Basketball Compression Clothing Guide: Shirts, Shorts, Tights & Sleeves
You’ve turned on a basketball game or you’re attending one. You look at each player and notice the commonalities. Team shorts and jerseys, all color-coated. The sharpness of their basketball shoes and the pure sound of the game they emulate with every squeak. But then you look a little bit closer at the accessories. The headbands. The finger tape. And, of course, the compression gear. Some players wear your classic compression arm sleeve on their shooting arm. Others wear a compression tank top or even a long sleeve under their jerseys. On their legs, you’ll find compression shorts or leggings.
What Is Basketball Compression Clothing?
A piece of compression gear acts as your first layer of defense against things like hot and cold conditions, as well as a piece of gear that’ll let you move better, wick sweat, and feel your body in space. You’ll find compression shirts, pants, and shorts are generally made with synthetic fabrics like Elastane and Polyester. These materials give compression clothing its lightweight feel, as well as the ability to stretch in every direction, and help serve as a solid layering option underneath your other clothes. Compression clothing is made to be ultra-tight, like a second layer of skin, which helps with the sweat-wicking properties.
But what is it that brings basketball players to use such types of compression gear, and why? Here, we’ll go over the benefits of compression clothing in basketball, the types that you’ll find, and even a little bit of history that highlights the rising use of compression gear in professional basketball.
Benefits of Compression Clothing for Basketball
When you’re on the court, there’s plenty that’s important aside from the basics of the game. From baseline to baseline, being comfortable is crucial. With compression basketball clothing and accessories, players can find certain pieces to give them a better sense of comfort, mobility, and support. Compression shirts and tank tops, for example, stay tight to the chest, stomach, and in the case of T-shirts and long sleeves, tight to the arms. That fit and feel offers basketball players a lightweight option that hugs the muscles, lets them feel themselves in space, and reduces distractions.
Compression clothing for basketball should be moisture-wicking, drying fast so that the intensity of your games and practices become irrelevant in terms of how heavy and slick your gear becomes. A good piece of compression basketball gear comes ventilated to help keep you cool, as well as with seams and a design that helps decrease pinching, chafing, and pulling.
Basketball Compression Clothing Comparison Chart
Type of Compression Gear | Benefits | Best For | Notes |
Compression Shirts | Designed to keep upper body cool and dry; supports chest/shoulders; helps reduce jersey chafing; wicks sweat quickly | Players who want comfort under jerseys; athletes training in hot gyms | Often worn as baselayer under uniforms |
Compression Shorts | Built to help support hips and quads; helps with comfort during sprints and jumps; wicks sweat quickly | Guards and wings who rely on speed and quick movement | Can be worn under basketball shorts |
Compression Tights (Full-Length/3⁄4) | Covers legs for warmth and muscle support; helps reduce distractions; wicks sweat quickly | Players logging long minutes; athletes training on outdoor courts | Popular for both practice and games |
Compression Sleeves (Arm/Leg) | Hugs your muscles and keeps them warm; adds light coverage and protection; sweat-wicking | Shooters, ball handlers, and players wanting arm support or style | Easy to add/remove mid-game |
Compression Shirts for Basketball
As hinted a bit above, a good compression shirt for basketball—whether that’s a long sleeve, short sleeve, or sleeveless option—should keep your upper body feeling fluid when you’re on the court. The tight fit, combined with sweat-wicking fabrics of a compression shirt, can help with a better feel when you’re going for a jumper or a rebound. Not having any loose-fitting clothing, as well as your upper body being more controlled from sweat, can prevent the ball from slipping, as well as your form feeling more fluid. It’s like when a golfer wears loose-fitting, non-chafing pants when they’re in a backswing. The less distractions you’ve got in your technique and form, the better you’re going to feel when performing. There’s also studies that suggest that compression clothing may help with better blood circulation, as well as potentially reducing muscle soreness following exercise. As you review the information below, remember to always consult with your physician before starting a new exercise program.
If you’re looking for added style points in your gameday look, a compression shirt can definitely up your tally. Wear it as a baselayer, meaning it’s the first piece of clothing you put on. Toss your jersey over it and boom, you’ve got your compression shirt look for gameday.
Compression Shorts for Basketball
Compression shorts and pants for basketball are built to give players added support in the hips, quads, and calves (if wearing pants). A good pair of compression shorts should do the same as you’d expect from your other compression gear—stay tight, wick sweat fast, keep you cool, and reduce any kind of distractions like chafing and pinching. By giving you a tight fit, your range of motion goes unbothered, allowing you to move more confidently for every game, practice, and workout. The tight fit also helps during those sprints down the court, quick cuts to and from the basket, as well as when you’re jumping up and down.
Compression Sleeves
In the case of arm sleeves, they were introduced to the NBA first in the 2000-01 season to help Allen Iverson deal with his right elbow bursitis. According to The New Yorker, then-team trainer Lenny Currier “cut a swath of a tube bandage called compression stockinette and suggested that Iverson try to play with his elbow mummified in the stuff.” That same night, Iverson scored 51 points, all en-route to his MVP season. Though the storm that the arm sleeve look has taken to the basketball fashion scene is more than alive (and an article for another day) thanks to Iverson, you’ll see that modern-day accessories are made to stay cool, wick sweat, and give players the comfort they look for on the court.
Caring for Your Compression Clothing
By following the step-by-step actions below, you’re giving your compression gear a chance to last longer and perform just as well as they do now in the future.
1. Check the Tag: Look for any care instructions printed inside the shirt. While most compression gear follows standard guidelines, some may have unique washing requirements.
2. Turn the Clothing Inside Out: This helps protect the outer layer, and any logos or prints from wear and tear during the wash.
3. Use Cold Water: Set your washing machine to cold water. Hot water can damage the stretch fibers and cause the shirt to lose its compression. Wash with like colors. Avoid chlorine bleach or fabric softeners.
4. Select a Gentle Cycle: Choose the “delicate” or “gentle” cycle to minimize agitation, which can break down the fabric over time.
5. Use a Mild Detergent: Avoid harsh detergents, chlorine, fabric softeners, bleach, or dryer sheets. These can clog the fabric and reduce its sweat-wicking properties.
6. Wash with Similar Fabrics: Wash compression clothing with other performance gear or lightweight items. Avoid mixing with jeans, towels, or anything with zippers. Consider using a mesh laundry bag to protect it from damage if washing with other items.
7. Dry on Low, or Air Dry: Dry your shirt on low heat or air dry by laying the shirt flat or hanging it up.
8. Avoid Ironing or Dry Cleaning: Compression fabric doesn’t handle heat well. There’s no need to iron or dry clean—just let it air dry naturally or dry on a low heat setting.