The 15 Best Tights for Every Kind of Run
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Fall is right around the corner, and we’re primed for tights season. We love the freedom of wearing shorts, but sometimes our legs need a sleek layer to shield the tempestuous elements that come with colder weather. We tested dozens of leggings of varying lengths—capri, cropped, 3/4, 7/8, and full-length—and chose the best for their quick-drying and heat-regulating capabilities, stretch, and comfort.
Check out five of the best tights from our testing below. Keep scrolling for buying advice and deeper reviews of these pairs and other top performers.
What to Look For
The fibers found in tights are usually polyester or polyamide for durability and water resistance. Wool is sometimes incorporated into the fabric for warmth on colder days. Thicker pairs of tights are sometimes woven with more elastane (aka, spandex) for ease of movement and to reduce constriction. Besides warmth and stretch, other elements to look for when shopping for tights include:
→ Visibility: Bright or light-colored tights or those with reflective details provide extra insurance for safer runs during the early morning or late evening.
→ Pockets: Having compartments to stash keys, cards, and extra cash ensures a hands-free run. If floor workouts are part of your regimen, choose tights with pockets that forgo zippers (think: envelope-style) for added comfort.
→ Zippers: Tights can also be a hassle to put on and take off. Zippered leg openings are a godsend for last-minute wardrobe changes—like when your shoes are already laced up.
→ Ventilation: Finally, there are tights meant for those questionable weather days when you’re not quite confident enough in the temperature to wear shorts. Look for mesh panels and perforations in areas prone to getting sweaty, such as behind the knees and on the upper thighs.
How We Tested
To find the best leggings for runners, we enlisted the help of our wear-testers and staff who logged mileage when the weather was foul and fair to evaluate comfort and performance. The bottoms below will shield you from wind, allow for a full range of motion, and keep you from becoming a human Popsicle. These are the tights we’ve worn on runs, to yoga class, and admittedly, long past we finished our our workouts—because these pairs were just that comfy (and cool).
—BEST FOR WINTER—
Title Nine Women’s Crash 2.0 Polartec Tights
The Crash 2.0 is abrasion-resistant and composed of fleecy, stretchy poly/spandex fabric that hugs your body and keeps it warm. The mid-waistband has an interior drawcord and zippered back pocket. But the real draw is the Crash’s ability to keep you dry and insulated on wet and snowy days, allaying fears of becoming damp and cold.
Tester Feedback: Morgan Petruny, RW test editor, “When I hit around the seven- to eight-mile mark on my runs, I usually start to notice that creeping, clammy feeling that comes from wearing tights when I start to really sweat. That didn’t happen with the Crash 2.0. These tights held my body heat, but ventilated really nicely so I could feel a little breeze and my legs stayed dry—even when I was sweating under my jacket. The outer surface is smooth and appears slightly hydrophobic, because even when I was out in the snow and sleet, they didn’t get saturated. They stayed dry the entire time, and didn’t get heavy with moisture, so I didn’t get cold at all.”
—LEAKPROOF LINER—
Adidas Techfit Period-Proof 7/8 Leggings
The Techfit has an Adidas Flow Shield liner, which absorbs leaks during your period. One thing to note is that Adidas asterisks that this legging (and bike short) is meant to be worn with a pad, tampon, or cup—the liner isn’t a period product substitute. We threw caution to the wind, however, running in the tight sans all the above to test absorbency. One thing we liked is how the liner doesn’t look obvious; there’s no revealing pad-shaped indentation, and the shield stays in place as you run. Even though we experienced no leakage over three to 10 miles, it helps that the tights are black and that our flows—at least while running—were light. Mesh on the calves provides ventilation, and a mesh side pocket allows some storage (ideal for fuel, cash—or a tampon; too snug for a smartphone). The Techfit runs a little baggy, so you may want to size down.
—SEAMLESS DESIGN—
Janji 7/8 Groundwork 2.0 Tight
These tights have a stretchy high waistband that prevented us from continually pinching our sides to hike them up and stop slippage. “At no point during my run did I feel like pulling up the leggings,” said a tester. “The women’s version of the Groundwork tight was comfortable, form-fitting, and overall ideal for runners who have a somewhat curvier, hourglass body shape.” The bottoms have five pockets for storage: two slits in the waistband, an external back envelope pocket, and two deep side pockets.
—SOFTEST MATERIAL—
Oiselle Lux Go Anywhere 3/4 Tights
These tights are truly luxurious to wear; they are made of silky soft material that testers wore for apple-picking, lounging, and, of course, running. An infinity drawcord ensures the already snug—yet comfy—waistband stays up as you sweat. Side pockets are extra roomy for any size smartphone. The only quibble: the tights weren’t truly 3/4 length for shorter individuals. For those runners, this pair had closer to a 7/8 fit. (But that just means more lux.)
Tester Feedback: Colleen F., “These tights are super soft and felt good during the running and cross training I did while wearing them. The seams didn’t rub at all during any of the activities. These will be great for winter running in temps below 45 degrees. I also think they made my bum look good!”
—CROPPED CUT—
Korsa Women’s Infinite High Rise Capri
This capri from Korsa, Road Runner Sports’s apparel line, is light enough for temperate weather and ultra-soft for all-day wear. The leggings have a high waistband with a small pocket that’s convenient for storing keys and cards. We found this pair’s moisture-wicking prowess—as well as they’re odor-controlling abilities—very effective in our testing. One tester ended her run at a coffee shop and spent the rest of her caffeinated workday still comfortably wearing the capri.
—SLEEKEST FIT—
Outdoor Voices Women’s Core 7/8 Legging
The women’s Core 7/8 Leggings (formerly called the TechSweat) from Outdoor Voices harmonize a second-skin fit with flexible and breathable fabric. The near-compressive feel means these tights don’t slip during a run, yoga, or even explosive HIIT exercises. And the TechSweat fabric (a nylon/lycra/poly blend) is very breathable, wicking away sweat so you won’t feel clammy mid-workout.
Tester Feedback: Kylie R., “The cut of the leggings was a favorite feature of mine. The seams and support on the rear side and down the leg allowed my body to feel hugged, but not restricted. This was ideal when squatting, jumping, running, and even just walking.”
—BEST BARGAIN BUY—
Old Navy Women’s High-Waisted Powersoft 7/8 Leggings
Not only are these tights affordable, but they come in a variety of colors, patterns, and sizes. (And, they have super deep side pockets.) You can also choose from different inseams so the length is an honest 7/8, even if you are very petite or tall. A minor critique is that the Powersoft fabric wasn’t as snug or compressive as other high-waisted tights.
Tester Feedback: Renee H., “The tights are very comfortable and also performed very well. I felt like my legs, thighs, and rear end were held in and supported. They did not feel suffocatingly tight on my legs, and didn’t sag or loosen on the run. A good fit for the price.”
—ALL-INCLUSIVE SIZING—
Athleta Women’s Ultimate Stash Pocket 7/8 Tight
Similar to—yet slightly more expensive than—Old Navy’s High-Waisted Leggings above, Athleta’s Ultimate Stash Pocket Tight is worth the extra cash when you desire more supportive compression for high-intensity workouts. The bottoms have secure, narrow side pockets for storing small valuables like an ID, credit card, and keys. Also like Old Navy’s legging, they’re available in petite, tall, and regular fits. And, Athleta’s plus sizing accommodates sizes 1X to 3X, too.
—SUN PROTECTION—
Brooks Momentum Thermal Tights
These 28-inch-inseam tights are woven with Brooks’s moisture-wicking, poly-spandex fabric. It locks in warmth so you won’t freeze, and also shields you from ultraviolet rays with UPF 50+ protection. Both the men’s and women’s tights have side pockets with ample room. While testers liked the tights’ overall comfort, runners up before dawn wished this pair offered more reflectivity. For a more visible option, we recommend Brooks’s Carbonite Tights. (You’ll find them among the pairs below in this list for $130.)
Tester Feedback: Tim O., “I have never had really good running tights, so I really felt these were incredible. The breathability and warmth is key. I would recommend these to my friends running in the colder months, who don’t want to suffer from the elements.”
—SMOOTH BRUSHED-FABRIC—
Tracksmith Turnover Tights
The Turnover is perfect for hitting a tempo workout on a frigid, crisp winter morning. They’re lightweight and knitted with Inverno Blend, a brushed fabric from Italy that protects you from blustery headwinds and dries quickly when you’re running hard and long. The tights have a zippered back pocket, and the men’s version has zippered leg openings.
—BEST FOR LAYERING—
Asics Men’s Essentials Tight
The Essentials Tight is an ideal option for men who want more coverage on their legs or an extra layer under their shorts or pants when the temperature dips. It has an interior drawstring to adjust the waistband and is made of quick-drying materials, which had one tester running midday in 70 degrees without complaint. The only drawback, he said, was that the tights had no pockets.
Tester Feedback: Cory G., “These would be perfect for someone who likes to wear tights under shorts on a longer run. You won’t overheat and this pair has a great fit and feel. The waistband did not rub, and I was able to move freely for big mileage.”
—COMFORTABLY STRETCHY—
Shefit Women’s Boss Leggings
Though we love the Ultimate Sports Bra (which took home one of our Gear of the Year awards), we were skeptical of Shefit’s tights debut; they look deceptively tiny before you put them on. But, these leggings are remarkably stretchy and incredibly comfortable. Sizing ranges from extra-small to 2luxe (“luxe” is large in Shefit-speak). The thin material is surprisingly durable and doesn’t overstretch from multiple wears or machine-drying.
—REFLECTIVE FEATURES—
Brooks Carbonite Tight
The Carbonite is a part of Brooks’s Run Visible Collection, which draws eyes with reflective accents on its apparel. The tights have 3M Scotchlite Carbon Black stretch panels on the outer thighs and ankles so you can be easily spotted, especially by a car’s headlights in the distance. The fabric wraps tightly and comfortably around the skin to allow full range of motion. Some testers said it’s a little too thin for temps below freezing, but ideal for slightly warmer weather in the high 30s. Bummer: The zippered back pocket was too small to carry a smartphone.
Tester Feedback: Tim O., “I was impressed by how flexible these tights were on my body, especially through the hips and crotch area. They moved with me and didn’t force me to adjust my stride at all. They were not loose and felt comfortably compressive on my body, which really gave me more confidence in a no-slip fit.”
—HIGH-RISE WAISTBAND—
New Balance Women’s Q Speed Fuel 7/8 Tight
The Q Speed Fuel grants your need for speed with a sleek fit and high-rise coverage. They won’t slide down on the run, and one tester even dubbed these the most comfortable tights she’s worn. “They’re lightweight and really stay in place,” she said. The tights have drop-in hip pockets and reflective details, including a high-visibility strip on the elastic waistband.
—BEST NO-FRILLS—
Asics Women’s Fietro Tight
These tights are your simple black leggings, upgraded. They’re made of moisture-wicking fibers and boast an elastic waistband with pockets to store keys or energy gels. Testers loved the lightweight, soft, and stretchy material. The Fietro is also available as capris ($50).
Tester Feedback: Lakota G., “Asics’s Fietro leggings made me a believer in Asics again. It was basically love at first touch. The material is so soft that you could get away with throwing on your favorite blouse post-workout and wearing these out and about.”
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