2XU Refresh Recovery Compression Tights Review

I was sent a pair of the 2XU Refresh Recovery Compression Tights to run the Long Beach Half-Marathon, and I now have what my friend recently referred to as my "emotional support pants." Don't laugh, but they kind of feel like a hug. 2XU was one of the race sponsors, so I got a chance to learn more about compression from them before the event. I've used it with calf compressors before, but never in pants, so I was very curious. I had their regular pants for the actual race (which I'll have a review for soon), but we were told at the 2XU race expo booth that these work great the day after, which I'll get to. 

Still, I wanted to see how they work during a long run. I tend to do back to back races, so I'm sometimes doing recovery runs and training runs at the same time. To that end, I wore them during a 22-miler the next week. Unlike any of my other running tights, these didn't bind, pinch, or cause any irritation. I'd wondered when I saw the waistband, but it was like wearing pajama pants. You can feel the compression, but it also feels like you're getting a massage as you run. In addition, the ankles don't roll up, and there is no hard elastic there, and therefore, no irritation. The compression pattern inside the pants is smooth and soft, rather than sticky plastic that you see on some other compression items. 

These are also very thin, so if you want to wear them beneath other clothing, you can. I live and train in LA, so that's not a thing for me, but you absolutely could. They also have a pretty extensive sizing guide, so you can find exactly the right fit. 

I also wore them for the whole day after this past weekend's Joshua Tree Half-Marathon, which had some deep sand and hills. I was a tiny bit sore, but nothing like the year before. The only difference is the pants. One caution here. Don't put them in the dryer. I had a friend who has these tell me that she did accidentally, and it can break down the fabric. I'm absolutely buying more of these so I can wear them more often.