Accapi Nexus Socks

Away from the fashion statement and placebo effect in believing that the garment is helping your performance, compression worn to promote recovery arguably has the most scientific backing, the primary of which is probably venous return from lower extremities. The tighter the garment, the more the benefit, tighter to the point where it starts to become uncomfortable - which is where Accapi come in. 

Instead of squashing your muscles to oxygenate them and stimulate blood circulation, Accapi's Nexus Energy Source Fabric uses infrared. The metal particles don't set off the alarms as you go through security at the airport (I've tried), but with my legs up on the sofa with some Accapi tights or socks on after a long ride I can feel my legs fizzing! Where I also really rate the kit though is before a ride. If I have a long train / car journey followed straight after with a ride, my legs have loads of zip, not the usual tired feeling even if my brain is still fuzzy from the journey - very useful if you're running late for a race and don't have much time for a warm-up! 

Accapi claim a lot of athletes have bought their product even though they're sponsored by other clothing brands - which may explain the very low key branding compared to lots of other 'recovery wear'. They can't name names though, but for anybody looking to find another marginal gain in their performance, I reckon the kit is worth checking out.

Score: on the podium

Reviewed by James Hampshire