Six to one, half a dozen to the other. They all kind of get lumped together as 'skins' as the generic name a bit like iPod is an MP3 player. They do have differences but I don't think they are massively noticeable. I personally wear Under Armour.

2xU FTW

Really depends on personal preference, I've only tried BSc, Skins and 2XU (so can't comment on any other options).

From my experience, the material used for the BodyScience compression gear is generally thicker than both Skins and 2XU. I've found this makes them a little bit warmer, but also less breathable than the other two. They also feel like they have a little less give in the material, which could be an advantage or not (again depending on your preference).

2XU probably sits in the middle of the Skins brand and BSc in respect to thickness and give, and the material is really soft and comfy. I also find the material breathes better than BSc.

Skins are the thinnest/stretchiest material, but also breathe really well if you are someone who overheats easily even in cooler weather. (But they also tend to cost the most $$$).

I personally like the firmer fit and slightly more restrictive fit of the BodyScience tights for recovery, but find the 2XU tights great to paddle in. But on the colder mornings sometimes the BSc have the edge.

With the long sleeve tops, I personally found the BSc top too thick and found myself feeling like I was overheating, it also felt more restrictive to movement for paddling as the fabric had less give. But i like it for recovery.

The 2XU material feels great, breathes well, and doesn't feel as restrictive as the BSc one, but unlike both the BSc and Skins tops, it doesn't have elastic around the waistline, which prevents the other two from riding up whilst paddling. If that's not an issue for you then its a great product.

The Skins top is great, for me the thinner more breathable material is a personal preference (I tend to warm up pretty quickly if I'm paddling without getting in the water and like that it breathes better, but some of you further south may prefer a warmer option). The shape of the top is longer in the torso than the other two, and combined with the elastic (or some kind of silicon bead or something) around the bottom hem, I find it stays in place a lot better whilst paddling. I also find both the Skins and 2XU tops good options for longer downwind paddles even in Summer. If I get them wet at the start of the paddle, they help to cool you down and also offer sun protection for fair skin like mine - the BSc top just gets too hot in summer.

With respect, some of the comparisons in this thread on thickness of materials is perhaps just a little out of date. Skins has recently released a new product called "Power Shorts" and the fabric is certainly thicker than their standard shorts. 2xU has a thermal tights product that is thicker and better suited to cold temperatures than anything else I've seen in genuine compression gear (so excluding neoprene-like kayak pants).

XCel also do compression and thermal compression, I was going to give them a try next. I found the Skins a bit thin for normal winter and among other things the waist elastic doesn't seem to tolerate repeated salt water immersion. Over a few years I've used Skins, 2XU and Body Armour and would probably rate the body armour slightly over the other 2 for compression with comfort but they're not especially warm.

Look here for Xcel marked down:

www.velogear.com.au/

(I'm not affiliated with velogear, other than as an occasional customer)

The three brands I've tried have all held up well with repeated use in saltwater - I just wash them like any other clothes and through the dryer when weather is no good for drying on the line (on the warm not the hot setting). No problems with any of them (except the printed logo's tend to wear off a bit faster when you use the dryer).

As PTWoody pointed out - my comments are based on the materials for these brands all purchased 1-4 years ago, so I haven't had experience with some of their newer materials.

ghost4man said..



Could someone clarify just how good the above brand names deal with extended use in the saltwater. I am giving consideration to utilising the compression outfit but my concern is in their longevity particularly with the summer heat and salt.


Ozzie

Skins I've used haven't tolerated salt very well - it's more to do with the elastic waistbands and some of stitching failing than the fabric itself. I wash/rinse mine after use but I do tend to fall in a lot.

I'd be very interested to hear the response of your calls Ozzie. 2xU is interesting in this regard because they are very big into triathlon and yet they don't really market their compression gear for the swim leg, just running and cycling. They have some triathlon specific wetsuits for the swimming, but they don't even mention compression wear in the swimming section of their website.

On the topic of salt water effects on compression gear, I bought a couple of pairs of Oakley compression shorts that they sell with their high-end board shorts in the assumption that these would be the most robust compression product for salt water. One pair fell apart after a couple of times in the water.

PTWoody said..

I'd be very interested to hear the response of your calls Ozzie. 2xU is interesting in this regard because they are very big into triathlon and yet they don't really market their compression gear for the swim leg, just running and cycling. They have some triathlon specific wetsuits for the swimming, but they don't even mention compression wear in the swimming section of their website.

On the topic of salt water effects on compression gear, I bought a couple of pairs of Oakley compression shorts that they sell with their high-end board shorts in the assumption that these would be the most robust compression product for salt water. One pair fell apart after a couple of times in the water.

PT Woody is a bit of an expert when it comes to tights I believe. He's to wearing tights like DJ is to producing down wind videos. I haven't seen a photo of him without tights for over 2 years. Unfortunately he insists on wearing them without boardshorts.

I know all of the NSW guys listen to his advice when it comes to tights.

Love my Sharkskin paddle pants they keep me warm and toasty even on the coldest day
www.sharkskin.com.au

Hi I use Skins power shorts under a wet suit when surfing to support my hip. They seem to work well. On flat water I use shorts and a long sleeve Columbia lycra Titanium/skins type thing or just a thick shirt. If you're falling in all the time wear a wetsuit! ! That's what they're for. If you're flat water paddling then something breathable, warm and comfy (pajamas? ) comes to mind. After school in summer I wear what I had on at school+ water shoes. Try sierra trading on line. Great deals on all sorts of that stuff. They do koredry now I think. Just stick to what you want or you'll end up with runners, wetsuits and lycra stuff. Eastbay is even worse!! They have all that stuff super cheap. The trick is to get as much stuff as fills the smallest box. Two pair of Nike runners three sports tees and running shorts cost around $200. 00. The runners alone would have cost $120.00 in oz. Tip sign up to PayPal. Totally secure quick and simple. Second tip.......Don't fall in!!!!! ! LOL

HumanCartoon said..


"..Cutting edge bioceramic material that has been infused with the use of nanotechnology..."

That sounds a lot like the **** *Essendon and Cronulla players have been injecting.

ghost4man said..

JOYRIDER said..
try this.... http://virusintl.com/shop/men/series/aquatic-series/aquatic-compression-form-long-sleeve-top.html beats both hands down.

I personally like to utilise that as well as recommendations from people who have used the product.

Cheers Ozzie

such as I??

ghost4man said..

JOYRIDER said..
try this.... http://virusintl.com/shop/men/series/aquatic-series/aquatic-compression-form-long-sleeve-top.html beats both hands down.

I personally like to utilise that as well as recommendations from people who have used the product.


Cheers Ozzie

such as i??

There is much more durability and research behind BSc:

-The garment encloses each region like a muscle sheath. This strengthens and supports the targeted muscle groups, reducing muscular micro-tears caused by muscle vibration during sporting activities. This delays the onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) and improves recovery times.
-Sorbtek ? research has also proven that the moisture management qualities of the Body Science Compression fabric keeps wearers drier, and regulates their core temperature both during and after exercise. This means Bsc Compression keeps athletes cool when it?s hot and less chilled when it is cold.
-The ?Catch, Move, Release? system - moves moisture faster and further than any other yarn. Bsc Compression instantly ?catches? moisture from the skin, ?move? it to the outer layer of the garment and ?release? it to the air. X-static ?, silver fibre in the groin region helps to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi. This neutralises odour-causing ammonia and denatured proteins. X- static ? also aids in the reduction of electrostatic discharge.
-Body Science Apparel absorbs moistures faster than the closest competitor keeping the athlete more comfortable during extreme exercise
-Body Science Apparel wicks moistures faster and farther than the closest competitor keeping the athlete more comfortable during extreme exercise
-BSc compression also lasts longer than the leading competitors when used in salt water environments.

I also find that the tight fit of BSc compression garments reduce rashing and skin irritation that is common when subjected to salt water for extended periods of time.