We Review The 9 Best Compression Leggings For Women
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Compression leggings are my go-to for exercise, but with so many leggings on the market, deciding which ones tick all of my boxes can be challenging. First, I need leggings that will stay in place and support me while doing intense training, especially if I’m doing a lot of high-intensity movements. If I’m in a yoga class or doing Pilates, I want leggings that will stretch and offer a range of motion. Additionally, I need leggings that will survive sweat and many (many) washes. Since I try to work out five to six times a week, I want my leggings to be able to keep up and retain their shape and form after months of wear.
Finally, fabric and sustainability are important. With all the information about PFAS and microplastics, I’m most interested in finding compression leggings that are good for my health and the planet. It’s a lot to ask, but I think I found a handful of brands that meet most, if not all, of my criteria! And guess what? I tested them all out, so you don’t have to.
But first, what exactly do compression leggings do?
A lot, actually! Compression leggings offer enough gentle pressure to your legs to improve blood circulation (enhancing oxygen delivery to your muscles so they don’t get as easily fatigued). One study found that “compression garments increase localized skin temperature and may reduce perceptions of muscle soreness and pain following exercise.” They also support muscle groups, which can be great during leg day when you want that extra support for enhanced performance. Also, they just look good! Compression leggings can offer a huge confidence boost in the gym and make us feel more comfortable while working out.
Our criteria:
I researched the top compression leggings on the market and read hundreds of customer reviews to select the best options. From there, I wore each of them through several workouts so I could give you notes on how they wear. And we’ll return to this guide to add new favorites when they meet the following criteria.
- COMPRESSION | Below, you’ll find options for various levels of compression suited for every type of workout, including running, yoga, and HIIT training.
- SQUAT PROOF | Each of these compression leggings has been tested to see if they are squat proof (aka, they aren’t see-through!).
- DURABILITY | I’ve included leggings that can hold up after many washes and are worth the investment.
If you want even more compression, check out our guides to the best compression socks and compression boots for recovery.
1. Reprise
Best For | Plastic-free
Features | High rise, plant-based fabric, ankle length
Sizes Available | XS-6X
Price | $120
Ranking at number one on the list is Reprise’s Aspen Leggings, mainly because of the soft plant-based fabric that is compressive but still safe for your health and skin. Instead of plastic bottles, the NYC-based brand uses a clean and regenerative fabric composed of 93% TENCEL Lyocell and 7% Spandex. While these are not the most compressive leggings on the list, they are soft and supportive and my preferred option for walking, yoga/pilates, or even errands. I also love that they are opaque and high-rise — I feel held and sleek while wearing them! As for sizing, I ordered my usual size, and they fit perfectly (I think I could have even sized down if I wanted even more compression).
2. Left On Friday
Best For | Extra high-waisted
Features | Super high rise, a proprietary fabric made with 76% nylon, 24% lycra, fast wicking, hidden pocket for card/key
Sizes Available | XS-XL
Price | $120
Left On Friday’s Super Moves Tights are a close second on my list of favorite compression leggings! I’ve long eyed this brand and its clothing, so I was eager to try these and see what all the fuss is about. Let me tell you: These leggings are so soft and sculpting. I’m a high-rise girlie through and through, and I love how high these sit on my body. They are super comfy and offer just the right amount of compression for running, yoga, and pilates. I’m even wearing them right now while writing this review! My only note is that because they sit so high, sometimes they roll a bit (while sitting down or doing certain yoga poses). It’s not a deal breaker in my book!
3. Girlfriend Collective
Best For | Inclusive sizing and lots of color options
Features | Super high rise, made from recycled water bottles, inclusive sizing, two inseam options, hidden pocket
Sizes Available | XXS-6XL
Price | $88
Another favorite because of its sustainability and inclusive sizing is Girlfriend Collective. I tried the Compressive High Rise Leggings (that come in so many fun colors!), and I can see why they are a #1 seller for the brand. They have over 18,000 reviews and are opaque, squat-proof, and ultra-high-rise. The compressive fabric comprises 79% recycled water bottles (RPET) and 21% spandex. Like the rest of the brand’s workout apparel, these leggings are compressive and tight-fitting. I’ve worn them for runs, HIIT classes, spin, and yoga without any complaints.
4. Beyond Yoga
Best For | Extra waistband support
Features | 4-inch waistband for extra support, contoured back yoke seam, proprietary fabric for extra compression
Sizes Available | XXS-XL
Price | $110
I fell in love with Beyond Yoga when I first reviewed the brand’s bike shorts and space dye fabric — a buttery soft performance fabric with a unique texture and exceptionally soft hand — so I was excited to see the brand’s newer fabric: The POWERBEYOND™ sport fabric. Made with sculpting and supportive compression, Beyond Yoga’s compression leggings feature a 4″ waistband with a power mesh insert that adds extra waistband support. The midi length is perfect for my shorter legs; I love how contouring these feel on my body. I’d probably size up as they were a bit more snug than the others on this list, but I love how easily I can bend, lift, and jump without the leggings sagging or rolling. The modern olive is a nice change from my usual black, too!
5. Vuori
Best For | Breathability
Features | Proprietary blend with recycled fabrics, three different length options, high-waisted and moisture-wicking
Sizes Available | XXS-XXL
Price | $98
Would it be a legging list without Vuori? Of course, the infamous brand has some of the best compression leggings on the market! I tested the AllTheFeels leggings for a treadmill class and also for yoga. No surprise here: The brand is worth the hype, and these leggings do everything they promise. The Vuori BlissBlend™ fabric is a performance stretch knit that moves with you, and it’s made from 75% Recycled Polyamide and 25% Elastane. What I love most about these is how breathable and lightweight they feel without compromising on support or opaqueness. The Java is such a pretty color too!
6. Alo
Best For | High-intensity classes
Features | Proprietary blend, four-way stretch, 7/8 option
Sizes Available | XXS-XL
Price | $128
Alo’s High-Waist Airlift Leggings caught me by surprise. I wore them for a few CrossFit classes and was impressed by how supportive and in place the leggings stayed throughout box jumps, lunges, and more. The fabric is a high-compression signature Airlift performance fabric made with 82% Polyester and 18% Elastane, and I love that the brand has a 7/8 option for shorter gals. These leggings also have a subtle sheen which is a nice change in look/fabric. Oh, and Alo is WRAP Platinum Certification!
7. Fabletics
Best For | Budget-friendly with UPF
Features | Signature fabric, UPF protection, chafe resistant
Sizes Available | XXS-4XL
Price | $70
For compression leggings under $100, Fabletics is a great find! I tried the Define PowerHold® High-Waisted 7/8 Legging in navy blue for a yoga class and also for a long-distance run. signature PowerHold® fabric (88% Polyester/12% Spandex) is smooth and lifting but also comfy enough to wear for long periods of time (or many miles!). They are also chase-resistant and have UPF protection, making them the best option on this list for outdoor workouts and distance runs.
8. Athleta
Best For | Staying put during HIIT
Features | Stay-put waistband, high rise, three height options, recycled fabrics
Sizes Available | XXS-4XL
Price | $89
For medium to high compression, I tried Athleta’s Interval High Rising Legging. I love that these come in regular, petite, and tall options and are made from recycled materials (77% Recycled Polyester/23% Elastane). The brand touts a stay-put bonded waistband that molds to your form as body heat rises, and I found this to be a favorite feature that I didn’t know I needed. Through squats and burpees, these stay snug and support, even when I’m dripping with sweat. (I also tried the Elation Ultra High Rise Legging for yoga and will be snagging another pair because I love them so much!)
9. prAna
Best For | Compression leggings that snatch
Features | Signature recycled fabric, hidden pocket, moisture wicking, UPF
Sizes Available | XXS-XXL
Price | $110
Last but certainly not least is none other than prAna. The Sculpt leggings are a newer option in the brand’s legging collection, offering many unique features. For starters, these leggings snatch at the waist and keep everything tight and supported during even the most intense workouts. The prAna Sculpt™ fabric (84% Recycled Polyester, 16% Elastane) is moisture-wicking and UPF 50+ for outdoor exercise, and there is a hidden back pocket. There is also a Coolmax® triangle gusset for added comfort and reinforcement. Plus, the colors are gorgeous. The earth tones are so luxe and chic.
Kayti Christian is Senior Content Strategist at The Good Trade. She has an MFA in Nonfiction Creative Writing and has been featured in TODAY, Shondaland, and The New York Times. She is the creator of Feelings Not Aside, a newsletter for sensitive people, and cohost of the FriedEggs Podcast, a podcast about IVF and infertility.
