The Best Full-Length Basketball Tights of 2023
Full-length options that boost your game and fit great under shorts.
What some assumed would be a short-lived trend instead appears to be sticking around for the long haul, as more and more basketball players are opting to wear compression tights under their shorts.
It’s actually not all that surprising. Athletes in a variety of sports have been adopting and incorporating compression tights into both their training and game-time performance.
Basketball is a sport where those compression benefits are immediately noticeable.
Between all the sweat you pour out and the beating your leg muscles take, basketball players of all skill levels can benefit from utilizing compression tights on the court.
To help give your game a boost, we’ve picked out the best full-length compression tights for basketball.
Determining the Best Full-Length Tights for Basketball
Here are the criteria we used for putting together our list of the best full-length basketball tights:
Prioritizes Mobility: First, and perhaps most important, is finding compression tights that don’t restrict your movement in any way. Basketball requires a lot of quick, agile, and explosive movements. You need tights that support your moves, not hinder them.
Secure Fit: Compression tights serve as your baselayer—the armor under your uniform. You need a pair you can count on to stay in place and keep you locked in no matter what your shorts and jersey do. A secure fit keeps your head in the game.
Optimized Design: Why opt for tights over shorts? To extend those compression benefits. But the extra length won’t matter if you have an inferior product. We’re looking for leading activewear brands with the best fabric, design, and technology to boost your performance.
Note: Featured products are independently selected and reviewed by Compression Athlete. If you purchase through our links, we may earn commission.
1. Nike Pro Dri-FIT Tights
The Nike Pro Dri-FIT Tights utilize supportive and lightweight fabric in a stretchy design that offers a full range of motion. Nike’s Dri-FIT technology moves sweat away from your body to keep you cool, dry, and comfortable.
Shop at Nike: Nike Pro Dri-FIT Tights
The Nike Pro Dri-FIT Tights have a snug elastic waistband and flat seams throughout for a smooth feel on your skin. These tights also feature mesh fabric in the front pouch and upper back for improved airflow.
2. Under Armour HeatGear Leggings
The Under Armour HeatGear Leggings are the latest version of their original performance baselayer and are constructed with an ergonomic design for extra comfort, durability, and superior coverage.
Shop at Under Armour: Under Armour HeatGear Leggings
Under Armour’s HeatGear fabric is lightweight and features mesh paneling for extra ventilation. These tights have a wider waistband for added support, a drop-in pocket for storage, and are a UA best seller.
Also available without the pocket for an extra smooth fit under your shorts: Under Armour HeatGear Leggings.
3. Under Armour Iso-Chill Leggings
The Under Armour Iso-Chill Leggings feature science infused Iso-Chill fabric that helps to disperse body heat away from your skin for a cool feel. These 100% polyester leggings wick sweat, dry quickly, and have mesh panels for extra ventilation.
Shop at Under Armour: Under Armour Iso-Chill Leggings
Under Armour’s Iso-Chill Leggings utilize a durable ergonomic design that places seams away from high-abrasion areas. These leggings also have a stay-put elastic waistband and a drop-in pocket on the right side.
4. Under Armour HeatGear ArmourPrint Leggings
The Under Armour HeatGear ArmourPrint Leggings feature an extra light and breathable HeatGear fabric with mesh paneling for added ventilation. These leggings are sweat-wicking, quick-drying, and have a right-side drop-in pocket.
Shop at Under Armour: UA HeatGear ArmourPrint Leggings
Under Armour’s HeatGear ArmourPrint Leggings utilize smooth and weightless ArmourPrint technology for added durability in the areas that need it most, helping these leggings last longer while adding a stylish touch.
5. Adidas Techfit Training Long Tights
Adidas Techfit Training Long Tights feature a sleek and compressive fit with moisture absorbing AEROREADY to keep you dry and moving freely. The Techfit design supports your muscles and focuses energy to boost explosiveness, agility, and endurance.
Shop at Adidas: Adidas Techfit Training Long Tights
Adidas’s Techfit Training Long Tights feature a performance stretch fabric, comfortable elastic waistband, and a 3D sculpted pouch. These tights are a great option for both indoor and outdoor competition and look awesome under shorts or on their own.
6. Adidas Techfit 3-Stripes Training Long Tights
The Adidas Techfit 3-Stripes Training Long Tights feature performance stretch fabric with mesh inserts for breathability. These tights have moisture-absorbing AEROREADY fabric and a sleek 3-stripe design that runs along the side.
Shop at Adidas: Adidas Techfit 3-Stripes Training Long Tights
Adidas’s Techfit 3-Stripes Training Long Tights utilize Techfit technology to focus muscle energy, a 3D sculpted pouch for superior comfort while active, and a drawcord elastic waist.
7. Lululemon License to Train Tights
The Lululemon License to Train Tights feature a locked-in and distraction-free fit with slick low-friction support. These tights are breathable, sweat-wicking, and feel cool to the touch.
Shop at Lululemon: Lululemon License to Train Tights
Lululemon’s License to Train Tights utilize 4-way stretch and a bonded construction for flat and smooth seams. These tights keep in place with silicone grippers on the inner waistband and have an interior pocket.
8. New Balance Compression Tights
The New Balance Compression Tights feature a performance poly knit and spandex material for compression support with moisture-wicking NB Dry technology to keep you dry and comfortable.
Shop at New Balance: New Balance Compression Tights
New Balance’s Compression Tights have a secure elastic waistband, a fitted silhouette that’s great for layering under shorts, and provide a full range of motion.
9. Copper Compression Base Layer Copper-Infused Tights
The Copper Compression Base Layer Tights feature signature copper-infused nylon fabric that provides superior muscle support, endurance, and recovery. These tights have 4-way stretch for a comfortable fit and full range of motion.
Shop at Copper Compression: Copper Compression Copper-Infused Tights
Copper Compression’s Base Layer Tights are breathable, moisture-wicking, and keep your muscles warm and supported. These tights are great both on their own or layered under shorts as a bulk-free base layer.
10. NELEUS Dry Fit Compression Leggings
The NELEUS Dry Fit Compression Leggings feature a high-performance design with 4-way stretch for superior comfort and freedom of movement.
Available on Amazon: NELEUS Dry Fit Compression Leggings
NELEUS’ Dry Fit Compression Leggings are ergonomically designed to shape to your body and fit like a second skin. These tights have a stay-put elastic waistband and flat lock seams for anti-chaffing comfort.
When Should I Wear Compression Tights?
When you begin incorporating a quality pair of compression tights into your activewear ensemble, it won’t take long for you to notice just how versatile and widely applicable they can be.
Truly anytime that you’re active, compression tights can be worn to provide your lower half with comfort, mobility, support, temperature regulation, and more.
Whether you’re training or competing in-game, you’ll benefit from wearing compression tights whenever you’re pushing your body.
Even beyond activity, compression tights have beneficial application.
While compression garments alone won’t save you from muscle soreness, they can assist and speed up your recovery. So, be sure to consider compression tights as a post-activity option, as well.
You can check out more of our picks for the top muscle recovery tools here.
Why Do Basketball Players Wear Compression Tights?
In the NBA, players compete in a long and grueling season that requires a ton of physical effort and puts lots of wear and tear on their bodies.
Many players wear compression tights and other compression garments to assist their in-game performance while also aiding in injury prevention and muscle recovery.
You may also notice that some basketball players wear padded compression tights, which are worn for the same reasons.
The padding helps with injury prevention and reducing general wear and tear on the body. All those bumps and bruises can add up and affect overall performance.
Basketball players of all skill levels can wear compression tights to achieve these same performance and injury-prevention benefits.
It doesn’t matter whether you play competitively or recreationally, anyone competing on the court knows that you can find yourself drenched in sweat and feel your leg muscles burning in no time at all.
Compression tights wick sweat from your body to help keep you cool, comfortable, and dry while you play.
Additionally, the compressive pressure applied to your legs offer muscle support and improved circulation. This helps players perform at a higher level for longer and many notice an improvement in muscle recovery time, as well.
Be sure to also check out our picks for the Best Basketball Compression Shorts and Best ¾ Basketball Tights.
And for more on picking out a great pair of compression tights, check out our Comprehensive Guide to Compression Tights. We cover all of the most common questions surrounding wear, fit, and use.
