How to Choose Compression Tights: Your Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

Want to reduce muscle fatigue, prevent strains and reduce your risk of muscle soreness? Put on a pair of compression tights during your next workout. Many athletes swear by wearing compression leggings, shorts, socks, and other items, touting a boost in their athletic performance.

What are Compression Pants, Exactly?

Compression garments are pieces of clothing worn to fit tightly around the skin. These form-fitting garments are typically made of breathable spandex and have moved from professional sports into everyday use. They are often referred to as leggings or tights and boast a wide variety of benefits.

The benefits of compression leggings are numerous. Here are just a few:

• Reduced muscle fatigue
• Strain prevention
• Reduced muscle soreness
• Increased power
• More comfortable workouts
• Better recovery
• Groin support
• Moisture wicking

Tights vs Leggings--What’s the Difference?

The term tights and leggings often get used interchangeably, despite being different things. Let’s start with the basics, to give a better understanding of their differences. Non-compression tights and leggings are made of different fabrics, often sheer like pantyhose, and can be worn as a substitute for pants. Leggings are not typically skin tight to form-fitting. Think of these as the regular leggings you see people wearing on a regular basis.

Compression tights or leggings are designed to be form-fitting, constructed of Lycra or similar fabrics. Unlike traditional tights or leggings, compression pants are worn for specific medical or athletic reasons. Compression leggings were first worn to prevent varicose veins and other vein diseases from progressing into conditions such as deep vein thrombosis. They are also worn by travelers to prevent those types of vein diseases.

People who try out compression leggings report greater comfort and recovery, and often prefer to work out wearing compression gear. If you’re thinking about trying them out, find the right gear that fits tightly, but not so tight that it cuts off your circulation. You’ll stay warmer when participating in outdoor sports.