After 15 hours of research evaluating 85 products, we picked Champion Men’s Powerflex Compression Short as our top choice.
Men’s compression shorts have become hugely popular in the last few years. Compression garments (socks, wraps, arm wraps, etc.) have been used for decades, but only recently have they made their way into sports apparel.
You might be wondering:
Why do people wear compression shorts? Well, let us tell you. Not only do compression shorts control muscle oscillation during exercise, prevent chafing, and reduce the risk of injury, but they also improve circulation and reduce lactic acid in the blood.
Of course, these are the claims made by compression short manufacturers, but are they really true? In short, yes. One study in Germany found that compression socks help to increase speed and run length, though not aerobic capacity. Another Australian study found that compression garments helped to increase leg muscle oxygenation, but offered no enhancement in performance. And a study in Europe found that compression garments reduced muscle recovery time.
What’s the bottom line?
So, while science may not agree on exactly what compression garments can do, there have been positive benefits associated with wearing them! Matt Frazier of No Meat Athlete decided to test a pair of compression shorts to see if the hype was real. In his conclusion, he found that the compression shorts he tested may be better suited for short speed workouts compared to his longer runs.
Now, onto the list!
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