1095miles – running blog

Skins compression wear has always intrigued me. It is, without a shadow of a doubt, premium price running gear. It also claims to be very scientifically designed to get the best of an athlete. Being neither at my best, nor an athlete I’ll find it hard to refute these claims, but I’ve tested them anyway. Here’s my notes…

Firstly, they’re tight! I know they’re compression wear and so they should be, but they really can be a challenge to squeeze into! I’m not a fatty, but according to their comprehensive size chart (based on BMI rather than standard girth type measures) I’m in a standard small. They fit. They do indeed cover everything. They’re tights, so they reveal much in the way of bulges. They’re also, in my view and probably that of anyone running behind me, a bit low at the back, and gradually get lower as I’m running. I suspect I should have accepted I’m on the border between a small and medium and should have plumped for the medium instead.

Quality is well up to the price tag. They do compress everything and have a reassuring fit profile. I’m no athlete as I mentioned, but they feel good as a compression tight. I rather like the yellow band and branding on them and would say they’re worth a go for winter runs and keeping warm. I generally wear them underneath a light pair of tracksuit bottoms when it’s really cold. I’d recommend you try them on for size though as they are a tight fit and let’s face it, at £70 you’re unlikely to want to get it wrong. There are plenty of other cheaper options out there, but they are very good quality. That’s the choice you need to make on this one!

Verdict: good quality but premium price. Go for them if you can afford them or grab them in a sale for bargain prices.