SKINS DNAmic Compression Tights: Review

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SKINS DNAmic Compression TightsDisclaimer: I received a pair of SKINS DNAmic Compression Tights to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

**I have just learned that SKINS filed for bankruptcy back in January of this year, so their products are no longer available. You can read about the SKINS on the Wikipedia page here.** – June 7, 2019

Despite the fact that Vancouver has pretty mild weather year-round, it definitely gets chilly enough during the winter months to need a bit of extra coverage. Not only that, but with a spring marathon on the horizon, extra-long training runs are a necessity. Having compression to aid in recovery is essential. Combine these factors, and some reliable compression tights are the way to go!

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to test SKINS DNAmic Compression Tights! Not only does the Skins brand make an awesome looking product, they have a cutting-edge compression technology that makes them an indispensable piece of running gear! Here’s my experience with SKINS…

How they look

When my SKINS DNAmic Compression Tights arrived in the mail, I was struck by the simplicity of the packaging.

SKINS DNAmic Compression Tights

I received a pair of the DNAmic Men’s Compression Long Tights in Utility green. Love the colour! I’ve had other tights, always in basic black – and some of the more ‘out there’ colours just aren’t my jam. These make for a nice bit of variety, but stylish and simple. The SKINS range does have some slightly flashier patterns for men, though – so there are options.

These tights look almost like underwear, the way they are stitched together.

After taking them out of the package and holding them up, I thought: “There’s no way these are going to fit”. At first glance, they looked like they were made for a child. I had followed the sizing chart dutifully and ordered men’s small.

SKINS DNAmic Compression Tights

But had I made the wrong decision??

How they feel

Just a couple of days after receiving my SKINS DNAmic Compression Tights, I had the chance to give them a trial run. Given the nature of the material and the design, I debated whether or not to wear them as outerwear – with undies beneath – or au natural. After a bit of internal struggle, I selected option B, and wore some shorts over top. I went to the SKINS FAQ page for help:

Q: DO I NEED TO WEAR UNDERWEAR UNDER SKINS?
A: SKINS can be worn with or without underwear. It’s entirely up to you.

So, there you have it.

Because of the size, I thought the tights would be tough to get on. They weren’t.  The material has enough give that they almost glide on. The seams kind of wrap around the contours of the legs. Once you’re wearing them, it’s almost like you’re wearing nothing else. It’s like a second skin. Yes, SKINS is the right name for these tights!

The first trial run was significant – 25 kilometres. And you know what? It was great. No chafing, no weird bunching. Everything in its place. And although we experienced rain and snow over the course of 2 and a half hours, I felt comfortable and warm.

One small issue – because of the colour (i.e. NOT black), it’s really easy to see where you’ve been sweating. Since I wore my SKINS DNAmic Compression Tights under shorts, this didn’t really matter. But it would make me a bit more self-conscious if they weren’t…covered.

How they perform

I’m not really into the science of compression – as long as I feel good after a run. The SKINS DNAmic Compression Tights are touted as having ‘gradient compression’, applying different amounts of pressure to different muscle groups. Compression is meant to reduce muscle bounce and increase blood flow, both of which help with recovery.

After two long runs – 25k and 28k (the latter in slush and snow) – wearing SKINS DNAmic Compression Tights, I felt good. Have I been training enough that my legs would have felt good regardless? Perhaps. But I’d like to think that the support provided by the tights made everything better!

I really enjoy my SKINS – wish they were still in business!

SKINS DNAmic Compression Tights

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