7 Greatest Compression Leggings of 2025 for a Confidence Increase
Spend 10 minutes looking for train leggings, and also you’ll discover tons of pairs that supposedly hug, assist, and maintain your decrease physique. These aren’t simply actually touchy-feely bottoms—they’re one of the best compression leggings, to not be confused with butter-soft second-skin tights.
For those who don’t have any compression leggings in your closet but (or your go-tos are wanting somewhat worse for put on), you’re in the suitable place. We spoke to consultants about which key options to search for in compressive activewear and located one of the best choices you may attempt. We even examined among the largest manufacturers’ best-selling pairs firsthand. Store our picks beneath.
What are the advantages of carrying compression leggings?
Whereas the analysis is blended on whether or not compression leggings can truly enhance your exercises or make them more difficult, there’s one thing to be stated in regards to the confidence increase they supply. Consultants say they might additionally assist you heat up sooner and really feel extra in contact along with your physique. Plus they’re tighter and often really feel thicker than customary yoga pants, which turns out to be useful throughout powerful fitness center periods the place safety counts (good day, squat check).
Compression leggings could assist you really feel higher after your exercises too. They enhance circulation in your legs, which helps alleviate swelling, soreness, and fatigue that may set in once you end up on the fitness center, Ire Wardlaw, a NASM-certified health coach for Bay Membership Santa Monica in California, tells SELF. “Leggings present extra assist to the muscle mass throughout restoration and will cut back discomfort and soreness instantly after train,” Michael L. Ormont, MD, MS, FACS, the medical director of Nuvance Well being Wound Care and Hyperbaric Drugs at Vassar Brothers Medical Middle and Northern Dutchess Hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York, provides.
Our prime picks
- Greatest Total: Athleta Interval Stash Excessive Rise Legging 7/8, $109
- Runner-Up: Spanx Form Booty Increase 7/8 Leggings, $98
- Greatest Dimension Vary: SuperFit Hero SuperHold Pocket 7/8 Leggings, $98
- Most Sturdy: Vuori Evolve Legging, $118
- Greatest for Excessive Compression: Fabletics Outline PowerHold Excessive-Waisted 7/8 Legging, $70
- Greatest for Reasonable Compression: Lululemon Wunder Prepare Excessive-Rise Tight 28″, $98
- Greatest for Mountaineering: Outside Analysis Advert-Vantage Leggings,
$99$40
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Store one of the best compression leggings
These leggings—beneficial by editors, consultants, and SELF Activewear Awards testers—gives you that cosy sensation you’re searching for.
Greatest Total: Athleta Interval Stash Excessive Rise Legging 7/8
I first examined Athleta’s top-rated Interval Stash leggings on a bizarrely scorching day in my fitness center. They seamlessly managed my sweat throughout my exercise and spared me from strolling dwelling with a swampy butt afterward. They felt modern (even cool!) for my complete session.
Then there’s their precise compression stage: I’m actually impressed with how the Interval Stash legging’s match appears to adapt to the kind of train I do. It feels thick, supportive, and compressive once I carry weights, nevertheless it doesn’t maintain me again once I hop on the treadmill—it permits me to maneuver whereas staying cosy and safe. I can’t recall having to regulate the waistband as soon as (I didn’t even use the inner drawstring).
Sizes: XXS to 3X | Size: Petite (23 inches), common (25 inches), and tall (28 inches) | Materials: Recycled polyester, elastane
Affiliate Social Media Supervisor Katie Gunderman testing the Athleta Interval Stash Excessive Rise Legging 7/8:
Runner-Up: Spanx Form Booty Increase 7/8 Leggings
This multi-time SELF Activewear Award winner has proved its value throughout CrossFit and dance cardio lessons. Again in 2022, our testers had been wowed by the Booty Increase’s glove-like match and seemingly “magical” means to shed sweat.
Whether or not you go for one of many many limited-edition colorways or one in all Spanx’s staples like navy or black, these leggings look reliably nice. “The pair’s modern, slippery cloth presents a lot assist I really feel like a Bond lady (or a seal…however, like, in a great way?) once I put on them,” one 2024 tester stated.
Sizes: XS to 3X | Size: 25 inches | Materials: Nylon, elastane
Purchasing market editor Angela Trakoshis testing the Spanx Form Booty Increase 7/8 Leggings:
Greatest Dimension Vary: SuperFit Hero SuperHold Pocket 7/8 Leggings
SuperFit Hero
SuperHold Pocket 7/8 Leggings
SELF’s love for the SuperFit Hero pocket leggings goes all the best way again to 2019, once they gained their first Activewear Award—they usually’ve raked in lots of extra since then. That’s attributable to their inclusive dimension vary; squat-proof, moisture-wicking cloth; and cushty, safe compression stage (which clocks in at a snug 8 to fifteen mmHG).
A number of testers talked about that they by no means needed to modify or mess with the waistband. “They had been supportive, comfy, cute, and helped me keep dry once I was actually sweaty,” one 2023 tester stated. If that doesn’t verify each field for an awesome pair of leggings, we don’t know what does.
Sizes: L to 7XL | Size: 29 inches | Materials: Polyester, spandex
Most Sturdy: Vuori Evolve Legging
I’ve had Vuori’s Evolve Leggings since my fellow SELF staffers and I examined them in 2023, however they nonetheless really feel (and look) like new. I haven’t seen any put on and tear or lack of stretch—they’re as modern, waist-hugging, and catsuit-like as the primary time I attempted them on. In my thoughts, that helps justify their barely greater value level: You’re investing in a bit of activewear you’ll love for years to come back.
That is additionally the odd pair of compression leggings that really feel nice for lower-impact exercises. I frequently break them out for yoga and don’t discover any restriction throughout my flows.
Sizes: XXS to XXL | Size: 24.5 inches | Materials: Polyamide, elastane
Greatest for Excessive Compression: Fabletics Outline PowerHold Excessive-Waisted 7/8 Legging
Fabletics
Outline PowerHold Excessive-Waisted 7/8 Legging
One 2024 Activewear Award tester described the compression in these Fabletics leggings as “unmatched.” “You are feeling locked in, with all the things staying in place, however to not the purpose of discomfort,” they stated. “I’ve tried leggings that make comparable claims, however they’ve by no means come near how these truly really feel.”
Fabletics’s PowerHold is the model’s most compressive line and is made particularly with difficult exercises and coaching in thoughts. For those who’re already used to how compression cloth feels and need a pair with further assist, give these a attempt.
Sizes: XXS to 4X | Size: 7/8, common, or tall | Materials: Polyester, spandex
Greatest for Reasonable Compression: Lululemon Wunder Prepare Excessive-Rise Tight
Lululemon
Wunder Prepare Excessive-Rise Tight
Right here’s an awesome starter pair of compression leggings in case you’re curious, however don’t wish to really feel too squeezed proper off the bat. The Wunder Prepare tight from Lululemon has average compression, light-weight cloth, and four-way stretch, so it strikes a pleasant stability between supportive and smooth.
We examined the Wunder Prepare throughout a number of Peloton lessons and energy coaching periods, they usually felt light-weight and dry all through our exercises. Maybe much more spectacular? Our tester stated they had been cute sufficient to put on to brunch or for a stroll round city.
Sizes: 0 to twenty | Size: 15, 23, 25, 28, or 31 inches | Materials: Nylon, Lycra elastane
Greatest for Mountaineering: Outside Analysis Advert-Vantage Leggings
Outside Analysis
Advert-Vantage Leggings
Outside Analysis collaborated with skilled rock climber Quinn Mason to develop its Advert-Vantage Leggings, making certain that they stretch and resist abrasion precisely the place it counts. It’s their trail-ready design that earned these tights an Activewear Award in 2023.
“I can transfer at any angle in these they usually keep in place,” stated one tester. “I additionally really feel like they’re good for journey as a result of they’re sturdy, light-weight, and have some compression.”
Sizes: XS to XXL | Size: 25 inches | Materials: Nylon, elastane
What do you have to search for when looking for compression leggings?
Like every high-quality pair of tights, compression leggings ought to be manufactured from stretchy supplies that let you transfer (assume spandex, Lycra, elastane, and different technical materials). Dr. Ormont provides that they need to present some quantity of resistance too. Moderately than really feel endlessly stretchy, the material ought to retain its form and snap again near your physique once you pull it away.
Search for pairs which might be made with sweat-wicking, quick-drying supplies. Leggings that don’t handle moisture nicely (like cotton pairs) could cause irritation and chafing, Dr. Ormont says.
Some manufacturers will price their leggings’ compression in millimeters of mercury (mmHG), the identical unit of measurement used for blood strain, nevertheless it’s extra frequent to see this in compression socks. As a basic rule, Dr. Ormont says gadgets with a compression stage between 15 and 20 mmHG will present a mild squeeze that may really feel good for on a regular basis put on and figuring out. Clothes with a compression score of 20 to 30 mmHG are higher fitted to carrying whilst you recuperate from train or an damage.
Compression leggings ought to suit you from prime to backside, so be sure you search for pairs along with your most popular rise (low, mid, or excessive) and an inseam that fits your top. Some types are available in petite and tall sizing, which supplies you extra choices when it comes to size. And, since waistband rises can fluctuate from model to model (perhaps it simply covers your stomach button; perhaps it’s encroaching in your sports activities bra), it could actually assist to attempt just a few pairs on in a retailer earlier than making your buy.
Don’t overlook about your private preferences: Are pockets a should? Would you like a drawstring for added safety (and an adjustable match)? Ought to your leggings be appropriate for indoor and outside actions? Fortunately, there are such a lot of glorious compression leggings on the market that you could undoubtedly discover choices with all these nice-to-have options—and perhaps even just a few extra.
Regularly requested questions
Which exercises are compression leggings finest for?
Wardlaw recommends carrying compression leggings throughout high-impact actions (like runs and HIIT exercises) and high-intensity ones (like energy coaching). Not solely can they probably increase blood circulate to your muscle mass and relieve soreness, however they’ll additionally assist stabilize your actions.
“Compression leggings do run the danger of feeling a bit restrictive throughout actions that require numerous stretching or deep bending, like yoga or Pilates,” Wardlaw says. “In these instances, lighter compression or a extra versatile cloth could be extra comfy. It’s all about discovering the suitable stability for the exercise you’re doing!”
Ought to anybody keep away from carrying compression leggings?
Dr. Ormont cautions towards carrying compression gear when you’ve got open wounds, joint ache, arthritis, neuropathy (which might trigger weak point or much less sensation in your decrease physique), or peripheral arterial illness (which happens when the arteries that transfer blood out of your coronary heart to the remainder of your physique turn into extra slim).
Undecided whether or not compression leggings are best for you? We advocate speaking to your physician earlier than selecting up a pair.
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