It doesn’t matter what your sport is, or whether you’re training or racing: You’re more likely to maximize your performance if you’re comfortable with the gear that you're using. Take CrossFit. This multi-skill training program combines strength and conditioning exercises that force you to adapt to your explosive-cardio and endurance thresholds, quickly. To be comfortable, you need gear that functions at all intensity levels for a broad range of exercises. We’re talking shoes that provide support for lifting and rope climbing, shorts that move with you and compress in all the right places and boxers that don’t give you a wedgie during kettlebell sets.
Several sports gear companies (Reebok, most notably) have been responding to the country's recent obsession with CrossFit by launching dozens of new high-intensity interval training products—including some items the debuted at the recent CrossFit Games in Los Angeles.
We took the opportunity to check out some of the coolest and most promising-looking new options, putting them to our own real-world sweat test. The 15 finalists we're revealing here do more than just keep up with you as you move—their designs may actually help you improve your workout of the day.
UN92 Hyper Space CrossFit Shorts
The UN92 Hyper Space CrossFit Shorts look similar to fighting shorts in cut and style, but are lighter, longer, and made from flexible fabric that will stretch with you during your workout. The moisture-wicking shorts have a hook and loop drawstring, which secures and sizes the shorts, and the waistband prevents shifting. These shorts, made in the USA, sport a pocket for IDs or keys, and utilize triple-stitched seams and side slits for a higher range of motion. No overextension rips here. ($50, un92.com)
Reebok CRF LTWT Print Shorts
For a stretchier loose-shorts option, try Reebok’s CRF LTWT Print Shorts with lightweight, antimicrobial material. Reebok’s Play Dry technology helps wick moisture away from your skin, increasing evaporation and ventilation, and decreasing chafing. The flexible material doesn’t restrict your squats or jumps, and provides enough leeway to stretch with your body. ($60, reebok.com)
CW-X Stabiltyx Ventilator Shorts
The CW-X Stabiltyx Ventilator Shorts keep you cool in a stuffy gym or outside in hot temps. The mesh ventilation panels on the quadriceps allow the heat to leave your muscles and the cool air to rush in, which prevents muscle fatigue. The shorts use CW-X’s Support Web technology by creating an exoskeletal support system for the core, IT band, and hip flexors. ($80, cw-x.com)
110% Play Harder Compression Shorts
These shorts are two-in-one: compression and cooling. The 110% Play Harder Compression Shorts keep circulation flowing during a workout, and reduce pain and soreness with its post-workout cold therapy feature. After your workout, simply slide the included, reusable frozen ice sheets into cooling-specific pockets for an instant cold treatment. The shorts also stretch without compromising targeted compression areas during your workout and antimicrobial material wicks sweat. Not a cold therapy fan? Heat the ice sheets in the microwave and insert the same way for heat therapy. ($110, 110playharder.com)
WOD Gear Black Compression Pants
Recommended for any CrossFit lower-body workout, the WOD Gear Black Compression Pants alleviate muscle fatigue whether you’re running, box jumping, or even Olympic lifting. The pants maintain flexibility and compress to improve circulation. Bonus stitching aligns with your muscles to support your hamstrings, quads, abductors, glutes and calves. These moisture-wicking, antibacterial compression pants have flatlock seams, a credit card pocket, and UPF 50+ protection. ($85, wodgearclothing.com)
CW-X Litefit Boxer Brief
If you’re sporting high tech outer compression gear, but aren’t supporting everything, you’ll still feel uncomfortable and compromise your...erm...workout. The CW-X Litefit Boxer Brief sit at mid-quad-length and have a horizontal front opening with flat-seam stitching. Quick-dry antimicrobial material reduces rank post-workout odor. ($35, cw-x.com)
CW-X Ventilator Compression Socks
Good socks, believe it or not, are just as important as good shoes. They provide support and cushioning in key places making all the difference in your workout. CW-X’s Ventilator Compression Socks secure your calves, ankle joints and arches with compression technology. Specifically-placed vents on your shin, calf, arch, and base of your toe keep air circulating to prevent nasty foot bacteria from taking over (it’s gross, but we have to say it). ($55, cw-x.com)
Again Faster Olympic Lifting Shoes
Again Faster’s Olympic Lifting Shoes are priced affordable without skimping on support. These old-school shoes resort to original shoe-construction technology by constructing the elevated heel using wood to ensure maximum force return when you lift. The leather upper and retention straps keep prevent slippage. ($99, againfaster.com)
Inov-8 Bare-XF 260
Inov-8’s new shoes, Bare-XF 260, are the shoe when it comes to conquering CrossFit. With zero differential and zero midsole, the shoes deliver support necessary for lifting while still being able to maintain your natural running style. The Rope-Tec technology provides 360-degree maximum grip as you climb up the 15-foot rope. The Bare-XF 260 has all of the grip and flexibility you need in a CrossFit shoe and won’t ever slip off with velcro lacing. ($140, inov-8.com)
Reebok Nano 2.0
Adidas Techfit Recovery Short Sleeve Tee
Compression aids not only the larger, lower-body muscles, but also the upper-body muscle groups. When doing a WOD (workout of the day) that revolves around pull-ups or the bench press—like the Lynne workout that builds your chest muscles, or the Fran that works back muscles—the Adidas’ Techfit Recovery Short Sleeve Tee master’s crucial ventilation. Strategic compression zones secure your upper-body muscles. The shirt also has odor suppression material. Only your performance, not your smell, will scare away other gym-goers. ($55, adidas.com)
Adidas Clima Ultimate Short-Sleeve Top
Maybe compression isn’t your thing or you’re doing an easier workout— the Adidas Clima Ultimate Short-Sleeve Top is ultralight. It uses Climalite technology that wicks heat and sweat away from your body. This top will stay loose and cool when you are doing sprints, but isn’t cumbersome when performing a kettlebell swing or climbing the rope. ($22, adidas.com)
Reebok Cold Mock Compression Shirt
Reebok Fight Gone Bad Fleece Hoody
Ideal to wear as a warm up or as a transition top, Reebok made its Fight Gone Bad Fleece Hoody with stretchy fabric to allow flexibility during warmup stretching but preserve the soft, comfortable feel you want from fleece. The sweatshirt’s slim fit ensures no bulky fabric hinders your workout, but it still has a wide range of motion. For extra warmth, pull the comfy, oversized hood over your head. ($90, reebok.com)
Rogue Fitness Wrist Wraps
To support the bones in your wrists from oly lifts, presses, and bench lifting, wear Rogue Fitness’ Rogue Wrist Wraps. The wraps are fitted with a thumb loop and a velcro closure, and come in three different sizes to ensure the right fit. ($12-18, roguefitness.com)