Whether it's the scorching heat or the bitter cold, in the vast crowd of runners, there are always a few individuals who stand out—they wear ultra-short shorts and thin tops, running forward stubbornly and energetically.
Who are these people, you ask? They are the legendary running gods, most of whom are marathon experts. For true running gods, any extra adornment is a disguise, and any complex equipment is a burden. Therefore, the ultimate attire for these experts is minimalistic. But since only the pros can afford to strip down to the basics, what should we ordinary running enthusiasts wear for training and races? This is where compression pants come in to solve our problem!
What are the benefits of compression pants?
1. Compression
Since they are compression pants, they naturally have excellent compressive properties. This compression translates to a tight feeling on the body, which helps to enhance muscle strength, alleviate lactic acid buildup, and make exercise more enduring. They also stabilize the thigh muscles' range of motion, prevent ineffective vibrations that cause extra burden, protect the knees, and prevent cramps.
2. Support
Compression pants can also prevent the extra burden caused by muscle movement and avoid muscle and joint injuries. The support becomes more evident when muscles are fatigued. Through special material stitching and weaving methods, they can make our body feel more integrated, almost like having an exoskeleton.
3. Fit
Many runners like wearing compression pants because of their good fit. Compression pants are generally lightweight and cling to the skin, reducing wind resistance during running and minimizing the burden of heavy clothing. In cold and windy weather, they can also prevent cold wind from directly hitting the skin.
4. Sweat-wicking
During running, you sweat a lot, and if the sweat stays on your skin, it can cause discomfort and make you more susceptible to catching a cold. Compression pants have excellent sweat-wicking and breathability, helping to expel sweat and prevent discomfort from sweat accumulation on the skin, while also acting as an insulating layer.
5. Recovery
Long-distance running can cause excessive fatigue in the leg muscles. Compression pants help alleviate fatigue and assist in quick muscle recovery. Therefore, many runners prefer wearing compression pants.
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Today, Brother Xia (Malan Shrimp) is here to introduce a pair of compression pants from the Spanish brand Kelme.
Brother Xia: I was first attracted by its price, and then I learned about its brand and history. That's why I recommend it.
Appearance display
Seeing this animal paw print, I first thought of Baidu, and then the outdoor brand Jack Wolfskin.
Interestingly, Kelme's logo uses a bear paw print, which is the same as Baidu's paw print. I wonder what Baidu thinks about this after Kelme entered the Chinese market.
Kelme China's clothes are all manufactured domestically.
Based on my personal experience, you should buy compression wear in your size. Don't buy a larger size just because it's tight-fitting, as it might not have the compression effect and could look loose and unattractive.
I bought the L size according to my standard of 75kg. The pants weigh 175.8g and are made of LYCRA.Lycrafiber.
Lycra has almost become synonymous with all spandex yarns. It has completely replaced traditional elastic rubber threads. Lycra can stretch 4 to 7 times its original length and quickly return to its original length after the force is released. It cannot be used alone and can be interwoven with any other man-made or natural fiber. It does not change the appearance of the fabric and is an invisible fiber that greatly improves the performance of the fabric. Lycra has outstanding stretchability. Adding Lycra to pants, jackets, and other women's garments allows wrinkles to easily return to their original state, making clothes more flowing and less prone to deformation, feeling free and dynamic. Even meticulously tailored suits and jackets feel neither tight nor restrictive. Adding a bit of Lycra to knitwear like T-shirts, underwear, and fitness pants makes them fit well and comfortable, stretching freely with your movements.
Using LYCRA fiber can be considered a guarantee of quality.
The front of the pants. There is no fabric adjustment for the male area, making me think women can wear them too.
The back of the pants.
The waistband is designed to be wider, which is more comfortable than thin strips.
Garment tag.
The pants come in only two colors, with black as the main color and gray as the secondary color, giving a clean and simple overall look.
The front left calf area has a printed logo, and both calves have thermoplastic strips that provide support and a stable locking feel.
The thermoplastic strips on the calves. I personally think they also have a reflective effect (not yet tested at night).
Workmanship details.
Crotch details. Mainly looking at the fabric stitching. Wearing compression pants can cause chafing, especially at the thigh roots. The seam line of this pants' legs and hips is right at the thigh root, which could potentially cause chafing.
Chafing varies from person to person. Unfortunately, I am prone to chafing. I usually don't worry about it for runs under 20km, but for longer runs, I need to take protective measures.
Usage experience
These are my front and back photos after wearing the pants. The bear paw logo on the front is quite fun and adds a highlight. The adhesive design on the back is also dynamic, adding a lot of color to the pants overall.
Using an official image to illustrate the effect of wearing them without additional clothing. As I pointed out earlier, the front area is not optimized for men, resulting in an awkward fit and a feeling of tightness due to insufficient space. Therefore, most people wear an additional pair of shorts for modesty. You can also observe that the crotch seam is at the thigh root.
Compression pants inherently make you look slimmer, and black enhances this effect. My calves are short and thick, but wearing compression pants makes them look noticeably slimmer. The visual effect of compression pants is very significant.
Summary
Kelme sports compression pants, priced around 100 yuan, backed by the Kelme brand, offer great value for money. After buying these pants, I checked out their store and found the prices to be quite affordable, reminding me of the cost-effective Decathlon.
I feel like I have found another place to shop for gear.
Click the image below to buy now
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¥125.00