Best Compression Leggings [2024 Review]

For active people, compression leggings help restrict muscles, preserve energy, reduce pains, and recover quickly. For the rest, it encourages blood circulation and activates the veins to drive out toxic waste inside the body. ​Whether you prefer your casual pocketed leggings or your fancier work appropriate leggings, ​trying out the best compression leggings bring out only good results.

Top Compression Leggings Reviews

I could all appreciate a long tight hug. In the simplest of analogies, that’s what the feeling of wearing compression leggings is comparable to. Then, think of your healthy bodily processes getting amped up at the same time.

Even if you’re not an active person and you prefer your soft cotton leggings over anything, all the more reason for you to get a pair. Don’t be discouraged by their high price or intimidating features. These 5 compression leggings are sure to get you hooked.

If you want my final vote (without all the reading), I choose Bioflect®’s FAR Infrared Therapy Micromassage Compression Leggings as the overall best for its Rugged Flex Stretch, comfort and efficiency.

Bioflect® FAR Infrared Therapy Micromassage Compression Legging

Bioflect®’s FAR Infrared Therapy Micromassage Compression Leggings is a medical compression legging recommended for first-time wearers and ​active athletes who are already ​a fan of workout leggings.

The brand’s therapy garments utilize a microfiber blend of polyamide and elastane to enhance the body’s natural heat production. As evident with these leggings, the mild compression level of 15 to 20 mmHg promotes relief, healing, and recovery. 

With its micromassage ripple knit fabric, it activates your veins to encourage blood flow and lymphatic drainage. This is an effective body detoxification good for everyone.

If you’ve been inactive and want to stimulate blood circulation, the compression panels can make your legs and feet feel wide awake and refreshed.  

This function is actually targeted at people with edema-related conditions. To everyone else, the mild compression also reduces the appearance of varicose veins and cellulite.

Don’t be surprised if you gain a little bit more energy too. That’s because the fabric is infused with minerals which reflect back your body’s energy.

Meanwhile, the high waist design also provides support in the stomach and lower back. With this kind of design, it’s safe to wear these compression leggings for up to six hours a day. 

Despite the compression around the ankles, these leggings are easy to put on. The stretch supports the muscles all the way up without being too constricting. 

With sizes available from small to 5XL, women of all sizes and body shapes can benefit from the compression properties of these leggings.  

Extra Firm Footless Graduated Compression Microfiber Leggings

Blood circulation problems are always a risk for an active lifestyle. You might not think about until it happens to you. For improved circulation alone, Extra Firm Footless Graduated Compression Microfiber Leggings is an extremely competent pair. It’s a graduated compression legging focused on reducing pain and swelling.

Terramed Just Think Comfort, the brand, uses specialized high-elastic microfiber fabric that combines function, performance, and fashion. The material is soft yet durable enough to maintain a compression level of 20-30 mmHg.  

A four-way stretch ensures maximum comfort so that the leggings don’t cause chafing or skin irritation. The microfiber also wicks away moisture quickly, balancing your body temperature. 

Much like the first, this is equipped for medical compression. These target DFV or a form of blood clotting and economy class syndrome. The compression protects you from soreness by preventing cramps in the hamstrings and calves. 

If you’re someone who often sits during long car or plane rides, or who came from surgery and requires bed rest, this is great to promote blood circulation due to long periods of inactivity, compared to your normal black leggings.

For those with symptoms of postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS), you may experience an increased heart rate when standing or sitting. The waistband’s compression also helps move blood back to the heart and brain. 

It’s advisable to wear these compression leggings every day, unless you have a doctor’s prescription. Note that pain conditions and recovery processes vary, so the effect may also be different. 

RION Active Women’s Workout Pants Yoga Running Compression Tummy Control Leggings

For a compression legging, the RION Active Workout Pants Yoga Running Compression Tummy Control Leggings go on rather easily. They stretch 4 ways to contain your body and they mold to your natural shape. They do more than compress. In addition, they help you explode in your workout.

Similar to the second pair of leggings, this one offers a 20-30 mmHg compression level, although at a more affordable cost. With firm compression, the leggings can help ease mild leg pain. For this reason, this is very ideal for HIIT or cardio workouts that demand a lot from your muscles.

The polyester-based leggings contain a mix of spandex for a dense-knit construction that results in elasticity and moisture-wicking properties. It’s made with a breathable membrane going through the thighs to calves to keep you cool throughout long training sessions or for steamy hot yoga sessions.

The four-way stretch and flat seams work together for the leggings to minimize friction and chafing. With a high-rise design and wide waistband, the leggings have a forgiving pull, holding the muscles and fats for support. 

Finally, the mesh adds breathable components from the thigh to the leg parts. The mesh design is the only see-through part, yet these leggings remain opaque nevertheless. 

CodeFit Yoga Gym Power Flex Dry-Fit High Compression Pants Workout Women’s Leggings

CodeFit’s Yoga Gym Power Flex Dry-Fit High Compression Workout Leggings is part of the “new generation of compression leggings” which compresses your legs in the right parts. At its core, this pair aims to restrict muscle movement for the least strain and faster recovery.

Expect overall efficiency in training and sports as the leggings retain a firm compression (20-30 mmHg), enabling you to exercise longer. Beyond endurance and greater performance, this pair makes wearing a legging in general more convenient. 

The nylon-spandex blend creates a snug fit that restricts excessive muscle motion without negatively affecting your ability to move. As a result, these compression leggings reduce pain during and after an intense workout by increasing blood flow.

If you tend to experience fatigue easily, the snug fit provides a much-needed boost to relax your muscles. Likewise, your body starts recovering even before you begin cool-down exercises.

While tummy control is common, it has a unique higher back rise, so your waistband won’t roll down and expose your underwear. Additionally, the waistband creates a contouring effect that smoothes cellulite and prevents the formation of varicose veins.    

It also has elastic stitches which offer the best squat-proof flexibility and no ripping. Feel free to do your squats and deadlifts while ensuring sufficient cover and support.    

Prolific Health High Compression Women Gym Yoga Fitness Leggings

Small curves like the dips at the side of your thighs and legs are underrated but they’re a subtle indication of a beautiful toned body. More than ample compression, Prolific Health’s High Compression Women Gym Yoga Fitness Leggings also makes your legs look more popping, without the need to shrink your leggings since they’re already cropped.

This is designed to feel smaller to provide tightness that allows your muscles to exert only the adequate energy and strain. Upon removal, your muscles will be able to recover quickly. You could go as hard on another round of workout sessions as soon as the next day.

Combining nylon and spandex, these tight-fitting leggings also make use of compression properties to contour the body, accentuating your assets while holding excess fats in place. 

The compression level varies depending on the body part, although this pair ranges from 10 to 25 mmHg. With this level, the leggings improve oxygenation to relieve muscle stiffness and soreness. 

Aside from the moisture-wicking fabric, these compression leggings use a four-way stretch to allow the threads to expand as you move. The elastic waistband not only provides stomach control and support, it also prevents the leggings from rolling down. 

While there’s a full-length cut, the compression around the ankles may not be a good fit for short women. In this case, it would be better to choose the Capri style.

How to Find the Best Compression Leggings 

After seeing the best compression leggings that can give you convenience and health benefits, there are still some aspects you need to know. This is why I’ve made a simple buying guide to help you make the right pick.

Comparing Compression Leggings Features

Leggings	Compression panels	Pockets	Machine washable?
Bioflect Far Infrared	Mild	No	No
Terramed Medical	Firm	No	No
Rion Active	Firm	Yes	Yes
Codefit Yoga Gym	Firm	No	No
Prolific Health	Mild	No	No

Understand Compression 

Compression leggings do more than providing warmth or keeping the leggings in place. This technology’s primary role is to act as a low-level massage, putting pressure on the muscles to raise body temperature, and consequently, improve blood circulation. 

It’s like heat therapy, yet makes use of clothing to promote healing. By applying a healthy squeeze to muscles and glutes, compression leggings improve post-workout recovery by alleviating muscle soreness caused by intense activities. Likewise, the pressure keeps the muscles steady by minimizing vibrations as you run or jump. 

You may sometimes get injuries even when doing mundane things. Leggings with compression panels reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a blood clot in a vein deep in the body, particularly in the thighs or lower leg. Compression helps blood flow go back to your heart without hinder. 

Determine the Compression Level 

Compression clothing makes use of “graduated” compression, which implies that the pressure applied is most significant at the ankle then cautiously declines further up the leg. You can identify this through compression levels, which equate to millimeters of mercury (mmHg).  

In essence, the bigger the number, the stronger the compression. Each level serves a different purpose.  

• 8-15 mmHg: As the lightest form of compression, this level energizes tired and achy legs from prolonged standing or sitting. This can enhance blood circulation in the legs to control minor swelling. Maternity leggings also use this compression level to prevent the formation of spider and varicose veins. 
• 15-20 mmHg: Mild compression alleviates pain from minor swelling. This level is ideal if you have aching legs or feet caused by pregnancy and long-distance travelling. 
• 20-30 mmHg: Firm compression helps treat various mild to moderate pain. As medically-graded Class I compression, such leggings can prevent inflammation and the appearance of varicose veins.
• 30-40 mmHg: Extra firm compression deals with healing severe varicose veins and swelling in the legs. Leggings with this compression level can also help you avoid symptoms of low blood pressure. 
• 40-50 mmHg: The highest level of compression treats chronic venous insufficiency and post-thrombotic syndrome, so you need a doctor’s prescription to wear this type of leggings. 

For this list, the leggings from Bioflect and Prolific offer mild, yet consistent compression. Meanwhile, the rest of the leggings use firm compression panels.

Find Breathable Yet Stretchable Materials  

While you can opt for natural fibers for exceptional breathability, it would be better to add a synthetic blend for elasticity and shape-retaining capabilities. Much like any other kind of leggings, compression leggings should be soft, breathable, and sweat-wicking for you to remain comfortable. 

Whether you prefer polyester, nylon, elastane, or spandex, the fabric must maintain compression without impacting mobility. This is also why most leggings contain a four-way stretch, so that the material spreads evenly in all directions. 

The right fabric puts even compression throughout the targeted portions of the body. Even if the material raises body temperature, the leggings can make hot moisture evaporate and let fresh air take over. 

Choose Appropriate Size and Fitting

For most brands, they offer true-to-size charts so that you can consider your actual measurements. Make sure that the cut is the right length for your height, as the compression is greatest around the hem. If the leggings are too small and short for you, the compression may not target the necessary body parts well. 

When it comes to sportswear, tight-fitting doesn’t automatically equate to compression, unless there’s some form of compression in the sewing technology or fabric. 

If there are no compression properties, the leggings might simply be sculpting or flattering, providing you the necessary lift and support, yet no technical compression benefits.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Whether for medical, wellness, or aesthetic purposes, these compression leggings prove effectivity and efficiency in fulfilling their functionalities. Even your monetary excuses are not spared with my options. It’s highly recommendable to everyone and it’ll be a miss if you don’t benefit from any.