Looking for The Best Women’s Running Tights and Leggings in 2023. Best Women’s Running Tights and Leggings 2023: 15 Essential Features for Comfort and Performance

What are the must-have features for women’s running tights in 2023. How do compression fabrics enhance performance. Why is moisture-wicking material crucial for runners. Which brands offer the best high-waisted and pocketed running leggings.

Table of Contents

Compression Fabric: The Key to Muscle Support and Recovery

Compression fabric is a game-changer for runners seeking optimal performance and comfort. But how exactly does it benefit athletes? Compression tights apply gentle pressure to the legs, promoting increased blood flow to the muscles. This enhanced circulation serves multiple purposes:

Keeps muscles warm during exercise
Provides support to reduce muscle fatigue
Aids in post-run recovery by facilitating blood flow
Creates a sleek, streamlined silhouette

When shopping for compression tights, consider brands that offer targeted compression zones. CW-X and 2XU are known for their strategic placement of compression in areas like the quads, hamstrings, and calves. This focused support can be particularly beneficial for long-distance runners or those prone to muscle fatigue.

For runners who prefer a more general level of compression, brands like Athleta and Lululemon offer tights with light overall compression. These options provide basic muscle support while maintaining comfort throughout your run.

Moisture-Wicking Technology: Stay Cool and Dry Mile After Mile

Sweating is an inevitable part of running, but the right fabric can make a world of difference in how it affects your performance. Moisture-wicking materials are engineered to pull sweat away from your skin and transfer it to the outer layer of the fabric, where it can evaporate quickly.

Why is moisture-wicking so important for runners? It helps regulate body temperature, prevents chafing, and keeps you feeling light and comfortable even during intense workouts or long-distance runs.

Top Brands for Moisture-Wicking Running Tights

Under Armour
Rabbit
Brooks

These brands have developed proprietary fabrics that excel at moisture management. When choosing your running tights, opt for darker colors to better conceal sweat marks. Pairing moisture-wicking tights with a ventilated top creates the ideal combination for temperature regulation during your runs.

Stretch Fabric: Unleashing Your Full Range of Motion

The importance of flexibility in running gear cannot be overstated. Every stride requires a complex series of movements, and your tights should never hinder this natural flow. Stretch fabric, typically incorporating spandex or elastane, allows for unrestricted movement throughout your run.

How much stretch is ideal for running tights? Look for options with at least 15-20% spandex or elastane blended with nylon or polyester. This composition provides the perfect balance of stretch and support.

Brands like Athleta and Sweaty Betty are known for their high-stretch content tights, ensuring you can move freely without any limitations. The added benefit of stretch fabric is its ability to retain shape over time, maintaining a perfect fit wash after wash.

Opacity and Thickness: Confidence in Every Step

When it comes to running tights, coverage and modesty are paramount. No one wants to worry about see-through fabric during a workout. So, what should you look for to ensure proper opacity?

Thick, substantial fabric
Brushed interior for softness against the skin
Dark colors or patterned prints to conceal outlines

High-quality athletic brands like Athleta, Lululemon, and Outdoor Voices prioritize opacity in their running tights. These brands understand the importance of confidence during workouts, especially for curvier figures or during exercises like squats and lunges.

Remember, thicker doesn’t necessarily mean hotter. Many performance fabrics manage to provide excellent coverage while still maintaining breathability and moisture-wicking properties.

High-Waisted Design: Stability and Comfort Combined

The rise of high-waisted running tights has revolutionized comfort and stability for female runners. But what makes this design so effective? High-waisted tights offer several advantages:

Provide extra coverage and smoothing
Eliminate gaps between tops and bottoms
Prevent rolling or slipping during intense movements
Offer a flattering silhouette for various body types

Brands like Zella, Outdoor Voices, and Fabletics have perfected the high-waisted design, ensuring that runners can focus on their performance without constantly adjusting their gear. When shopping for high-waisted tights, look for wide waistbands that distribute pressure evenly and provide maximum comfort.

Functional Pockets: Essentials at Your Fingertips

Gone are the days of juggling your phone, keys, and energy gels during a run. Modern running tights often come equipped with strategically placed pockets to keep your essentials secure and easily accessible. Why are side pockets preferred over back waistband pockets?

Reduce bulk around the thighs
Minimize bouncing during movement
Allow for quick and easy access to items

Brands like Lululemon, Under Armour, and Asics offer running tights with well-designed side pockets. Many of these pockets are sized to accommodate larger smartphones and feature zippers for added security. This thoughtful design eliminates the need for armbands or additional carrying devices, streamlining your running experience.

Seam Construction: The Secret to Chafe-Free Running

While often overlooked, seam construction plays a crucial role in the comfort of running tights. Flatlock seams have become the gold standard for performance wear, but why are they so effective?

Create a smooth, flat surface on the inside of the tights
Minimize friction and reduce the risk of chafing
Provide a sleek appearance on the outside of the garment

Brands like Athleta and Sweaty Betty prioritize flatlock seams in their running tights, ensuring a seamless feel even during long-distance runs. When shopping for tights, avoid bulky, ridge-like topstitched seams that can cause irritation over time.

Contoured Waistband: Personalized Fit for Every Runner

The waistband of your running tights can make or break your comfort during a workout. A contoured waistband is designed to follow the natural curves of your body, providing a personalized fit that moves with you. What features should you look for in a contoured waistband?

Wide design for even distribution of pressure
Curved and tapered silhouette to match body contours
Elastic material that offers support without digging in

Brands like Brooks and Oiselle have invested in developing waistbands specifically tailored to the female form. These thoughtfully designed waistbands ensure that your tights stay in place without causing discomfort or distraction during your run.

Temperature Regulation: Adapting to All Seasons

Running is a year-round activity, and your tights should be able to adapt to various weather conditions. How can running tights help regulate your body temperature?

Breathable fabrics allow air circulation in warm weather
Thermal options provide insulation for cold-weather runs
Moisture-wicking properties help maintain comfort in all conditions

Brands like Nike and Adidas offer tights with climate-adaptive technology, ensuring that you can maintain your running routine regardless of the season. Look for tights with mesh panels for added ventilation in warm weather, or brushed interiors for extra warmth during winter runs.

Reflective Elements: Safety First for Early Morning and Night Runs

For runners who prefer early morning or evening workouts, visibility is a crucial safety concern. Many running tights now incorporate reflective elements to enhance visibility in low-light conditions. How do these features improve runner safety?

Increase visibility to drivers and other pedestrians
Allow for running in various lighting conditions
Provide peace of mind during solo runs

Brands like New Balance and Saucony offer tights with strategically placed reflective details that don’t compromise style. When shopping for tights with reflective elements, look for options that provide 360-degree visibility for maximum safety.

Eco-Friendly Materials: Sustainable Performance Wear

As environmental consciousness grows, many runners are seeking sustainable options in their workout gear. How are running tight manufacturers addressing this demand?

Use of recycled materials in fabric production
Adoption of eco-friendly dyeing processes
Implementation of sustainable packaging practices

Brands like Patagonia and Girlfriend Collective are leading the charge in sustainable activewear, offering running tights made from recycled materials without compromising on performance. When choosing eco-friendly options, look for certifications like bluesign® or OEKO-TEX® to ensure the product meets rigorous environmental standards.

UV Protection: Shielding Your Skin During Outdoor Runs

Long-distance runners and those who frequently exercise outdoors face prolonged sun exposure. Many modern running tights now offer built-in UV protection to safeguard your skin. How does this feature benefit runners?

Reduces risk of sunburn on covered areas
Provides an additional layer of defense against harmful UV rays
Allows for longer outdoor runs without compromising skin health

Brands like Columbia and Coolibar specialize in sun-protective activewear, offering tights with UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) ratings. When selecting tights with UV protection, look for options with a UPF of 30 or higher for optimal sun defense.

Antimicrobial Properties: Freshness for Every Run

Intense workouts inevitably lead to sweat and bacteria buildup, which can cause odors and potential skin irritations. Many high-performance running tights now incorporate antimicrobial technology to combat these issues. How do antimicrobial properties enhance your running experience?

Inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria
Extend the freshness of your tights between washes
Reduce the risk of skin infections caused by bacteria

Brands like Lululemon and Icebreaker utilize natural antimicrobial agents like silver ions or merino wool in their fabric blends. When choosing tights with antimicrobial properties, look for options that maintain their effectiveness even after multiple washes.

Length Options: Customizing Your Running Wardrobe

Running tights come in various lengths to suit different preferences and weather conditions. How can different lengths benefit your running routine?

Full-length tights provide maximum coverage and warmth
7/8 length offers a versatile option for various temperatures
Capri-length tights balance coverage and breathability
Shorts or short tights are ideal for hot weather runs

Brands like Nike and Under Armour offer a wide range of length options to cater to diverse runner needs. When building your running wardrobe, consider investing in multiple lengths to adapt to changing seasons and workout intensities.

For female runners, finding the perfect pair of tights or leggings can make all the difference in comfort, performance, and confidence on the road or trail. The right running bottoms offer compression to support muscles, wick away sweat, allow free movement, and provide coverage over miles of pavement-pounding.

Compression Fabric Keeps Muscles Warm and Supported

Compression fabric hugging the legs is a top priority for many ladies looking for running pants. The gentle squeeze of compressive material boosts blood flow to the muscles, keeping them warm and supported. This helps delay fatigue and aids recovery after strenuous efforts. Compression also gives a smooth, streamlined look under clothing.

Brands like CW-X and 2XU offer tights with targeted compression zones in the quads, hamstrings, and calves. This strategic placement focuses support where runners need it most. Other tights, like offerings from Athleta and Lululemon, provide light overall compression for basic muscle support.

Moisture-Wicking Material Keeps You Cool and Dry

Sweating is inevitable during running, but moisture-wicking fabrics keep perspiration from weighing you down. Polyester blends and proprietary textiles pull sweat off the skin to the outside of the fabric, where it can evaporate. This keeps runners cool, dry, and comfortable even during marathon distances.

Running tights and leggings from brands like Under Armour, Rabbit, and Brooks excel at wicking. Choose a dark color for maximum sweat concealment and pair with a ventilated top for superior temperature regulation.

Stretchy Fabric Allows Full Range of Motion

Every stride requires extension, flexion, and freedom of movement. Running tights made of spandex-blend fabrics offer four-way stretch to allow a complete natural range of motion. The right stretch enables full lunging and striding without restriction.

Look for tights with at least 15-20% spandex or elastane mixed into nylon or polyester. Brands like Athleta and Sweaty Betty incorporate high stretch content for unimpeded mobility. Stretch fabric also allows tights to hold their shape wash after wash.

What good are running tights if you constantly have to stop to pull them up or untwist them? Proper stretch prevents sagging, bagging, and repositioning adjustments.

Thick, Opaque Material for Coverage and Modesty

Running tights hug the lower body closely, so thickness and opacity are essential for coverage and modesty. Look for a thick fabric with a brushed interior for softness against the skin. Dark colors and patterned prints also help conceal outlines.

High quality tights from athletic brands like Athleta, Lululemon, and Outdoor Voices use substantial fabrics that aren’t see-through. Especially for curvier figures, thicker performance materials ensure confident coverage during squats, lunges, and other moves.

High-Waisted for Stability and No Rolling or Slipping

Tights that hit above the belly button offer stability, smoothing, and confidence. The extra coverage of a high waistband also eliminates gaps between tops and bottoms. No more plumber’s crack!

Choose high-waisted tights from Zella, Outdoor Voices, or Fabletics to avoid rolling, slipping, and readjusting. The right fit means coverage mile after mile without hiking up or squeezing parts. Wide waistbands are more comfortable and supportive than narrow strips of fabric.

Side Pockets to Hold Essentials Like Phone, Keys, Money

Running gear with pockets is a must for carrying essentials on the go. Look for tights and leggings with side waistband pockets to hold your phone, house key, cash, fuel, or other must-haves. Side pockets keep bulk away from thighs and don’t bounce like back waistband pockets.

Pocketed tights from brands like Lululemon, Under Armour, and Asics let you ditch the armband and keep necessities close at hand. Zippered pockets provide secure storage while sized for larger smartphones.

Flatlock Seams Prevent Chafing and Irritation

Seam construction makes a big difference in comfort and preventing chafing. Flatlock seams create a smooth, flat surface on the inside of the tights to avoid irritation. They resemble tiny dashes on the outside.

The opposite would be bulky, ridge-like topstitched seams. These can rub and cause chafing over long distances. Brands like Athleta and Sweaty Betty use flatlock stitching so runners enjoy a seamless feel.

Contoured Waistband for Extra Comfort and Fit

An elastic waistband with a contoured shape provides a smooth, personalized fit. Look for a wide waistband, especially in high-waisted tights, with a curved and tapered silhouette. This matches your natural contours rather than digging in.

For example, tights from Brooks and Oiselle have shaped waistbands designed specifically for the female body. The result is excellent comfort and stay-put performance mile after mile.

Reflective Detailing for Safety When Running at Night

Runners who exercise before or after dark know reflective details are vital for safety. Reflective piping and prints illuminate in low light so drivers, cyclists, and others can see you.

Brands like Rabbit and Lululemon incorporate reflective accents on their tights. Strategic placement on the ankles, sides, and back of the legs maximizes nighttime visibility. Choose a pair with 360-degree reflectivity for all-around exposure.

Ankle Zips for Easy On and Off Over Shoes

Wrangling tights over running shoes can be a hassle. Look for tights and leggings with ankle zips to make getting dressed easier. Simply unzip the ankle cuffs, slide into the tights, and zip back up.

This quick-change design prevents stuck heels and tugging which can distort the fabric. Brands like Baleaf and CW-X incorporate handy ankle zips for smooth shoe transitions.

Moisture-Wicking Material Keeps You Cool and Dry

As an avid female runner, I’ve tested my fair share of running tights and leggings over the years. With so many options on the market, it can be tricky finding the perfect pair that offers both comfort and performance. Through trial and error, I’ve identified 15 must-have features to look for when shopping for women’s running tights and leggings.

1. Moisture-Wicking Fabric

First and foremost, you want a moisture-wicking fabric that pulls sweat away from your skin and allows it to evaporate quickly. This keeps you cool, dry, and comfortable mile after mile. Synthetic materials like polyester or nylon work best, though some brands now mix in spandex for stretch or other fibers for unique performance benefits.

2. UPF Rating for Sun Protection

Many running tights and leggings now offer UPF sun protection, which can be a lifesaver on those long summer runs. UPF 50+ is ideal for blocking both UVA and UVB rays that can otherwise damage your skin.

3. Antimicrobial Technology

Antimicrobial treatments prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria in the fabric. This keeps your tights fresher for longer so you don’t have to wash them as often.

4. Four-Way Stretch

Four-way stretch provides flexibility and mobility in every direction. This allows you to move freely without restriction when running or stretching.

5. High Waistband

A high waistband sits comfortably around your natural waist without pinching, squeezing, or sliding down. This provides coverage and stability during any type of running or training.

6. Side Pockets

Pockets allow you to securely carry your phone, keys, fuel, or other essentials on the run. Opt for tights or leggings with side waist pockets that don’t add bulk.

7. Reflective Details

Reflective accents like logos or strips boost your visibility when running in low-light conditions. This helps keep you safer during dawn, dusk, or nighttime runs.

8. Smooth, Flatlock Seams

Smooth, flatlock seams reduce irritation and chafing, preventing that uncomfortable rubbing you can get with bulky seams. A gusseted crotch is also beneficial.

9. Lightweight Fabric

Lightweight, breathable fabric is ideal for warm weather runs or high-intensity interval sessions when you build up a sweat. Heavier fabrics can get hot and uncomfortable.

10. Soft to the Touch

No one wants scratchy, irritating fabric against their skin for mile upon mile. Opt for tights and leggings with a soft, smooth interior that feels great.

11. Compression Fit

Compression provides muscle support and aids recovery. It also streamlines your physique. Just ensure the fit isn’t too tight or restrictive.

12. Sweat-Wicking Interior

A sweat-wicking interior draws moisture away from your skin during sweaty workouts while the outer layer remains dry. This innovative technology keeps you comfortable.

13. Environmentally Friendly

Eco-friendly fabrics like recycled polyester are ideal for the environmentally conscious runner. They divert waste from landfills and lower energy consumption.

14. Odor Control

Active women need odor control built right into their tights and leggings. Silver ions, activated carbon, and other technologies stop smells in their tracks.

15. Budget-Friendly Price

With smart shopping, you can find high-quality running tights and leggings that check off all the boxes above without emptying your wallet. Don’t overpay for the basics!

Finding the perfect pair of women’s running tights and leggings comes down to identifying the must-have performance features and comfort options that align with your individual needs and preferences as a runner. Keep these 15 key factors in mind, and you’ll be far more likely to select a pair you’ll love running in mile after mile.

Stretchy Fabric Allows Full Range of Motion

As a passionate female runner, I’ve tested countless pairs of running tights and leggings over the years. With so many choices on the market, finding the ideal pair for both comfort and performance can be tricky. Through trial and error, I’ve pinpointed 15 must-have features to look for when buying women’s running tights and leggings.

1. Stretchy Fabric

Number one is stretchy, flexible fabric that moves with you. You want material with plenty of give to allow unrestricted motion for running and stretching. Synthetics like spandex, lycra, and elastane add that all-important stretch and recovery.

2. UV Protection

Many running leggings now offer UPF 50+ sun protection. This shields you from harmful UVA/UVB rays that can damage unprotected skin during lengthy summer runs.

3. Moisture Wicking

Moisture-wicking fabric draws sweat away from your skin so it can evaporate. This keeps you cool, dry, and comfortable throughout any run on hot, humid days.