Rheon running shorts are being used by top road, track and trail runners — I spoke to an expert to find out more about the tech
Running shorts made with Rheon Labs’ tech have been used by a variety of top elites in recent years to great effect — are they worth it for amateurs too?
James Wilmott, product developer at Rheon Labs, explains that Rheon is a strain-rate-sensitive material that becomes stiff when impacted with force, much like custard or wet sand. This property allows the material to be used as a film in running shorts, offering benefits such as reduced muscle fatigue, damage, and improved proprioception.
Wilmott notes that the material has been used by elite athletes across track, trail, and road events, including Australian sprinter Gout Gout, who broke Usain Bolt's U20 world record for the 200m. When running in Rheon shorts, athletes experience a higher level of compression than traditional compression garments, but the material remains comfortable at rest and only stiffens when needed during intense muscle movements.
Tests have shown that Rheon tech offers approximately 39% more muscle control compared to regular shorts, and over 20% more than compression shorts without Rheon. While the technology is present in high-end brands such as Adidas and Soar, Kiprun offers a more affordable option for athletes seeking to incorporate Rheon tech into their running gear.
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