Sizing decoded June 3, 2026 3 min read
What Does Compression Fit Mean?
Skin-tight cut. Athletic (muscle support) and medical (graduated pressure) variants.
Compression Types
| Type | Pressure | Use | Brands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athletic | Light, 5-15% | Muscle support during/after activity | Under Armour, 2XU, Skins, Compressport |
| Medical 15-20 mmHg | Mild graduated | Travel, mild swelling | Compressport, CEP, Comrad |
| Medical 20-30 mmHg | Moderate | Varicose, post-surgery | Sigvaris, Jobst, Mediven |
| Medical 30-40 mmHg | Severe | DVT, lymphedema (Rx) | Sigvaris, Jobst Ultrasheer |
FAQs
What does compression fit mean?
Skin-tight cut for muscle support or circulation.
Compression vs muscle fit?
Compression: full-body, performance. Muscle fit: chest/biceps, fashion.
Should it be tight?
Yes — that's the function.
Selling compression on Shopify?
Tailor Size Guide adds mmHg + circumference matching to compression listings.