Product Review: Zensah Thigh Sleeve

Disclaimer: I received entry the Zensah Thigh Compression Sleeve 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! Don’t forget to join us every Tuesday at 9/8 EST/CST for #bibchat on Twitter

Runners are known for liking all thing compression for their legs, especially after long runs. We torture ourselves on a regular basis, and so anything that can help in the recovery process, we’re all for it. Awhile back, I was given the opportunity to try out Zensah’s thigh compression sleeve and I’ve since been trying it out

Cost: $24.99.

Sleeves included: 1 sleeve per pack. This seemed a little odd to me, since any time I’ve gotten compression sleeves in the past from Zensah in the past, I’ve gotten a pair. I wish it would have been a pair so I can wear them both at once!

Sizing: Either S/M or L/XL. You can go Men or Women with Sizing. For women, the S/M is for thigh circumference of 18” – 22“ and under 5’8″. The L/XL is for thigh circumference 22″ and up and for people taller than 5’8″

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I tried a few different approaches to wearing the sleeve after I got it. It’s a fairly stretchy sleeve, but at 5’2″ I felt like I ran out of leg since it goes off thigh circumference, but doesn’t alter much based off height. At least on me, it came down all the way to my knee.

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I wore it mainly after runs to help with compression and circulation. It for the most part, did it’s job. Part of what I noticed with it, was that the top part would at times roll down on me. I tried sleeping with it on and it almost got to be too much. However, when I wore it for short term compression, it felt pretty good.

I also found an unexpected use for it: knee compression! If you’re feeling tight around/behind the knee, it actually felt pretty good to wear. It almost felt better as a knee sleeve rather than a thigh sleeve!

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What I wasn’t a fan of, was if you tried running with, it got bunched up. I felt like it wouldn’t stay in place and the top part would roll down on me. I’m not entirely sure why- maybe secondary to my bilateral short leg syndrome (ie, I’m short), maybe it was a touch to big, I’m still trying to figure it out.

I will say though, we were talking amongst BibRave Pro’s and suggestions/input were passed along to Zensah. I’m a fan of Zensah- I have 2 pairs of their calf sleeves (remember the Ultra Sleeves??). I would use this more for compression purposes, however, not while running like I can do with the calf sleeves. I think if something can be adjusted that also takes into account people’s height, it would make a big deal. Someone at 6’5″ is different than 5’2″. Love the idea, but I think a few tweaks are needed.

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 See what Other Bib Rave Pros had to say:

Laurel: https://runningtohappiness.wordpress.com/2015/09/07/zensah-compression-thigh-sleeve-review/

Jess: http://seejessrun711.blogspot.com/2015/09/zensah-thigh-sleeve-review.html

Haley: http://runnertransformed.com/2015/09/06/zensah-compression-thigh-sleeve-a-review/

Angie: https://marathang.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/zensah-thigh-sleeve-product-review/