We first heard about Fusion Sports (www.fusionsportsuk.co.uk) when compiling our pre-TCR Show exhibitor profile, and we were immediately struck by how stylish their gear looked and we wanted to find out more. Fusion is a Danish company that specialises in the production of high performance sporting apparel for Triathlon, Cycling and Running, and the TCR Show represented their launch into the UK market.

Experienced triathlete and cyclist Mark Booth is part of the Fusion Sports UK team, and a quick chat at the show secured a pair of Fusion Power Compression Tights for review and testing. These are so new on the market, they are only going on sale this week!

We called in top age group athlete, and Ironman in (heavy...) training John Franklin to put them through their paces, and report back on whether they could deliver on their promises.

Technical details

This is how Fusion describe their Power Compression Tights:

• The Fusion Power Compression Tights are made from LYCRA® POWER™ A certified compressive fabric made to enhance performance by reducing muscle vibration, a major cause of muscle fatigue, therefore increasing accuracy and efficiency of movement, and providing superior comfort and fit as well as increasing the speed of your recovery after exercise.
• Anatomic structure designed to follow the contours of the leg for enhanced performance whilst optimising the levels of graduated pressure to promote blood flow and thus increase muscle endurance and recovery.
• Exceptional Moisture management throughout the tights to draw moisture away from your skin keeping you dry.
• Two flex zones made from our unique Compressor3 material (a 2-sided technical fabric that comprises of an ‘open-knitted’ inside to drag moisture from the skin and then transfer to the fine knitted outer, where the molecules cover a wider area on the surface for increased evaporation). Flex Zone 1: Back of Knee to ensure freedom of movement. Flex Zone 2: Achilles area to ensure lower leg area of the tight is not stressed whilst being pulled over the foot, ensuring the tights maintain compression levels.

Our tester's view

For those who weren't at the TCR show, Fusion Sports is a new company to the UK with their website having only gone live in the last two weeks. Their kit is high end (think 'Assos for triathlon'), and exudes understated style. Whilst having an extensive range covering everything from gym wear to multi-sport clothing, I have spent the last 14 days putting the compression wear through its paces.

Compression wear has exploded in triathlon in recent months with many long distance stars sporting compression socks at Kona. Holding down a full-time job and training between 15 and 20 hours a week means recovery is one of the hardest things to find time for, and from experience, I too have found compression wear to speed up this process. In recent months I have worn tights and socks from three different companies. So, how do the Power Tights stack up? Retailing at £80, nearly twice as much as some of the competitors, they certainly needed to find that little something extra.

First impressions were excellent. I, like many triathletes, like to look as good in lyrca as possible and the styling of Fusion products is second to none that I have trained in. Also, the Fusion tights are not just for recovery. The material is high wicking and the compression is reduced behind the knee to allow more freedom when running, and this dual-purpose goes some way to justifying the price tag.

As a recovery tight I have found them to be excellent and they have replaced my previous brand of choice as my regular post session leg wear. The fit is outstanding, and the results so far have been positive. This past week has been the first of my build weeks before Ironman South Africa, and I have logged just over 20 hours of training. By wearing the Power Tights after sessions and during the night, I have noticed a significant reduction in muscle fatigue and my performance has not dropped off as the week has progressed as is sometimes the case.

As a running tight I was also impressed. The change in compression gradient behind the knee is the sort of thing I would usually scoff at and assume it would make no difference, but there was more mobility and flex than I would have expected from such a snug fit.

There is one drawback, and that is a rather unfortunately placed seam which did cause some chafing over a distance of nine miles. As with most products, fit is a personal thing and this may not be a problem for every male, but it would not be my tight of choice for runs of over 10 miles...

In Summary

Two questions need answering. Firstly, do they work? Without a doubt yes, I'm wearing them as I type this!

Secondly, are they worth the price? Again, I would have to say yes, although not quite as resolutely as I answered the previous question.

They are the most effective compression garment that I have worn, and if the chafing problem can be solved then they make an excellent running tight as well.

For more information on the Fusion Sports range of products and to purchase online, go to www.fusionsportsuk.co.uk.