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In Partnership with Matador Meggings
I, an evolved man, wear tights. This is not a particularly new development for me, nor for men in general. Leggings have wormed their way into many a wardrobe as the go-to bottom for any athletic pursuit. I swear by my half-tights I, an evolved man, wear tights. This is not a new development for me. Leggings have made their way into many men’s wardrobes as the go-to bottom for many athletic pursuits. And for a good reason – leggings are unmatched when compared to any other athletic piece. I swear by my tights when I run, I refuse to wear anything but leggings for my leg days, and I’ll even take the occasional tights-only hike. I thought I knew it all about leggings, until I came across Matador Meggings.
The Matadors are not just your regular compression tights. Their high performance apparel was designed with men’s anatomy in mind, born out of the frustration that guys should be able to wear spandex, too. And whilst these leggings will satisfy any top athlete’s demands, absolutely anyone interested in fitness will love their refreshing design.
What makes Matador Meggings different from regular leggings?
Unlike most common leggings, the Matadors come with fully functional pockets for your on-the-go essentials. For starters, there’s a concealed zipper pocket for your valuables such as keys, card, wallet… Then there’s another open pocket for your phone, which is strategically placed on the outer thigh to ensure it is within reach but doesn’t get in the way of your exercise. And if that was not enough, there is even a towel or t-shirt loop at the back, so you don’t need to carry them while you’re training.
And the best part is the soft molded crotch cup concealing the VPL, visible penis line – it’s a scientific term apparently. This thin layer of modesty pad gives men a perfectly-rounded superhero crotch so you won’t have to wear shorts over your leggings, which is the cardinal fashion crime. Why wear tightfitting clothing only to make it less functional by wearing baggy shorts over them?
All of these incredibly useful details, plus the Matador’s No-VPL technology, make the Matadors top-notch performance apparel for men. These tights are just like your second skin; you won’t even feel them. They’re breathable and move along with you so you can perform your best.
Last but not least, if you’re a die-hard tights fan like me, this will be your favorite feature. The Matadors are not only an excellent option for exercise purposes, but also make for a great conversation starter or a Sunday brunch outfit. Their bold designs are totally festival worthy: you’ll wear these at Coachella or Burning Man. They have over 100 unique prints and designs!
The birth of Matador
A few years ago, Valentine Aseyo, founder of Matador Meggings, was training to become a yoga teacher. During the process, he found himself surrounded by women in yoga pants and thought to himself, “WTF? I’m the only one in this room who can’t wear leggings. If I did, I’d show off my goods to all these poor (or lucky?) women. Someone should make leggings for men so I can join the spandex party. But no brands offered leggings specifically designed for the male anatomy. Leggings have always been an afterthought for men…”.
This inspired him to create a much better product keeping male anatomy in mind and suited for today’s men’s lifestyle. He ran home and made his first prototype using an old pair of leggings and the cups he stole from his sister’s sports bras as a solution to conceal the D-print. Thus, the birth of the Matadors. These meggings are heavily inspired by the OGs of men’s leggings: matadors, aka bullfighters. Matadors are hyper-masculine, but also emotional figures, who require very tight-fitting pants that wouldn’t affect their performance in the bullring. After all, we’re talking man against bull – speed, movement and agility are non-negotiable!
My initial thoughts
When my meggings arrived in the post, the first thing I noticed was the silky smooth fabric that makes you feel like you have a second skin; they’re so comfortable! Compression tights create less friction than traditional athletic wear, but can often leave you feeling exposed due to thin fabric, a too-snug fit, or a not-quite-right cut. Matador provides superior groin support thanks to their modesty pad, ensuring comfort whilst tastefully concealing your VPL (Visible Penis Line) and any other outlines that may come with a regular compression fit. Feel like showing off? The cup is fully removable, too.
It didn’t take me more than a single workout to realize that comfort wasn’t the only benefit of my new meggings. To my surprise, I was actually improving my performance. Not only was I going through my morning hikes much more comfortably, but I was even starting to enjoy my leg workouts – and feeling less muscle soreness the next day! How can tights do that, I hear you ask? Let’s get into it!
The magic behind the meggings
Compression pants stabilize and support your muscles while you’re training, by absorbing some of the strain as you squeeze them. They also increase muscle oxygenation and blood flow – reducing fatigue after your workouts and speeding up the muscle repair process. When you put your muscles through a hard training session, your body will automatically send blood cells to repair the tissue in the area, which leads to swelling and soreness. By using compression tights you are constricting the muscle, reducing fluid buildup and soreness. That’s why this piece is a key part of any athlete’s wardrobe.
I found the meggings to be surprisingly breathable, an important factor whether you’re going on a bike ride, chanting at your yoga session, or jumping up and down during a HIIT class. A secure, taped-down fit may sound great in theory, but can actually be chafing and uncomfortable in practice. The polyester-lycra blend that Matador utilizes features a four-way stretch fit that brings sweat to the surface of the fabric, allowing the evaporation process to happen much quicker. This will help you stay dry during your workout (trust me, your johnson will thank you). If you’re on the fence about leggings for men, these are a fantastic option to try. Don’t knock it until you try it, right?
It isn’t only about the meggings
Although the meggings are Matador’s hero product, they also offer a wide range of shorts, bike gear, and tops – and they won’t disappoint!
The cycling category was a total surprise and an astonishing discovery. As a cyclist, I often find myself complaining about how uncomfortable bike gear is. Nothing seems to fit correctly, the seats tend to leave an uncomfortable burn the day after… The list of complaints goes on and on. Matador Meggings have included a built-in padding, among other very thoughtful details, that keeps your bum comfortable during and after your session. Whether you’re going to a spinning class or a Sunday bike ride through the woods, these are your best bet.
As for the tops, it’s hard to differentiate yourself in such a crowded market. However, Matador has managed to do it again by using their signature prints in this new category. Their t-shirts & tank tops keep you dry and comfortable with their moisture-wicking and odor-free properties. Their super silky smooth texture and extra light fabric will unlock a whole new level of comfort. In addition, their scoop front design (which means longer length in the front) conceals your groin department, so you can focus on the task ahead.
My favorites
Although Matador’s high performance athletic wear is mainly designed to enhance your performance, I often find myself running daily errands in them. Not only are they incredibly comfortable, but they also include pockets for stashing your phone and goodies (which the versions by athletics giants tend to lack) among many other convenient details. Here’s our top picks.
Arrow Meggings
One of Matador Meggings’ staples and one of our favorites. This print is fun enough to turn all the heads at the gym, yet modest enough to avoid looking like an attention seeker. A perfect example that proves functionality can be fun too.
Marble Shorts
This is as elegant as high performance apparel gets. These shorts are perfect for an outdoors workout at the beach. Their open pocket is ideal for the phone, the loop at the back allows you to forget about your t-shirt and train comfortably, avoiding carrying any type of bags. And their color will make your tan stand out!
Black Biker Shorts
These cycling shorts are a game changer. My spinning classes have never been more comfortable. Their built-in padding keeps your butt protected, the zipper pocket is the perfect addition to avoid risking your valuables in the locker, and the inner drawstring keeps your tights snug throughout the whole session. Plus, they’re black and they go with literally anything.
Grey Camo Tank Top
You can’t go wrong with a camo top, especially with this one. This is the most smooth and lightweight athletic top I’ve ever worn. The fabric has odor-free properties, and it’s totally wrinkle-free. It literally feels like you’re wearing nothing at all.
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