Product Guides · Sportswear Encyclopedia
Baselayer Compression Guide
A baselayer either does its job invisibly for 90 minutes or gets ripped off at half time. There are three things that decide which — the compression grade, the seam construction and the panel map.
Compression grades — the numbers that matter
Compression is measured in mmHg at the mid-torso with a garment worn on a fit dummy. Retail-grade brands publish this number; teamwear rarely does but the manufacturing target is the same:
| Grade | mmHg | Sport | Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | 8–15 | Football, rugby, basketball | Supportive, not restrictive |
| Medium | 15–20 | Endurance running, cycling | Firm hold, visible muscle contouring |
| High | 20–30 | Recovery only — not for competition | Restrictive, medical-adjacent |
Poly-spandex — where the compression lives
Compression is a fabric property, not a pattern trick. A too-small baselayer in low-stretch fabric will not compress — it will just chafe. The right choice is poly-spandex knitted to a controlled stretch and recovery target:
- 88% polyester / 12% spandex at 180 GSM is the retail default for football baselayer.
- 82/18 blend at 210 GSM is used for cold-weather compression, brushed inside.
- Recovery after 200% stretch must be ≥ 95% or the garment bags out by the third wash.
- 4-way stretch is mandatory — 2-way stretch tracksuits will restrict sprint mechanics.
Flatlock seams — why they win here
See our flatlock vs overlock guide for the full detail. On baselayer the rule is absolute — 100% flatlock, including collar, hem and cuff. An overlock seam anywhere against skin will chafe within 40 minutes of a match. Common flatlock spec on retail baselayer:
- 406 flat-seam machine, 3-needle 5-thread, 3.5 mm stitch length.
- Seam allowance trimmed to 5 mm so panels butt truly edge-to-edge.
- Cover-stitched twice — once on the face, once on the back, for a fully flat seam.
- Thread tension calibrated so seams stretch to match fabric — under-tensioned seams pop at the shoulder.
Panel map — where compression is placed
Compression is not uniform across the garment. Modern baselayer maps compression to muscle groups:
- Core panel (front + back mid-torso): highest compression — supports the abdominal wall.
- Chest and upper back: moderate compression — supports the pectoral and rhomboid muscles.
- Shoulder and mid-back: lower compression — full range of motion for arm throw and header contact.
- Underarm and inside-elbow: mesh insert or perforated poly-spandex — thermal regulation.
- Cuff and neck: heavier rib or bonded band — locks the garment against the skin without pinching.
Compression baselayer, built to spec
Findup Sports produces compression baselayer for teamwear and retail — mmHg-graded, 100% flatlock, engineered panel maps and full sublimation support.