Apparel: The best kit for performance and recovery
The right apparel can help you train harder for longer and recovery more efficiently. Here Paul Freary @therunningshoeguru takes a look at some of the best kit around.
SKINS - Pressure in all the right places
The concept behind the SKINS brand was born in 1996 by applying the principles of medical compression garments into the sporting world.
Established in Australia, it wasn't until 2002 that the SKINS sporting garments were available to buy, when they were launched featuring the famous yellow stitching.
By 2007 the brand was available around the globe and becoming a recognisable piece of attire for athletes wanting the benefits compression garments bring to both competitions and recovery.
Now the SKINS brand and its product range has evolved into three SERIES of compression sportswear.
SERIES 1 - A range developed to offer mid-level compression perfect for a wide range of activities.
SERIES 3 - For medium to high levels of support this range offers increased and targeted levels of compression.
SERIES 5 - The new generation of elite level high performance compression wear.
In recent weeks we've been using a variety of garments to sample the benefits SKINS have to offer.
SKINS SERIES 3 - Long Sleeve Top - £70.00
The targeted compression profile of this long sleeve focuses on the arms to reduce muscle oscillation and increase the spatial awareness of limb placement. When wearing we felt able to hold our form longer and with a better sense of being postural correct. Strategically placed mesh panelling around the garment maximises airflow and moisture wicking.
SKIN SERIES 3 - Long Tight - £100.00
An extremely versatile pair of tights, we found these perfect for both running and recovery. The medium compression remains supportive and yet comfortable through the toughest of sessions and targeted support and breathable mesh panels you gain the benefits of compression while remaining cool and dry.
SKINS SERIES 3 - MX Calf Sleeves - £35.00
From long runs to track sessions, these calf sleeves reduce muscle oscillation and support the calf providing a controlled and targeted compression.
Whatever your event or sport there’s now a range of compression garments that will help you to work harder for longer and recover quicker.
Mamba – bespoke apparel
A new name in customer kit, Mamba specialise in creating club and team kit to the highest standards using lightweight fabrics and the latest designs.
From concept to creation the customer can see their ideas brought to life in the latest fabrics, colours and unique custom designs. Mamba can create a full team collection or just a single piece of kit for those wanting a truly bespoke creation that they’ll be proud to wear.
Thrudark
A new brand, developed by a team of ex-UK special forces members, Thrudark aim to create sportswear capable of any activity.
Louis, co-founder and former SBS member told us: “We have spent the majority of our military careers within United Kingdom special forces. In this time we’ve endured some of the world’s most arduous environments in extremely demanding circumstances.
ThruDark was born out of our constant requirement for the best clothing and equipment to assist us in this ‘Endeavour Through Adversity’.
The brand name ‘Thru-Dark’ represents the endurance through difficult situations experienced not only by ourselves and our colleagues but to all those who encounter hardship in their own lives.”
We tried a couple of pieces from the brand’s large range of apparel for both men and women.
Force Velocity Vest - £65.00
This high-performance, multi-functional training vest provides comfort and coverage for the most demanding of physical workouts.
It’s been developed and rigorously tested across a broad spectrum of workouts by leading female athletes including Victoria Pendleton. Armoured with a specially engineered Swiss Schoeller® fabric, hydrophobic fibres increase moisture-wicking and thermal regulation, it keeps you cool when it counts.
Force Velocity Leggings - £95.00
These high-waisted, multi-functional training leggings providing comfort and coverage for the training sessions indoors and out.
Constructed using Revolutional™ Energy technical fabric for both excellent muscular compression and high shaping power as well as Miti Power fabric, which is both pilling-resistant and opaque. These leggings provide the support and control you need to empower confidence in everything a workout will throw at you - including the important ‘squat test’ where the leggings retain and opacity!
ASICS – Yozakura women's collection
ASICS latest collection for Spring/Summer ’22 is inspired by Yozakura: Japan’s cherry blossom at night. Taking colour inspiration from the delicate pastel tones, the collection offers subtle shades that combine beautifully with each other as well as other items in your wardrobe.
The ASICS SAKURA Bra - £28.00 with a supportive fit and bounce limiting straps for women in movement. The racer back design doesn’t restrict the arms and shoulders, while the chest and shoulder straps are broad enough to ensure there’s no ‘digging in’ in those key areas. The fabric is soft against the skin and moisture wicking, ensuring good breathability to keep you comfortable.
The ACCELERATE Light Jacket - £98.00 features visible reflective accents on the front and back, whilst the neatly tailored fit allows for excellent freedom of movement. It’s wind and rain repellant and has a very useful built-in hood shood it be required. The fabric has a nice handle to it, being soft to the touch and feels comfortable to run in whatever the weather.
BAM – 73 Zero Half Zip Running Jacket - £95.00
Made 100% from recycled materials and being itself 100% recyclable, making this jacket 100% circular! (73% of the world’s garments end their life in landfill!).
The jacket is perfect for cooler spring-time training, being wind resistant and although not waterproof, in a light shower it performs well enough to get you home without getting cold. It’s a soft handled fabric and with a mesh lining and great attention to detail it fits really well. A rear, centre mounted pocket is good for essentials and can also store the jacket to pack away neatly into a backpack.
Team the jacket up with the ENDURO leggings (£55.00). The Enduro fabric is durable as well as being naturally heat regulating. Super-soft to the touch the fabric remains opaque and the broad, flattering waistband ensures comfort throughout your workout.
Saysky – Saysky X Le Fix Pace Long sleeve - £55.99
A collaboration between the running brand and Danish clothing store Le Fix, this long-sleeve shirt is part of a collection that has been created using recycled polyester. The shirt is beautifully soft to the touch and a real luxury to run in, being light and highly breathable, leaving you cool and dry however hot the pace or temperature gets!
Columbia – OutDry Extreme Mesh Waterproof Shell Jacket - £225.00
For the ultimate in protection whatever the conditions, this lightweight jacket ensures not a single drop of rain will penetrate it. The waterproof and windproof fabric has fully taped seams and a bonded hood brim while at the same time remains highly breathable. It will keep the weather out but the body dry.
The jacket has a soft inner side, so feels nice against the skin and with fully adjustable cuffs and hem, as well as a soft chin guard it fits perfectly to allow you to concentrate on the activity.
For the ultimate in weather protection jackets in a light yet durable design this is a winner.
» Read more performance product reviews in the latest issue of the magazine, out now
