Does Compression actually make a difference, or is it overhyped?

A 2017 meta-analysis and an independent 2016 systematic review with meta-analysis both find compression garments modestly reduce muscle soreness and improve perceived recovery after exercise-induced muscle damage, though effects on objective performance measures like strength are smaller and less consistent. Weighing the data: Compression looks an early-stage, lower-priority area for now — the evidence is only emerging (38/100), and its estimated impact (18/100) is on the lower end too.