Interview with Elastrap – TrailRunAdvisor
Compression, support and recovery for trail runners
In the trail running world, injury prevention and recovery have become just as important as training itself. The French brand Elastrap, specialised in sports compression and support accessories, has been supporting runners for more than 15 years, from amateurs to elite athletes.
We spoke with Mathieu to better understand the brand’s story, its values, and the concrete benefits of compression for trail runners.
Q1. To begin, could you tell us the story behind the creation of Elastrap?
Elastrap is a French brand born in 2009 in the South of France. Passionate about sport and the outdoors, we wanted to start a company in a world that genuinely spoke to us.
From the very beginning, our goal was simple: answer the essential needs of athletes in terms of protection, support and compression, without replacing medical devices. We built the brand around expertise focused on injury prevention and comfort, at the service of both amateur and professional athletes.
Q2. What vision has guided Elastrap since its creation?
Our vision rests on a strong belief: running should remain a pleasure, never a constraint on the body.
We aim to support runners before, during and after effort, with accessories designed to support the body, reduce trauma and improve recovery. Our goal is to promote a smarter, more sustainable and body-respecting approach to running and trail running.
Q3. What concrete benefits does compression offer trail runners?
In trail running, the demands are high: technical terrain, elevation gain, repeated impacts and long distances. Compression and support provide several key benefits:
- Joint stability
Ankles, knees and calves are better supported, limiting excessive micro-movements and reducing the risk of sprains. - Reduced muscular fatigue
Compression dampens vibrations at impact, leading to more stable muscles and delayed fatigue. - Improved blood circulation
Better muscle oxygenation and faster removal of toxins help improve endurance on long distances. - Injury prevention
Tendinopathies, inflammation and cramps are less common when sensitive areas are properly supported. - Faster recovery
After effort, compression helps reduce soreness and allows for a smoother transition between training sessions or races.
Q4. Are your products designed together with healthcare professionals?
Yes, we rely on recommendations from the medical and paramedical field, especially sports doctors and physiotherapists.
Before launching any product, we test it under real-world conditions to validate:
- effectiveness of support,
- comfort over long-duration efforts,
- adaptation to the specific demands of trail running.
Our products are not medical devices and do not replace medical advice, but they fully fit into an athlete’s prevention and support strategy.
Q5. How do you incorporate feedback from athletes and everyday runners?
Practitioners sit at the heart of our product development. We systematically test our accessories on different terrains and with various runner profiles.
Our main focus areas:
- testing during training and in competition,
- a diverse range of test athletes,
- precise feedback on comfort, breathability and support,
- continuous improvements in materials and compression levels.
This collaborative approach allows us to offer products genuinely adapted to the demands of trail running.
Q6. What sets Elastrap apart from other compression brands?
We prioritise useful, balanced compression, without excess, designed for long-duration efforts.
Another key point: Elastrap is a small, close-knit company. I personally oversee the design, testing and shipping, which lets us react quickly and stay highly attentive to what runners tell us.
Finally, we place great importance on offering excellent value for money, so that our products remain accessible to as many runners as possible.
Q7. Which product would you recommend for someone starting with compression?
Our trail compression socks are ideal for a first experience: light, breathable, blister-free, and comfortable even over long distances.
We’ve also recently launched a leg cold therapy sleeve, designed to speed up recovery after effort, reduce inflammation, and improve post-run comfort.
Q8. What are Elastrap’s ambitions for the coming years?
Our goal is to become a reference brand in the trail running world.
We want to:
- increase our presence at trail events,
- innovate with products even better adapted to elevation and terrain constraints,
- develop educational content on injury prevention and recovery,
- gradually integrate more responsible, sustainable practices.
Conclusion
With an approach focused on injury prevention, sustainable performance, and closeness to runners, Elastrap is establishing itself as a committed brand in the trail running world.
Smart compression, targeted support and recovery solutions are now an integral part of modern training. For trail runners who want to take care of their bodies in the long run, Elastrap offers a practical, accessible answer — designed by passionate practitioners.
👉 Discover Elastrap and its compression solutions at www.elastrap.com and in our upcoming TrailRunAdvisor collaborations.