You may or may not know this, but I am kind of skeptical. Usually I don’t “buy into” things very easily. My approach is really more no-nonsense than anything – usually takes a bit of convincing before I’ll try a product and even then I have the feeling it won’t work.
It took me quite a while to start thinking seriously about compression. I know that when you read people’s testimonials they say they are giving their own opinion – but I’ve hardly seen anyone say a product is crap when they’ve received free goods or services to try. Am I saying people are lying? No, but I am saying *maybe* it’s not all true…
Anyway, *I* did not receive any free samples. I actually ordered the Tommie Copper knee sleeves to give compression a chance myself. My physio told me not to bother with any extra help, and I really wondered about this as I see people wearing braces and compression gear all the time. If those people are doing it, who advised them and more importantly why? There must be a good reason.
I wrote earlier that I was already impressed by the service I received. My package arrived fairly quickly from the US and luckily even on the day that I had a day off from work (last week Tuesday). I immediately tried it on because if it wasn’t the right size, I needed to arrange to send it back immediately. I wore it on my left (bad) knee for several hours. Already I noticed that when sitting for periods of time my knee didn’t hurt when I started to move again. The next day I wore it in the train on my commute. Usually after 1 hour and 15 minutes of sitting still my knee hurts pretty bad. In fact, I usually start to get up out of my seat and work the kinks out about 5 minutes before I arrive at my station. I have a lot of pain for about 10 – 30 minutes after that; walking through the train, going up and down stairs at the station, getting into the bus, getting out of the bus (a real doozy). Already though the first day on the train with the knee sleeve – NOTHING. No pain. No kinks. Even the stairs and getting on and off of the bus was fine. Amazing!
Since then I’ve been wearing at least the left sleeve. I hardly notice it as I’m wearing it. Saturday I was out all day with my family and I wore both. My legs and knees were much less tired than normal. The real test though was to come…
Sunday I went for a run and I knew I was going to go minimum 10KM. I slipped on the left sleeve, got dressed and eventually hit the pavement. I have to say it went really well! I hardly noticed my knee at all!! My only regret was not wearing both sleeves. There was a very clear distinction between left and right knees; my left TC knee was fine, my right non-TC knee definitely had some mild irritation/tiredness.
So there it is 
Would I recommend Tommie Copper compression gear? Yes, I would. Even without receiving any free stuff from them to try
Unfortunately I didn’t win the contest over at Running With Spatulas, but I would still consider buying from them again regardless.
Have you considered compression gear but just aren’t sure it works? What sort of compression gear would you try? Do you know what makes Tommie Copper special?
YAY!!! I am so excited you love them
I love them too and just actually ordered the gloves for my mom for Christmas. They have a deal right now no shipping or handling if you purchase 2 or more items….
http://www.tommiecopper.tv
wow thanks for that link Ali! I hope others can take advantage of the sale right now!
Here’s my honest unbiased review of the Tommy Copper knee sleeve that will provide FACTS you need to know before buying:
(THIS IS WRITTEN BY SOMEONE WHO IS NOT IN ANY WAY AFFILIATED WITH THE COMPANY)
I bought the knee compression sleeve about 2-3 weeks ago to protect my knee from old injuries while exercising. It provides uniform compression and is very light weight similar to a stocking but slightly thicker. I have other leg supports that work just as well from companies like Ace, McDavid and Futuro. However they are bulkier and less comfortable.
Since I got the sleeve I’ve increased my cardio workout (bike & treadmill) by about 10% with virtually no sustained or serious pain. It does provide help with pain similar to most other knee support devices.
My major complaint is the price. By the time they add postage, handling, tax and who knows what else you are paying close to $33 for one sleeve. OUCH!!! What a rip off considering that the material seems cheap and very thin! Furthermore I have researched the use of copper and found it to be ineffective for arthritis, pain or inflammation. Not one independent study has conclusive evidence of the effectiveness (if any) of copper. Therefore I give the knee sleeve a 3.5 star rating out of 5.
It is way over priced (due to greed I presume) and copper (which actually has no effect) is being used to sell the product. In this respect the public is being scammed. In conclusion, Tommy Copper products may be helpful but so are many other products – at less than half the cost.
if you feel so strongly on this opinion of yours why be anonymous?
you are entitled to your opinion of course. Personally I don’t see the big deal about the price. For any sort of running or sports clothes in general the prices are a bit high anyway. So you choose what you spend your money on and if you think something is too expensive, don’t buy it. It’s simple. Why didn’t you return the sleeves if you were unhappy? They do offer your money back if returned within 30 days of purchase.
I always remain anonymous when posting because it is the sane thing to do on the internet. Furthermore it allows me to state my honest opinions without being attacked by unscrupulous people.
In regard to the price, I was annoyed that the true price was not made available until checkout. To jump from $24 to $33 for one stocking is a bit too much in my opinion. Nevertheless I decided to order it and I’m not unhappy that I did. I also went to Walgreen’s and
bought a similar sleeve for my right knee for less than $13 total (including tax)!
Last but not least I’d like to point out that the $13 knee sleeve works just as well as the $33 dollar one. You’re right when you said that these leg supports tend to be expensive. That’s why I posted my honest opinion.
Well funnily enough I couldn’t find anything here at like like what Tommie Copper sells so I have no problem with the price. Lucky you have a Walgreen’s.