The Best Compression Pants for Men

  • Leslie Hughes

Compression pants may not be the most fashionable thing around, but they are very functional. They are ideal to wear during workouts because they stimulate blood flow, which gives your muscles the support they need and also helps you with recovery after a tough workout. However, some compression pants provide more general compression as opposed to targeting specific areas. To find the best compression pants for men, we asked ourselves three questions: How comfortable are they? How warm will they keep me? Do they have pockets? Our favorite pair of compression pants were those made by DRSKIN because the material provides a high level of comfort and function. However, they don’t have pockets to hold your phone or other accessories, which is why we also love Baleaf's compression pants. Read on to learn more about our top picks.

DRSKIN Men’s Compression Pants

Year round wear

These offer comfortable protection all the time.
Best Overall

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Some compression pants may be too heavy to wear in the warmer months, but not these from DRSKIN. If you live in a hot climate, then you’ll love the dual-way air circulation that works to keep you cool. This, coupled with the moisture-wicking material, will leave you feeling comfortable despite the fact you’re wearing tights. The material is a mix of polyester and spandex, which helps explain the flexible, nonrestrictive fit. The pants are ideal for all kinds of activities including running, yoga, the gym, and more. Best of all, they’ll work throughout the year to keep you cool when it’s hot outside and keep you warm when the temperatures start to drop.

Pros:

  • Despite the material being thin, these are not see-through.
  • The waistband stays in place and does not fold when wearing.
  • These can work as protection from the sun as well if needed.

Cons:

  • There are no tall sizes available, so they may be a bit short for taller men.

CompressionZ Men’s Compression Pants

Stay warm

These will keep you warm when the temperatures drop.
Best For Cold Weather

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If you’re headed somewhere cold, slip these on and you won’t have to worry about whether you’ll be warm enough. Great as a base layer, these pants are made of nylon and spandex, which means they’ll wick away moisture and keep you dry when you’re working out. These compression pants are not made to target specific muscles but work more in a general sense to provide support for your muscles. These CompressionZ pants are meant to be tight and feel like a second skin, so if you’re looking for something more freeing, it’s a good idea to size up. Either way, you’ll feel comfortable with these on.

Pros:

  • These are higher in quality than you might expect from the price.
  • They’re perfect for wearing under workout shorts or on their own.
  • We love the fact that they won’t cause chafing, even after wearing them for many hours.

Cons:

  • These don’t offer as much compression as other brands.

Baleaf Men’s Yoga Leggings with Pockets

Convenience is key

These pants come with pockets, so they can hold your phone and other accessories.
Best With Pockets

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As much as we would like to detach from our phones, it feels impossible to do so. Even when you go for a run or a workout, you need your phone to listen to music or a podcast. So, it’s nice to have a pair of compression pants that provides you with a place to keep your phone while you’re doing your activities. These tights from Baleaf have side pockets that are big enough to fit your phone, and, they’re comfortable, too. On top of that, the elastic waistband isn’t too tight and allows you to move freely without any issues.

Pros:

  • These are great for workouts, but you may find yourself enjoying them around the house, too.
  • They work well for wearing alone and provide more coverage than a base layer.
  • They feel like cotton and have a matte color that doesn’t give off the shiny look that other similar pants do.

Cons:

  • They may not be as tight as you’re used to compression pants being. These have a more relaxed fit.

Under Armour Men’s HeatGear 2.0 Leggings

For hot and cold

These pants work in all kinds of weather, so they'll keep your comfortable when you need it most.
Most Versatile

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If you’re hopping from hot weather to cold and want compression pants that can help regulate your body temperature, try these Under Armour HeatGear 2.0 leggings. They dry quickly when they get wet and boast next-level breathability. The new and improved 2.0 design keeps seams away from areas that tend to see lots of wear, and it also makes the tights stronger. There are a few different color options, so you can have one pair for almost every day of the week.

Pros:

  • The length of these pants works for people of nearly any height.
  • They feel lightweight but provide you with warmth when you need it.
  • The elastic on the waistband is higher, which works well if you’re wearing these under shorts.

Cons:

  • The seams are not strong enough for activities like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Devops Men’s Compression Pants (2 Pack)

Double trouble

Like with most good things, with these pants, you won't want to stop at just one.
Best Two Pack

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This two-pack of compression pants may very well become your new favorite workout attire duo. These tights from Devops will have you covered in all kinds of weather, and they also protect you from the sun thanks to their UPF 50+ rating. They provide maximum mobility thanks to the machine-washable spandex fabric. There are several different color combinations you can choose from, and you can also opt to get the pants with or without pockets. Though they are intended as a base layer, you may find that they’re all that you need for yoga or a trip to the gym.

Pros:

  • They’re lightweight and breathable enough to wear in warm weather to protect you from the sun.
  • The mesh panels help to cool you down when you get hot or sweaty.
  • The material can withstand lots of washes, so you can expect these to last a while.

Cons:

  • They are quite see-through, so you may want to wear something over them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it bad to wear compression pants all day?

There is no harm in wearing compression pants for long periods, as long as they aren’t so tight that they restrict your blood flow. Some people choose to sleep in them.

What do compression pants do?

Compression pants are built to increase the oxygen flow to your lower body, which helps to remove lactic acid. This helps you to recover more quickly after a workout.

Should I wear shorts over my compression pants?

This is a matter of personal preference. Some people choose to put shorts over if their leggings are see-through. Others enjoy the compression pants on their own. Wearing shorts over them provides no added benefit except for covering up.

About the Author

Since moving to Los Angeles from Montana, Leslie has developed a keen sense of the styles and trends that come with living in a big city. Still, she likes to have fun with her fashion, which for her means experimenting with her outfits rather than following the mold. Leslie hopes to help people find products that inspire them to follow their own tastes as well.

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