At a glance A first class wicking baselayer from the ‘official compression partner to the Australian Institute of Sport’, but the compression benefits are harder to identify.
Tested by
Jonathan Manning, tester for The Bike List
Performance
You only have to watch the shirt-swapping antics at the end of a football match to spot the explosion in popularity of compression tops. It seems every elite sportsman from athlete to rugby star to cyclist and golfer wants a baselayer with an element of squeeze.
The science is compelling - the compression leads to: faster recovery thanks to a more rapid flushing of lactate acid from your blood; improved circulation; reduced muscle fatigue due to lower muscle vibration; and reduced muscle damage. And then you look at the small print and it turns out these are 'suggested benefits'.
So how does compression technology work in real life, in the shape of the 2XU thermal long sleeve compression top? It certainly looks the part, more superhero vest than sports top, with angular lines and a fit close enough to reveal every muscle and tyre on your torso. Unless you're built like Thor or completely carefree, you might want to consider how comfortable you'd be a in pub wearing this revealing top.
Over winter its thermal properties have been tested to the full, and while it's certainly warmer than a standard polyester baselayer, I've found myself repeatedly turning to merino wool tops as a first layer protection against the cold. Come warmer spring days I'll return to the 2XU.
The compression seems as modest as the thermal properties. I'm six feet tall, with a 40-inch chest and 32-inch waist, so I'd expect a medium to be pretty snug. In fact, it's close fitting without really compressing my flesh. I've a pair of Accapi post-exercise compression tights that I have to fight to get into (and which I swear by as a means to a quick recovery), and the New Zealand rugby players need two teammates to help remove their compression jerseys, but the 2XU top just slips on and clings.
As a result, I can't report any of the 'suggested benefits' of the compression - there's been no improvement in any lower back ache after 60-plus road miles in the saddle, and my shoulders are still prone to stiffness after crashing along bumpy tracks on a mountain bike.
What I can report, however, is the 2XU's extraordinary performance as a wicking top, drawing sweat away from my skin and keeping me cool and dry. From this perspective it's the best baselayer I've ever worn from a rather large collection, and it's going to be a godsend in summer. I've started wearing it for trail running too, and it quite simply excels. Happily, there's no sense of a restriction in movement whether cycling or running.
The fabric has an anti-bacterial treatment, which means it can survive a sweaty ride without smelling too bad, but after a couple of lengthy outings when merino would still be odourless, the 2XU carries a whiff of body odour.
Overall, the 2XU is sure to become a core part of my spring and autumn cycling wardrobe, but largely for its wicking performance. I'm still waiting to be convinced of the benefits its compression delivers.
Buy from www.wiggle.co.uk
2XU says:
Using the same building blocks as standard 2XU Compression garments, 2XU Thermal Long Sleeve Compression Tops adapt 2XU™s high performance 70 denier fabric to deliver a softer and warmer feel.
The choice for athletes wanting to maximize compression benefits for the upper body, graduated compression throughout the arms enhances venous return to the heart and removes lactic acid to minimize muscle soreness and fatigue.
A raglan construction in the shoulders also offers an unrestricted range of motion to ensure the wearer remains comfortable throughout training and competition.
Find out more www.2xu.com
