Opedix Knee Support Tights
Opedix knee help.
Knee problems are the plague in nearly any field of human powered recreation. It doesn’t matter what your age, or how perfect your workouts are. Genetics intrudes, as does the fact that human knees could be better designed.
You can indeed swap in a a pair of new knee joints, but that’s an extreme solution that most folks probably hold off on till things get really bad. In the interim, if you do have knee problems you should at the least be doing a series of special knee exercises specific to your condition, keeping your body weight down, and cross-training enough to avoid repetitive motion problems.
Beyond that, perhaps a knee unloading tight could help, such as those built by Opedix. I reviewed these last winter, so consider this an update.
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| Opedix knee support tights. |
I’ve been using Opedix tights for two ski seasons now, mostly for anticipated bigger “knee banging” days such as resort skiing or snowmobile access expeditions that involve lots of manhandling of the sled. I don’t like the look or function of tights as my main outside leg layer, so I use the Opedix under side zip pants or sometimes under a more baggy softshell pant. In that configuration they’re too warm for spring skiing, so they’re out for that. But otherwise I’ve found they do work as advertised (when used correctly), and thus do keep the knees feeling better as well as providing some muscle compression and support.
As stated in my review last winter, for the Opedix to work they need to be securely anchored at your hips, and depending on how your legs are shaped, may need additional anchoring at the feet as well.
Last year’s tights were a bit short in the waist, making them feel like they were always riding down over my rear, thus requiring constant repositioning that resembled some geezer hitching up his trow (only thing missing for the full effect was the smoking pipe). This year’s Opedix have a bit of added height, so they’re easier to cinch above the hip bones and achieve the required anchoring. Even so, with my skinny rear I still really need suspenders to keep the Opedix working correctly throughout the day — without fumbling with my waistline.
At the feet, Opedix provide fabric tabs (on the model designed for skiers) that are intended to somehow anchor the tights in your ski boots. I found these tabs to be less than ideal (any anchoring effect doesn’t last, and who wants to just stuff a hunk of fabric in their ski boots?) Instead, it seems to me that providing a foot stirrup on the tights would be an easy and effective solution.
At any rate, Opedix tights are worth looking into if you have anything going on with your knees. Just figure you’ll still need suspenders if you’ve got a diminutive derriere — and want to avoid the dreaded “geezer effect.”
Comments
17 Responses to “Opedix Knee Support Tights”
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If the tights are too hot, perhaps Kinesio Tape would work better?
Scott, I do a certain kind of taping for a problem I won’t go into, but it’s tedious and ultimately expensive as the proper tape isn’t cheap. The tights are a good thing to add to the mix, as is a good quality knee brace.
CW-X makes a good tight too. 3 seasons and still reliable.
Lou, try out a pair of tights from “Skins”. Amazing & thin.
Lou
Please don,t tell me a bunch of men who grew up in the age or John Wayne are talking about tights.
Should I turn comments OFF on this post (grin)?
Maybe we need to find another name like ” groin supports”.
Anything but “tights”.
I cross both ways when going up and down the hill, never have had any knee problems (knock on wood) and swear by the neoprene knee sleeves. They keep your knees warm, give a little rebound energy, you can get a closed patella version (small amount of protection for hittng things when dropping a knee) or an open patella version, they are cheap and if it is warm out it is a lot cooler than a full tight. Not the newest or sexiest thing but seem to work.
Since the topic is leaning in this direction, I’ve got a question. I pulled my groin last year while goofing around and skating across a flat section. It hurt so bad I thought I had a hernia. Doctor says I’m fine but it still gives me problems. Does anyone use a particular tight for groin support? Thanks.
JB, I’ve done that, and just about any short or long tight type pant seems to help by limiting motion a bit and so forth. I’ve not seen anything specific. Anyone else seen anything out there?
JB
CW-X makes a (instead of t____t I’ll use the word) pant that offers some support around the lower back and groin-al area. I think this version of the “pant” is called the Stabilyx. I have a pair I use for running on colder days that I wear under, well just about anything, because I tend to get a sore lower back when I run and they do seem to help. I pretty much refuse to wear them alone because as much as they are accepted now I still can’t wear em in public as an outer layer.
Mark
Thanks guys. I feel like we’ve all bonded a bit. And Lou, following your Silvretta traverse was a blast. Thanks for the great posts.
Women everywehre swear by spanks – they hold enough in to make a woman look ten pounds lighter and come in a variety of shapes and sizes – if they can make a woman look ten pounds lighter imagine how they could support your groin – hey don’t knock it till you try it – it can be our little secret.
Do I feel a gear review coming on? Or a guest blog?
Another thumbs-up for the CW-X Stabilyx. My knees are shot after too much fun in my early years… and the CW-X have integrated crossing bands that support proper tracking in the knee joint. Great core support as well.
Another positive aspect of these “pants” is less muscle fatigue at the end of a day; definitely noticeable after a long hard tour, or bike ride.
I love the Opedix. Wore ’em all winter and was able to ski well with a seriously messed up knee. I heard the FDA was considering approving the, ok, I wont say the T word….garments? The rep told me the shirt makes you 6 times stronger just by wearing it!
Shannon, that should be 6%, not 6X. Ref their web site:
“In a double-blind clinical study, participants shoulder strength was immediately increased an average 6% just by wearing the shirt.”