11 Best Compression Leggings We Tested for Comfort & Support 2025

These best compression leggings are designed to apply gentle pressure on your legs, boosting circulation and supporting your muscles in the process. They also help suck you in a little more, allowing you to get through HIIT workouts, sprints, and other high-intensity workouts without worrying about your workout bottoms rolling down. They’re a little tighter and more form-fitting than your average pair, but in a good way. I’m a former competitive runner, and I’ll only do speed workouts in compression leggings. Otherwise, you end up feeling a little too loose, like your leggings can’t quite keep up with you.

Like the general workout leggings market, you have plenty of options to choose from, and while that’s technically great, picking just one can feel borderline stressful. That’s why hands-on experience is so important with these. With that in mind, I polled a range of real women who rely on compression leggings during their workouts. Whether they’re fitness experts, stylists, or general workout fans, each have their own go-to leggings that have held up over near-daily use. Below are the best options for running, yoga, travel, and pretty much all of your other needs based on months of testing, whether you’re looking to grab a pair at Amazon or shop at a specialty store.

The best compression leggings, at a glance

Best Compression Leggings Overall: Lululemon Glow Up Super-High-Rise Tight

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Original photo from Tanvi Dalal testing Lululemon Glow Up Super-High-Rise Tight

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Lululemon Glow Up Super-High-Rise Tight

$118

Lululemon

Pros: Compressive but soft; dries fast; very high rise; minimal seams
Cons: No pockets
Available sizes: 0-14 in 23”, 25”, and 28”
Fabric: Nylon, lycra elastane
Colors: 11

Lululemon’s Glow Up Super-High-Rise tight is made to give you a sleek, smooth silhouette, with that perfect level of support to help you feel snatched, not squashed. These leggings have a very high rise, which allows them to pair well with sports bras and cropped tops. They’re also crafted from the brand’s signature Ultralu fabric, maintaining that classic Lululemon softness without sacrificing on hold. The minimally-seamed, bonded waistband won’t roll down on you, either. Worth noting: A slightly curved seam in the back highlights your butt.

“I love these Lululemon compression leggings. They’re a million years old and have stood the test of time,” says Allison Jackson, founder of Allison Jackson Fitness. “I wear these leggings for pickleball and yoga. What I love is how they hold you in, an instant tummy tuck. It’s like Spanx!” Tanvi Dalal, RD, CPT, also swears by the Glow Up tight. “They’re made for my intense strength training sessions because they provide the right amount of support, without feeling too restrictive,” she says. “They also make me look very defined, which is amazing for my social media marketing.”

Best Compression Leggings for Running: Nike Zenvy

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Original photo from Cynthia Kennedy testing the Nike Zenvy Leggings

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Nike Zenvy

$100

Nordstrom

$100

Dick’s

Pros: Medium level of compression; large back pocket; excellent moisture wicking
Cons: Needs to be line dried
Available sizes: XXS–XXL
Fabric: Nylon, spandex
Colors: 7

The popular Nike Zenvy leggings fall into the moderate compression camp, with enough support to prevent jiggling but not so much that you feel like you can’t move. That makes these perfect for runs, whether you’re doing sprints or planning to rack up some serious mileage. The running leggings feature Nike’s Dri-FIT technology to wick moisture away from your body, so you won’t feel like you’re running in sopping wet gear at the end of a hard workout. They also have a back drop-in pocket that’s roomy enough for your phone and other essentials. The compressive fabric keeps your stuff in there nice and tight.

“Zenvy is buttery soft,” says stylist Cynthia Kennedy, who also calls this a “more performance-driven” tight. “It’s still totally wearable for day-to-day life,” she says. “These lean sporty, but throw on a hoodie and they’re instantly cute.”

Best Compression Leggings for Yoga and Pilates: Year of Ours Ribbed 7/8 Leggings

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Original photo from Brigid Cash testing the Year of Ours ⅞ Leggings

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Year of Ours ⅞ Leggings

$99

Amazon

$99 $44

Revolve

Pros: Chic design; compressive but still stretchy; high waist smooths you out
Cons: No pockets
Available sizes: XS–XL
Fabric: Nylon, spandex
Colors: 1

The last thing you want when you’re bending and twisting during yoga and Pilates is to feel unsupported. The Year of Ours Ribbed ⅞ Leggings hold you in, while still allowing for a full range of movement. As a result, you can transition from downward dog to cobra with no issue in these yoga pants. They have a breathable feel, too. The pants have a wide, high waistband that helps create a smooth silhouette from top to bottom, too.

“Year of Ours’ Ribbed 7/8s Leggings are hands down my favorite compression leggings. They offer that perfectly ‘held-in’ feeling without restricting movement. I’ve had mine for years—and after countless wears, they still haven’t lost their shape or support. I reach for them anytime I want to feel sculpted and secure,” says Brigid Cash, pilates instructor at Birdie Pilates.

Best Compression Leggings with Pockets: Bombshell Sportswear Perform Thigh High Leggings

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Bombshell Sportswear Perform Thigh High Leggings

$86

Amazon

Pros: Two pockets; unique design; durable material
Cons: May need to size up
Available sizes: XXS–XXL
Fabric: Polyester, spandex
Colors: 4

Compression leggings don’t need to have pockets—and plenty don’t—but it’s a handy feature to have. The Bombshell Sportswear Perform Thigh High Leggings have hidden pockets on the sides that are large enough to hold your phone, keys, credit card, and more, making them some of the best pocket leggings you can find. Those pockets also shrink back down when they’re not in use, so you don’t have to stress about stretching them out over time. They also have a striped pattern across the thigh to make them stand out, too.

“The material is so flexible. It’s also durable. I’ve had these leggings for a few years and everything is still intact,” says Tyneka Pack, CPT. “The high-waist ensures they don’t slide down, especially doing legs. It also acts as a tummy control for me.”

Best Compression Leggings for Curves: Gymshark Training Leggings

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Gymshark Training Leggings

$38 $30

Gymshark

Pros: Inexpensive; excellent support and lift; thick waistband
Cons: No pockets
Available sizes: XXS–XXL
Fabric: Polyester, elastane
Colors: 4

There’s a reason why Gymshark keeps popping up on TikTok: These leggings have a huge size range and flatter a bunch of different body types. Another reason to add these to your cart? They’re affordable, clocking in at just over $30. The Gymshark Training Leggings have a fit that’s high rise, but still land below your belly button. The thick waistband won’t roll down on you and also has a gentle curve in back to highlight your booty.

Hair stylist Sarai Martinez says that these black leggings “feel the best in my pear-shaped body,” adding, “since I am bottom heavy, the support on my lower abdomen and upper thigh area is a big deciding factor.” Gymshark leggings “are very flattering to my figure and add a nice contour-lifting effect,” Martinez says.

Best Compression Leggings for HIIT Workouts: Alo High-Waist Airlift Legging

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Alo High-Waist Airlift Legging

$128

Alo

Pros: Strong compression; double-layered waistband; large color selection
Cons: No pockets
Available sizes: XXS–XL
Fabric: Polyester, elastane
Colors: 14

All compression isn’t created equal, with some leggings providing extra support while others offer a more snug fit. The Alo High-Waist Airlift Legging offers a high level of support and is specifically designed for HIIT workouts. The waistband is double layered for extra hold and to keep these pants up, even through jumps and squats. Naturally, they support good blood flow, too. Along with staying put, these bestselling bottoms sculpt and lift to help you look great while you’re getting down to business. They also have a slight sheen for a little something extra. Plus, Alo leggings have perfectly matching bras and headbands, so you can really go all in with your workout style.

“They’re great for my intense strength training sessions or HIIT because they’re extremely supportive without feeling too restrictive. They also make me look very defined,” says Dalal.

Best Budget Compression Leggings: Yogalicious Lux High Waist Squat Proof Pant

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Original photo from Nikki Venus testing the Yogalicious Lux High Waist Squat Proof Pant

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Yogalicious Lux High Waist Squat Proof Pant

$39 $25

Amazon

$30

Target

Pros: Very inexpensive; four-way stretch; moisture-wicking
Cons: No pockets
Available sizes: XS–3X
Fabric: Polyester, spandex
Colors: 25

Compression leggings can get pricey, and it’s fair to not want to spend a ton, especially if you’re checking out new brands. The Yogalicious Lux leggings are just $25, for a budget-friendly find that looks a lot like its higher-priced counterparts. This pant has a 4.5-inch high waistband to hold you in and smooth you out, along with four-way stretch to allow you to move freely. It also comes in a massive choice of colors.

“You can get luxe quality without the hefty price tag. But affordability aside, their real superpower is the tummy snatch. That lower belly pooch? Handled. These leggings smooth, sculpt, and hold everything in place without making you feel like a stuffed sausage. No rolling, no constant yanking—just a comfortable, snatched fit that stays put through every squat, lunge, and treadmill sprint,” says Nikki Venus, stylist at Nikki Venus & Company. Venus also calls these leggings “lightweight yet supportive, making them perfect for everything from high-intensity workouts to a coffee run.”

Best Compression Leggings for Tummy Control: Athleta Interval High-Rise Legging

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Original photo from Kim Perry testing the Athleta Interval High-Rise Legging

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Athleta Interval High-Rise Legging

$89 $69

Athleta

Pros: High, bonded waistband; internal drawstring; large drop-in back pocket; can go in the washer and dryer
Cons: Compression at the waist may be too much for some
Available sizes: XXS–XL; regular, tall, petite
Fabric: Polyester, elastane
Colors: 4

Most compression leggings will offer some level of tummy control, but certain bottoms are more focused on this area than others. Athleta’s Interval High-Rise Legging provides the highest level of compression the brand offers thanks to specialized PowerMove fabric. The high waistband is bonded and designed to gently hug your body to smooth you out and keep it in place. (There’s also an internal drawstring to make sure your waistband won’t roll mid-workout.) The drop-in back pocket has enough space to hold your phone, too. Choose from three different lengths.

“I like the quality and durability. There’s an extra layer at the waist to hold you in. It’s high compression, but still moves with you. It’s also buttery soft to the touch,” says Kim Perry, CPT.

Best Compression Leggings for Outdoor Workouts: Carve Saluda Compression Tight

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Original photo from Korin testing the Carve Saluda Compression Tight

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Carve Saluda Compression Tight

$88

Amazon

$88

Carve Designs

Pros: Dries fast; UPF 50 fabric; lightweight feel
Cons: Hidden front pocket may show larger items
Available sizes: XXS–XL; regular and petite
Fabric: Polyester, spandex, nylon
Colors: 12

Most leggings will offer some level of protection from the sun, simply because they provide a barrier. But the Carve Saluda Compression Tight is rated UPF 50 to block out harmful rays, giving you something extra in the functionality department. The full-length compression leggings are lightweight and made from recycled swim fabric, so you can take these in the water after a sweaty workout if you want.

I live in a beach town and do a lot of workouts by the water. I like that the leggings do double duty as sun protection and swimwear, while being lightweight enough to be worn comfortably even on hot days. They dry incredibly fast, like a bathing suit. While these are compression tights, they’re more supportive around the midsection and upper thigh, feeling a little looser the lower down your leg you go. Just be aware that while these pants have a pocket, it’s in the front. Because of that, it’s a better spot for something smooth or small, like your credit card or a key vs. a bulky phone.

Best Compression Leggings for Sweaty Workouts: Under Armour HeatGear Armour High No-Slip Leggings

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Original photo from Almoni Ellis testing the Under Armour HeatGear Armour High No-Slip Leggings
Original photo from Tyneka Pack testing Under Armour HeatGear Armour High No-Slip Leggings

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Under Armour HeatGear Armour High No-Slip Leggings

$50 $37

Amazon

$50 $37

Zappos

Pros: Four-way stretch; lightweight fabric; sweat-wicking; side pocket
Cons: Not warm enough for colder days
Available sizes: XS–3X; short, regular, and tall
Fabric: Polyester, elastane
Colors: 24

Compression leggings usually have a tighter weave than your average leggings, which means they’re not as good at shuttling sweat away from your body as other bottoms. But Under Armour’s HeatGear leggings are specially designed to keep you cool, with impressive sweat-wicking fabric that also dries fast. The compressive bottoms, which have three inseam lengths, feel light on and have four-way stretch to move with you. The high-rise waist doesn’t slip or roll, allowing you to get after it without having to constantly pull up your bottoms. There’s also a side drop-in pocket with enough space for your phone.

“They don’t ride up during a run, they are awesome at absorbing moisture, and the hidden pocket in the back is great to store Chapstick or my keys,” says Almoni Ellis, CSCS.

Best Compression Leggings for Travel: Terez Active Wear High Waist Leggings

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Original photo from Shannon Schaper Photography of Cara D’Orazio testing the Terez Active Wear High Waist Leggings

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Terez Active Wear High Waist Leggings

$80

Walmart

Pros: Inexpensive; stretchy fit; unique patterns
Cons: No pockets
Available sizes: XS–L
Fabric: Polyester, spandex
Colors: 8

Using compression leggings while you travel can help support good blood circulation. And, of course, it can keep you looking sleek on your trip. The Terez leggings have a soft feel with some compression, so you’ll feel like you can still move comfortably when you’re on the go. They’re inexpensive (at just $30) and come in a range of fun patterns, along with more simple colors, to give you options. Just be aware that the waistband is lower than what you’ll find with many compression bottoms. That’s not necessarily a good or bad thing—it just comes down to personal preference.

“Terez leggings are perfect for various activities, such as yoga, running, or just lounging around. They’re also great for dressing up or down, making them an awesome addition to any wardrobe,” says Cara D’Orazio, CPT. She also points out that the leggings are “built to last” and hold up well over regular use and washings.