2XU

TR Men's Compression Tri Shorts

Compression --we saw you roll your eyes --is easily the most improperly thrown-around term in triathlon. What is it, and what does it do? Well, it doesn't flush out lactic acids, and it won't make you a super hero during your next race. However, with the proper science in its corner, the benefits of the 2XU TR Compression Tri Shorts are stacking. They use a lower-density fabric with a graduated design in order to promote blood flow, only without compromising flexibility and comfort.

2XU constructed the main body from its 105D/CK fabric. We know, we're not fans of titles filled with seemingly arbitrary numbers and letters, either. So, let's make some sense of this fabric. Basically, the '105D' stands for 105 denier. What's a denier? Simply put, a denier is a unit of measure for the weight of a fabric. Technically speaking, it measures a fabric's grams-per-9000-meters. And while a typical recovery compression piece features a material choice around 200 deniers and up, the Tri Shorts use a lighter, less constricting 105 denier fabric. This means that you still receive a focused, graduated compression, but the most direct gains are made through limiting muscle oscillation. So, whether you're getting slapped by wakes, getting rattled in the saddle, or pummeled by your pounding on the pavement, the 105D/CK fabric provides an enhanced level of muscle support that will minimize fatigue.

And on the subject of fatigue, we'll jump into the main draw of the Tri shorts, their compressive qualities. You hear the term 'compression' thrown out there often. However, its true meaning, especially for race-day applications, is typically shrouded in ubiquity. So, forget what you've heard about lactic acid suppression, and enter into the world of enhanced blood circulation. Without getting too scientific, 2XU designed the Tri shorts to have different strengths of compression in accordance to a position's distance from the heart. So, the further from the heart, the stronger the fabric compression, and the closer to the heart, the lower the compression. Basically, this design places a pressure on the veins and arteries that forces the circulatory system to work faster. Accordingly, your muscles receive more oxygen, and thus muscle fatigue is thoroughly reduced, while power outputs and thresholds are increased.

Not surprisingly, while the aforementioned attributes would be enough for most to call it a day with, 2XU was just getting started. For the actual fit of the Tri shorts, 2XU approached the cut with an anatomic, multi-paneled, and contoured designed. This means that the panels are meant to support specific muscle groups, while the shape perfectly conforms to the male body throughout the various motions of a triathlon. Additionally, 2XU placed an engineering focus on limiting the detrimental fatigue caused by the heat of the sun. What it came up with is its ICE X fabric. This material is capable of reducing body temperatures by around five degrees Fahrenheit, while maintaining a dark color. This is because Dark Shield reflects infrared heat rays in the same manner as a say a White fabric. So, in difficult conditions, your core temperature will remain cooler, and your perspiration will quickly evaporate.

For the chamois, the Tri shorts feature 2XU's Elite LD insert. Developed specifically for triathlon, the Elite LD uses a thin, yet ample, 3mm variable density padding. This design provides the necessary support while in the saddle, but it won't become irritable over the course of your swim or run. In fact, 2XU selected this chamois because of its impressive ventilation and quick-drying characteristics.

The 2XU TR Compression Tri Shorts are available in the color Black/black and in six sizes from X-Small to XX-Large.