Like every other sport, basketball comes with specific gear to make your game more pleasant. In basketball, shoes are obviously the most important piece of attire. Then you get support equipment, like ankle support and knee braces. Rising in popularity these days, though, is compression pants.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a player on the court without one on. Even in the big leagues, you’ll see Curry make his shot sporting some compression pants, or Lebron rocking the gear on the court. Compression pants can be long or short, and often comes with padding too.
So what is this trend all about? Read on to find out why people wear them, and whether you should too.
Benefits Of Wearing Compression Pants
This piece of attire was studied for a long time. Its main aim is to ensure that athletes are comfortable. However, it also assists with performance in a variety of ways. Here are some of the best benefits of wearing compression pants for basketball players.
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
Muscle soreness of this kind is caused by high levels of eccentric contraction. With the compression tights, you may not have to suffer from the pains of it. When you wear the pants during your game or training session it can assist with the reduction of muscle oscillation which decreases the micro-tears that lead to this type of muscle soreness.
Muscles Take Longer To Cool
Most commonly, all the stretching happens before the game starts. This means that muscles can get tight if the game goes into overtime, or if there are many time-outs. With the compression tights, you won’t have to worry about this. They keep your legs and muscles warm throughout the duration of the game and even longer if you need them to.
Further to this point, muscles that are not warm during periods of activity are more likely to sustain injuries. As such, wearing the pants reduces muscle injuries in general.
Reduces Injuries
If you’ve ever had to run and dive for a ball, you know that you can get a burn on your leg from doing so. Wearing the compression tights prevents these burns as they provide a layer of protection between you and the court when you fall. In addition, as we mentioned, there are padded options for these pants too, which means there is additional protection if you want it.
Comfort
A lot of players don’t even consider the practical benefits of wearing the tights. Instead, they wear them for comfort purposes. This is a benefit that should not be forgotten. The pants can keep everything in place, make you feel good, and simply make you feel more aerodynamic and streamlined.
Comfort means that you can play your game without readjusting yourself all the time. For many, this is the reason for compression tights.
What To Consider When Purchasing Compression Pants
Now that we have convinced you that purchasing compression pants is a great choice, you may be wondering what you should look for in a pair of these pants. Here’s what to consider.
Compression Levels
These garments should be fitting, however, they should never be too tight. If they are too tight, they will restrict your blood circulation and that is bad for your performance and for your body in general. When you’re purchasing the pants, ensure that they are the correct size. A smaller size will restrict your blood flow and movement, and a larger size will be useless.
Length
Your length options are either full-length or three-quarter pants. With the full-length pants, you’ll have warmth for your ankles too. This is good because your ankles are just as important and need just as much support as any other part of your body.
With the ¾ pants though, there is space at the bottom for your shoes to cover up. For some, this is preferable. Here, the decision is totally up to you and what you prefer.
Thickness
You should decide how thick you want the pants to be because the thicker it is the warmer you will be. For some, feeling too warm during a game limits their performance. Consider what level of thickness will be good for you.
Material
Some compression tights are more stretchy than others. If this is what you would prefer then have a look at the materials before you make your purchase. A high percentage of elastane will mean that the material is more flexible. Other materials that these pants are often made from include polyester and spandex.
Great Compression Pants To Choose From
Here are some of the compression pants on the market, to help you make your decision about which to purchase.
Under Armour Men’s Heat Gear
These pants are actually created to keep you cool. This may seem counterintuitive, however, many prefer cool rather than warm. They are made with thinner and lighter materials than other garments of this sort and come with small holes that ensure ventilation. Compared to some others, these pants are quite affordable too.
McDavid 748X Padded Compression
With the extra protection of pads, this is a great option for those who play a little rougher. The material is very durable on these pants too!
Nike Hypercool
Similar to the Under Armour option, this one keeps you cool. You can wear them during the summer because the material allows for faster cooling and better ventilation. They are also very flexible.
Nike Hyperwarm
Made of elastane and polyester, these pants are heavier and will keep you warm. They are comfortable and provide a good level of flexibility.
TSLA Men’s Cool Dry
These are an affordable option. However, many have said that they are a bit tighter than they should be, even when you buy the correct size.
Final Thoughts
Remember that wearing compression pants can take some getting used to. However, once you’ve got a feel for them, you’ll really start to see the effects that they have on your performance. From bringing you increased comfort to fewer muscle issues, compression pants are a worthwhile investment. So get yours today!