Whether you’re using them for the gym, yoga, or you need something comfortable to wear on-the-go, these breathable skin-tight leggings are an essential part of any woman’s wardrobe.
They’re versatile pieces of apparel that are perfect for general lifestyle use and the gym. But they aren’t just style pieces: Compression leggings provide many benefits besides looks.
While yoga pants don’t necessarily boost performance in the gym, studies show they are better suited for recovery. For whatever reason you’re picking these up, I always recommend trying to find the best yoga pants that are suited for you.
Best Overall: CompressionZ Women’s Leggings
One of our favorite brands out there that isn’t as well-known compared to Nike and Adidas is a smaller company called CompressionZ. They can provide quality compression and athletic apparel at a comparable price. For my ladies out there, you’ll appreciate all the little details the manufacturer put into the tights.
But they also made sure to emphasize two important aspects of any compression leggings: Comfort and compression. The 73% polyester and 27% spandex blend ensures a combination of comfortable fabric that feels great against the skin and the ideal amount of stretch for an ergonomic fit. This allows it to conform to the natural shapes of your legs, butt, and thighs. The overall design and stretch makes it great for long-term wear in the gym, yoga, and running.
You’ll be able to wear this throughout the day and enjoy the benefits of compression. And trust me: Although the leggings are a tighter fit, they still provide the optimal amount of direct compression throughout the legs. While the legs are on the stricter side, the weave construction promotes air circulation and helps the pants not feel constricting. If you’re in the market for a new pair of compression pants, I would recommend checking out these yoga pants as one of your first choices.
Best Runner-Up: Active Research Women’s Compression Pants
Another great pickup for women to add to their workout training gear. The first plus side about these pants compared to our top choice is that they’re inexpensive and a great way to build a workout outfit.
If you need to buy many training pants to cycle through the week, these leggings are the perfect mix of price and quality. They boast a comfortable fit thanks to the conforming nature of the tights. Putting the pants on, you can feel them contouring to accommodate the natural shape of your thighs and legs, and worn throughout the day.
They are the perfect complement to your workout gear because of their minimalist appearance and even includes a small zipper pocket in the back that lets you carry items. To top it off: These pants have a rating of 20-30 mmHg graduated compression range which is suitable for lower body workouts and recovery. This compression is ideal for mild to moderate levels of soreness and swelling that may develop in the leg. If you find yourself feeling some pain after a workout and need something to help alleviate it, this pair of tights might do the job.
The 3 Other Best Yoga Pants
Before we jump into the rest of the compression pants, there are a few things I wanted to note about our selection of pants. While we already chose our top 2 picks, we believe it’s always good to shop and compare to fight the right compression gear for you. We chose these distinctive compression tights because we felt they excelled in a particular area compared to our top picks.
Those three categories are Budget-friendly, comfort, ¾ Capri-styleI would recommend checking these out as well as before making your own choice to find the best deal for you. And maybe you’ll find something you like better than our picks. Remember, this is a matter of personal preference.
Best Budget-Friendly: 90 Degree By Reflex Compression Capri Pants
If you’re in the market for something that is easy on the wallet but is also great regarding form and functionality, these are the compression leggings for you.
They’re a Capri-style pant that is a fashion statement in the gym and for when you are going out for a good time. The high-waisted design rests on your hips comfortably and secure the pants when doing intense and increased mobility workouts. Also, it’s great if you want something that will keep your tummy tucked in for a more slimming feel. The tight-fit design is comfortable and doesn’t feel restricting. I was able to get a full range of motion during most of my lower body workouts, including yoga, running, squats, and deadlifts. Having both quality construction and a lower price is something you can’t miss.
There are several color options, so you can mix and match different outfits and training gear. I feel that your overall appearance, whether you’re in the gym or going out for a good time, is a great confidence booster. Having a pair of stylish pants make it great to coordinate different types of outfits while remaining comfortable. You’re getting a reasonable price tag where you can have the ability to buy multiple sets of Capri-style compression pants to wear through the week. This way, you don’t have to reuse pants, and it helps with general hygiene.
Best ¾ Capri-Style Pants: CW-X Women’s 3/4 Length Stabilyx Tights
While we are on the topic of ¾ women capri pants, we found our favorite for the gym.
These pants are on the pricier side compared to our budget-friendly option, but I believe if you want the best regarding construction and comfort, these pants by CW-X should be your go-to pick. While the other pants had a minimalist look, there are a few unique design patterns that provide extra support and compression to the various muscles and joints throughout the leg.
It also manages to add a little bit of flair to those tights that our previous choices weren’t capable of doing. When I first saw them, I thought to myself that these belong in for the gym. It has an athletic and sporty look with all the functionality that you want in a pair of compression tights.
Also: They are comfortable with the infused 80% CoolMax polyester and 20% lycra spandex. The weave construction allows breathability that helps keep individuals cool during exercise and workouts. The polyester fabric feels great against the skin, and the spandex manages to expand to the curves of the leg, thigh, and butt. It’s a confidence-boosting piece of compression apparel that is great for women who are looking for a specific style of yoga capri-pants. I would recommend these for individuals who want a durable and long-lasting piece of compression leggings.
Best in Comfort: Terramed Women Graduated Compression Microfiber Leggings
While their product name’s a mouthful, these are, in our humble opinion, the most comfortable out of the bunch regarding fit. These pants are manufactured in the USA with a high-quality microfiber material that is much more comfortable in comparison to the polyester and cotton material of other brands and manufacturers.
I would recommend these compression pants for more lifestyle use, rather than in the gym. But if you want to use them for exercise, go for it. They will be a great asset and companion for your training apparel. Another plus: In the colder seasons of fall and winter, you can use these as a layering material under a pair of jeans or sweatpants. You will get the benefits of comfort and compression with the addition of being kept warm.
Last, but not least: These pants are useful in the recovery process because of the level of graduated compression they offer. The tightness of the pants applies pressure against the skin to promote blood circulation, which is a great way to alleviate some of the pain and soreness that might develop during a leg workout. It’s excellent for general lifestyle purposes such as when going for a walk, traveling, or relaxing for the day. These are a comfortable pair of compression pants that have a versatile set of uses. This pair of tights works in almost any situation.
Final Notes
Just a few things to make sure you’re a smarter shopper when looking for the right compression tights for you: Sizing can be an enemy. Make sure to check sizing charts for manufacturers on their pages.
But even then, check what other reviewers are experiencing regarding fit. Sometimes if you are looking for a tighter fit, you may have to size down and vice-versa for finding a looser fit. Get your priorities straight too. If you need yoga pants, make sure to pick a pair of pants designed for the gym or outdoor use.
If you’re looking for yoga pants to wear for light exercise or general comfort, make sure not to get the higher end brands made for heavy workouts. At the end of it all: make sure you’re getting what suits your needs the best.