So I see some folks wear tights, others have socks and some have ones that just cover the calves (but not feet). So what's the advantage of one over the other and is there any science behind any of it?

I have the calve guards and full compression tights. I like the calve guards for training and use the tights for recovery. The only data I have seen to support the claims has been on the manufacturers' website. I like them and many of my local racing friends wear them.

:

I don't know about the differences.
I don't believe the "science" because (as stated above) it appears limited to the manufacturers.
I wear the tights because they make me feel "better".
I accept the conflict.

Yeah, it's tempting but I was wanting to ask g about what he thought was a hernia about a year or so back so I'm exercising restraint.

Joe Friel's summary about compression clothing

I know a lot of pro's use www.podiumlegs.com regularly.

My popcorn comment is because I have nothing useful to say in this thread, but am very curious about the responses.

I know several guys who parade around like Frank N. Furter after a race or hard ride, and they claim it makes them feel better. I know another guy who has taken it up to sell these expensive air compression thingies that as best as I can tell do the same thing as the stockings, while also lightening your wallet (edited to add see post immediately above mine).

I know that I love (well not really) my foam roller, the release it gives my tight muscles is well worth the agony it puts me through. I also know I love (well not really) ice baths, the recovery and snap they throw back into my legs is noticeable. So, I'm willing to give the stocking thingies the benefit of the doubt, but I wouldn't mind seeing some science /etc before I dump some coin on them.

Actually the science comes from medical applications and is pretty well proven.

Any research in particular I should read?

I've been wearing a surgical sock (same idea as the sports compression garments) for about 6 weeks now, while I ride and afterwards. My needs are medical, to help the circulation in my right leg, which as of 10 days ago still had a pretty substantial blood clot (which is slowly absorbing and getting smaller, and will eventually disappear). The compression hosiery is highly therapeutic for patients like me in order to avoid post-phlebitic syndrome after a DVT (deep vein thrombosis, or blood clots) heals up. Post-p. syndrome is essentially scarring on your artery walls which hinders circulation chronically, you don't want that of course. But my experience with this has been very good, my leg really has been improving, and it responded to the compression immediately.

My recent positive experience with this type of garment for my medical condition and some of the stuff I've read about its use in sports convinces me this compression garb has to be helpful with recovery for athletes like runners and cyclists.

I'm wearing some now because a teammate is forcing me to so I'll recover for tomorrow.
I like the way they feel. That's about it.

Ignore that. Just clicked the joe friel link which, in turn, links to a bunch of studies. I'll read them at some point. From a quick skim seems like self-reported fatigue level is lower, performance differences seem mixed.

I know my business partner Phil Gaimon likes his Podium Legs and his threshold is 5.5+ w/kg.

Move the saddle forward and up a hair, drop the stem at least 1cm, maybe increase the length of it too by 1cm, you'll gain 1mph.

If you decide to try them, don't pay the "cycling specific" markup... they are just compression hose.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001205QA6

Here is why science is so awesome.
An example of a study that says Ice baths are better than active recovery: (pm me for the actual article)

Effect of cold water immersion on repeated cycling
performance and limb blood flow
J Vaile1, C O’Hagan2, B Stefanovic3, M Walker3, N Gill4, C D Askew3

Here's a DIFFERENT article, that says that active recovery is better than ice baths, compression, and passive recovery:
https://www.joefrielsblog.com/2011/05...-recovery.html

I don't have any more links, but I guarantee that you can find a published scientific study that says compression is better than active recovery or ice baths.

If he wore two pairs of podium legs at once, you think it could bump his FTP up to 6 w/kg?!

What if I wore compression socks, and pedaled a bike on a trainer in a giant pool of ice water? Boom. Instant recovery.

No, the universe would implode upon itself. Just like that episode of star trek with the matter and anti-matter guy.

Hmm...that sounds bad. Guess I'll return the giant slushie machine I was gonna use to fill the pool.

actually, the data from that would only be valid if you had a control where you did jumping jacks while drinking chocolate milk in zero gravity.