What Are Compression Leggings? Boost Your Circulation with Style

Whether you’re an active individual who runs or hits the gym regularly, a new mom looking to prevent leg swelling or blood clots, someone recovering from a leg injury, or you are in a job that requires you to sit or stand for long periods of time every day… compression leggings, pants, and socks can save you from swelling, pain, and discomfort all while boosting your energy!

In this article, you will learn about the benefits of compression leggings. It is not just the therapeutic pressure that makes compression garments great - they can be a stylish addition to your wardrobe. Whether it is casual, dressy, or sporty, Vim & Vigr has compression garments that provide you with circulation benefits while also being stylish in any setting. Read on to see how you can combine style and health benefits by wearing compression leggings.

What are Compression Leggings?

First off, what makes compression leggings different from normal leggings? These items are tight-fitting, just like their regular counterparts, but compression leggings are made with a specific blend of fibers that allows them to apply therapeutic pressure to the limbs, which offers benefits to your blood flow and overall comfort. This means that compression leggings feel slightly tighter than your run-of-the-mill leggings, but it feels like you’re getting a pleasant massage while you wear them!

Our Vim & Vigr compression leggings are also graduated - which means they are tighter at the ankle and slowly release pressure as they climb up the legs. This allows them to boost blood flow more effectively than other compression leggings. Graduated compression stimulates the blood vessels to push blood out of the legs and back towards the heart. What does scientific research say about the benefits of compression leggings or socks? Lower risks of swollen ankles, blood clots, varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, or even edema… all while looking your best.

How Compression Leggings Work

So, what is the science behind the benefits of compression leggings or compression socks? Thanks to the pressure these garments apply to your legs, they stimulate blood circulation locally in the limbs. Better, uninterrupted blood flow often means that you feel more energized and comfortable all day long, and it also has important health benefits: 

woman sitting on stairs wearing compression tights

Discover stylish compression wear for all activities.

 

 

What Are Compression Leggings Good For?

Wearing compression leggings is good for your overall circulatory system. It also supports muscles and joints and can help improve athletic performance, while also reducing fluid retention. Let’s have a closer look at all these.

Improving Circulation

Graduated compression socks and leggings apply firm pressure to the limbs, starting stronger at the ankle and slowly reducing upwards. This supports the veins while stimulating circulation, improving overall energy and wellbeing. Scientific research shows that compression leggings can boost blood flow. With leggings, you get more coverage through the limbs than you would with socks (which are usually knee-high). This makes them beneficial for pregnant women, too.

Reducing Fluid Retention and Swelling

The improvement in blood flow facilitated by compression leggings helps reduce the risk of blood pooling in the legs, especially around the ankles. Blood pooling is what often leads to swelling and discomfort. Compression leggings help freshly oxygenated blood to travel to your legs, keeping them fresher for longer. The therapeutic pressure you get from compression leggings helps diminish the risk of fluid retention (which can lead to lymphedema, among others).

Muscle Support and Recovery

Through the pressure they apply to the limbs, compression garments also provide support and a light massage. Supporting the muscles reduces the impact of micro-vibrations from landing on your feet (especially on hard surfaces), which makes being on your feet more comfortable for runners and those who stand at work all day. They are also beneficial when coming back from an injury and have been linked to better recovery from muscle soreness or fatigue.

As for muscle recovery, the boost in blood flow to the legs helps them receive oxygen and nutrients more quickly and efficiently after exercise. This reduces the dreaded pain that comes with DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) and the time it takes for them to recover. This may help enable athletes to rest and get back on their feet more quickly.

Enhanced Performance

Recovery is an important part of athletic performance. Those who can recover quickly and efficiently are able to exercise more and increase their intensity quicker, all while avoiding injury. This is why many athletes use compression leggings either during their sessions or when resting afterwards. Not only do these garments help boost recovery, they can also help you avoid injuries like strains and sprains by better warming up the muscles and supporting the joints and muscles during a workout. Also, when you are coming back from an injury, compression leggings provide important support throughout the leg, along with a reduction in swelling in the muscles.

women in different sizes and shapes wearing compression tights

 

 

What’s the Difference Between Compression Leggings and Regular Leggings?

Just like when we compare regular socks vs compression socks, regular leggings are tight-fitting and can look great, but regular leggings do not provide therapeutic pressure and support the way that compression leggings do. Regular leggings may be made from various materials, like blends and even denim. However, high-quality compression leggings are made from extremely specific fabrics that ensure the leggings will deliver support, blood flow enhancement, reduced risk of blood vessel disorders, and style, all at the same time.

Compression leggings are also extremely versatile - they can be worn to enhance sports performance, reduce recovery times, or even reduce leg swelling, but they also can look great under a stylish dress or as part of a cute outfit for work or going out in the evening.

Who Wears Compression Leggings?

Compression leggings, sleeves, and socks have become popular with athletes thanks to how they benefit circulation and exercise performance. But anyone, athlete or not, can enjoy lighter, stronger legs and the soothing massage that compression leggings offer.

In fact, wearing compression leggings during everyday settings such as at work or when traveling can give you a boost in energy, a reduction in fatigue, and a lower risk of swollen ankles or blood clots at the end of the day. And they look great, too. You can wear tan-colored leggings or tights under dresses and skirts or opt for the ever-classy black for leggings or tights. They match any outfit and will help you avoid fluid retention, pain, or a whole host of other uncomfortable experiences.

Is It Good to Wear Compression Leggings All Day?

Many people find compression leggings slightly confining when they first put them on, but high-quality ones, like our collection at Vim & Vigr, will feel comfortable enough to keep on all day. The key is that they are the right size for you and that they are tight enough to provide compression benefits, which will allow you to stay comfortable and move freely.

The length of time you should wear your compression tights is a matter of personal preference. We recommend starting with just a couple of hours and gradually increasing the duration, as you feel comfortable. Be sure to consult your doctor if you have any health conditions, especially any conditions related to your heart or blood vessels.

What are Compression Pants For?

We often refer to compression leggings as compression pants because they are, well… pants! Compression pants are basically the same as leggings, but some pants may be a bit thicker (for example, compression pants made from merino wool for cold weather).

Just like leggings, compression pants improve blood flow, massage the muscles, increase joint stability, and prevent many circulatory problems.

Choosing Compression Leggings for Fashion & Function

Now that you know how compression leggings deliver health benefits without sacrificing style, here is our ultimate guide to choosing the perfect pair of compression leggings.

Choose the Right Compression Level

It is important to know that not all compression garments are the same. They apply different levels of pressure, with some only being available with a prescription from a medical provider. At Vim & Vigr, we offer three levels of graduated compression:

  • 15-20 mmHg - daily wear compression that is supportive enough to deliver benefits, but comfortable enough that you will forget you are wearing anything. Solid compression tights in 15-20 mmHg can be worn with any outfit, all day long.
  • 20-30 mmHg - firm compression, usually used by athletes for performance or injury prevention, people that had surgery to prevent deep vein thrombosis or painful swelling, or others that are recovering from an injury.
  • 30-40 mmHg - available by prescription only, this compression level is usually reserved for serious medical conditions.

The “entry level” for better circulation is 15-20 mmHg and we encourage you to consult with your doctor if you feel that you need more compression or if you have any medical conditions or questions.

Size and Fit Tips

When you wear compression items, they must be tight enough to provide benefits to your circulatory system and your muscles. At the same time, if you go too tight, you will not feel comfortable. This is not to mention that compression pants that are too tight will restrict your circulation and can even cause injury. Get the right size for you by measuring your calf circumference first, then match that against our sizing chart.

Once you have received your leggings, make sure to put them on carefully, sliding them up the legs without bunching or folding. Try to avoid scratching them (some people wear latex gloves to protect their compression tights from jewelry or nails). And, when you take them off, gently roll them down the legs trying to avoid any snagging.

Fabric and Material Considerations

Finally, a word on fabrics. Compression socks come in a wide variety of materials, from the classic everyday cotton to merino wool and even nylon. Nylon offers a perfect fit that helps you feel sleek and comfortable while giving you the benefits you are looking for. At Vim & Vigr, we have chosen to offer high-quality compression tights in nylon, as it is a very flexible, durable fabric that moves seamlessly with your body and allows you to do any activity while wearing your leggings.

Whether you are wearing compression leggings for support, blood flow boosting, or general comfort and pain relief, if you have the right size and fit for you, you will enjoy hours of improved energy levels and lower risk of any circulatory problems. The best part is that our Vim & Vigr compression tights are stylish, too! You can make them part of your casual outfits, wear them under work clothes, or even take them to the gym. Browse our collection and pick your favorites (and don’t miss out on the socks, either!).

References

Charles, T., Mackintosh, D., Healy, B., Perrin, K., Weatherall, M., & Beasley, R. (2011). Merino wool graduated compression stocking increases lower limb venous blood flow: a randomized controlled trial. Advances in therapy, 28(3), 227–237. Read it here.

Partsch, H., Winiger, J., & Lun, B. (2004). Compression stockings reduce occupational leg swelling. Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.], 30(5), 737–743. Read it here.

Sugahara, I., Doi, M., Nakayama, R., & Sasaki, K. (2018). Acute effect of wearing compression stockings on lower leg swelling and muscle stiffness in healthy young women. Clinical physiology and functional imaging, 10.1111/cpf.12527. Advance online publication. Read it here.

Clarke, M. J., Broderick, C., Hopewell, S., Juszczak, E., & Eisinga, A. (2021). Compression stockings for preventing deep vein thrombosis in airline passengers. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 4(4), CD004002. Read it here.

Moñux, G., Serna-Soto, M., Plá-Sanchez, F., Zamorano-León, J. J., Segura, A., Rial, R., Freixer, G., Zekri-Nechar, K., Hugo-Martínez, C., Serrano, J., & López-Farré, A. (2021). Compression stockings attenuate the expression of proteins associated with vascular damage in human varicose veins. Journal of vascular surgery. Venous and lymphatic disorders, 9(2), 428–434. Read it here.

Goetz, J., Kaisermayer, E., Haase, H., Jünger, M., & Riebe, H. (2019). Better wearing comfort of knee-length elastic compression stockings with an interface pressure of 18-21 mmHg compared to 23-32 mmHg in elderly people after a one day trial - Influence on foot deformities, rheumatism and arthritis. Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation, 73(1), 145–156. Read it here.

Mota, G. R., Simim, M. A. M., Dos Santos, I. A., Sasaki, J. E., & Marocolo, M. (2020). Effects of Wearing Compression Stockings on Exercise Performance and Associated Indicators: A Systematic Review. Open access journal of sports medicine, 11, 29–42. Read it here.

Montoye, A. H. K., Mithen, A. A., Westra, H. L., Besteman, S. S., & Rider, B. C. (2021). The Effect of Compression Socks on Maximal Exercise Performance and Recovery in Insufficiently Active Adults. International journal of exercise science, 14(7), 1036–1051. Read it here.

Armstrong, S. A., Till, E. S., Maloney, S. R., & Harris, G. A. (2015). Compression socks and functional recovery following marathon running: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 29(2), 528–533. Read it here.

Carvalho, C. A., Lopes Pinto, R., Guerreiro Godoy, M.deF., & Pereira de Godoy, J. M. (2015). Reduction of Pain and Edema of the Legs by Walking Wearing Elastic Stockings. International journal of vascular medicine, 2015, 648074. Read it here.

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