I have been testing KYMIRA Sport’s new “infrared performance and recovery enhancing” three-quarter length leggings.
KYMIRA Sport was founded in 2013 following five years of academic research and development. The products – including ankle and compression socks, base layer top and bottoms, cycle wear and gloves – use infrared technology to “create a variety of enhancements to athletic performance and recovery”.
The results are supported by 10 published independent clinical trials (to date) and have lead to products being given medical device status in the EU, Australasia and the US.
I read: “Using KYnergy infrared technology, the leggings have the ability to improve the wearer’s performance due to the active minerals that are embedded into the fabric.
“The minerals capture the energy produced by the human body during exercise and re-emit it back into muscles, providing increased circulation, increased tissue oxygen levels by up to 20% and pain relief.”
The company has now launched a new range of ¾ length leggings, available for men and women.
Features:
- Thick but lightweight infrared emitting fabric
- Fabric is also breathable and quick drying
- Flatlock seams
- Elasticated waistband
- Leg length to fit to just below the knee.
- Designed to pair with infrared compression socks.
- Sizes: XS – XL
- Male and female fit
Infrared benefits:
- Temperature regulation
- Retain heat 63% longer than other base layers
- Increased blood circulation prevents overheating
- Increased tissue oxygenation by up to 20%
- Increased cellular metabolism
- Enhanced energy production
- Pain relief
Best use
For optimum results, it’s recommended that you wear the three-quarter length leggings for at least 30 minutes prior to exercise, during the workout, and for at least one hour after exercise.
Contact and price
- KYMIRA SPORT
- £70
On test: KYMIRA SPORT three-quarter leggings
The leggings look and feel like any ordinary pair of leggings. The tights fit well and feel good on.
I had expected they would fall down at the waist while I ran because the waistband is not overly tight but they stayed in place.
The length of the three-quarter legs felt comfortable and the look is quite flattering.
The fabric is fairly lightweight and feels lovely against the skin. For the weight of the fabric I would have expected more chill while running. I tested the leggings on cold days and when there was a lot of wind about. If I had been wearing an ordinary pair of lightweight running leggings I think my legs would have felt colder.
So for a pair of tights that feel lightweight to wear, the warmth rating is quite good.
But, if I am honest, I don’t think I felt anything else remarkable. I am not sure what I was supposed to experience with the infrared properties but I expected to feeler better/warmer/faster somehow. I did not.
KYMIRA Sport have told me: “The way the infrared technology works is that, when wearing the garments, they support you to push yourself in running faster and running for longer during training. This is because the infrared properties help increase circulation, regulate body temperature, improve respirational efficiency, increase tissue oxygen levels and reduce pain following training sessions, especially reducing Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS).
“With these benefits, this means you should be able to push yourself in training and exercise, without feeling any usual pains and usual fatigue, enabling you to go further, for longer.
But perhaps I am missing the point. Maybe I am not meant to feel anything and the infrared technology simply worked its magic.
The day after a run when my legs were sore from a previous weight training session there may have been some recovery improvement. I can’t say that for sure and perhaps the tights did help the recovery speed but it wsn’t significant enough to be conclusive.
I wonder if I was not working hard enough to build up the energy required to assist my muscles.
I thought about how it felt to be wearing the tights but I simply couldn’t discern any difference. Perhaps my legs did feel fresher the following day but even that is hard to tell because I have nothing to compare the exact session and recovery rate with.
I have worn the leggings on several different outings and for a weight training work out but I just can’t differentiate the experience from wearing any other pair of running leggings. I wish I could but I want to be honest.
There are plenty of top athletes who love the KYMIRA Sport clothing and I am sure that when compression products first came out people were also sceptical about the benefits, but, for now, I can’t say the infrared technology has made a big impression on me.
Anyway, they are nice and comfy. The tights are not the most supportive I’ve worn but they felt good on and look lovely. They stay up and that is a big bonus.
Would I buy another pair for £70? I doubt it but I think I might if I could feel the benefit of the infrared technology.