Best Men’s Running Tights of 2024

Like your favorite running wind jacket, hydration vest, or cold-weather hat, you can find one pair of running tights that will serve you well for years. Choosing the best men’s running tights comes down to a variety of considerations, and not all running tights are created equal. There are some drastic differences in protection, coverage, features, and price. For this guide, we tested a wide variety of options, some from the most recognizable brands in running to some on the fringes of the sport. We looked at some of the burliest tights meant for difficult conditions to budget tights that won’t break the bank.

We’ve tested these in conditions ranging from slightly warm — around 40 degrees Fahrenheit — to below zero degrees Fahrenheit with wind chill in order to find the best running tights for men. Some of our testers have taken some painful falls in these tights, which is a pretty efficient way to gauge durability, and they’ve layered them to find out if and when added protection is needed for sensitive areas.

The running tights in this guide offer a good mix of options, so whether your budget is high or low, or your winters mild or extreme, you can find a single pair of tights that should serve most of your cold-weather running needs. Our favorite all-around tights were the Tracksmith Turnover Tights. We turned to the Patagonia Endless Run Tights for mild weather, and when things turned nasty, we reached for the Gorewear R5 Gore-Tex Infinium Tights.

To learn more about men’s running tights, check out our how-to-choose section, our answers to the most frequently asked questions about men’s running tights, and information about how we researched and tested products for this article.

Best Men’s Running Tights of 2024

• Best Overall Men’s Running Tights: Tracksmith Turnover Tights
• Best Overall Men’s Running Tights — Runner-Up: Saucony Elite Tight
• Best Men’s Running Tights for Mild Weather: Patagonia Endless Run Tights
• Best Men’s Running Tights for Cold Weather: Gorewear R5 Gore-Tex Infinium Tights
• Best Men’s Running Tights for Cold Weather — Runner-Up: Norrøna Trollveggen Warmwool2 Stretch Tights
• Best Reflective Tights: CEP Reflective Tights
• Best Compression Tights: CEP Compression Run Tights 4.0

Best Overall Men’s Running Tights: Tracksmith Turnover Tights ($130)

Pros:

• Stretchy and comfortable
• Brushed fabric makes them soft against your skin
• Added built-in brief option

Cons:

• Lack of pockets

The Tracksmith Turnover Tights are the perfect blend of functionality and comfort. They are made of a luxurious fabric and have plenty of room for movement. They are also super stylish, offered in three colors, and equipped with ankle zips that make them easy to take on and off. Our testers loved how the brushed fabric felt against their skin. We found these tights to be an excellent option for runs in 30-degree Fahrenheit temperatures and up to mid-50s. They aren’t designed for ultra-cold conditions but work great when it’s too cold for shorts, and you want to provide your joints and muscles with extra protection and warmth. The fabric breathes very well and isn’t heavy. If you want to wear briefs under your tights, you can get these tights with a built-in brief liner. A zippered back pocket can store gels, keys, or a credit card. The elastic waistband keeps the tights up and secure.

When it came to changeable weather, we found that these tights could shed light moisture and would dry quickly once any precipitation stopped.

Material: Nylon, elastane

Shop the Tracksmith Turnover Tights

Best Overall Men’s Running Tights — Runner-Up: Saucony Elite Tight ($110)

Pros:

• Zippered ankle for easy removal
• Great for racing

Cons:

• Not suitable for freezing temperatures

If you live somewhere that gets cold in the winter but maybe not arctic-cold, the Saucony Elite Tight can be a great addition to your running wardrobe. These lightweight tights are also great for chilly fall and spring temperatures. We found them thick enough to keep us warm but thin enough that we didn’t overhead. The Goldilocks thickness had us reaching for them often in milder conditions. Unlike tights for colder conditions, they aren’t insulated, which makes them great for moderate temperatures and high-effort racing but less ideal for frigid winter running.

The breathability of these tights is another aspect that makes them great for moderately cold weather. You won’t regret wearing these if you hit the trails on a cool morning and things warm up as you go. We found that the excellent airflow kept us from building up sweat, and the material wicks well and stays dry.

Their sizing is accurate, and we didn’t feel the material was restrictive. Even if you have bigger calves or quads, they can stretch to adapt. If you want that barely-there feeling with tights, you’ve got it made with these.

 

Zippers on the ankles make it easy to get in and out of these tights, and the elastic waistband paired with an internal drawstring keeps them in place during a run. A rear zippered pocket is useful for carrying small running essentials.

Material: Recycled nylon, spandex

Shop the Saucony Elite Tights

Best Men’s Running Tights for Mild Weather: Patagonia Endless Run Tights ($119)

Pros:

• Thin and light enough to layer with shorts when needed
• Exterior drawstring reduces waist irritation
• HeiQ odor control reduces the need to launder frequently

Cons:

• Some users in frigid climates might find the fabric to be too thin
• Looser fit may bother runners who prefer skintight running apparel

If there’s a small but super-appreciated detail in the Patagonia Endless Run Tights that sets them apart from the rest, it’s the drawstring on the outside of the waistband. If you’ve been using Patagonia bottoms recently, like the Patagonia Strider Pro Running Shorts, which topped the list of our best running shorts for men buyer’s guide, you’ll have a proper appreciation of this one subtle but genius detail. Some have remarked that putting the drawstring on the outside of a winter garment is not as practical for winter clothing as for summer items because the strings might get caught against winter jackets with Velcro or trapped in the zipper of a wind jacket, but our tester didn’t find this to be an issue at all.

These light and thin tights are an excellent option for those living in milder weather places. They are particularly adept at extending seasonal running from fall into winter or winter into spring and excel in shoulder-season chilliness. They offer a slightly roomier fit in the legs and hips than traditional running tights, and they work great when layered with running shorts. Overall, the material is very breathable, and the mesh behind the knees sheds heat well. The pockets will easily hold a small wind jacket and phone, and tightening the waist drawstring keeps everything from bouncing.

We appreciate running apparel that doesn’t need to be washed after every use. Patagonia uses an exceptional odor-fighting compound from HeiQ on these tights, which is a significant value-add that doesn’t drive the price up. The silver-salt-based antimicrobial treatment prevents microbial growth and odors, so you can use less energy by not having to wash these tights every time you wear them — which is both convenient and environmentally friendly.

These tights are highly breathable but warm enough to wear even in quite cold temperatures. They are an excellent investment with good styling and color options at a reasonable price. We named them our favorite tights in our best cold-weather running gear guide.

Materials: Recycled nylon, spandex

Shop the Patagonia Endless Run Tights

Best Men’s Running Tights for Cold Weather: Gorewear R5 Gore-Tex Infinium Tights ($150)

Pros:

• Wonderfully breathable and protective Gore-Tex Infinium fabric
• Special wind protection panels in sensitive areas like the knees and groin
• Water resistance helps buffer snow and sloppy trail conditions
• Long inseam for tall and slim runners

Cons:

• Deep hip pocket is just slightly too narrow for a plus-sized iPhone
• Too warm for milder climates
• Below-average drawstring

Whether it’s the high price or lack of distribution, Gorewear running apparel seems conspicuously absent from the brands we regularly reference in trail running, but the Gorewear R5 Gore-Tex Infinium Tights are well worth a look. We no doubt rely on Gore-Tex fabrics in our jackets, so it was excellent to test these tights to see how they rate against other less-proven fabrics.

As expected, the premium price tag matches the premium performance of the tights. They are built to withstand nearly any level of cold and type of weather you will reasonably encounter.

These tights are not fleece-lined or made of thick wool, yet they are our go-to option for the coldest of cold runs. They are made of 92% polyester and 8% elastane, so while not super soft against the skin, the warmth is supreme compared to softer tights or thick fleece.

As expected from Gore-Tex, the breathability and moisture management of the fabric are excellent. The inseam is longer than average, which was appreciated by our six-foot-four-inch tester. The extra length is balanced well by the tightly fitted form, which isn’t loose in the waist or around the knees.

A few less favorable details in these tights need to be acknowledged. There are ankle zippers, but getting the tights on and off over shoes still proved challenging. There is a zippered rear center pocket but only one hip pocket, which is deep but not wide enough to fit a plus-sized iPhone.

The drawstring seems like an afterthought and slips easily into the waistband if you’re not careful. While we appreciate the warmth, the material is not very soft against the skin.

Materials: Polyester, elastane

Shop the Gorewear R5 GTX Infinium Tights

Best Men’s Running Tights for Cold Weather — Runner-Up: Norrøna Trollveggen Warmwool2 Stretch Tights ($179)

Pros:

• Very durable and extremely warm
• The running-specific fit makes for excellent mobility
• Warmwool2 material is very odor resistant

Cons:

• Purpose-driven tights for freezing weather
• The lack of wind protection is surprising given the quality of material and cost

The Norrøna Trollveggen Warmwool2 Stretch Tights are unlikely to appear on a running website such as iRunFar because the Norwegian company has roots in mountain sports like skiing and trekking, but these are among the best running tights on the market for cold conditions. There’s a Viking logo on the thigh, for goodness sake—these tights must be warm!

These tights are perhaps overbuilt for most training runs, but if your conditions are especially brutal and snowy, these tights, made of the brand’s Warmwool2 material, are what you need. The one caveat with the cold protection is that the don’t protect well in severe wind. In testing the tights in the notoriously windy Rocky Mountain National Park of Colorado, one tester found a tailwind coming straight through on his bum and the backs of his thighs.

These tights are very comfortable, and perhaps the lack of wind protection is due to the highly stretchable, highly breathable material. Norrøna positions these tights as a mid-layer, and the fabric is made of a mix of polyester and wool that provides great temperature regulation.

We appreciated two more standout features of these tights that are rarely found in other options. First, there are full-length zippers on both legs that make them super easy to take on and off, particularly when you’re freezing. Second, the tights have a zipper fly. This is an awesome small detail that limits skin exposure to cold air while urinating.

Materials: Recycled polyester, nylon, elastane

Shop the Norrøna Trollveggen Warmwool2 Stretch Tights

Best Reflective Tights: CEP Reflective Tights ($120)

Pros:

• 360-degree visibility with Smart Reflective technology
• Great weatherproof features
• High-waisted for security and comfort

Cons:

• May feel tight and stiff when putting on

Winter often means running in the dark, and the CEP Reflective Tights use Smart Reflective technology to keep you visible at night. The reflective material integrated throughout the tights illuminates brightly when hit by car headlamps or any other type of light source. Headlights and other types of reflective and illuminated gear are great for visibility, but a pair of reflective running pants can really identify you as a runner to any passing traffic.

These tights also offer great compression, which is perfect for winter, especially if you are a runner who notices that your joints start to ache as it gets colder. The Tightfit Technology keeps them fitting snugly on your legs, providing warmth and support. The high waist helps these tights fit securely, and while they can feel stiff when you first put them on, they don’t restrict movement. The recycled fabric is windproof, water-repellant, and wicks well to keep you dry.

A rear pocket will store a set of keys or a credit card.

Material: Polyester, polyamide, elastane

Shop the CEP Reflective Tights

Best Compression Tights: CEP Compression Run Tights 4.0 ($150)

Pros:

• Extremely breathable
• Good stretch

Cons:

• No weatherproofing
• Compression isn’t for everyone

If you’re a fan of compression clothing for your runs and looking for a good winter option, the CEP Compression Run Tights 4.0 have a lot going for them. Compression gear is not everyone’s cup of tea, but many appreciate it during runs and for recovery afterward. Wearing compression gear can make all the difference for people who suffer from achy joints in cold weather. While there isn’t much science showing that compression clothing improves performance during a run, it increases circulation and can promote recovery afterward. Compression pants are definitely something to consider if you are injury-prone and trying to prevent future issues. These tights utilize compression on the calf, shin, quad, and hamstring areas to support all parts of your legs.

You may hear the word compression and be worried that these running pants are too constricting or lack breathability. That is not the case! The girdle and groin areas are reinforced and not highly breathable, but the seamless leg tubes are very light. Our testers experienced no issues with overheating, and the tights didn’t feel too constricting while running. It almost felt like we wore a pair of compression shorts with legs sewn on after the fact. These tights fit true to size, and the flat-cord drawstring with anti-slip coating in the waist will keep them exactly where they need to be during your next run, whether it’s a road half marathon or a training run with friends.

Material: Polyamide, elastane

Shop the CEP Compression Run Tights 4.0

Comparing the Best Men’s Running Tights

TIGHTS	PRICE	MATERIAL
Tracksmith Turnover Tights	$130	Nylon/elastane
Saucony Elite Tight	$110	Recycled nylon/spandex
Patagonia Endless Run Tights	$119	NetPlus recycled nylon/spandex, miDori bioSoft, HeiQ Pure
Gorewear R5 Gore-Tex Infinium Tights	$150	Polyester/elastane
Norrøna Trollveggen Warmwool2 Stretch Tights	$179	Recycled polyester/nylon/elastane
CEP Reflective Tights	$120	Polyester/polyamide/elastane
CEP Compression Tights 4.0	$150	Polyamide/elastane

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose Men’s Running Tights

Warmth

Warmth is a key consideration of running tights, and the best men’s running tights will block the cold without causing you to overheat. Many of us have worn basic tights from popular road-running brands for years, and most options are adequate for staying warm in cold weather.

And while running is running, tights made specially for trail running and ultrarunning have features that set them apart from their road counterparts. Trail running brands, like their road counterparts, emphasize warmth, but they also integrate technical fabrics that will withstand abrasion, wind, rain, and snow. A pair of tights like the Tracksmith Turnover Tights will work well both on the road and the trail.

The material in the tights we reviewed and chose as the best men’s running tights varies from fleece-lined to polyester, spandex to Gore-Tex, and nylon to wool. Each offers varying levels of warmth and wind protection.

The best way to choose running tights is to consider the particulars of your environment and how cold weather affects you. In a place like Boulder, Colorado, where one of our testers lives, it’s very common to have a snowstorm one day followed by bright sunshine the next. This greatly affects how the tester chooses his cold-weather running clothing, and they prefer tights that can be layered to adjust for these wild temperature swings. For really cold conditions, we recommend the Norrøna Trollveggen Warmwool2 Stretch Tights, while for cold-but-not-extreme conditions, a pair of Patagonia Endless Run Tights will be plenty.

Breathability

Almost all modern running tights utilize a mix of polyester and other materials like nylon, spandex, or elastane. These same materials are used in running shorts, so it’s no surprise that the best running tights for men, like their summer-season counterparts, offer terrific breathability. The only instance we’ve found breathability comparatively lacking was with tights using Gore-Tex fabrics, like the Gorewear R5 Gore-Tex Infinium Tights, which are designed for the coldest of runs.

Although it’s incredible how well Gore-Tex fabrics breathe, given that they are designed to be waterproof, they are just not as breathable as polyester-based tights. Most runners will find tights made of nylon and spandex, like the Saucony Elite Tight, satisfactory, but runners in particularly wet weather might want to invest in Gore-Tex tights, such as the Gorewear R5 Gore-Tex Infinium Tights, sacrificing a bit of breathability for weather protection.

For added breathability, look for tights with mesh at the back of the knees and the back of the waistline, like the Patagonia Endless Run Tights, which are great for mild winter days.

Fit

It was surprising to find such a wide variety of fits in tights. You would think standard running tights would simply be form-fitting and snug against the body, but the styles we tested ran the gamut from skintight, like the Tracksmith Turnover Tights, to loose enough to layer a pair of shorts underneath, like the Patagonia Endless Run Tights. Each has a drawstring that becomes necessary when the tights are loaded with accessories.

The inseam on men’s medium tights is generally 26 to 28 inches, which is long enough for our tester’s six-foot, four-inch frame. The waist size on these tights is usually 30 to 32 inches.

Always refer to the brand’s sizing guide for each model you consider to ensure your correct fit.

Cost

Buying tights from a reputable running brand will cost a little more than running shorts. You can find tights on Amazon from $20 and up, but we chose to source samples from the sport’s most common and trusted brands. More wallet-friendly options are typically made with non-technical materials, have limited storage options, and generally don’t include extras like ankle zips or a phone-sized pocket. However, such options can be great for their basic performance capacity. They will leave you far less protected from harsh winter elements than some of the more expensive options we tested and chose as the best men’s running tights. For mild-weather running, we appreciated the versatility of the Saucony Elite Tight.

Before purchasing, you should also consider how else you might use your tights for other sports. Many of us invest in a single pair that we also use for hiking and cross-country skiing.

Waistband Width and Material

All the tights in this guide include a drawstring waistband, which is particularly useful since so many offer a rather large amount of storage. With most of the tights in this guide, you’ll probably need to tighten and cinch the drawstring to keep them from sagging, even when the pockets are empty.

Waistbands on running tights can be particularly bothersome because the drawstring can be irritating against the skin. Many of the drawstrings in this guide were a little annoying, but with some repositioning or tucking in your shirt, the problem is mainly alleviated. The Patagonia Endless Run Tights get extra credit for addressing this issue by having the drawstring on the outside of the waistband, completely eliminating that rubbing effect.

Men’s tights don’t vary much in the size of their waistband and generally have a low-set waist, unlike the common higher waist on women’s apparel. Men’s tights sit middle to low on the hips, very similar to running shorts. The CEP Reflective Tights have a higher waist than many of the other options in this guide.

Storage

Almost all of the tights in this guide have two deep hip pockets, which is a much-appreciated feature. We tried these hip pockets for phone compatibility, and most of them are all excellent. We found the pockets of the Gorewear R5 Gore-Tex Infinium Tights are deep but not wide enough for an iPhone. In addition to phones, these side pockets are also ideal for storing a jacket and food. Consider the size of a large iPhone and extrapolate the similar-sized accessories these pockets can accommodate. However, many of the tights lack a secure zipper pocket for your car key.

Extra Details

In the end, it’s the little details that set the best men’s running tights apart from the rest. If managing odor is a concern and you are trying to cut back on washing, many of the tights in this guide have natural or synthetic odor control. It’s very refreshing to use your running gear day after day without bacteria or smells forming. The Patagonia Endless Run Tights have a HeiQ treatment to help reduce odor.

Ankle zips are less common on tights from trail running brands, but several companies include them, including the Saucony Elite Tight. This is a handy feature when pulling tights off over your shoes if you’re using them for warming up and then switching to shorts or capris for the majority of your run. They’re also great if you’re headed uphill in shorts and need to don pants in more exposed high-altitude terrain.

Why You Should Trust Us

This buyer’s guide began with extensive research into the best men’s running tights on the market. We found about 25 options from reputable trail running brands, along with others more common in road running or athleisure categories. To whittle down the list, we looked at the following criteria: price, features, weight, degree of cold protection, style, and comfort.

Much of the initial testing for this guide occurred in Colorado on the 5,500- to 8,000-foot local peaks and in some of the higher Rocky Mountain peaks in the area, with elements ranging from sub-zero wind chill to pleasant 40-degree Fahrenheit runs in the sunshine. As we update this guide, we take tights out in various locations throughout California and the mountainous West.

When considering cost, we looked at how adaptable the tights were for other active cold-weather sports where they might be cross-utilized. Generally, what’s great for trail running is also great for cross-country skiing, hiking, or winter climbing.

Ultimately, we chose winners that excelled best across our testing criteria. Some tights were selected for their singular advantage among the criteria, such as extreme warmth.

Frequently Asked Questions About Men’s Running Tights

When is it too cold for shorts?

This preference will vary among us, but in general, exposed knees and ankles in the cold can be problematic for athletes. Whether it’s the barometric pressure causing the knee joint to expand or the cold causing the synovial fluid to become more viscous, knees can get achy and prone to injury in the cold. The general rule is that your joints should be covered when it’s 50 degrees Fahrenheit or colder.

Compared to shorts or capri tights, running tights are more equipped to protect joints and muscles from exposure to the cold, especially with wet weather or wind. Some tights, like the lightweight Patagonia Endless Run Tights, are a good option when it’s just a little too cold for shorts, but you don’t need heavy tights.

Are running tights the same as running pants or joggers?

Running tights will vary a bit in how tight they are against the skin, but in general, they are tighter than running pants or joggers. Due to the specific fabrics used, running tights offer superior warmth and wind protection compared to joggers. Running pants are generally looser and not as warm, while joggers are heavier, less breathable, and better suited to cross-training, gym workouts, and lounging.

Do I need winter-specific running tights?

Winter-specific is not a descriptor you’re likely to see when reading about running tights. Some brands provide guidance on what temperature their tights are best suited for. A pair of tights like the Tracksmith Turnover Tights are great for chilly runs at and above freezing, but something like the Norrøna Trollveggen Warmwool2 Stretch Tights are better when temperatures really drop.

In general, heavier-weight materials, like softshell or wool, should be considered for very cold climates. However, many of us can get by with more traditional nylon or polyester blends, including options like the Saucony Elite Tight and  Patagonia Endless Run Tights, when our days typically hover around 30 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

What tights should I wear in cold wind or rainy weather? What tights do I need for mild winter or fall days?

While you could wear a pair of rain pants over a pair of tights for cold and wet running, better options are available. Water-resistant tights work well for damp weather, and tights made of very breathable Gore-Tex fabric blends, like those found in the Gorewear R5 Gore-Tex Infinium Tights, can save you from clammy or soggy legs, such as you might experience in a fully waterproof nylon pant.

Sometimes, mild winter weather — cold enough to layer up but mild enough that you could generate significant sweat on the run — is the trickiest to dress for! In these conditions, leaning on a pair of tights that breathe well will make your running most comfortable.

Call for Comments

• What are your favorite men’s running tights?
• How many months out of the year do you run in tights?
• Are there any elements that you look for in a good cold-weather tight?

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