Does anyone use compression shorts or tights for recovery? If so, have you had good results? What brand do you recommend? I've tried the Under Armour compression shorts but I just dont think they are tight enough to to offer any benefit. Is the 2XU brand that much better?

Compression is compression is compression. While i'm not too savvy on the uber-new compression technology, I can say that compression absolutely helps with recover (and use during riding). I can certainly tell the difference in recovery when I wear a pair of knee high compression socks the day after a competition vs. not. For a cheap alternative, I went to Walmart into the sock section and picked up the medicinal type compression socks for elderly people. Works all the same, just not as pretty.

I recently purchased a pair of the 2XU leggings and have worn them several times after hard rides. For me, they have taken away the dull/tired ache I would sometimes have after repeated, hard ride days. I find they feel great, relax the legs very well, do seem to help increase blood flow and overall, I believe they do help with recovery. The 2XU product is very good, however others have suggested using more of a medical product, if cost is of consideration.

Got 2XU and Zoot. Works for me. But yeah, compression is compression.

Sugoi shorts and socks.

The word on slowtwitch is that 2xu uses the exact same manufacturer as the cvs pharmacy compression socks. At any rate, the compression rating for 2xu is identical to the pharmacy socks (intended to combat deep vein thrombosis iirc). I got two generic pairs and wear them for recovery. I can't feel much difference, but there is so much noise and other variables that come into play, that I would not expect you to be able top detect a difference. The research seems to indicate that there may be a benefit to wearing them for recovery, but not so much for compression during performance. Lots of the brit tt monsters wear them in competition, though.

I was hoping to try a pair of long compression shorts to handle my quads mainly. I dont need tights or calf compression unless it all works in unison.

Look up 110% compression gear. Picked up a pair last year at an endurance sport expo. Great people. What I liked about their product is they combine compression with ice therapy; they have pockets at specific areas that you can throw in ice packs into in order to begin the healing process. I'd look into them as it seems to fit your needs.

I just take a really hot shower...then close the drain, turn the hot water off, turn the shower off and let the cold water fill the tub.
Sit in the cold water for about 30 mins.
After I get out, I feel fine all day....next day.

Nice...but pricey.

I got compression socks originally so I could look cool. Don't we all?

The days I don't wear compression socks after a race or hard/long ride, it is definitely noticeable the day after. I will go, "crap I rode hard yesterday, my legs are destroyed." Then I realized I only forgot to wear my compression socks after the ride.

They are extremely helpful in stage races or back to back hard race days on the weekend.

+1 for compression works for recovery.

I don't always wear them, but which the workload is high I can definitely tell a difference from when I wear them vs when I don't.

I believe they work also. I sleep in compression tights after long days in the saddle. And for my birthday this year, a friend bought me some calf compression sleeves, or whatever you call them.

I basically agree with everything written here.

There are lots of stories of cyclists getting a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in the lower legs after a long bike ride, followed by a long drive or flight. The sudden inactivity immediately after the "injury" of an endurance ride can easily lead to a DVT. This is potentially life threatening if a clot breaks off and travels to the heart and then lungs. This is a pulmonary embolism, which is often life threatening-- even in a healthy young individual. Compression stockings will significantly help prevent this combined with pumping your legs and feet up and down periodically to keep the blood from pooling in the veins.

I bought a pair of Normatecs almost half a decade ago. Love them.

Did you purchase them because of this thread?

Ha, wow, usually I catch that.

I have Skins and 2xUs. I find they feel good if I put them on right after a workout. With regard to effectiveness, it is unknown for me. I refer you to the book Good to Go, that discusses all matters of recovery and supporting research.

https://www.amazon.com/Good-Go-Athle...s%2C199&sr=8-4