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Friday, March 16, 2012

CW-X 3/4 Pro Tight

I finally decided to order some CW-X tights after hearing great things about them from different people.  So I went on Zappos and ordered the 3/4 Pro Tight since they appear to be the shortest (16 inch inseam, whereas other crops are 18 inch inseam), and they are all black.  CW-X makes some crazy looking tights with colorful lines all over!  A little too much for me.  I just wanted good old black as my first pair.




Logo on both legs... a little weird


I love Zappos, they have free one day shipping, and free return!  So these were $85, with free shipping, and no taxes!  That's actually cheaper than most Lululemon tights that are $88 + 10% tax.  But I must say the quality is definitely superior to Lululemon.

The available sizes for these were XS - L.  I first ordered a size S which is what I normally wear.  But they were very tight!  The material is thicker and not very stretchy at all, so different from Lululemon's luxtreme that I'm used to.  So they were very hard to put on.  I was able to eventually put them on, but I thought they were just way too much compression for me, and cut in around the waist and leg opening.  So I sent them back and ordered a size M.  A day later, I received them.  They definitely fit better than S.  But they are still not as easy to put on as my Lulu tights.  You kind of have to wear them like stockings, pull up little by little and adjust the fit.

I think these tights look pretty cool and make your legs look slimmer.  I love that they have the bands all over the tights that mimic sports tape.  I immediately felt the support that the bands offer when I put them on the first time.  I did some test squads and things like that and I could definitely tell a difference.  Today I wore them during my workout and they were awesome!  I ran and did weights.  They support the knees and quads really well, I can see why people say that their knee problems go away when they wear CW-X tights.  I felt lighter with them on, like I could go faster and longer.  They kept everything in place and my squads and lunges also felt a lot more stable.  Can you believe tights can make your balance better?  Lol.  Must be all the criss cross taping around the knees.  I also got lots of compliments at the gym from different people wanting to know where they were from.

Here are some detailed shots from Zappos where you can see the bands better:






So the logo is on both legs - on the front of the right leg and back of the left as well as back of the waist, to ensure that people can see what brand you are wearing from all directions.  Lol.

The waist goes all the way up to my natural waist.  This is the only thing I am not 100% happy with - I wish they had a wide waistband!  The little thin waistband digs in very easily.  I think you can see it on this closer up picture even though I have a tank over it.  So if you are feeling bloaty one day, you better wear a loose tank with it!  Haha.



And here's the picture of the almost non-existent waistband from Zappos:



There is a very very long tie on the waistband.  Why?  I don't know.  These are tight enough that you won't need to tie it some more to keep them in place.  So I took mine out and chucked it, it was a little ridiculous to try tucking them in.  And the tights didn't move at all during my entire workout today.



There is also a little key pocket inside the waistband.  But it is not built in like Lululemon pants.  It's just a little pocket that hangs out there.  So after you put on them on, you have to go in and tuck the pocket so it lays flat.  But it's nice to have it in case you go running outside and need a pocket to store keys.



Overall I really like these tights!  Like I said, they are much thicker than Lululemon's luxtreme.  So I wonder if they will be hot to wear in the summer.  It's pretty cold here today, so they didn't make me hot at all.  They also wicked sweat pretty well and dried fast.  I think they will become my new go-to tights for running or other high impact activities from now on.

41 comments:

  1. Helps with knee pain.... I am definitely going to look into these tights. That is the only thing that will get me to be unfaithful to Lululemon. The lines kind of remind of kt tape that I have used for my knee pain. I rarely use drawstrings and find them to be bulky under close fitting tops... never had the courage to take one out... silly, I know. Think I will start cutting them out when not needed. Thanks for the review. I LOVE zappos! Would you mind posting your size in Lululemon crops for a size reference?

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    1. Sure, I'm a pretty consistent size 4 in Lululemon bottoms. If you go on the CW-X site, they talk about the history of the taping which is actually patented. I guess they tested for over 10 years in Japan on runners, and the way the taping is applied mimics how sports trainers use sports tape. Makes sense!!

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    2. Thanks! I am a 4 in Lulu, too. I will check out the CW-X site. Going to try size medium.

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    3. Hi anon - amazon has them for less money. I'm a prime member so I get free shipping. They also allow free returns.

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  2. Hmm. Very interesting, indeed. You've got me wondering if I should get a pair of these.....

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  3. Super interesting! I think I'm going to have to order a pair. I know this is random to ask but I'm a 6 in lululemon- do you think I could cram into a medium? Or do you think a large might be better. Thanks for you opinion! I really enjoy your blog!

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    1. What size do you normally wear? Whatever it is, you should size up from that. I think you probably could wear a M. I don't find that big of a difference between size 4 and 6 in Lulu bottoms. Or 4 and 2 for that matter lol. I literally have like 3 pairs of size 2 pants, 1 pair of size 6 and a bunch of size 4 Lululemon bottoms in my closet. These CW-X tights have great compression, so even if you get a L it will be fine. Is it an option to order both sizes and send back whichever doesn't fit as well?

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    2. Good call on ordering both. Thanks for your help!

      Ps- totally bought the ebb and flow capri the other day- they really are awesome!

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    3. Oh yeah, those are great! Totally different from these ones though. Definitely should have both lol.

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  4. Replies
    1. Haha... my husband was walking him when I took these pictures. =)

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  5. It's very interesting post. I have a problem with my knee (crack cartilage). It's difficult for me to run more 4 km (= 2,48 miles). Maybe I should try? Are you going to buy some wunder under lululemon or now you will buy some some CW-X tights?
    I received my ebb & flow, it's great, i love this crop!

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    1. Well I think these tights are quite diff from Lululemon wunder unders. I like wunder unders for casual wear or yoga/Pilates but not really for running. I would normally wear luxtreme crops for running or high impact workouts. So I think these tights will serve the same purpose now.

      So glad you like the ebb & flow crops! I am wearing them now. :) I would def buy another pair in that dark purple color!

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    2. So are the ebb & flow coming out in a purple sometime soon? I only have the indigo ones, but I am drooling over the black and grey ones I see on ebay. lol

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  6. They look great. I love the feel of the lulu luxtreme pants and crops but I find they fall when running. I have to tie the inner cord tight and still seem to need to pull them up. Maybe the compression in these would prevent that from happening. I do LOVE the pocket in the chase me crops and these would be even more fab if they had a pocket large enough for a phone. It's too bad about the waist band though. Definitely something I should look into. Thanks!

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    1. Luxtreme crops fall on me too. Until I start to sweat and then they stick to my skin pretty well. Lol. I did not have any issues with these CW-X tights falling at all. The pocket on these are wide enough for my iPhone but not tall enough. However, you could stick the iPhone in anyway if you don't care that a little bit of it is peeking out on top! It's not that bad actually. But I do like lulu pockets better for sure. At least sew it in on the bottom!

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    2. The pocket is on the inside of these right? Not the outside? I am so tempted to buy a pair but gezzz, I've been spending so much! I have a few things on ebay. Fingers crossed I can get enough for those to purchase a pair of these.

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    3. Yes on the inside. Haha I know what you mean! I've been spending so much too... But last month I sold some of my old stuff on eBay for like $1000 so I feel like I can splurge a little. After all I'm just replacing the old with the new. :)

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  7. I am a bit nervous about sizing. I am a lulu 8 and would normally buy a size M in other brands. You are a lulu 4 and purchased the M. The cw-x size chart tells me that L is 170-190, which is quite a bit more than a weigh...hmmmm what to do, what to do. I am in Canada so I don't have the advantage of free returns! :(

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    1. I don't think the size chart is accurate. The size S I bought was too much compression for me like almost cutting off circulation lol. I honestly think I can get away with a size L. If you read the reviews on Zappos, most people say to size up one from your normal size too...

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    2. Thanks a lot! I will order the large. I also found this site if you are planning on buying another pair: http://www.coolfitwear.com. The prices aren't bad, free shipping and I found a coupon code for 15% off "runnersworld".

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    3. Oh awesome, thanks!! I may buy another pair later...

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  8. I can purchase on Amazon for $75 with free 2 day shipping since I'm a prime member. Just thought I would pass that along to anyone looking to purchase.

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    1. I'm going to order the full length tights so that I get compression all the way down my calves. I think I will prefer this, but the crops are nice too.

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    2. Sorry -having conversation with myself... Since I'm in Florida and one of the reviews on the pro tight was that it isn't mentioned in description that it's really for cold weather. I ordered the "CW-X Women's Ventilator Running Tights" super cute. Hope I like them.

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    3. I debated between the ventilator tight and pro tight. Those do look cute and intriguing! Let us know how you like them...

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    4. I should have them Tuesday.... can't wait and will let you know what I think of them.

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    5. omigosh there are so many choices! ventilator, pro, and on ebay i see some stability ones.

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    6. Yeah... when I was looking, the Pro ones were the only 16 inch inseam. Others I saw were all 18. I like the shorter length, so I went with this one...

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  9. Thanks for a great review. I run in Luxtreme (and keep pulling them up), but I cant use those crops for crossfit as they do get transparent in squats etc. So I wear Luon for crossfit which gives no support. Sounds like these could be good for both. Did you think these got see through at all? or they thick enough?
    -Anu

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    1. Oh yeah I forgot to mention that these are not see thru at all! I too worry about my luxtreme crops being see thru ever since my husband (back then he was still only my boyfriend) told me to be careful bending down bc he could see my underwear lol. I think these will be great for crossfit!

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  10. Wow- CW-X people should be GIVING you their tights for all the sales you've channeled to them ;) After seeing this I want a pair too! First I sniffed a little at the price tag, but it's funny, I don't think twice about spending even more on a pair of Lululemon tights that don't have compression. Only problem is you've also convinced me that I need Ebb & Flow crops too. Haha stop posting cute clothes that I don't have!!! :-D

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  11. Hi, so glad you reviewed these tights! I'm intrigued! I am also a little hesitant to size up based on the cw-x size chart. So I wanted your advice too. I'm 5'3", 114 lbs, size 26 in jeans. Think I should get the medium? I do normally wear a 4 in lulu. You mentioned the medium does not fall down while you are running too, right? I have that problem with some of the lulu run crops. Thanks in advance for your time.

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    1. Hi, you are right the medium didn't fall down at all. I also wear a 26/27 in jeans. But I'm a little taller than you - 5'5. Small might work for you, I could fit into the small but just didn't like how compressed I felt lol. Can you order both sizes and return the one you don't want to keep?

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  12. lookin good in those Cw-x younglady.:] Nothing like the Cw-x I have 3 pairs definitely an awesome tight

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  13. Is there anyone out there on the fat end of the moral seesaw who is at all capable of dealing with life here in the real world? I am not a smoker Cheap Cigarettes, but I wonder why -- if tobacco is evil incarnate -- it hasn been made illegal Newport Cigarettes. What that? Too much profit to be made? Okay, I see now. Well, let do the next best thing and persecute the users Marlboro Lights.

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