Tommie Copper Reviews - Can It Provide You With Relief?

What is Tommie Copper?

Tommie Copper states that the combination of compression and copper included in their apparel line will offer many benefits related to enhancing performance and expediting recovery from physical activity.

Founded in 2010, Tommie Copper’s mission includes “helping people live comfortable, healthy, happy lives.” To accomplish this goal, they engineer their garments with a multi-directional weave and Copper Znergy® technology.

Specifically, Tommie Copper claims that everyday use of their products can result in:

• Enhanced muscle recovery
• Added support for your muscles and joints
• Improved circulation
• Reduced pain and swelling

As a dietary supplement, copper is thought to have a variety of benefits and may even support heart health. But can you expect the results promised by Tommie Copper only by wearing it, or should you seek relief somewhere else?

In this review, we’ll answer these questions by shedding some light on the available support for Tommie Copper’s claims.

What Does Tommie Copper Offer?

Tommie Copper’s proposed benefits seem to go above and beyond of what can be expected from standard compression apparel.

The company states that their “Wearable Wellness” should eliminate odor and provide protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, in addition to their other loftier claims.

They aim to offer these benefits through an apparel line that includes sleeves, socks, and other clothing items. Tommie Copper states that though the suggested use for some products may differ, all can benefit activities related to work, sports, or daily life.

The wide variety of available products are distributed among 7 main categories:

1. Sleeves

Tommie Copper offers an array of ankle, knee, wrist, arm, and elbow sleeves for daily use day or athletic performance. Each type of sleeve aims to provide targeted compression and relief for muscle aches and pains.

2. Back Support

Mid and lower back support is offered through wraps, undershorts, and tights, as well as short and long sleeve tops with built-in compression. Again, these garments can be worn under clothing as base-layers or as workout clothes.

3. Gloves

Their gloves come in half and full-finger models. They’re designed to support the muscles of the hands and fingers all day, or during physical activity.

4. Tops

Tommie Copper offers short and long-sleeve models that provide compression over your shoulders, core, and back. Again, these garments are good for everyday use or working out.

5. Bottoms

Also suggested for use as a base-layer or as workout apparel, their compression shorts and tights support your hips, thighs, and calves.

6. Socks

Tommie Copper offers no-show, ankle, and over the calf options. Their socks provide targeted support at the arch, heel & Achilles tendon.

7. Accessories

Their accessories include items like wrist wraps and hot/cold gel packs.

Tommie Copper offers most of these products in 3 different lines:

1. Core is recommended for light activity at work or around the house.
2. Performance line offers support for moderate to intense activity.
3. The Pro-Grade line offers maximum support.

Sizing is straightforward and available from S-6XL. These sizes are based on circumference measurements; instructions are offered here to ensure the best fit.

Lastly, all products are machine washable though they suggest not using bleach or fabric softener. All products can be gently dried, though gloves should be air-dried.

Copper Compression: Is There any Science Backing The Proposed Benefits?

Do compression garments actually serve a purpose? Does adding copper to the equation offer additional benefits?

In this section, we’ll highlight the available support, if any, for these questions.

Compression Garments

Compression is not a recent phenomenon. Medically speaking, the idea of compression has been around for centuries and was likely an important part of wound healing in ancient cultures.

In more recent history, compression has been used to treat disorders related to the dysfunction of veins. These vessels, unlike arteries, lack muscular walls that are capable of transmitting blood. They instead rely heavily on the surrounding muscles of the leg to ensure blood returns to the heart.

Those with poorly functioning veins can develop pain and swelling from the blood that pools in their legs.

Compression stockings apply the greatest amount of force at the ankle and gradually decreases as you move towards the knee. This creates a pressure gradient that reduces the diameter of veins and increases blood flow.

Compression has also been studied in relation to athletic performance. A review of 12 studies found that both upper and lower body compression garments speeded recovery and reduced soreness after intense exercise. They also noted that those who were treated with compression had better muscle strength and power during the next workout.

More recently, compression garments improved strength recovery and also enhanced next-day cycling performance in a review of 23 studies.

What about Adding Copper?

Though the use of copper in compression garments has gained popularity, it has not been studied extensively.

In 16 patients with chronic vein disease, those treated with copper compression did not experience any benefit in symptoms when compared to traditional compression.

In 70 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the use of copper bracelets did not affect pain, inflammation, physical function, disease activity, or the use of medication. Keep in mind, these were not compression garments.

The proposed odor eliminating effects of Tommie Copper’s apparel may be related, in part, to copper’s antimicrobial effects.

Are Tommie Copper Garments Safe to Use?

While compression garments are typically safe to wear, they are not without risk.

Though beneficial for dysfunction in your veins, they can be dangerous if used with dysfunctional arteries. In this instance, compression would likely limit flow, not promote it.

Compression may worsen nerve dysfunction, or make it even more challenging to sense the presence of wounds.

If wounds are present, covering with restrictive materials can prevent or delay healing.

Even if you don’t have one of these conditions, it is still safest to speak with a physician before using as you may be unaware of certain risk factors.

How Much Does It Cost?

Tommie Copper offers moderately expensive pricing for their products.

• Sleeves: $29.50 - $44.50
• Back Support: $59.50 - $89.50
• Gloves: $29.50
• Tops: $39.50 - $89.50
• Bottoms: $34.50 - $89.50
• Socks: $24.50 - $39.50
• Accessories: $24.50 - $69.50

There is currently a sitewide 30%-off sale, though back support tops, adjustable knee sleeves. However, this sale doesn't apply to socks.

At checkout, you have the option to select Afterpay for purchases totaling more than $75. Upon approval, you may pay over 4 equal payments spaced 2-weeks apart at 0% interest.

Shipping for orders over $75 is free. They offer 4 methods of shipping:

• Standard Shipping - $4.99
• 2-3 Day Shipping - $9.99
• Next Day Shipping - $24.99
• International Economy - $24.99

Lastly, Tommie Copper offers a 60-day guarantee for unsatisfied customers. To process your return, visit www.tommiecopper.com or call Customer Service at 855-851-5100.

Are There Any Alternatives?

You can find compressive copper garments online or in stores fairly easily. Prices vary vendor to vendor, though beating Tommie Copper prices does not take much effort.

The Pro Series Compression Knee Sleeve from Copper Fit is available through Amazon. It’s prime eligible and priced at $19.72.

At their site, Copper Compression offers a number of products comparable to Tommie Copper, for a fraction of the price. For example, their Recovery Back Brace is $30; Tommie Copper’s is $59.50.

If you prefer shopping in person, the CVS Health Brand Copper Compression Knee Sleeve is available in stores at $15.49.

The Bottom Line

While the medical and performance-related benefits of compression garments have been well studied, the support for adding copper into the mix is lacking. Much more work is needed to identify any real reason to weave copper into compression fabric, and the currently available research is not promising.

Tommie Copper is not the most heavily reviewed brand on Amazon, though plenty are available to click through. Their knee sleeve is rated 3.8 out of 5-stars on over 130 reviews - about half are 5-star ratings.

Happy customers mention pain relief and added support, while those that are unsatisfied believe the fabric is too thin and wears easily.

You can certainly find more cost-effective copper compression garments, but why would you given that there really is no support for its use? Traditional compression garments are proven effective and often cost less.

Either way, these garments are typically safe. You should avoid use if you have a lot of swelling, arterial issues, nerve dysfunction, or open wounds.

Regarding physical activity and sport, compression is likely to offer benefits.

If you have chronic muscle and joint pain, however, you may want to speak with a physician first. These issues may be caused by an underlying condition that requires more than compression garments to manage properly.