Best Cold Weather Compression Gear in 2023

1. 2XU Ignition Shield Compression Tights

If you’re looking for a pair of compression tights that will help you power through the cold and help you recover after your run, these could be your new best friend.

They’re molded from thermal fabric to keep the cold out. Whether you’re running through light rain or heavy snow, these thermal tights should keep you toasty. You can wear them on their own, or as a base layer.

Graduated compression helps keep the blood flowing to your muscles while they’re working. This helps you to warm up more quickly, and keeps your muscles strong in the middle of a workout.

They’re also helpful for recovery. If you don’t like to run in tights, you can change into these after your run to get the benefits of compression on your recovering muscles.

They’re built for comfort as well as compression. An elastic waistband and flatlock seams mean there’s little chance of chafing, as everything lies flat against your skin (without inhibiting movement).

This pair features a waterproof layer on the upper portion of the leg that helps keep rain and wind from penetrating the tights. Reflective details help you be seen while running at night. And a rear zippered pocket adds some storage.

2. CW-X Expert 2.0 Insulator Joint Support Compression Baselayer Tights

If you can’t get hold of our top choice, or you prefer something different, these tights are our second pick.

The Expert 2.0 tights are also a good choice as a base layer, being insulating and comfortable without restricting movement.

Their WarmStretch fabric is temperature-regulating, keeping you warm when you need it most, but without overheating. If the temperature changes while you’re on the move, this material will keep you cozy or cool – whichever is needed.

Graduated compression helps stimulate circulation, keeping your muscles oxygenated and performing optimally. Once again, this is effective while running, but can be used as a recovery helper, too.

A unique, useful feature is their implementation of EXO-WEB bands that snake up the legs and provide extra compression and support. They run up the sides of the legs, stabilizing your muscles, and criss-cross over the knees, providing extra stability to the joint.

The men’s version has a unique horizontal fly design that isn’t seen on other tights. Some men may find this annoying, but others may find it useful.

3. CW-X Stabilyx Joint Support 3/4 Compression Tights

If full-length tights aren’t your thing, three-quarters may work better for you. They’re easy to wear under your normal winter running pants, and they are designed to provide extra support around the joints.

Just a quick glance at these tights indicates that they have built-in joint support around the knees, which extends up to the hips and lower back. They combine the benefits of compression with those of kinesiology tape!

The Support Web exoskeleton is bright blue, so it’s impossible to miss on the black tights. The panel runs from the hem of the tights, around mid-calf, in a ring around the knee joints, providing subtle but noticeable compression and support.

From there, it runs up the sides of the thighs and into a thin band around the lower back. An extra panel at the back, plus an abdominal support panel, supports the lower back and core.

If you’ve checked up on the material used in these tights, you may be confused that the women’s use Coolmax and the men’s use Warmstretch.

These two technologies do similar things. Coolmax helps to wick away moisture, moving it to the surface of the material, away from the skin, to evaporate.

WarmStretch regulates the surface temperature of the tights. Being a tech fabric, it also wicks moisture and dries quickly. Basically, whichever one you’re getting will be quick-drying, and will move moisture away from the skin.

Both feature a small pocket on the inside of the waistband, which has a drawstring to get a comfy fit. UPF 50+ sun protection and reflective elements are other common features.

4. Under Armour ColdGear Base 4.0 Crew

Your legs aren’t the only body part that can benefit from compression gear. A compression shirt could be a good idea to keep the blood flowing and the muscles oxygenated in your upper body.

This shirt was created to keep you warm in cold weather. It has a unique compressed grid pattern that uses UA tech to get rid of excess heat, without letting the cold in.

UA Base 4.0 material uses thermal fleece to trap heat in small pockets away from your skin and moves excess moisture to the surface to dry. It also uses UA Scent Control technology, which keeps you (or at least your shirt) smelling fresh for hours.

The amount of compression is not extreme in this shirt, but you should find that if you get the right size, it provides some circulation-stimulating benefits. The four-way stretch fabric allows you to be flexible and free no matter what exercise you’re doing.

It’s comfortable too, with raglan sleeves, a thumb hole, and a tagless design. It’s worth noting that the properties of this shirt lean more towards warmth than compression.

5. 2XU Core Compression S/S

If a long-sleeved shirt is too warm or bulky for you to wear as a base layer, consider a short-sleeved shirt. You’ll still get the benefits of compression on your upper body muscles, but your arms will be open, which keeps you a little cooler.

The men’s shirt has sleeves that end mid-bicep that features graduated compression to improve circulation to the muscles of the chest, shoulders, back, and core.

The compression is apparent in the PWX Flex fabric, and you’ll definitely notice the difference when you put the shirt on. Other benefits of wearing a compression shirt such as this include muscle containment (less unnecessary movement of muscles as you train), better posture, and improved breathing.

It uses Powermesh paneling to increase airflow, so even if you’re layering, you won’t overheat underneath this shirt.

Comfort is clearly a priority. Flatlock seams reduce the chance of chafing and discomfort. The Lycra material makes for a tight fit that’s supportive without being restricting.

The fabric uses high-filament yarn to increase moisture-wicking properties.

6. 2XU MCS Elite Compression Arm Guards

Arm muscles are also important for runners! Your arms support and help propel you forwards as you run, and keep your balance. Sometimes, they need extra support, and in those cases, a compression arm sleeve could be the answer.

The PWX Flex fabric offers graduated compression, providing a stimulating effect for the arm muscles, from the bicep to the wrist. 2XU uses a technology called Muscle Containment Stamping (MCS), which maps and provides support for muscles, tendons, and fascia groups.

This offers well-rounded protection and support, as well as helping muscles to keep in proper alignment, reducing the chance of injury.

When purchasing these sleeves, you’ll get anatomically-designed left and right arm guards. Make sure you put them on the right arms to get the full benefit of targeted compression.

They’re available in a variety of sizes. For additional comfort, the material is moisture-wicking, protects from the sun’s rays, and doesn’t allow bacteria to grow.

7. CW-X Unisex CW-X Speed Model Calf Compression Sleeves

Tight calves can make for a painful run, and can also increase the chances of injury to the knee, Achilles tendon, and even hip flexors.

A calf compression sleeve can make all the difference if you tend to struggle with tight calves. Providing targeted compression as you run ensures that your calf and shin are well-supported, extra stabilized, and have adequate blood flow to keep the muscles oxygenated and performing at their best.

These calf sleeves offer a fair amount of stretch, using Flex Move technology, which makes them easy to get on and off. They’re also made from the company’s lightest fabric, so they won’t feel restrictive or heavy when you’re wearing them.

Don’t think that the stretchiness takes away from the compression, though. Viscomagic tech provides compression of varying levels, in bands that run across the shin and down the sides of the calves, stabilizing and supporting.

If you prefer to run in shorts even in the coolest of weather, these shin and calf coverings won’t cause you to overheat. They’re breathable and remove moisture to be evaporated, keeping you cool.

Although the calf is not generally a sweat area, these leg sleeves have an antibacterial factor. UPF 50+ prevents accidental sunburn on your legs while you’re out on the road.

It’s important to note that these come in a left and right sleeve. Wearing them on the wrong legs will reduce the compression benefits, so make sure they’re on the right way.

8. CEP Tall Compression Socks 3.0

Runners who want calf, ankle, and foot compression will benefit from these compression socks.

The compressive properties on the foot provide ankle support, keeping your foot stable and solid with every step. Arch support is another benefit, working with your shoe.

20 to 30 mmHg of graduated compression helps blood to circulate efficiently through the foot and calf. The technology is said to increase blood flow by up to 40%, improving performance and helping your muscles to go for longer without feeling fatigued.

The compression features may even be helpful to prevent calf tightness and shin splints if you’re prone to them.

Beyond their compression features, these socks are built for comfort. Performance-enhancing padding along the footbed adds a bit of extra cushion. The natural-fit toe boxes mean there won’t be any leftover material to irritate you at the tip of the sock.

Built-in temperature regulation is facilitated by the ribbed pattern on the front of the sock. This draws air in as you’re running, which helps moisture to evaporate as it flows through – that keeps your warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

9. Icebreaker Run+ Compression Over The Calf Socks

Merino wool is a fantastic fabric for winter. Its best property is that it regulates temperature, keeping you cool when you need to be, but warm enough to run without noticing the cold.

These socks provide that temperature regulation, along with merino’s typical softness and breathability. On top of that, they feature graduated compression to keep blood flowing and improve your performance on the road, trail, or track.

You’ll see the compression bands around the socks before even putting them on. The compression works in a circular, spiral motion, supporting the calf and shin.

These socks are also created to be comfortable on your feet. Apart from their signature softness, there’s a reinforced heel and seamless toe for extra cushioning and durability.

The upper cuff is wider than average, so there’s less chance of it cutting into your leg and causing pain or discomfort.

A “breathe zone” on top of the foot allows for airflow to the foot. For an extra comfortable fit, these socks are made specifically for left/right feet, so make sure you put the right sock on the right foot!

10. CEP Low Cut Compression Socks

Compression socks don’t have to be knee-high. If you’re more comfortable in ankle-length socks, CEP’s low-cut version provide all the compression you’ll need with no extra material.

They’re lightly padded for a bit of comfort, and have targeted compression over the instep and midfoot. This gets the circulation going, and helps reduce or even prevent swelling. Another thing this compression band can help with is pain from things like plantar fasciitis.

Left/right anatomic padding prevents blisters and hot spots. A seamless toe also helps with this and hugs your foot comfortably.

They’re super easy to wear and wash, being machine washable. The company is so confident in their product that they offer a 6-month guarantee on these socks (150 to 200 wears)!

It doesn’t hurt that they’re available in a wide variety of funky colors, either.