Disclaimer: I received a pair of the 2XU Hyoptik Thermal Compression Tights to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
A few months ago I had the opportunity to review the 2XU Elite MCS Compression Run Tight and I LOVED them! They are honestly the first pair of pants/ tights I reach for whenever I’m headed out for a run – I even recently ran both races of the Goofy Challenge in them!
My only (small) issue with these compression pants is the narrow waistband that occasionally feels like it’s pressing into my stomach a bit and can get uncomfortable (you know, especially when you’re trying to eat a post-marathon ice cream sundae!). I definitely would have liked a wider waistband for comfort purposes. I also knew that with the colder weather coming these would likely either not be warm enough unless I put another layer on top of them (but on the flip side, they were thin enough for me to comfortably run in Florida humidity!).
I don’t often like to review two such similar products, but when BibRave offered for us to test the 2XU Hyoptik Thermal Compression Tights, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity since from checking their website it looked like these tights would address both of my concerns with the Elite MCS!
First, the Hyoptik have a nice, wide, comfortable waistband. I’m not sure why this pair has a different style waistband, but I really do prefer it and I hope 2XU will consider incorporating this wider waistband style into an update of the Elite MCS.
Second, the Hyoptik also has a thin thermal lining in them that makes them warm enough to be worn on their own for a cold run – that being said, please don’t think that they’re some thick bulky tight, they’re not! They’re still super thin and fit like a second skin, just warmer!
So far the coldest run I have done in them was about 20 degrees (my phone said with windchill it felt like 8 though!) and once I started running I was perfectly comfortable!
The last great feature to these tights is what gives them their “Hyoptik” name – the design on them is reflective!
I run in the dark at least once a week with my run club and even though we’re on a sidewalk for most of the run, you should see us – we’re all lit up like Christmas trees! We wear headlamps, reflective vests, etc. and a little extra reflection on my legs can never hurt!
I think it’s safe to say I can not get enough of either of the 2XU compression pants I have! I am so glad I had the opportunity to try these compression pants out and I honestly can not recommend them enough!
Live, Run, Grow 