Canterbury’s ThermoReg compression top is well insulated for outdoor training but offers little in the way of compression. Where have I heard that before?
For the keenest of go-getters, compression tops are a valuable part of the fitness wardrobe. It’s scientifically proven that compression clothing can support your workouts – the compression helps blood flow which in turn means you get a more consistent supply of oxygen to fuel your muscles. So, if you’re going to invest in clothing like this, you might as well buy a top that compresses your muscles as it should. Sadly, that’s not what the Canterbury ThermoReg Long Sleeve Top does.
Men’s Fitness verdict
Nice for winter workouts to fend off the cold, but can’t seriously be considered a compression top.- Great instant warmth
- Good durability
- Low level compression
- Slow drying
How we test compression tops
Kieran Alger is one of our top fitness gear reviewers with a wealth of experience across multiple disciplines. When testing out each of the compression tops on test, he noted features such as: fit; level of compression; extra design qualities (such as watch windows or seam locations) and anything else that’s worth knowing before buying.
I’ll get straight to the point: the Canterbury ThermoReg long sleeve top is more of a classic baselayer than a high-compression top. But if you’re looking for a top that combines light-touch muscle support with excellent insulation, this is perhaps worth a look.
Canterbury ThermoReg Long Sleeve Top design features
Designed primarily with rugby in mind, the looser fit of this top is more forgiving than other more revealing base layers. If you’re a little self conscious about your wobbly bits and want to work out in a single layer that puts less on show, this is a good option.
The thermal fabric is thicker and more textured than the shinier, smoother base layer materials you’ll find on the likes of 2XU and Skins compression gear. It feels a little softer and instantly warmer against the skin too.
What is it like to wear?
It’s still thin enough to be worn under a second layer or jacket and, like the matching Canterbury ThermoReg tights, this is best suited to bringing warmth to winter team sports, runs, rides and colder workouts. However, for efforts over an hour the thicker fabric poses a little more nipple chafing threat than some smoother layers.
The sleeves and waistband feature lightly elasticated cuffs. It’s not to hold them firmly in place, though, and there’s no watch window either. I also found the ThermoReg held sweat and moisture a shade more than some of the lighter fabrics such as the Under Armour ISO-Chill compression top.
It comes in eight sizes (from XS to 4XL) and five colors (red, blue, black, white and navy blue) so there are plenty of options for pairing it with your matchday kit and you can machine wash it at 30 degrees, too.
What other compression tops should I consider?
The biggest qualm I have with the Canterbury ThermoReg top is its lack of genuine compression credentials. So, if you want something that thoroughly ticks that box, my advice would be to look at the group test-winning 2XU Compression Top or its close rival, the Skins Series 5 top. Both of these tops are far more sophisticated in terms of the technology involved in making them, and are – in my opinion – the two stand-out options on the current market.
| Materials | Unspecified |
| Size range | XS-4XL |
| Colors | Black; Blue; Navy Blue; Red; White |
