Compressport FORQUAD - Compression Wear Review

Despite their increasingly popularity I've never actually been a fan of this type of recovery clothing. People rave on about it. I have found it uncomfortable, it feels cold on my skin and they are irritatingly frustrating to get on over muddy, wet or freshly moisturised legs. To me most compression garments seem simply to be tighter than normal lycra.

Looking at Compressport "FORQUAD" they are different from the usual material. Less like lycra I would say and more like clinical compression wear aimed at reducing the risk of DVT in post-operative patients. They feel more substantial. Unusually they are literally only for your thighs, like leg warmers. They have a large band with a good surface area for gripping your leg, better than most leg/knee warmers I own. As they aren't shorts, you can wear continuously without worrying about hygiene issues. Being small and light makes them easy to wash and dry.

They come in white or black, both with a grey trim. Mine are black they look fine, but the grey isn't particularly flattering on a non-tanned leg. They are not cheap, £50, but in comparison to most other big brand names they are competitively priced.

Wearing them, they are very good at compressing! Your legs virtually recoil when walking as they twang back. I have worn them immediately post-exercise, over night and when travelling. They are comfortable despite the degree of compression. Compressport say you can wear them during exercise too; the idea being you can even wear them post-ex in the shower and so giving continuous compression. I found them uncomfortable when training, they became too tight and I found them irritating. Wearing at night they are fine as you don't get too hot. For travelling, they fit easily under normal clothing. The downside is, if you have thighs and buttocks like mine that mimic Russian shot putters' then you do get a big bulging step under your butt cheeks where they grip, but that's good as it gives my backside a good lift...

They compress very well, better than any other compression wear I have used. They are comfortable. They aren't very pretty or flattering when wearing. Though expensive, I would buy these over other similar product. I like them.

Words and Photos: Verity Appleyard

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