Compression Tights

From elite athletes to cancer survivors, compression garments are designed for performance and recovery. But not all compression garments are created equally! We want to talk about compression tights specifically – what they are, how they are made, and what you need to know to purchase the best compression tights for your needs. 

What Are Compression Tights?

A compression tight is a full-length garment from the waist to the ankle. There are several types available, and there are many differences between them. Let’s learn some more! 

All compression garments, including compression tights, are made from 2 or 3 different filaments. One of the yarns must be stretchy. We have a few names in the USA for these stretchy filaments: spandex, LYCRA® fiber, elastane, and others. The content label, which is sewn or heat-transferred to the back of each garment, tells us what kind of fibers were used to make the garment. 

Example 1: Low Compression Range Intended for Leisure Wear – 8-14% stretchy fiber:

These example labels show us a variety of stretchy filament contents from 8-14%:

Just for comparison, a regular dress sock has 3-5% stretchy fiber which is not much, but just enough to keep the socks from sliding down into your shoes. 

Socks Label:

Note: Please be careful not to buy anything that has rubber in the contents, as the wearer can have an allergy to rubber (the socks’ label has “rubber” in the contents).

Example 2: Mid Compression Range – 15-20% stretchy fiber:

This fabric has more stretch and more power than the leisure wear of example 1.

Example 3: High Compression Range Intended for Performance and Recovery

This label shows us that the contents of the compression tights have 30% stretch filament – this makes the fabric stretch with even more (kick) power:

Important: The content label tells you everything you need to know about what you’re wearing or what you are planning to buy. It will tell you the following information: 

• How much power and support it has by the percentage of stretchy filament 
• The Country of manufacture/origin 
• Washing and Drying Instructions 
• Size Information 
• Other information the manufacturer would like to add 

Keep reading to understand why this is important! 

WHAT DO THESE 3 EXAMPLES MEAN TO YOU?

With varying content of stretchy filament, these garments fit and function in remarkably diverse ways. Let’s look more closely at the benefits and disadvantages of each type. 

Example 1 – Low Compression with stretchy filament content of 8-14%:

This compression tight was intended for the leisure wear market. In this category, compression garments or compression clothing should be used for low energy activities such as: 

• Walking 
• Light exercise 
• Yoga 
• Gymnastics 
• Cycling 

These items are NOT intended to be used to: 

• Reduce swelling 
• Aid in recovery 
• Support muscles 
• High energy exercises or sports 
• Long walks 
• Long distance running of 10 miles or more 
• Ski long hours or distance 

8-14% stretch fiber is for leisure wear and light exercise, with absolutely no support for sustained physical activity or recovery. The majority of garments on the market would fit into this category, choose wisely! 

Example 2 – Mid Compression with stretchy filament content of 15-20%:

This compression tight was intended for higher compression than in example #1, but still not enough to support your muscles for long-term activity or injury recovery. Remember that from the 1960s to 1990s, most stretchy fabric that had a 20% content on the label was intended for the intimate apparel market, such as for girdles to help hold the stomach in. 

It was definitely NOT intended for an elevated level of exercise or activity. 15-20% stretch fiber is for medium activity with no benefits to performance or recovery. 

 EXAMPLE 3 – High Compression with stretchy filament content 30% or higher 

A 1998 study by Dr. William Kraemer titled, “Influence of a compression garment on repetitive power output production before and after different types of muscle fatigue,” suggested that having contents of at least 25% stretch fiber in compression tights is the point at which they may be called “performance compression tights” as they will be able to help sports performance with an improved blood flow to the muscle tissue meaning MORE OXYGEN.  

30% stretch fiber is for high-intensity sports and offers benefits for performance and recovery due to less muscle vibration which means less muscular fatigue and fewer injuries. Muscles involved in high energy activities need more oxygen flow to help support the body. 

Breaking It Down

Use the following examples as an indication of what you are planning to use compression tights for, and for what level of activity. 

The difference between just compression tights and performance compression tights is: if the content label shows between 8-24% stretch fiber, there will only be enough stretch to have the garment form fit to the body and be held up as clothing, however it will not really offer you any health or performance benefits. 

The benefits of compression tights with 25% or more stretch fiber or more listed in the contents will help your muscles recover faster during a long run, walk or high activity sport such as tennis, squash, football, baseball, hockey, skiing, basketball, soccer, and distance running of all types. 

The higher percentage of stretch fiber in compression tights, the less muscle vibration will occur which leads to less muscle fatigue, offering faster recovery! There will be less wear and breakdown of the muscles. 

Compression garments for blood circulation is a very touchy subject as there are basically two variations – tights or socks. Doctors prescribe compression garments to help in bringing blood circulation up from the feet to the heart. Doctors mostly prescribe compression tights and/or compression socks in either Mid-Thigh or Knee-High lengths. 

These gradient compression socks, in either Mid-Thigh or Knee-High lengths, have various levels of pressure that your doctor will determine based on your body’s needs as follows: 

• Light Support                      10 – 15mmHg   
• Mild Support                       15 – 20mmHg   
• Moderate Support             20 – 30mmHg   
• Firm Support                      30 – 40mmHg  

The levels determine how much pressure will be applied to the lower leg to stimulate circulation to push blood up towards the heart. Gradient pressure means a controlled amount of pressure that is greatest at the distal end (ankle) of the garment and gradually decreases towards the proximal end (top) of the stocking. 

Good compression tights with 25% or more stretch fiber can help reduce swelling and improve blood circulation although not as efficiently as compression socks. 

CONCLUSION 

 The most critical point we can stress is to be aware of what you are looking for when you are buying compression garments! Understanding the contents of your clothing can have a profound impression on what you choose to wear for a simple walk, high-energy intense sports, or long-distance air travel. If you suffer from circulatory issues, feel free to use the information in this article to start a discussion with your healthcare provider to decide which compression level you may need. And please remember to read the clothing label to understand what type of fabric is in the garment that you are buying, exactly the way you would do with packaged food! When you need the best, high-performance compression garment on the market, look for our SWEAT IT OUT® with COOL COMPRESSION® technology, or contact us today. 

Below is the SWEAT IT OUT ® with COOL COMPRESSION ® technology label:

Buy Compression Shorts and Tights Online

Push yourself to the limit and reach new athletic achievements when you use compression shorts and tights with COOL COMPRESSION® Technology from SWEAT IT OUT®. 

Our line of compression shorts and tights is designed to provide maximum support to the leg muscles and groin region while being comfortable for all-day wear. Professional athletes from all sports fields — soccer, tennis, golf, skiing, basketball, hockey, lacrosse, running, dancing, and more — use compression shorts to boost their performance and help reduce their rehabilitation. Why not experience the incredible difference for yourself?