Yesterday I ran 9 miles, but between the first 4 miles and the second part of 5 miles, I had one of these instead of a Gu:
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| Why doesn't Gu have a glazed doughnut flavor? |
Another example: I like to think of myself as a "Fun Mommy", but that doesn't stop me from getting this face a LOT:
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| Where are my cookies woman? |
On a similar slant, when I ask a company to let me review their product for the blog, I anticipate enjoying that product. I would never ask to review or agree to review something I know I'd hate or wouldn't use, like a juicer or chia seeds.
Tommie Copper sent me calf compression sleeves to review for the blog. I already own CEP brand compression sleeves and I love them, so I thought this would be a good fit for a review. Also, I had read other bloggers' review of the product and they all raved about it. I'm either more picky or more honest in my reviews.
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| Well, they LOOK like compression sleeves |
My dissatisfaction with these calf sleeves is two fold:
- Where's the compression? This was the same amount of compression you'd get from a pair of pantyhose. The company says these are so comfortable that you can wear them all the time, which might be true, but it would be because they aren't actually compressing your calf.
- Skin irritations. These sleeves have a scratchy tag in the back and a seam that runs down the back. I wore these for a 9 mile run and that seam chafed and irritated me the whole time. I couldn't wait to take those things off!
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| The Tag of Annoyance |
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| Seam mark left on my leg |
I was surprised at how something that didn't even feel tight could rub and irritate my skin like that. It wasn't just when I ran wearing them either, I also noticed it when I wore them for recovery after a long run.
I hardly ever read negative reviews on blogs, which either means that people just don't post reviews if they hate the product, or they feel obligated to rave about a product provided to them. Luckily for you all, I don't sugar coat so you know you can trust my reviews. :)
No giveaway for this review, even though I'm sure my review is making you itch to get a pair (get it, itch? Haha).
I appreciate my CEP compression sleeves even more now. They might be pricey, but they are worth it. I'd like a CEP bodysuit. :)
What's something that everyone else liked that you didn't? I feel that way about cream cheese. Everyone seems to like it, but I can't stand it and that includes cheesecake.
Ok, if you don't like cheesecake, then you haven't tried the right flavor. Get one of everything at the Cheesecake Factory and get back to me.
ReplyDeleteI had the same problem with reviewing Gotein. I'd rather be honest than foist crap products on unsuspecting readers who will never trust me again. Thanks for doing the same!
Dogs. Ketchup. Beer. Football. Black Swan. The list goes on and on. Spending weekend nights at bars (which, granted, I did used to love). I've noticed the lack of negative reviews as well, and wondered about it. I'm guessing people think that if they post negatively it will be a deterrent to other companies to send them products? I need to start emailing more companies to send products. I don't hate cheesecake, I don't think it's gross or anything, but it's pretty much my last choice of a dessert. However, if it's the only choice, I'll take it. That doesn't include any made by my mom.
ReplyDeleteOh bummer they irritate you. I wear mine all the time and love them, they are really great for work, I am a nurse. I think they could stand to be a little tighter but I haven't noticed any irritation from them, maybe you are more sensitive than me :)
ReplyDeleteI planned on doing a review/giveaway once for a shall-not-be-named product (like I care--Soy joy bars) and I just hated them. Couldn't eat them. I emailed the company and said I didn't want to do it, and would be happy to send the rest back. I didn't want to advertise them because the made me gag. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteAlso--I hate cottage cheese and bananas. In the world of women's health blogging, that's absolute blasphemy.
this is a good way to not get any other free swag to review.
ReplyDeleteAlso, no cheesecake? freak. We used a cheesecake to cut at our wedding. And it's been my birthday cake ever since I could remember.
i thought of another reason why they don't compress right for you: wimpy skinny calves.
ReplyDeleteI am with you on the cream cheese. Also cottage cheese, beer, cilantro (which eliminates essentially anything from Chipotle and other Mexican places). I'll never understand why it is in everything.
ReplyDeleteI've gone the "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" route with products before, mostly because I've never been sent something that was complete crap. I've turned down a fair amount of items that I simply wasn't interested in, too. I would've jumped at calf sleeves, though! Thanks for your honest review.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind cheesecake, but it's never my first choice. I hated, absolutely hated, and still make fun of, the movie Good Will Hunting. In fact, I can't think of a movie that has won a Best Picture Oscar that I did like.
Hmm...in my attempt at feeling better after runs, I have been hemming and hawing over getting compression sleeves for my legs. Now I know which ones NOT to buy. Thanks for the honest review.
ReplyDeleteI really want companies to send me awesome running things to review! Looks like I need to start sending emails. Or begging...or flashing them?
I totally want a cep body suit!
ReplyDeleteMy parents have a friend who is a restaurant critic for a fairly big newspaper, and she says that she doesn't do negative reviews for restaurants. News about bad restaurants gets out on its own, apparently.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of any kind of compression clothing. Maybe I'm in the minority here, but when I see runners running with high socks on, I think they look absolutely ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteGasp of horror! You don't like cheesecake?! Are you human?! Just kidding, to each their own. I have read a few bad reviews, but not too often.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I LOVE that face of Faith's. Adorable.
I'm with milesforbreakfast, too, I think compression clothing looks a bit ridiculous.
I had a totally different experience with Tommie Copper. I love my TC calf sleeves and wear them after every workout! Cut the tag out of the sleeves and try them again. TC is AWESOME, and definitely worth another chance. :)
ReplyDeleteAs for eating donuts in the middle of a long run, AMEN! Cupcakes also are a good option.
Love Faith's expression in that picture!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your honest review.
I don't like donuts or chocolate ice cream. I know I'm a freak.
Ha! Faith's face is unbelievable. I think maybe she will call you "Woman" before she calls you "Mama".
ReplyDeleteUgh, I have this STUPID product sitting on my desk that I've been asked to review (a uv germ zapper or something), and I've recently realized I HATE doing reviews. Whether I like the product or not, I always feel like whatever I write is either an advertisement for it or just, blah. So I've turned down a few reviews now too, and that makes me feel like, "What am I doing?! What good is blogging if you don't take the free stuff!".
I have also worn TC Sleeves and LOVE them. I have never had a problem with the seam or the tag when I run or when I wear them when I am not running. I love the fact that they don't feel like they are compressing my legs like a sausage. I have used Zensah and CEP and hands down Tommie Copper was my favorite.Perhaps a bigger size sleeve would feel better! They have a sizing chart that I used, had I not I would have ordered the wrong size I am a small girl with bigger calves than I thought :)
ReplyDeleteGive them another go before you count them out!
i love honesty and find it refreshing! so thanks for not sugar-coating the review.
ReplyDeleteeveryone LOVED the movie the sixth sense. i HATED it. worst movie ever (even though it was based in my hometown). i really think i'm the only one.
i'm with you on the juicer, chia seeds, and cream cheese -- EW!
I'm kind of bummed that you didn't like the calf sleeves. I reviewed this same product and really liked them. In fact, I liked them so much that I have moved on to their other products (ankle sleeves and the fingerless gloves). I wrote about my experience with the calf sleeves here --> http://wp.me/p1uIlA-fq
ReplyDeleteI agree, the Tommie Copper calf sleeves don't feel at all the same as the CEP compression sleeves. (On a side note, I own CEP, Zensah, and Tommie Copper brands.) I tend to wear the different brands/different levels of compression for my different needs. For post-marathon and post-really long runs, I still like my CEP. For mid-level compression, I like the Zensah. For lighter, everyday type soreness, I really like the Tommie Copper sleeves.
I am sure my perspective may be a little different as well...since I am a pregnant runner. These days, my muscles are just sorer everyday, even from the short runs. I have found that the calf sleeves, ankle sleeves, and the gloves have really helped me keep the swelling in my legs/hands down and kept me feeling good.
It really is a bummer that you didn't like them. Also, I didn't have any of the itchiness either. Is your skin typically sensitive?
Ahhh, yes honesty is the the best policy. Let me give you my honest opinion! I used other compression wear and yes CEP is a good brand but u cannot wear them all night or all day. I didn't experience any intching! Maybe try using lotion because your skin may be dry. I train very hard and as a Olympic athlete I believe in Tommie Copper products. The copper is what sets them apart and the fact its comfortable is what makes it even better. Did you know Copper has healing properties and is good for you? I believe they helped with my swelling and healiing for sure. I had an achilles injury and I wore the ankle sleeve under my boot for weeks. What other sleeve can u do that with? Also you are complaining about a tag??!! Cut it off...
ReplyDeleteAlso, I am sure the marks on your legs faded over time so that is hardly a complaint because the CEP sleeves do the same. I am sorry that you did not enjoy the sleeves :(
I wear them before, during, and after training for sure. You should try them again with an open mind. My mother a cancer surivor wears them to help with her feet swelling at night as well as my husband/coach who is a 3-time Olympian who is impossible to please with compression wear and loves it!! Also, the shirts work for back pain too and they are extra cute!!
Damu
You are an idiot because I like [object] and you don't. Why would you post this review when if you wanted it tighter, all you had to do was simply rip the main seam, trim the material by one inch, then re-sew the seam. While you're doing that, you can also solve the itching problem by removing the tag. Stupid lazy cow.
ReplyDeleteDidn't you know that [object] cures cancer and when you buy a competing product, an angel loses its wings? I should know, because I personally made a deal with the devil to allow me to wear shitty products without chafing. It's my superpower. That, and making inflammatory comments on people's blogs.
Hahaha @ Brian's comment above. I was thinking the same thing! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the honesty!!!! I too love my CEP compression sleeves.
What do I not look that most people do? beer. It's always made me ill - no matter how little I had.
Donut flavored Gu, I love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the honest review. You're right, you never see negative ones!
I wrote about a book I was asked to review the other day and it was so horribly written that I posted about that but I will say I did feel bad but oh well its the truth!
ReplyDeleteSomeone here sounds like they would like to buy some property in the Everglades. I hear it cures cancer and male pattern baldness. I know because my dad has a receding hairline and he went there once on vacation. True story.
ReplyDelete