I get this one a lot:
“Coach, isn’t it way too hot to wear compression tights here?”
Totally fair question—especially if you’re sweating it out in a place like Bali, where the heat and humidity slap you in the face by 7 a.m. I’ve asked myself the same thing more than once as I stared at my compression gear and the blazing sun outside.
Let me tell you something upfront: wearing tight gear in 30°C (that’s 86°F for my American readers) with 90% humidity sounds like torture. But—and here’s the twist—some runners still suit up in full-length compression. And no, it’s not because they love to suffer. There’s actually a smart reason behind it.
Why Wear Compression in the Heat?
Let’s start with the most underrated reason: sun protection.
I know it sounds backward, but in brutal sun—think desert ultras or Bali’s midday furnace—covering your skin can keep you cooler than letting it bake.
Light-colored, breathable compression tights can bounce off the sun’s rays, wick away sweat, and keep you from frying like a piece of chicken on pavement. I’ve been scorched on my arms while my legs—wrapped in compression—stayed fine.
One trail runner out in Arizona told me he switched to compression leg sleeves not for the muscle support, but because his legs were already looking like overcooked eggplants.
Some sleeves are actually made with UV-blocking materials—so they protect you from the sun without turning your legs into ovens.
Sweat Management
Another perk? Sweat management. Some runners (me included) just hate that feeling of sweat dripping down bare skin. Compression fabric absorbs it, spreads it out, and helps it evaporate.
Brands like 2XU have “lite” or “aero” tights designed for this exact reason—they cool you down as you heat up. I’ve worn thinner compression gear on those slightly cooler Bali mornings, and even when things got steamy mid-run, I didn’t feel suffocated. The fabric did its job.
Key point: Just don’t wear thermal tights in the heat—those are made for the cold. Stick to summer-weight, mesh-backed compression for hot-weather runs.
But Shorts Work Too—Here’s the Middle Ground
Let’s be real—most runners aren’t crazy enough to wear full tights in the heat. And that’s okay. Compression shorts or calf sleeves are solid alternatives.
I do this often when it’s boiling out: I’ll throw on sleeves to keep my calves from cramping on long hot runs but let my thighs breathe.
That way, you still get muscle support—without the full-leg sauna effect.
What about you? Do you go full gear or mix it up?
Cold Weather = Compression’s Time to Shine
Now when the temperature drops, compression tights are money. Seriously. They’re like wrapping your legs in performance armor.
Cold muscles tighten up fast. They lose power and become injury magnets. But when you wear tights? Boom—your muscles stay loose and warm. That helps you move better and avoid injuries.
Some winter models even have fleece-lined interiors, which feel like a cozy blanket but still let you move.
I’ve run in 10°C (50°F) winds with nothing but compression tights—no extra layers—and felt great. Meanwhile, runners in shorts were grumbling about frozen thighs.
Plus, full coverage protects you from windburn and icy rain. Loose pants can flap around and get soggy, but compression tights stick to your skin and dry out as you move.
Some even have windproof panels or water-resistant fronts—especially the ones made for cyclists or winter trail runners (gorewear.com).
If you’re going to suffer the cold, at least do it in smart gear.
My Golden Rule: Match the Gear to the Weather
One runner from SoCal nailed it: compression shorts in the summer, tights in winter, and always post-race recovery tights indoors.
That’s my kind of approach. I keep my tights for the cooler early mornings, rainy trail runs, or post-long run couch sessions.
In the dry season here in Bali, it’s usually shorts and calf sleeves. In the wet season? Compression tights get their moment.
Pro Tip for Hot Days
Thinking of wearing full-length tights in the heat?
- Go light-colored. Black tights under the noon sun will roast you.
- Check the fabric. Use “lite” or “heat-dispersing” versions.
- Hydrate like hell. Compression can slightly boost blood flow, so you might sweat more than usual.
- Don’t be a hero. If it’s too hot, peel them off and grab something cooler.
Performance matters—but not at the expense of comfort or safety.