LaceUp Weighted Compression Sleeves Review: A New Travel Essential

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Young woman outdoors pulling hair through a headband wearing compression sleeves on her forearms.
Weighted LaceUp compression arm sleeves enhance a workout. Photo credit: Sophia Orlando.

LaceUp Athletic’s weighted compression sleeves are my newest must pack item. I’ve always relied on compression products for flights and road trips, convinced that they help reduce jet lag and boost my energy when I arrive.

That’s likely because compression sleeves gently squeeze your arm so blood flows back to your heart more easily, reducing swelling and keeping your circulation healthy. But LaceUp Sleeves take it further: their gentle, balanced weights provide subtle toning, and thanks to a partnership with LYCRA®, the silky-soft fabric is comfortable enough to wear all day. Unlike my old compression gear that felt tight and uncomfortable by day’s end, LaceUp Sleeves have just the right amount of stretch—and I like the colors that are offered.  

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What Makes LaceUps Different?

LaceUp Sleeves combine the best of both worlds: gentle compression and calming weight. They’re the first wearable compression sleeves designed to be worn on the move, offering sensory support that feels like a subtle grounding tool.

  • Weighted Evenly: The weights are light and spaced evenly around the sleeve.
  • Compression that Supports, Not Squeezes: The sleeves provide gentle compression to improve circulation and reduce muscle fatigue.
  • Made with LYCRA® for Soft Stretch and Comfort: The partnership with LYCRA® means the material is silky-soft, breathable, and stretchy. No digging, pinching, or sliding down.
  • Travel-Ready Design: Slim enough to wear under clothes or with your everyday airport outfit. They don’t scream “medical wear”—they look sleek and intentional.

The Science-Backed Benefits of Compression Sleeves

Two arms with compression sleeves on the forearms, holding a smart phone with a coffee cup  to the side.
Woman wearing LaceUp weighted compression sleeves while on her phone. Photo credit: LaceUp Athletics.
View of a woman in black exercise clothes with light blue weighted compressions sleeves on her forearms, pulling one sleeve up with the other hand.
LaceUp compressions sleeves are easy to put on and take off. Photo credit: Sophia Orlando

Even without the weight, compression sleeves have some serious travel perks:

  • Improved blood flow during long periods of sitting (bye-bye, swollen ankles).  The compression helps keep blood flowing by forcing blood to return to the heart.
  • Reduced muscle fatigue and faster recovery—great if you’re walking 10,000+ steps a day sightseeing.
  • Enhanced proprioception, aka body awareness, which helps with coordination and stability.

Dr. Mikjail Serruya, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, says, “”Compression therapy has well-established medical benefits for blood flow and tissue oxygenation that may help address concerns related to prolonged sitting during travel, though effectiveness depends on proper fit, appropriate compression levels, and individual health factors, so anyone considering compression garments should seek guidance from a healthcare professional familiar with their medical history.”

LaceUp Sleeves go a step further. By adding subtle, evenly distributed weight, they provide deep pressure stimulation—a sensory input that’s been shown to reduce anxiety, regulate the nervous system, and create a sense of calm.

Who Benefits from Weighted Compression Sleeves?

Woman doing yoga on a yoga mat wearing compression sleeves on her forearms.
LaceUp weighted compression sleeves on the arms add a boost to a yoga pose. Photo credit: LaceUp Athletics
  • Everyday travelers – That’s most of us! Perfect for long flights or road trips where you’re sitting still for too long.
  • MS, Parkinson’s and tremors – The weight and compression may help reduce involuntary movements and support muscle control.
  • Anxiety – Especially in overstimulating environments like airports, hotels, or conferences.
  • ADHD and sensory sensitivity – They offer non-pharmaceutical calming input without drawing attention. The pressure applied by the sleeves can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for a calming response
  • Workout recovery:  An NIH 2025 study concluded that compression products “significantly mitigated muscle strength decline following exercise-induced muscle fatigue”

When I Use Them

  • At the airport: Compression products are part of my standard airport outfit now.  
  • On the plane: I wear compression products during long flights—they are comfortable and help reduce swelling.
  • Walks: The weighted sleeves add a little boost to my fitness walks and give me the circulation benefits of compression.  Wearing the sleeves on a full day of sightseeing provides relief for tired calves and ankles.
  • In the car: Whenever I have a car ride that exceeds one hour, I slip on the LaceUp Sleeves.  Why not?  I want improved energy upon arrival.

Where to Buy Them

Go to LaceUp.com.

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Kim Orlando, founder of SheBuysTravel, is a lifelong traveler, an entrepreneur and a sought-after social media and marketing consultant. She has made hundreds of appearances on TV and in digital and print media, sharing advice and tips built on decades of travel experiences. Hailing from the hills of Kentucky and taking her story to New York, Los Angeles, and beyond, Kim built an online platform, the original TravelingMom, that has reached millions of moms and empowered them to explore the world with their families. Today, TravelingMom has evolved into SheBuysTravel. Kim has been featured on “News Nation,” “Today,” “Good Morning America” and on numerous satellite media tours. She has contributed travel guidance to outlets including The Washington Post, Good Housekeeping, Forbes, the Wall Street Journal and more. (Read more about Kim’s media appearances here) Her travel mantra is simple: All travel counts. “You don’t have to go far. Leaving your home is travel,” Kim says. “Wherever you go, even just to the next town over, you can learn something new, see someone and something you haven’t seen before. “It’s good for the brain and good for the soul.” An epiphany in early parenthood started Kim on the journey that led to SheBuysTravel. She’d been a fan of a newsletter for women travelers, and she saw an opportunity. “I thought something like that for moms could be extraordinarily helpful,” she said. “I was traveling for work, traveling for fun, and I was looking for support.” That seed grew into the award-winning website TravelingMom, created as a resource for traveling families of all stripes. Today, TravelingMom has evolved into SheBuysTravel, with an expanded mission to serve women travelers at any stage of life. Millions of readers have visited the site for trip planning help, travel secrets, destination information and gear recommendations. What sets SheBuysTravel’s content apart, Kim says, is its foundation in real-world experience. “Our writers and editors have actually gone out there and done this stuff,” she says. “They’ve booked the flights, tried the tour, tested travel clothing, visited that new hot spot to see if it’s worth the hype. It’s all real.” Memorable Adventures A 2022 tour Kim guided to Bhutan was a particularly standout experience. “Bhutan sounds so exotic, of course,” she said. “But the part where my heart just glows and warms is thinking of the people we met – amazing women doing amazing things in Bhutan.” Their ranks included a former police officer whose ventures into food science helped mitigate food insecurity for residents of Bhutan’s highlands. Top Tips Planning for travel can be daunting, Kim acknowledges. “I always say: Go anyway. No trip is going to be perfect. There’s always going to be something you didn’t expect, something that doesn’t go the way you pictured or planned it. And that something is what’s going to make it a great trip.” And on a practical note: “Go early! Getting to the airport or hitting the road just an hour earlier relieves so much stress.” Kim’s Background Kim, a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management, holds degrees in finance and entrepreneurship and has deep experience in developing and running businesses. Her previous work includes developing and running communications workshops and overseeing document management for corporations. SheBuysTravel hits a sweet spot where Kim’s two loves of travel and entrepreneurship meet. “The longer I work in this field, I only want to do more,” she says. “I find the travel world so exciting – not just the trips, but the whole online world of travel. There are still so many opportunities.” The World Awaits “The ‘best trip ever’ probably won’t be the same for an empty-nester or mom of three versus a single woman celebrating a bachelorette party with her friends,” Kim says. “We want to keep it real for traveling women, no matter what their age, life stage, where they came from or where they’re going. “We want to inspire women to travel in any shape or form.” In her free time, Kim enjoys visiting her adult kids, creating trips and traveling with her BFFs to explore the world. Her most recent adventures can be found on InstagramFacebook and LinkedIn.
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One response


  1. After taking a break from working out, I recently got back into the gym and wanted something to help ease me into strength training without jumping straight back into bulky equipment. I decided to try the Lace Up Athletics weighted arm bands instead of my old wrist weights—and I’m really glad I did. These bands are super comfortable, don’t cause excessive sweating, and stay firmly in place during workouts. Unlike traditional weights that tend to shift or feel awkward, these stay put through a full range of motion, making my workouts more focused and effective. One of the best parts is that they can be used anytime—whether I’m at the gym, walking, or even doing things around the house. Great option for anyone easing back into fitness or looking for a more streamlined way to add resistance!

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