12 Best Compression Leggings for Circulation

If you’ve ever worn compression socks, you know they can offer instant relief from swelling, as well as lighter feeling feet and better circulation.

Compression leggings can deliver that same feeling through your calves, thighs, hips, and lower abdomen.

For many women over 40, nurses, moms, and anyone on their feet all day, the right pair of compression leggings can make a big difference.

But not all compression leggings are created equal. Some are fashion leggings, others are functional compression garments designed to improve circulation, support lymphatic flow, and help reduce swelling or appearance of cellulite.

Below is a clear breakdown of 12 popular brands, separating fashion from functional technology and helping you choose the best compression leggings for circulation.

Why Circulation Issues Increase After 40

Hormonal changes, slower metabolism, long work shifts, and reduced muscle mass all contribute to fluid retention and fatigue.

Many women begin noticing:

• Swelling around the ankles

• Heavy or achy legs

• More visible cellulite

• Fatigue after standing or sitting

• Socks or leggings leaving deeper marks on the skin

Functional compression leggings support venous return (blood flowing upward) and lymphatic drainage, which can reduce swelling, heaviness, and that end-of-day “my legs are done” feeling. This is why shapewears and leggings for circulation matters more as we get older.

What’s the Difference Between Functional and Fashion Compression Leggings

Functional leggings are designed to support circulation and lymphatic flow using purpose-driven fabric technology, such as structured knits or micro-massage elements. They focus on helping reduce swelling, heaviness, and fatigue in the legs, especially for women who are on their feet for long hours or notice circulation changes with age.

Fashion leggings, on the other hand, prioritize style, design, and everyday comfort. While they may offer light compression and a flattering fit, they are not designed to actively support circulation or swelling relief.

12 Brands Comparison Chart (Quick View)

This is a quick comparison chat for functional vs. fashion brands, highlighting circulation technology, and price range to help you choose the best compression leggings for circulation and compression leggings for swelling.

 

Logo	Brand	Type	High-Waisted	Circulation Tech	Compression	Price	Overall Score
	TheBlackPurple	Functional	Yes	Tourmaline Micro-Massage	Medium–High	$75–$120	9.5/10
	Elastique Athletics	Functional	Mid-rise	MicroPerle Texture	High	$250+	8.8/10
	Lipoelastic	Functional	No	3D Texture Fabric	High	$120–$160	8.5/10
	2XU	Functional–Athletic	Mid-rise	None (Performance Compression)	High	~$130	8.2/10
	LNDR	Functional–Athletic	Mid-rise	None	Medium	$139–$149	7.9/10
	Stoko	Functional (Knee Support)	Mid-rise	Knee Support System	Medium	$350	7.5/10
	FIGS	Fashion–Medical Hybrid	Yes	None	Light	~$75	6.8/10
	Fanka	Fashion Hybrid	Yes	Undefined Cellulite Claims	Medium–High	~$99	6.6/10
	Spanx	Fashion	Yes	None	Light–Medium	$68–$175	6.3/10
	Alo Yoga	Fashion	Yes	None	Light	~$100	6.0/10
	Lululemon	Fashion	Mid-rise	None	Light	$128–$138	5.8/10
	Athleta	Fashion	Yes	None	Light	$60–$80	5.6/10

Functional Leggings (What “Functional” Means)

Functional compression leggings are designed to do more than smooth or look flattering. functional means leggings engineered to support circulation, lymphatic flow, muscle recovery, or medical-grade compression needs.

They are often worn by:

• Women with swelling, heavy legs, or cellulite concerns

• Nurses and professionals on their feet all day

• Athletes during training or recovery

• Post-surgical or medically supervised users

Functional leggings typically feature:

• Medium to high compression

• Structured, supportive fabrics (not buttery-soft)

• Purpose-built knit patterns or textures likeTourmaline® beads, 3D fabric orMicroPerle

• In some cases, clinically tested or medically inspired technology

1. TheBlackPurple (that's us!) 

Best for: Balance of comfort and circulation

TheBlackPurple features lifting and shaping garments, mass & slim (massage and slimming), that smooth cellulite and help reduce inches by improving circulation with Tourmaline bead micro-massage.

The Mass & Slim shapewears and leggings are known for their comfort-first comfortable compression and massaging effect, designed to help legs feel lighter, less swollen, and more supported throughout the day. The fabric works with your body, not against it—supportive without stiffness, secure without digging.

Key characteristics:

• Comfort & Support-first for all-day wear
• Lifting & shaping massaging effect
• Tourmaline bead micro-massage technology for better circulation 
• Helps reduce inches and smooth the appearance of cellulite

What sets us apart is versatility. Mass & Slim can be worn as discreet shapewear under clothing or as outerwear leggings, making them easy to wear from morning to night. They’re designed for real life, long days, busy schedules, and women who want support that feels good, not restrictive.

This is functional shapewear made for women, not trends. Comfortable, supportive, and easy to wear—every single day.

Products We Suggest:

Ready to transform your legs and confidence?

Mass & Slim Anti-Cellulite Shapewear Shorts

 

Mass & Slim Compression Leggings – Black

See the Complete Mass & Slim Collection

 

Here's what one of our customers had to say about TheBlackPurple:

I am a critical care nurse and these leggings are saving my legs. I am no longer feeling leg fatigue at the end of my shift which has alleviated my knee pain. In addition my legs look smoother. My husband noticed the back of my thighs appeared less dimpled and he was a skeptic. I am ordering a second pair and I am going to try the bra this time too. Leann Kolovitz, USA.

2. Elastique Athletics

Best for: Medical-inspired compression with textured fabric

Elastique Athletics is known for its MicroPerle textured compression fabric, which creates surface stimulation intended to support circulation. The brand leans toward medical-grade aesthetics and pricing, making it more common among users specifically seeking therapeutic style leggings rather than everyday fashion leggings.

Key characteristics:

• Textured, micro-beaded fabric designed for stimulation
• Firm, consistent compression throughout the leg
• Higher price point reflecting technical construction

These leggings are most commonly chosen by people seeking therapeutic-style compression for circulation support, swelling concerns, or long periods of standing.

Shop at Elastique Athletics 

3. Lipoelastic

Best for: Post-surgical and medical compression

Lipoelastic specializes in post-operative compression garments and is widely used in clinical and surgical recovery settings. Their leggings prioritize strong, uniform compression over comfort or style, and are typically not designed for casual, all-day wear.

Key characteristics:

• Designed specifically for surgical and post-procedure use
• High, medical-grade compression levels
• Structured fits with limited stretch

These garments are not intended for athleisure or casual wear. Comfort and aesthetics are secondary to precision compression and recovery support, making them best suited for short-term medical needs rather than daily lifestyle use.

Shop at Lipoelastic

4. 2XU

Best for: Athletic performance and muscle recovery

2XU is a performance-driven brand popular with runners and endurance athletes. Their compression leggings are designed to support muscle stability and recovery, not cellulite reduction or lymphatic support. Ideal for workouts, less so for lifestyle or medical wear.

Key characteristics:

• Lightweight, breathable technical fabrics
• Athletic cuts optimized for movement
• Athletic cuts optimized for movement

While 2XU compression can help reduce muscle fatigue, it is not engineered for swelling relief, cellulite concerns, or lymphatic flow.

Shop at 2XU

5. LNDR

Best for: Luxury performance leggings

LNDR sits at the intersection of fashion-forward design and athletic performance. Their compression is moderate and gym-focused, with an emphasis on premium materials and aesthetics rather than therapeutic or circulation-specific technology.

Key characteristics:

• Premium fabrics with a sleek, sculpted look
• Moderate compression focused on performance
• Designed primarily for gym and studio workouts

LNDR leggings is ideal for those seeking elevated activewear but not for users needing targeted compression for swelling or circulation support.

Shop at LNDR

6. Stoko

Best for: Structural joint support

Stoko is known for integrated bracing systems built directly into leggings. Their designs are highly specialized, targeting joints, knees stability and injury support rather than circulation, cellulite, or everyday comfort.

Key characteristics:

• support technology
• Invisible brace-like technology
• Adjustable support

They are support technology into activewear, effectively functioning like a knee brace built into leggings while still moving comfortably with your body.

Shop at Stoko

Fashion Leggings (What “Fashion” Means Here)

Fashion leggings prioritize softness, comfort, and style first. While many offer light compression, they are not engineered to actively improve circulation, lymphatic flow, or swelling.

Typically, fashion leggings feature:

• Light compression
• Soft, stretchy fabrics
• Comfort-focused waistbands
• No micro-massage or medical-grade technology

They are ideal for athleisure, yoga, errands, and casual wear — but not optimal for swelling relief or therapeutic support.

7. Fanka

Best for: Affordable stylish activewear leggings

Fanka focuses on visually smoothing leggings at a lower price point. Compression is light and cosmetic, making them better suited for casual wear rather than functional support.

Key characteristics:

• Budget-friendly pricing
• Trend-driven designs
• Light compression for shaping

These leggings work well for casual wear and light activity but are not ideal for circulation, swelling reduction, or recovery needs.

Shop at Fanka

8. Spanx

Best for: Shaping and smoothing

Spanx is famous for body contouring and shapewear, not circulation technology. Their leggings excel at smoothing and holding but are not designed to support lymphatic flow or reduce swelling.

Key characteristics:

• Strong shaping through the waist and hips
• Compression aimed at silhouette control
• Dense, smoothing fabrics

While effective for creating a streamlined look, Spanx leggings are not engineered for therapeutic benefits or swelling relief.

Shop at Spanx

9. FIGS

Best for: Medical apparel for nurses and healthcare professionals

FIGS leggings are designed with comfort and durability in mind for long shifts. While beloved by nurses, they offer minimal compression and are not circulation-focused.

Key characteristics:

• Soft, flexible fabrics
• Easy movement for long workdays
• Minimal compression
• Practical, professional styling

Although popular in clinical settings, FIGS leggings do not provide targeted circulation or swelling support.

Shop at FIGS

10. Alo Yoga

Best for: Studio-to-street style

Alo is a fashion-first brand known for sleek designs and soft fabrics. Compression is minimal, and the emphasis is on aesthetics rather than performance or health benefits.

Key characteristics:

• Emphasis on aesthetics and feel
• Popular for yoga and casual wear
• Not performance- or health-focused

Alo leggings prioritize style over function, making them unsuitable for users seeking circulation or recovery benefits.

Shop at Alo Yoga

11. Lululemon

Best for: Yoga-inspired athletic apparel brand

Lululemon leggings are famous for their feel and fit. While some styles offer moderate support, they are not designed as compression or circulation garments.

Key characteristics:

• Soft, stretchy proprietary fabrics
• Wide range of fits and rises
• Designed for yoga movements and comfort

They are excellent for workouts and daily wear but do not offer medical-grade or lymphatic-focused compression.

Shop at Lululemon

12. Athleta

Best for: Inclusive sizing and lifestyle wear

Athleta blends fitness and everyday fashion, offering comfortable leggings with light compression. They work well for movement and daily wear but lack therapeutic features.

Key characteristics:

• Soft, wearable fabrics
• Broad size range and inclusive fits
• Lifestyle-first design

Athleta leggings are well-suited for daily activities but lack the structure and technology needed for circulation or swelling support.

Shop at Athleta

How We Put Together This List

At TheBlackPurple, compression isn’t just a buzzword — it’s the foundation of what we design.

This comparison was created using a combination of hands-on product experience, industry knowledge, and real-world wear testing, developed over years working in the fashion and shapewear space.

We spent extensive time studying how compression garments are constructed, how fabrics behave over long wear, and what actually matters when it comes to circulation support, comfort, and everyday usability.

That experience guided every decision in selecting and evaluating the brands included in this list.

What We Looked At

To ensure a fair and meaningful comparison, each brand was evaluated across the same core criteria:

• Graduated compression & support zones
  Whether compression is thoughtfully distributed to support circulation without restricting movement.
• Fabric composition & stretch recovery
  How well materials maintain compression over time without sagging, rolling, or losing shape.
• Waistband engineering
  The structure, height, and stability of the waistband — a critical factor for comfort and blood flow.
• Breathability & all-day comfort
  Especially important for leggings worn during long workdays, travel, or extended standing or sitting.
• Real-world wearability
  We considered how leggings perform during daily activities — not just workouts — including walking, commuting, and extended wear.
• Fit consistency across body types
  How inclusive sizing, stretch, and construction support different shapes without cutting off circulation.

Why These Brands Were Included

The brands featured in this comparison represent a mix of:

• Dedicated compression-focused companies
• Popular athleisure and shapewear brands
• Consumer favorites frequently mentioned in circulation-related searches and discussions

We intentionally included both well-known names and emerging brands to give readers a balanced, realistic view of what’s available — not just what’s most advertised.

Our Goal in Writing this Post

Our goal with this list is simple:
to help you make a more informed decision by understanding how compression leggings actually differ, and what features genuinely support circulation versus what’s purely marketing.

This guide reflects our professional experience, independent evaluation, and commitment to transparency — so you can choose leggings that work for your body, your lifestyle, and your long-term comfort.

For a Great Balance of Circulation and Comfort, Get TheBlackPurple

TheBlackPurple Mass & Slim garments offer clinically tested compression with Tourmaline bead micro-massage technology.

The high-waisted, medium–high compression design supports circulation, helps reduce swelling and the appearance of cellulite, and can be worn as either undergarment shapewear or outerwear leggings.

It delivers the strongest combination of science, comfort, and value among the brands compared.

For women looking specifically for anti-cellulite leggings and shapewear for circulation, our anti-cellulite shapewear collection is designed to be worn all day, including during long nursing shifts or busy days on your feet.

TheBlackPurple Suggested Products

Ready to transform your legs and confidence? Here are the products we are proud to suggest:

• Mass & Slim Compression Leggings – Black
• Mass & Slim Anti-Cellulite Shapewear Shorts
• Complete Mass & Slim Collection

Save $20 when you buy 2 or more items! Use code: 2ORMORE at checkout.