The 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 wear compression leggings for speed workouts. Otherwise, I end up feeling a little too loose, like my leggings can’t quite keep up with me.
When buying workout leggings, you have plenty of options, so I polled a range of women who rely on compression leggings during their workouts. Here fellow fitness experts, stylists, and Glamour reviewer share their go-to leggings that have held up over near daily use.
The best compression leggings, at a glance
- Best Overall: Lululemon Glow Up Super-High-Rise Tights, $118
- Best for Running: Nike Zenvy Leggings, $100
- Best for Yoga and Pilates: Year of Ours ⅞ Leggings, $99
- Best With Pockets: Bombshell Sportswear Perform Thigh-High Leggings, $86
- Best for HIIT Workouts: Alo High-Waist Airlift Leggings, $128
- Best for Tummy Control: Athleta Interval High-Rise Leggings, $89
Best Compression Leggings Overall: Lululemon Glow Up Super-High-Rise Tights
Lululemon’s Glow Up Super-High-Rise tights are 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, a registered dietitian and certified personal trainer, also swears by the Glow Up tights. “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 Leggings
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 these a “more performance-driven” tights. “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 ⅞Leggings
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 high, wide waistband that helps create a smooth silhouette from top to bottom too.
“The 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
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.
“The material is so flexible. It’s also durable. I’ve had these leggings for a few years and everything is still intact,” says certified personal trainer Tyneka Pack. “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
There’s a reason 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 lands 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,” she says.
Best Compression Leggings for HIIT Workouts: Alo High-Waist Airlift Leggings
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All compression isn’t created equal, with some leggings providing extra support while others offer a more snug fit. The Alo High-Waist Airlift Leggings offer a high level of support and are 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 best-selling 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 Pants
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—a budget-friendly find that looks a lot like its higher-priced counterparts. These pants have 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 Leggings
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 Leggings provide 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 certified personal trainer Kim Perry.
Best Compression Leggings for Outdoor Workouts: Carve Saluda Compression Tights
Most leggings will offer some level of protection from the sun simply because they provide a barrier. But the Carve Saluda Compression Tights are 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 versus a bulky phone.
Best Compression Leggings for Sweaty Workouts: Under Armour HeatGear Armour High No-Slip Leggings
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 come in 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, a certified strength and conditioning specialist.
Best Compression Leggings for Travel: Terez Active Wear High-Waist Leggings
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 certified personal trainer Cara D’Orazio. She also points out that the leggings are “built to last” and hold up well over regular use and washings.
Meet the experts
- Allison Jackson
- Brigid Cash, Pilates instructor at Birdie Pilates
- Cynthia Kennedy, stylist
- Nikki Venus, stylist at Nikki Venus & Company
- Kim Perry, certified personal trainer
- Cara D’Orazio, certified personal trainer
- Tanvi Dalal, registered dietitian and certified personal trainer
- Tyneka Pack, certified personal trainer
- Sarai Martinez
- Almoni Ellis, certified strength and conditioning specialist
