One of the best parts of hosting the Stretching the Truth podcast is meeting people in the spandex community who really care about gear and the culture around it. Not long ago, I found someone on Spandex Party whose photos immediately stood out to me. He has incredible legs in spandex, so I reached out and invited him on the show. That’s how I got to talk with Hung in Gear, a European gear fan who truly loves Lycra. We ended up having a great conversation about how many of us first discovered spandex, why we enjoy it, and how a simple interest can turn into something much bigger.
Like a lot of people in the community, Hung in Gear first got interested in Lycra in a pretty simple way. When he was younger, his dad took up cycling, so cycling gear started showing up at home. Shiny tights and tight cycling suits were suddenly everywhere, and his curiosity soon became fascination. After he moved out, he started building his own collection. It began with secondhand finds from local shops, then he started ordering gear online and trying out different brands. Soon, a few pieces turned into drawers and boxes full of gear. Anyone who’s gotten into spandex knows how that happens.
What I really liked about our conversation was how open Hung in Gear was about how people get into spandex. Sometimes it starts because it looks good, sometimes because it feels great, or just because you like how it shows off your body. But after a while, you realize you can actually use the gear for its real purpose. Running, walking, and working out become part of the experience. What started as a fascination turns into something useful, too. As he put it, you get to wear gear you love while doing something healthy. It’s a win-win.
Another thing that stood out was how spandex culture can change depending on where you live. Hung in Gear lives in Europe and said it’s normal to see guys wearing Lycra, whether they’re cycling, running, or just wearing compression gear as part of their day. He said that on any given day, he might see fifteen or twenty guys in Lycra just living their lives. In the U.S., we’re starting to see more of that again, but Europe still seems a little ahead when it comes to making tight athletic gear a regular sight.
We also talked about favorite gear brands. Hung in Gear shared a few that anyone interested in spandex should try, like Nike compression gear, Under Armor tights, and Amoresy bodysuits. These brands offer good quality and are pretty easy to find. We both noticed that color is making a comeback. For a long time, compression gear was mostly black, navy, or dark gray, but now brighter colors like pink, yellow, orange, and light blue are showing up again. If you’re going to wear tight gear, you might as well have fun with it. Hung in Gear said he wears tights for walks and exercise, sometimes with a sweater on top. He likes making gear part of his daily life and connects with others who wear it for working out, the style, or just to feel good.
One thing Hung in Gear said really stayed with me. He explained that when someone puts on a skin-tight outfit that shows their shape, they’re celebrating their body. When you look at it like that, the color or style isn’t as important. Spandex becomes more about expressing yourself than following rules. Honestly, I think that’s something we need more of in men’s gear.
Naturally, we had to talk about wishlists. Hung in Gear said his list is long and always getting longer. He’s looking for bright pink compression sets, more Amoresy suits, and rare Nike tights he searches for on secondhand sites. He also shared a helpful tip: check secondhand sites for gear. Sometimes you find pieces you didn’t even know were out there, and they become new favorites.
What I enjoyed most about this conversation was how easy it was to relate to. Many guys discover spandex in similar ways. Curiosity turns into fascination, and a few pieces of gear slowly become a collection. Eventually, you realize it’s about more than just the gear—it’s about confidence, community, and expressing yourself. If you want to hear the full conversation with H
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