well made. Nothing should rip. The weak point of compression garments are all kinds of ornaments and sooner or later the printed logo will surely crack. I wonder how long will the pockets hold. In my previous running shorts, from Decathlon, the pocket split after 3 years, so I don’t expect problems with Compressport shorts any time soon.
4. TEST IN BATTLE
The first training was a very interesting experience. During the warm-up I was feeling as usual, but as soon as I set off, I was greatly surprised. Througn the first kilometer the pressure on the thighs was very intense – it seemed as if the blood is not reaching the muscles – It felt like I was running on wooden legs. That feeling subsided after about 10 minutes and the rest of the workout went as usual. It seems that it’s simply a matter of getting used to a new stimulus, because in the next training the impression didn’t occur any more.
I tested the shorts during trainings mostly, but the biggest test for them was during 7 Valley Ultra Run in Krynica. I spent 8,5 hours in them and I must say that they did really well. They kept muscles really well, didn’t slip at all and never for a moment did I feel any discomfort or excessive pressure. Silicone letters printed on the inside of the lumbar belt worked just as well, clinging to the body all the time.
Breathability and moisture drainage I rate very well – and I ran in full sun and high temperatures. The silicon dots on the thighs proved equally well – you can lay even sweaty palms on them and nothing slides.
About compression I wrote on the occasion of Royal Bay Extreme calf sleeves review. Nevertheless, it’s worth to mention a few more words here. Besides a clear feeling that the muscles are ppressed, it’s hard to measure in any way the effect of compression, be that on the muscle endurance while running, or the rate of recovery after the race. Yet, the I was going for the race with barely healed strains in groin and hips. I was afraid if either injury returns during the 8 hours. Nothing like this happened and I believe the shorts played a substantial part in it. Moreover, it seems to me that fatigue in hip muscles (that are heavily burdened especially during downhills) appeared later than usual.
Recovery effect of compression is equally hard to measure, but here as well, I feel it went faster than usual. Shorts were quickly washed and for 2 consecutive days I wore them for about 2-3 hours a day. After this time there was no sign of any fatigue. Next 2 recovery trainings I made in Trail Shorts and no injuries came back, what occasionally happened after previous races.
SUMMARY
Compressport Trail Short V2 I can confidently recommend. They are very well made, comfortable and make lasting impression. Thanks to the compression, they are useful in two ways – it is a great piece of garment for long runs or mountain ultramarathons, and equally great for recovery. This is all the more important that they are knee-long, so in the winter you rather won’t run in them. But then you can wear them after the race in order to improve the recovery effect or „rehabilitacyjnie” to maintain the weakened muscles.
The price remains questionable – is it worth to spend 399 PLN on them? This depends on how much the price is heavy for your wallet. In my opinion it’s worth it. My previous shorts served me (and still serve) for more than three years – I expect that this product will withstand at least the same amount of time. I would recommend them to anyone who had contact with compression and knows is aware of what it can offer during long-term effort. If you run shorter distances – you can safely do without the Trail Running Short. The time will come for those as well ;-)
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