RecoFIT Compressor Leg Sleeves Review

It occurred to me sometime last spring, during my heavy training phase, that most long runs are followed by a decently long car ride. This may not be true for everyone, but in the winter, I frequently drive an hour or more to run dirt trails for my weekend long run. Even in summer, I might drive up to 90 minutes to hit the amazing Sierra trails south of Lake Tahoe. You may have noticed, as I have, that sitting for an hour following five to ten hours of running isn’t ideal for recovery purposes.

Coincidentally, last spring is also when I fell in love with my Compressor Leg Sleeves by RecoFIT. (Okay, maybe not such a coincidence.) 

If you haven’t read my review of the RecoFIT CompressionCalf Sleeves, you might want to skim through that one first, especially if you're new to compression components. It is  one of my most popular all-time posts here at Daily Adventures. In that review, I outline how compression technology works and the benefits to athletes. The short version is that compression helps recovery by aiding in circulation. I actually find both the calf sleeves and the Compressors to be important tools for my training and racing.

The Compressors are a full leg sleeve that fit from the ankle to the top of the thigh. Yes, they’re thigh-highs, not tights. And with that in mind, I do not suggest, upon receiving your Compressors in the mail, that you immediately strip down in your living room and try them on with your panties. Unless you’ve lately not been receiving appropriate attention from your husband, in which case I highly recommend it. Ahem.

The advantages of individual leg sleeves, as opposed to a pair of tights, may not be obvious at first. I like them because you can just throw them on with your shorts right after a run or race. They also fit more comfortably under other pants with no bulk around the waist or hips. I wore them under my jeans for days after pacing at Hardrock.

The carbon-based Resistex fabric breathes wonderfully and disperses heat and moisture. The sleeves have graduated compression to help prevent fluids pooling in the lower legs. They also have zone-specific compression and are left and right specific. In other words, you have good compression across the muscles where you need it, but a lot of flexibility around the knees.

Another thing I really appreciate about these sleeves is the specific sizing. Ladies may find the size chart familiar from the packaging on a pair of nylons. Your size is dialed in by both your height and weight, which helps ensure a very accurate fit. Mine are a small-long and fit great, but there are ten different sizes available! Very cool for those of us with finicky fit issues.

Size Chart

Currently, they retail for $75 from Wilderness Running. Not even a steep price tag for what you're getting in recovery benefits.

It should be clear by now that, as with RecoFIT’s calf sleeves, I became a big fan of the Compressors very quickly. I wore them after every Sunday run in the canyons last year, on the drives home from Miwok and AR50, and all around Silverton in July.

The un-sciencey part of compression-wear is that it just feels good. It’s soothing, and it definitely takes the edge off a pair of aching legs. Whenever one sleeve gets lost in the laundry, I get all panicky. I don’t want to go into my heavy training phase without them!

Have you tried the Compressors, or other compression-wear? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

 Product generously provided for review by RecoFIT Sports.