Compression Level Explained: How It Works in Performance Sportswear
Compression Level is best understood as pressure applied to the body by a garment. This entry explains how it behaves inside a finished garment rather than only in the laboratory.
What the term means
pressure applied to the body by a garment, which is why the value appears on almost every technical data sheet. Working figures for Compression Level normally sit around light 8-15 mmHg, firm 20-30 mmHg in mainstream production. Note RAL-GZ 387 compression classes on the tech pack so nobody tests against an older revision.
Why it matters in practice
too much pressure reduces comfort and circulation, so it influences buying decisions more than most buyers expect. Record elastane content alongside Compression Level, because blends shift the measured value. A result outside light 8-15 mmHg, firm 20-30 mmHg usually points to process drift rather than to the fibre itself.
Typical values seen in activewear
light 8-15 mmHg, firm 20-30 mmHg. Ranges vary by construction, so compare like with like. Keeping reference values for Compression Level lets suppliers quote without extra sampling rounds. Ask for conditioning details together with RAL-GZ 387 compression classes, since both affect the reading.
How it is measured
RAL-GZ 387 compression classes is the reference normally quoted on a test report. Working figures for Compression Level normally sit around light 8-15 mmHg, firm 20-30 mmHg in mainstream production. Note RAL-GZ 387 compression classes on the tech pack so nobody tests against an older revision.
Frequent mistakes
Comparing results from different standards, testing unwashed fabric, and writing the target without tolerance are the common errors. Record elastane content alongside Compression Level, because blends shift the measured value. A result outside light 8-15 mmHg, firm 20-30 mmHg usually points to process drift rather than to the fibre itself.
