Skins A400 Compression Tights - 2015 Range

Mrs Fish and I were super excited when Skins Australia sent us out each a pair of the new A400 compression tights to run in, and review. Mrs Fish in particular loves her Skins compression tights and I was hoping they’d be my go to pair for the Great Ocean Road half marathon in early May.

In my compression wear test last year, the Skins A400 had a great feel to them, but for me they were just not right. Everything about them should have worked, but for my build they just didn’t have the compression, or perhaps the girth allowance was a fraction too big for my legs. They also felt the most likely to catch or tear of the three, so they were relegated to cycling (nothing against cycling here guys, I just love my trail running).

In 2015 Skins took it to the field and changed the game. The new range is just about spot on perfect. They still come in the same great (although updated) box. We love the drawer, so easy to use.

I love the new gold 2015 Skins A400 compression colour

Great low light reflective glass on the 2015 Skins range

The new gold colour way looks fantastic. It’s got just enough bling with their new Japanese glass beading to catch the eye, but it remains Skins subtle. Throw them on at night or in low light however and it’s a whole new story. 

When viewed in the lowlight conditions of dawn, dusk or a gloomy day the glass beading reflects light like no other compression range and allows you to be seen a mile away. They even catch the light in a standard room. I kid you not, so as we head into winter this is an absolutely essential safety feature.

An important feature of any piece of equipment is how it feels in the hands and to wear. Mrs Fish has always loved the Skins feel and I agree, the 2015 range have a wonderful feel to them. They finally feel nearly $200Aud premium. They are soft but strong. While last year’s felt the weaker of my compression tights, I feel much more assured that the 2015 Skins range will handle whatever I throw at them. They are also made out of 24 individual panels, so they should fit like a glove.

This year, I also discovered the ‘S’ Small range. I don’t know how I missed it in the past. For me this was what I was waiting for, the ‘SS’ range. S for short! While the previous XS range catered for heights from 5’3 to 5’11, the new S range is capped at 5’ to 5’7 while still being designed for the same weight range. According to all the charts, this made them the perfect pair for me. The new S range is also built into the M, L, and XL sizes. Short guys all over the world can sing happy. They also have continued with their ‘L’ for long leg options if you're a taller guy.

See the panels on the Skins A400 tights

So, the important part, how well do they fit? Will my chicken legs finally get the famed Skins A400 compression? Last year I had the XS skins and they were too long and slipped. I even got a pair of XXS in from Europe, but these were also too big!

The new gold Skins A400 tights are almost the perfect pair. Pulling them, on they feel just right. Not too compressive that you have to do all sorts of dancing to get them on, but as soon as they are on you get that tingle in the legs. I feel like this is their patented Dynamic Gradient Compression technology at work, increasing my circulation to deliver more oxygen to my working muscles. I also like that the graduated compression through the calves and ankles slips over my foot easily.

Once they’re on, they fit true for weight (even my scrawny legs) and height. I think this is where the 2014 range missed the mark – too much variance from 5’3 – 5’11.

I instantly get the compression that I want around my thighs and hamstrings, and this is due to the 210D Memory MX fabric that gives it the weight and strength to really compress. This same material is used around the glutes and below the knees to correctly compress your calves. What I love about the new A400 ranges is that it’s actually a double density (dual layering) material around legs from the waistband down to the knees, and then from the knees to the ankles. This allows Skins to achieve greater compression, and for Mrs Fish and I the key to the A400 tights, the two segments are joined by a 70D Memory MX fabric around the knee. This gives a superior range of movement and flexibility through the knee, essential for running and riding.

So, how do they perform?

In a word, perfect! I finally have a pair of compression tights that compress in all the right areas. From long slow 20km + runs to high intensity 700m interval sessions the A400s have not slipped or dropped through my quads. For the duration of the 2015 Great Ocean Road 23km Half Marathon the new A400s did everything I wanted them to do. They reduced the muscle oscillation that you get from road and hill running to reduce fatigue and after my final 5km push I still felt strong. The lighter 70D material around the knees let me run freely, without any hindrance.

The duel layering of the 210D material across the Quads, ITB and hamstrings and the calves breathes extremely well.  Skins quote that the included ADAPTIVE Technology it there to ‘take care of temperature control and moisture management. When it’s cool, the unique polymer binds moisture in to keep you feeling warm. Then when you heat up it releases stored moisture to the surface where it can evaporate, helping your body cool down.’ I can say it does. I’ve run in 25+ degrees doing my interval training and felt just right. I’ve used them at 3 degrees in the morning and not felt at all cold. This indicates that the ADAPTIVE Technology works, and works well. It also gives a nice little bonus in the wet. The top layer rejects moisture quite well which means you stay dryer for longer. This is a great feature in the trails where the scrub along the trail very quickly soaks you if it’s been raining. The new A400 tights seem to have the water bead and then run off, a little like polish on a car.

If I have one gripe, it’s that the compression in the ankles is not quite tight enough for me. I was wondering if this was my pair, but I also did a recent run with the new Essentials Unisex Compression Calf Tights MX, which were amazing around my calves, but again loose around my ankles. I have another pair of Calf sleeves which have stronger compression and are a tighter band around my ankles. Am I losing a little of that venous return with them not quite compressing at their lowest level?

So are they worth the money? Will they last? I've been wearing the new Skins A400 Compression tights for nearly 3 months now and they are still as good as new. The Skins products are warp knitted which ensures controlled compression and superior durability compared to other circular knit brands. The Japanese glass beading of the Logos has been through the wash many times, and not once has it stuck or crumpled like a recent pair of 2XU tights. 

So to conclude another review, if you’re after that one pair of compression tights for the year, the new A400 have to be on the top of your list. I feel like the level of compression is spot on. I love the flexibility through the knees and the new glass beading makes them an essential in low light running or riding. For us shorter gentlemen (now that I’ve discovered it), the new ‘S’ short is a winner, and for me, the key change in 2015.

Skins A400 Tights and Active top

I’ve since gone out and picked up a pair of the new A400 power shorts and they are incredible, and the Essentials Tech vest is a new cool, wet weather favourite.

Happy running!

My 2015 Great Ocean Road Half Marathon - the perfect event

Last year I swore I'd never do the Great Ocean Road Half Marathon again. Actually, I swore quite a lot during the run. To make a long story short, you can read the recap here. 

Now that you're up to date, 2015 brought absolutely perfect weather conditions to one of the best road races in Australia, and I felt that I was in the perfect condition.

Em and I had booked in last September, and were looking forward to racing this one together. Out previous two attempts at running a race together had met with troubles (for me mainly...) and this was to be the one we both did well. Unfortunately Em met with a knee injury in the last few weeks so I was running solo. 

At 6:25 we were in the car, and as a passenger I got to watch the sunrise over Bass Straight: 

After drop off I decided to check out the toilet queues, not much better than last year. I did a few laps of the caravan park, and by 7:30 had done my bag drop. I did a few more laps to warm up/keep warm and by 7:45, and with 15 minutes to spare the queues were only 10 or so deep. Done, it was another couple of laps to keep warm. 

I hit the start line with 3 minutes to spare, so I shuffled three or four deep and to the left hand side. I hadn't caught any of the GenRun group so it was me, myself and I. Bang on 8:00 am we were off. 

First km: The first km was always going to be at an easy pace, up one of the steepest sections of the race is not an ideal fast start and this is a 23km event. I was pacing at an easy 150 bpm pace and felt great. After this, I had no plan. I was going to run fast if I wanted, I could back off if I needed. In my mind the only limiting factor was an upper HR limit of 175+ and last years ill memories. The shuffle of the start had soon sorted everyone out and I was loving watching the waves roll in along the coast. 

2- 5km: It wasn't too long before Hannah caught me up and I trotted along with her for a km or so before I had to let her move on, her pace was a little hot for what I wanted to do this early.  

With the ups and down of the coast line and as we moved slightly inland, kms 2-5 varied from 4:35 - 4:56 pace as we rode the last of the steeper climbs for a while and beat the Kennett River to Cape Patton climb. 

6-10km: It was about this stage that Ben pulled up alongside me. He'd been pacing me a for while and really liked my consistent pace. We talked goal times and he was aiming for something similar to me - I wanted 1:35 - 1:50. I know this is a huge window but after last years daemons I was just wanting a good strong run. 

We instantly clicked and the kms soon flew by. His pace was just a little quicker than what I was feeling like, but this being the run to just run, I picked it up and enjoyed the run. We'd done the worst of the climbs and descents by the end of the 6th km, and our pace through kms 7-10 was like clockwork - a broken conversational pace of 4:15 - 4:31 depending on the gradient. We ran through Grey River to Carisbrooke Falls and past Sugarloaf Creek. It was along this section I kept reminding myself to look left, the weather and conditions were perfect and I didn't want to miss anything. 

10 - 14km: From Sugarloaf Creek to Hickeys Cutting we averaged 4:21 - 4:35 as the road rose and fell, and we had also caught up with Hannah. I dropped back a little to chat, but as I was feeling great I pulled ahead to continue running with Ben. His subtle encouragement was exactly what I needed and it pushed me towards that goal time.

15km: We ran through Petticoat Creek and Ben was stoked with our pacing - 4:32-4:33 average the undulations were less extreme as we were closer to sea level here. It was here I started to have questions. Ben began to move forward and I started to have questions about whether could I keep going? It was about here last year that I fell apart. I was remembering where I went wrong and the niggles started to appear. The calves were twitching, the hips singing and my left foot was blistering and starting to hurt. 

16-18km: My pace here dropped to 4:45kms and I was starting to ebb as my fellow runners started to slowly swallow me up and spit me out. This was the tipping point. I could ease off and make it home, or hold my nerve. Each hundred metres became a form check. How were my strides, check the breathing rate - 3-2 still, land midfoot to ease the blistering pain and monitor the pulse. 168-170 was good, beyond 172 and I was worried about peaking. 

18-21km: I won the mind games. This last 5km became my Lillydale Lake Parkrun. Stick with me here. I knew I could do two laps of the lake. I knew I could do 5km at 170 BPM and run strong, keeping my form and regular breathing. I dug deep. My pace picked up to between 4:33 to 4:41 on the 18th, 19th and 20th kms. As we ran past Skenes Creek and the Chocolate Gannets, the crowd came alive. The locals were out on the beach chairs, kids were high fiving along the road and I got my third wind. 

I hit the half marathon timer just under 1:36 and made my move for home. 

The last 2.2km: I can't describe the emotions I had along this last section of the run. You could see the township of Apollo Bay and I could smell the finish. Last year it was one foot in front of the other, this year it was passing one runner after the next. My last two kms were 4:37 and 4:33 and I felt strong. I ran with the crowd and every child out there waiting for mum and dad became mine. I loved the smiles on the faces after the high fives and surged home. I saw the buses and could smell the finish. 

800m to go: The final 800m was 4:17 pace and I smashed it. The HR was 180 and rising and I was breathing hard. Running down that main street and the euphoria of finishing strong was almost overwhelming. I saw Em and the GenRun crew and somehow found that little bit more. 

The home stretch - 200m to go

With a flying finish and the flying heel tap over the line I finished in 1:43:39 almost perfecting the 1:35-1:50 time frame. Was I excited, yes, spent, yes, had enough breath to give a post race interview over the mike, big yes! Finishing 167th out of 2400 people and 51st in my category was also a huge buzz (these stats came later).

I found Ben and we were both stoked with our time. Without his company I'd have run a much easier race - he pushed just out of the comfort zone and made me hit my time. Em gave me the most wonderful smile and got the biggest hug ever. The support of Bec and Steve drove home just what I'd achieved and Hannah also had an amazing run. 

After a post race pic and massage I had a quick dip in the Bay before the long drive home. 

Very happy! Thanks to Skins Australia for the great new A400s

I can now say that I don't want to do the Great Ocean Half Marathon ever again in the near future. Maybe one day if the little fishlings become runners and goad the broken old man into running it. For now, I've run it twice in absolutely perfect weather conditions and I've run my perfect run. I battled my mind and this time I won, and I can't beat that.

That's it for now, the Salomon Series is but a month away...

This Fish

Guest review of the new Skins A400 range - Mrs Fish!

In 2014 Mrs Fish was selected to be one of the 2014 Victorian Skins recruits for the Melbourne City to Sea event. She has continued to develop her relationship with Skins who very kindly gave her the opportunity to proudly wear some of their new products and share her thoughts on the new range.

Here are her thoughts: 

"My review for the new A400 Skins!!!

My first impression of the new SKINS A400 range was one of excitement! So many added features and improvements and a great new look! The Plus range adds a touch of sportiness and the layering idea is fabulous to combine with other garments. For me, the SKINS Plus Revive Tank gave me confidence to wear a crop top and would be brilliant paired with the A400 crop or tank which is definitely part of my next purchase. It is lightweight, moisture-wicking, comfortable and a great fit. I love the idea of the toggle and was pleased to be able to pull it together to fit nicely over my Women's Rush Shorts.

What struck me about the shorts was the fabric. They are so lightweight, they didn't chafe at all and they are a great cut and shape. I wore them on their own, but could see them being super comfortable over the A400 or A200 Tights. A great idea for those who may want the extra visibility at night or in overcast conditions, warmth or even confidence to wear the tights. For somebody like me that seems to really appreciate compression, I found the Essentials Unisex Calf Tights brilliant! I often suffer from tight calves and didn't notice it whilst they were on. I use them for training, recovery and even warmth in the cooler weather under a pair of tights. I found them very comfortable, easy to put on and breathable. 

What really stood out for me was the new 360 degree reflective highlights. So simple, but highly visible at night! As shown in the photo below, we took one of the gear without a flash and one with to demonstrate how the logos will reflect at night.

They look great!

Exceptional visibility at night!

The SKINS logo really stands out 

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I would call myself a middle to long distance runner and as such I need sports gear that is comfortable, breathable, reflective and most importantly functional. SKINS you never fail to impress me. Your new A400 range I believe has it all, and I will continue to spread the word and wear SKINS to show just how impressive it is."

Mrs Fish A.K.A Emma