• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
The BarBend Logo in white.

BarBend

The Online Home for Strength Sports

  • News
    • CrossFit
    • Strongman
    • Bodybuilding
    • Top Athletes
    • Powerlifting
    • Weightlifting
    • HYROX
    • Competition Results
    • Latest Research
  • Reviews
    • Recovery
      • Best Cold Plunges
      • Best Saunas
      • Best Mini Massage Guns
      • Individual Recovery Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Best Protein
        • Best Vegan Protein Powders
        • Best Whey Isolate Protein Powders
        • Best Mass Gainers
        • Best Protein Bars
      • Best Pre-Workouts
        • Best Pre-Workouts for Women
        • Best Pre-Workouts for Men
        • Best Non-Stim Pre-Workouts
        • Strongest Pre-Workouts
      • Best Creatine
      • Best Electrolyte Supplements
      • Best Greens Powder
      • Best Meal Replacements
      • Best Nitric Oxide Supplements
      • Best Fat Burners
        • Best Fat Burners for Men
        • Best Fat Burners for Women
        • Best Non-Stim Fat Burners
      • More Supplements
        • Best Supplements for Muscle Growth
        • Best Supplements for CrossFit
        • Best Supplements for Weight Loss
        • Best Supplements for Bodybuilding
        • Best Supplements for Men
        • Best Supplement Stacks
      • Individual Supplements Reviews
    • Equipment
      • Cardio
        • Best Treadmills
        • Best Rowing Machines
        • Best Exercise Bikes
        • Best Ellipticals
        • Best Recumbent Bikes
      • Strength
        • Best Adjustable Dumbbells
        • Best Dumbbells
        • Best Kettlebells
        • Best Barbells
        • Best Squat Racks
        • Best Free Weights
        • Best Weight Benches
        • Best Resistance Bands
        • Best Slam Balls
        • Best Weighted Vests
        • Best Leg Extension Machines
        • Best Cable Machines
        • Best Power Racks
        • Best Pull Up Bars
      • Best Home Gyms
        • Best Smart Home Gyms
        • Best Gym Equipment Under $100
        • Best Home Gym Essentials
        • Best Home Gym Flooring
      • Individual Equipment Reviews
    • Fitness Accessories
      • Apparel
        • Best Weightlifting Shoes
        • Best Cross Training Shoes
        • Best Gym Bags
        • Best Gym Shorts
      • Training
        • Best Weightlifting Belts
        • Best Knee Sleeves
        • Best Lifting Straps
        • Best Grip Strengtheners
        • Best Wrist Wraps
        • Best Lifting Gloves
      • Individual Fitness Product Reviews
    • Certifications
      • Best Sports Nutrition Certifications
      • Best Personal Trainer Certifications
      • Best Nutrition Certifications
      • Individual Certifications Reviews
    • Programs
      • Best Online Workout Programs
      • Best Workout Streaming Services
      • Best Home Workout Programs
      • Individual Program Reviews
  • Nutrition
    • Diets
      • Carb Cycling
      • Vertical Diet
      • Reverse Dieting
      • Carnivore Diet
      • Ketogenic Diet
      • Intermittent Fasting
      • IIFYM Diet
    • Fat Loss
      • Macros for Fat Loss
      • Calorie Deficits
      • Natural Fat Burners
      • Cut 2 Pounds Weekly
    • Muscle Gain
      • How to Dirty Bulk
      • Go From Cutting to Bulking
      • Eat These Carbs
      • How to Eat for Muscle
    • Supplement Guides
      • Pre-Workout
      • Whey Protein
      • Mass Gainers
      • Greens Powders
      • Creatine
      • BCAAs
    • Nutrition Tips
      • Daily Protein Needs
      • Pre- and Post-Workout Nutrition
      • Foods With Creatine
      • Bulking Tips
  • Training
    • Workouts
      • Back Workouts
      • At-Home Workouts
      • Chest & Back Workouts
      • Full-Body Workout
      • HIIT Workouts
    • Exercise Guides
      • Deadlift
      • Bench Press
      • Back Squat
      • Overhead Press
      • Bent-Over Row
      • Lat Pulldown
      • Crunches
      • Farmer’s Carry
    • Best Exercises
      • Shoulder Exercises
      • Back Exercises
      • Chest Exercises
      • Glute Exercises
      • Ab Exercises
      • Hamstring Exercises
      • Quad Exercises
      • Calf Exercises
      • Biceps Exercises
      • Triceps Exercises
    • Programs
      • Push-Up Program
      • Pull-Up Program
      • German Volume Training
      • 5/3/1 Program
      • Powerbuilding Program
      • The Cube Method
      • 5×5 Program
      • Bodybuilding Programs
      • Build Your Own Program
    • Fat Loss
      • How to Burn Fat
      • Spot Fat Reduction
      • How to Train on a Cut
      • Body Conditioning
      • Workouts
        • Kettlebell Circuits
        • Dumbbell Complexes
        • Farmer’s Carry Workouts
    • Muscle Gain
      • Muscle Hypertrophy Explained
      • How to Build Muscle
      • How to Maintain Muscle
      • What Researchers Say About Muscle Gain
        • Workouts
          • 20-Minute Workouts
          • Kettlebell Circuits
          • CrossFit Workouts for Muscle
          • Bodybuilding Workouts
  • Calculators
    • Protein Intake Calculator
    • Macros Calculator
    • BMR Calculator
    • Squat Calculator
    • Calorie Calculator
  • Community Forum
Home » Best Support Gear » Best Leg Sleeves

Best Leg Sleeves

Phil Blechman
Written by Phil Blechman
Last updated on July 19th, 2024

We receive free products and receive commissions through our links. See disclosures page.

Leg sleeves, also known as compression sleeves, have a bevy of benefits for athletes, both in performance and at rest. Leg sleeves may promote better blood circulation leading to more oxygen being transported to the muscles to help stave off soreness, cramping, swelling, and fatigue (1). If you have a prior history of leg injuries, consult your doctor for anything you should do specifically in regard to selecting a compression sleeve.

Leg sleeves vary in size, style, detailing, and design. With so much variety on the market, it can be difficult to choose which is right for you, so let’s see if we can narrow your search with our top picks.

Best Leg Sleeves

Editor’s Pick:

Rymora Calf Compression Sleeves

Pros:

  • Implements graduated compression, meaning the amount of compression decreases up the leg, to further help circulation.
  • The added compression support around the achilles is more unique than other options.
  • The non-slip cuff may be more comfortable than other options.

Cons:

  • The sleeves tend to run small, increasing the likelihood of the material tearing.
Rymora Calf Compression Sleeves
Rymora Calf Compression Sleeves
Rymora Calf Compression Sleeves

These breathable nylon, polyester, and elastane seamless sleeves come in four colors; black, pink, white, and fluorescent. Sold as a pair, they’re designed with a non-slip cuff and additional support for the achilles.

Shop Amazon

Contender

Graduated Calf Compression Sleeves by Thirty48

Pros:

  • Moisture wicking seamless reinforced stitch further ensures durability.
  • There is a range of compression levels offered from 15mmHg to 30mmHg.
  • May help relieve calf cramps.

Cons:

  • Might be more beneficial to handwash to avoid the sleeves shrinking in the wash.
Graduated Calf Compression Sleeves by Thirty48
Graduated Calf Compression Sleeves by Thirty48
Graduated Calf Compression Sleeves by Thirty48

Thirty 48 combines anti-bacterial nylon with a tear resistant spandex formula in their specialized compression sleeves for athletes. They incorporate easy airflow stitching and offer seven different color options.

Shop Amazon

Best Thigh Sleeve

Sparthos Thigh Compression Sleeves

Pros:

  • Silicone strips in the hem help keep the sleeve in place and prevent rolling.
  • The sleeve also wicks away sweat.
  • Machine washable.

Cons:

  • There was a pattern in reviews of customers saying the sleeves run long. 
  •  The silicone strips can pinch athletes with leg hair.
Sparthos Thigh Compression Sleeves
Sparthos Thigh Compression Sleeves
Sparthos Thigh Compression Sleeves

These compression sleeves that target the hamstrings, quads, and groin region are made of breathable yarn that aims for a skin-tight fit. Sold as a pair, there are four color options; blue, beige, pink, and black.

Shop Amazon

Best for Younger Athletes

BLITZU Calf Compression Sleeve

Pros:

  • Vertical ribbing along the calf can help with stabilization.
  • Twill design may further support the achilles.

Cons:

  • Customers recommended hand washing to prevent the inner stitching from unraveling.
BLITZU Calf Compression Sleeve
BLITZU Calf Compression Sleeve
BLITZU Calf Compression Sleeve

Blitzu offers a twill designed sleeve utilizing kinesiology for shock absorption to specifically target and prevent shin splints. There are eight different colors options.

Shop Amazon

Methodology

Length

Calf compression sleeves don’t have a standard length. Some sleeves go above the knee while others sit just below the kneecap. Some focus on covering the achilles while others focus more so on the calf. Unless a compression sleeve is labeled full-length, which more often than not covers the entire leg from the ankle to the groin, be sure to match the specific length of a sleeve to your comfort preference.

Material

Compression sleeves are made from a lot of different materials. Polyester, spandex, nylon, polypropylene, and yarn are a few of the most popular. Compression sleeves are made to have a snug fit and will usually be within a comparable mmHg range, so first and foremost, it is best to lean toward the fabrics that breathe and that you find comfortable. Aside from fabric preference, the environment and temperatures you intend to workout in should influence the type of material you choose. Polypropylene and polyester/cotton blends tend to do well in warmer weather, and nylon tends to do well in cooler weather.

Stitching or No Stitching

The different kinds of stitching that compression sleeves can have might be good to know, specifically at the hem. Due to compression sleeves being tight, if you have leg hair or sensitive skin, the material used in the hem to keep the sleeve in place could be a dealbreaker. For those with more sensitive skin, seek out sleeves that have wider tube or cuff like hems rather than thinner plastic strips.

Wrapping Up

If you spend a lot of time on your feet, a compression sleeve is a good investment. The improved circulation will serve to lower perceived exertion enabling speedier recovery (1).

References

  1. Gianesini S, et al. Lower limb volume in healthy individuals after walking with compression stockings. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord. 2019 Jul;7(4):557-561
Phil Blechman

About Phil Blechman

Phil is a native New Yorker passionate about storytelling, bodybuilding, and game design. He holds a BFA from Syracuse University.

View All Articles

BarBend

BarBend is an independent website. The views expressed on this site may come from individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the view of BarBend or any other organization. BarBend is the Official Media Partner of USA Weightlifting.

  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

Sections

  • CrossFit
  • Strongman
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Weightlifting
  • Reviews
  • Nutrition
  • Training

More

  • BarBend Newsletter
  • BarBend Podcast
  • The Ripped Report
  • 1RM Calculator
  • BMR Calculator
  • Macros Calculator
  • Protein Calculator
  • Squat Calculator

Policies

  • Accessibility
  • Advice Disclaimer
  • Cookies Policy
  • Disclaimers
  • Disclosures
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Copyright © 2025 · BarBend Inc · Sitemap