If a tricked-out tri bike, a top-flight coach and every other luxurious piece of tri gear are your ideas of necessities, the 2XU Compression Short is a great addition to your collection. At $75 a pop, this is no small apparel purchase, but if you have the cash, it’s well worth the splurge.

Compression garments are made to improve circulation, and they also supposedly minimize soreness by holding the muscles in place during exercise. The 2XU Compression Short contains working muscles but doesn’t have a significant impact on circulation. Currently, most research suggests that delayed-onset muscle soreness is due to eccentric muscle contraction, not muscle vibration. As a result, the shorts may not be a therapeutic device, but just an incredibly comfortable pair of running shorts.

In fact, the 2XUs are just about the most comfortable running short I have worn. Although the sizing chart is no more specific than it is for the Compression Tights, my pair fit snuggly around the thigh without a single pressure point. The bottom seam is mercifully loose and the waistband fits securely. The fabric is breathable and virtually frictionless. The compressive characteristic of the short also has the wonderful side effect of holding everything in its proper place.

Who wears short shorts?

Photo: Aaron Hersh

I can only find two drawbacks with the 2XU Compression Short. First, like I mentioned right off the bat, this is a seriously expensive pair of running shorts. But if the garment actually reduces muscle soreness, it’s worth every penny. Second, I think running in short tights is lame—even for us triathletes. But that hasn’t stopped us before!

RATING (out of 10)
Comfort: 10- Best I've worn

Effectiveness: 3- They are tight but don't improve circulation and appear to not reduce soreness.

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Aaron Hersh is the Technical Liaison at Colorado Multisport in Boulder, Colorado. He has been competing in endurance sports for the last seven years. Hersh has a B.A. in Integrative Physiology from the University of Colorado, focusing on biomechanics.

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