Running tights—also known as running leggings—are designed to form fit to the runner’s body to keep them warm during cold winter runs or help keep them cool during hot summer ones. Some of these tights are designed to go underneath clothing, while others are designed to be worn alone, but they all should share one important feature: They should always be comfortable for the runner to wear.
Unfortunately, that’s not always the case, so we’ve decided to review the best running tights currently available, so our readers can purchase the ones that fit their needs the best, so let’s take a quick look at them before we discuss the features that consumer should consider when they’re shopping for these tights.
Quick Summary of Running Tights
Reviews
Under Armour Men’s Heat Gear Leggings
Even though these running tights may be a bit too thin to be used for anything other than a base-layer or home workouts, we do feel that they’re some of the best ones currently available. They’re made with a material known as Heat Gear, which is a combination of 79% polyester and 21% elastane that forms a second-skin type fit against the runner’s skin. This fit helps to enhance the circulation of the blood and helps to improve the runner’s recovery times after strenuous physical activities.
This material uses both antimicrobial technology and a moisture transport system that wicks away sweat to keep the growth of odor-causing bacteria to a minimum and to help keep the runner nice and dry during intense workouts. This material also features a 4-way stretch construction that helps the athlete move in any direction they need to move and do it without binding. Other features that help to prevent binding are these tight’s gussets and panels.
These tight’s stretchable gussets and panels also help to keep the runner ventilated at all times. Another feature we liked about these tights was the fact that they had smooth seams that helped to reduce chafing and irritation to the skin, and had an elastic waistband that provided the wearer with a secure fit. These tights are also available in an assortment of different colors so the runner can choose the one that most fits their style. Some of the colors include carbon heather, white, midnight navy, black, and artillery green.
If there’s one thing that some people aren’t going to like about these tights is that they cost a little bit more than some of the other tights available. In our opinion, however, that’s such a small complaint considering just how much we liked these tights. They fit well, are made from durable materials, look good and provide just the right amount of compression. All things considered, they’re some of the best running tights around.
- These tights fit nicely.
- This is made with a lightweight fabric.
- It provides a 4-way stretch.
- These running tights cost more than some other ones.
Adidas Original Women’s Trefoil Tights
Even though these Adidas Originals Women’s Trefoil tights don’t have to provide the compression level that some running tights provide, they do provide a close fit and moves easily with the runner. These tights are made from a jersey material that’s made of a combination of 93% cotton and 7% elastane, has 3 striped down the side and is made with both the Adidas and the Trefoil logo graphics on them.
These nice-looking tights are available in an assortment of different colors as well. They’re available in grey, navy, black, scarlet, green, and lush red. These tights are also made with a mid-rise waistband that provides the runner with added support and allows them to fit the runner snugly. Some people may feel that these tights are a bit too thin for their needs, and we can see how they would feel that way, but for us, these tights were just the right thickness for daily runs.
There might be a lot of different running tights available, but we have to say that these are some of the best looking ones we’ve seen. They fit extraordinarily well and have a stylish look that allows them to be worn not only during runs but also when running errands or going about day-to-day business. They’re also suitable enough to be worn all year long and are durable enough to hold up to daily workouts.
Keeping in mind not only how these tights look but how they fit and move, we’re confident enough to say that these are some of the best running tights we’ve seen. Sure, these tights might not offer the same level of compression as some of the other tights available, but they’re form-fitting and hold up to tough workouts. We see no reason why runners wouldn’t want to keep a pair or several pairs of these pants in their closet or chest of drawers.
- These tights fit true to size.
- They look good and are stylish.
- These tights might be too thin for some runners.
DR.Skin Men’s Compression Cool Sports Tights
To start, we would like to say that we understand that some parts of these compression tights are sheer—especially when they’re used in bright light. However, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t useful for running tights. Many people use them as a baselayer for their running or workout gear, or merely wear a pair of shorts over them. Okay, now that we’ve done that, it’s time to take a look at why these tights made this list and why some people might want to consider buying a pair.
These running tights are made out of a blend of 92% polyester and 8% spandex, which makes them not only soft but also very smooth. It also allows them to flex with the wearer’s movement, so it won’t bind them as they run, cycle, lift weights or use these tights for any other physical activity. And because this fabric is designed to be non-abrasive, the wearer can remain comfortable as they go about their workout regimens.
Another cool thing about the material these tights are made from is that it’s moisture-sensing and is equipped with a dry transport system. This is just a fancy way of saying that these tights are designed to wick moisture away from the skin so the wearer is more comfortable during workouts. It also allows for two-way air circulation, and this helps to keep the runner cooler in summer but doesn’t hurt heat retention of the material in winter.
These tights are available in an assortment of colors that allow the wearer to make a fashion statement every time they’re wearing them. These colors include black, blue, dark navy, neon green, red, orange, line camo, and white.
They’re also equipped with a waistband that prominently features the Dr.Skin logo on them. All in all, we feel that these running tights are quality tights, even though they are a little sheer. They flex well, provide a decent amount of compression, allow air to circulate and don’t hold on to moisture.
- They come in an assortment of colors.
- They provide ample compression.
- These tights can be seen through in bright light.
A Guide To Running Tights
Someone once told us that once a person starts exercising in a pair of running tights, they never want to wear anything else. Although we were initially skeptical of that claim, after trying it out for ourselves, we do have to say that running tights provide a level of freedom that isn’t afforded by other pieces of running apparel. However, there is a caveat to that piece of advice. The wearer still has to buy the running tights that best serve their needs to get the benefits of using them.
Because of our experience with reviewing these tights, we know that it can be difficult to identify your needs when you’re searching for a new pair of runner’s tights. That’s why we’ve decided to go ahead and write this guide. We hope that it will give all of our readers’ the information they need to buy running tights that suit their needs and are comfortable to wear.
Consider The Running Tights’ Fit
If a pair of running tights don’t fit correctly, then it doesn’t matter what material it’s made out of or how it’s constructed because it won’t do its most basic job—which is to cover the runners lower body. Therefore, one of the most important things for consumers to consider before buying a new pair of tights is to make sure that they fit accurately. Fortunately, most of the runner’s tights available offer sizing charts that show how they’re tights fit so the customer can find one that’s going to fit them. Although the sizing of tights varies from one company to the next, we can give a sample of an average sizing chart for the runner’s tights below.
Extra Small: US Size 0-2
- 25-1/2 To 26-1/2 Inches Waist Size
- 34-1/2 To 35-1/2 Inches Hip Size
Medium: US Size 8-10
- 29-1/2 To 30-1/2 Inches Waist Size
- 38-1/2 To 39-1/2 Inches Hip Size
Large: US Size 12-14
- 32 To 33-1/2 Inches Waist Size
- 41 To 42-1/2 Inches Hip Size
Consider The Tights’ Waistband
It’s also a good idea for the runner to think about their running tight’s waistband. Some runners seem to prefer a drawstring waistband and others enjoy using a waistband that doesn’t have a drawstring. What the runner needs depend on how tight they need their waist to cinch as well as what they’re the most comfortable wearing. When it comes to waistbands there are no right or wrong answers, the runner should just buy what feels right to them.
Consider The Tights’ Pockets
Although running tights normally don’t have very many pockets, there are some that do, so the runner might want to think about whether they need pockets or not. It all depends on what the runner needs to carry with them and whether they use a fanny pack, runner’s belt or backpack to carry their stuff.
Consider Running Visibility
It’s also a good idea to think about how visible the tights are, especially if the runner is planning on an early morning, evening or night runs. Fortunately, many apparel manufacturers manufacturer reflective tights that can be used for low-light conditions. If the runner is planning to run during the day, they might want to consider buying a highly visual color such as fluorescent green or yellow to makes themselves highly visible.
Consider Whether They’re Opaque Or Not
The runner might also want to consider whether they need opaque tights or not. If they plan on wearing them as a base layer under their ordinary running clothes, then it’s not a big deal, but if they’re going to be running in just the tights, then they may want to make sure that sunlight doesn’t reveal more than what they want to reveal.
Be Sure To Think About The Weather
The weather is another vital thing to keep in mind before buying a new pair of running tights. If the runner is going to be using them during the winter months, then they’re going to want to make sure that they’re thick enough to keep them warm. If they’re thinking of wearing them in the summer, then they’re going to want to make sure that they remain cool. Usually, runners will buy different running tights for different seasons.
Be Sure To Consider The Budget
The last thing for the runner to consider before making a decision is how much they want to spend. There are high-end running tights that are very expensive, and there are also very inexpensive budget tights. The runner should consider their budget and decide how much they want to spend and compare that against the features that they need.
