Compression vest sizing: go by weight, not shirt size (S to 5XL)
4 September 2026
The wrong size is the reason most men decide compression does not work. Too small and it restricts you. Too big and it does nothing at all. The fix is simple: go by your weight, not by your shirt size. Near the top of a band, take the size up.
Why shirt size does not work
A shirt is cut for room. Compression is cut for hold. Two men in the same XL shirt can weigh very different amounts. The vest has to match the body, not the wardrobe. That is why a proper compression vest is sized by weight.
The size bands
These are the V-Shape bands. Weigh yourself in the morning and read across.
| Size | Weight in kg | Weight in stone, about |
|---|---|---|
| S | 50 to 70 kg | 7 st 12 to 11 st |
| M | 70 to 90 kg | 11 st to 14 st 2 |
| L | 90 to 110 kg | 14 st 2 to 17 st 4 |
| XL | 110 to 130 kg | 17 st 4 to 20 st 7 |
| 2XL | 130 to 150 kg | 20 st 7 to 23 st 9 |
| 3XL | 150 to 170 kg | 23 st 9 to 26 st 11 |
| 4XL | 170 to 190 kg | 26 st 11 to 29 st 13 |
| 5XL | 190 to 210 kg | 29 st 13 to 33 st 1 |
Near the top of a band? Go up
Compression is meant to be firm, not tight. If you sit in the top few kilograms of a band, take the next size up. It will still hold, and you will still be wearing it at four in the afternoon.
How the right size feels
- Firm across the chest, belly and sides. You can feel it holding.
- You breathe as normal. If a deep breath is a struggle, it is too small.
- Nothing digs in at the arms or the waist.
- After an hour you forget it is there.
How the wrong size shows itself
- Too small: it restricts your breathing, marks the skin, and you cannot wait to take it off.
- Too big: it feels like a vest, not a compression vest. Nothing is held and the arms gape.
- Too short: it rolls up when you sit. A proper vest is cut long so it stays tucked.
Sizing for bigger men
Plenty of brands stop at XL, which leaves out most of the men who want one. The V-Shape goes to 5XL, and the 4XL and 5XL are the same zoned knit with the same hold as the smaller sizes. The chest panel, the belly zone and the long cut are all there.
Sizing while you are losing weight
Take your weight today, not the weight you are aiming for. When you cross into the next band down, that is your next vest. A vest one band too big does nothing in the meantime.
Questions men ask
Should I size down for more hold?
No. A size too small squeezes rather than holds, and you will stop wearing it. The hold comes from the zoned knit, not from going tight.
Does it stretch out?
Washed cold and dried flat, it keeps its shape and its hold wash after wash. Heat is what damages an elastic knit, so no tumble dryer and no iron.
What if I get it wrong?
One email to contact@verreso.com inside the 90 days and we swap the size or refund you in full. No forms, no questions.
Order the right size today
Pick your band and order the V-Shape. Free tracked UK delivery in 3 to 5 working days, and 90 days to decide, in addition to your statutory rights.