Best Women’s Running Tights of 2025

We tested the best women’s running tights for a variety of conditions and types of runs. Our top picks include options from brands like Patagonia, Montane, Saucony, Tracksmith, and others.

By and on February 10, 2025 | Comments
Best Running Tights for Women - running on road in tights

Tights can keep you warm and comfortable on chilly runs. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Whether you’re running in frigid winter temperatures or want to protect your legs from the sun or overgrown trail, a variety of features differentiate the best women’s running tights from the rest. An array of features — including pockets, drawstrings, fleece linings, compression materials, and mesh panels — make different tights suitable for various situations and elevate them above the simple cotton tights used for more casual wear. A good pair of women’s running tights will stay in place, not chafe, and be highly breathable and quick-drying.

To create this buyer’s guide, we tested women’s running tights from well-known companies and some under-the-radar ones to find the best options currently on the market. We tested each in various weather conditions, accumulating hundreds of miles along the way in the mountains of Colorado, foothills of Idaho, deserts of Utah, rainforests of New Zealand, and other prime running locations. This guide aims to help you choose the best running tights for your unique needs.

After months of testing, our team loved the Patagonia Women’s Endless Run 7/8 Tights for their functional pockets, breathable material, and stylish fit. We also appreciated the compressive qualities of the CEP Compression Run Tights 4.0. When it came to comfort, the Tracksmith Turnover Tights shined above the rest.

Best Running Pants

Best Running Tights for Women - trail running in tights

Tights can keep your joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles warm and working when temperatures drop. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Overall Best Running Tights for Women: Patagonia Women’s Endless Run 7/8 Tights ($119)

Best Running Tights for Women - Patagonia Women's Endless Run 7 8 Tights - product photoPros:

  • Great pockets
  • Breathable and quick-drying

Cons:

  • They can sag with heavy items in pockets if you don’t tighten the drawstring

The Patagonia Women’s Endless Run 7/8 Tights stand out as a great overall set of tights that don’t fall down or sag, have pockets big enough for snacks or a phone, and provide protection from overgrown trails. They are also not so thick that they cause overheating in chilly but not cold temperatures. We repeatedly turned to these tights for morning and evening runs during the shoulder season, high-mountain adventures, fastpacking trips, and even trips to the coffee shop.

The material features 74% recycled nylon from recycled fishing nets. The remaining 26% of the fabric is spandex, and we found the material incredibly durable, even when we wore them on off-trail mountain adventures through scratchy bushes and trees. The material features a HeiQ Pure odor control treatment, and even after we wore these tights for several days in a row during fastpacking trips, they didn’t pick up an odor.

The two side pockets were our favorite feature of these tights. As believers in functional pockets, we found these were big enough and secure enough to carry a phone and plenty of snacks. We used them as trash receptacles during races and often stashed our phones in them when we needed easy access to them for navigation.

The material holds any pocket contents snugly against the body, and we had no issues with stuff bouncing around. We found that while the tights stayed up without tightening the exterior drawstring if we unloaded the pockets, we needed to cinch it down when carrying a load.

We found that the material was breathable and would try quickly if we had to splash through a creek or got caught out in the rain. The backs of the knees feature a highly breathable pique-mesh material to help with temperature regulation.

Our team has always appreciated Patagonia’s commitment to environmental causes and its goal of making its apparel as sustainably as possible. Patagonia crafts these tights in a Fair Trade Certified factory. The Ventura, California-based brand participates in the 1% for the Planet program, donating 1% of its annual sales to environmental causes.

Material: Recycled nylon, spandex

Shop the Patagonia Women's Endless Run 7/8 Tights

Best Budget Running Tights for Women: REI Co-op Swiftland 7/8 Running Tights – Women’s ($75)

Best Running Tights for Women - REI Co-op Swiftland 7-8 Running Tights - Womens - product photoPros:

  • Large, helpful side pockets
  • Durable
  • Affordable

Cons:

  • Drawstring on the inside has the potential to cause irritation

Our primary tester for the REI Co-op Swiftland 7/8 Running Tights – Women’s bought them for a trip along the Wind River High Route in the summer of 2023. She spent four days getting soaked to the bone in them during that trip, then proceeded to wear them while running an unsupported Nolan’s 14 FKT later that year, and then continued to use them as her primary tights for a series of fastpacking trips in both the dry and high desert of Utah and the wet rainforests of New Zealand. She still hasn’t managed to destroy them, try as she might.

These tights, which look and feel similar to the Patagonia Women’s Endless Run 7/8 Tights reviewed above, are made of a 71% nylon and 29% spandex blend that creates a slightly compressive, snug, and stretchy material. The material is wicking and dries quickly, and we found the tights comfortable in temperatures just above freezing and up into the 60-degree Fahrenheit range if we were out fastpacking and temperatures rose during the middle hours of the day.

The flatlock seam construction minimizes the opportunity for chafing during long days, and we haven’t seen any damage to the seams, even after prolonged use. The side pockets make these excellent adventure tights, as they’ll easily fit a phone or a pile of snacks — or serve as a trash collection receptacle for wrappers. There’s also a small internal waistband pocket for any small items.

We liked the fit of these tights. The wide waistband sits about mid-waist level. And there’s a drawcord to snug everything down, which we used whenever we had heavier items in the pockets.

Material: Nylon, spandex

Shop the REI Co-op Swiftland 7/8 Running Tights

Best Cold-Weather Running Tights for Women: Montane Women’s Slipstream Trail Running Tights ($100)

Best Running Tights for Women - Montane Women's Slipstream Trail Running Tights - product photoPros:

  • Warm
  • Equipped with reflective details
  • Environmentally conscious production

Cons:

  • Pilling may occur with frequent use and washing

While some tights excelled in chilly conditions, the Montane Women’s Slipstream Trail Running Tights really shined when temperatures dropped well below freezing. Some of our testers said these were the best running tights they had worn recently and used them as their go-to choice all winter for their cold-weather runs. Made of Econyl regenerated nylon threads, these pants are environmentally friendly, extremely stretchy, and warm. In warmer temperatures, these tights didn’t feel super breathable, but when it came to the cold, they kept our legs, knees, and hips warm and comfortable.

Montane has nailed the little details with these tights. The Apex-Dry Mesh panels behind the knees help improve breathability in that key area, an internal waist drawstring supplements the stretchy waistband to keep the tights in place, and a rear zippered pocket can hold small running essentials.

Small side pockets will fit gels or keys but aren’t big enough for a phone or a significant number of calories. There are also zippers on the ankles to make getting in and out of these tights easier. Reflective hits in strategic locations make these a good option for night runs, especially if you’re running on the road.

The fit of these tights is excellent, and though they do not have any specific weatherproofing technology, their thickness helps you stay warm in the cold. We did find that some piling occurred after a winter of use and washes.

Material: Polyester, elastane

Shop the Montane Women's Slipstream Trail Running Tights

Best Moderate-Temperature Running Tights for Women: Saucony Women’s Elite Tight ($110)

Best Running Tights for Women - Saucony Women's Elite Tight - product photoPros:

  • Zippered ankle for easy on and off
  • Great for racing

Cons:

  • Not suitable for freezing temperatures

The Saucony Women’s Elite Tight is an excellent option if you live in an area that doesn’t get cold in the winter but is chilly enough that you want more protection from the elements than what shorts can provide. These lightweight tights are also great for fall and spring temperatures in the mountains, cool morning and evening runs, and even for racing in cold temperatures. That said, they are less ideal for frigid winter running. If you want that barely-there feeling with tights, you’ve got it made with these. Even if you have bigger calves or quads, they can stretch to adapt. Their sizing is accurate, and we didn’t feel the material was restrictive.

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 end your run once things have warmed up. The excellent airflow will keep you from overheating. You could potentially even wear these on a warmer day if you are looking for protection from the sun. The material wicks well and stays dry.

Zippers on the ankles make getting in and out of these tights easy. The elastic waistband and an internal drawstring keep them in place during a run. A rear-zippered pocket holds small running essentials.

Material: Recycled nylon and spandex

Shop the Saucony Women's Elite Tight

Best Reflective Running Tights for Women: CEP Reflective Tights, Women ($120)

Best Running Tights for Women - CEP Reflective Tights Women - product photoPros:

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

Cons:

  • They may feel tight and stiff when putting them on

Visibility is important if you regularly  run in the dark, and the CEP Reflective Tights, Women are a great way to stay seen. Illuminating the legs is one of the easiest ways to signal to drivers that you’re a runner, and these tights do exactly that using Smart Reflective technology. The material lights up brightly in the headlights of passing cars, and the movement of your legs will catch the eye of drivers more effectively than having reflective material on some other parts of your body. Paired with a headlamp and reflective running vest, these tights will increase your safety when running on the road at night.

These tights also offer great compression. The Tightfit Technology keeps them snug on your legs, providing warmth and support. They are windproof and water-repellant, and they wick well to keep you dry. 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 material features recycled fabric consisting of a polyester, polyamide, and elastane blend.

While there are plenty of options for compression tights, these are unique because CEP designed them to be the only tights you wear, rather than just a compression undergarment. They also come with a rear pocket for your basic running essentials.

You can learn more about other options for reflective running clothing in our best reflective running gear guide.

Material: Polyester, polyamide, elastane

Shop the Women's CEP Reflective Tights

Best Compression Running Tights for Women: CEP Compression Run Tights 4.0, Women ($150)

Best Running Tights for Women - CEP Compression Run Tights 4.0 Women's- product photoPros:

  • Highly breathable
  • Good stretch
  • Provides muscle support

Cons:

  • No weatherproofing
  • Compression isn’t for everyone
  • Expensive

Many runners appreciate the added support that compression clothing can provide. The CEP Compression Run Tights 4.0 for women are a breathable, comfortable option. Unlike many other styles of compression tights, CEP designed these to be standalone garments.

Compression gear is not everyone’s cup of tea, but many appreciate it during runs and for recovery afterward. While the science of compression clothing improving performance during a run is mixed, there is evidence that wearing it afterward for recovery can make a big difference.

That said, if you feel a benefit from wearing compression clothing for running, do it! Wearing compression gear can make all the difference for people who suffer from achy joints in cold weather and may help increase circulation and stabilize muscles.

These tights utilize compression in the calf, shin, quad, and hamstring areas to provide support to all parts of your legs. You may hear the word compression and be worried that these tights are too constricting or lack breathability. That is not the case! CEP reinforces the girdle and groin areas, reducing breathability, 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 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.

If you don’t want full compression tights but are still looking for extra support, check out our best compression socks guide.

Material: Polyamide, elastane

Shop the Women's CEP Compression Run Tights 4.0

Most Comfortable Running Tights for Women: Tracksmith Women’s Turnover Tights ($125)

Best Running Tights for Women - Tracksmith Women's Turnover Tights - product photoPros:

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

Cons:

  • Lack of pockets

The Tracksmith Women’s Turnover Tights perfectly blend functionality and comfort. They are made of a luxurious fabric and allow room for unrestricted movement. They are also super-stylish and equipped with ankle zips that make them easy to take on and off. We loved how the brushed fabric felt against our skin and looked forward to putting them on for our chilly-to-cold weather runs.

We found these tights to be an excellent option for runs in 30-degree Fahrenheit temperatures and up to mid-50s. The fabric breathes very well and isn’t heavy. You can choose lined or unlined tights with a lightweight brief.

It is common to find that your most comfortable tights do not excel in the performance department, especially in bad weather, but that’s a non-issue with these. These tights shed light precipitation and dry quickly once wet. A zippered back pocket can store gels, keys, or a credit card, and the elastic waistband ensures they don’t fall down or move around. Two smaller drop-in pockets provide additional storage for small items.

Material: Nylon, elastane

Shop the Tracksmith Women's Turnover Tights

Comparing the Best Running Tights for Women

Tights PRICE MATERIAL
Patagonia Women’s Endless Run 7/8 Tights $119 Recycled nylon, spandex
REI Co-op Swiftland 7/8 Running Tights – Women’s $75 Nylon, spandex
Montane Women’s Slipstream Trail Running Tights $100 Polyester, elastane
Saucony Women’s Elite Tight $110 Recycled nylon and spandex
CEP Reflective Tights, Women $120 Polyester, polyamide, elastane
CEP Compression Run Tights 4.0, Women $150 Polyamide, elastane
Tracksmith Women’s Turnover Tights $120 Nylon, elastane

 

Best Running Tights for Women - running on rocky trail

When temperatures drop, the right running tights can keep your legs warm and keep you running outside. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

How to Choose the Best Women’s Running Tights

We all need bottoms to run in, and the sheer array of options for the best running tights for women can be intimidating. While most runners prefer tights only during colder weather, some choose them year-round for comfort or protection. With so many options, it’s important to hone in on a few key features to help you differentiate between them.

Fit

Let’s be honest: how your running tights fit is the most important thing to consider when choosing the right pair for you. No one wants tights that fit weirdly in the groin area, fall down when running, pinch at the waist, or chafe. Body shape and personal preference will ultimately determine which tights will fit you the most comfortably. The biggest difference in how tights fit is the height of the waist.

While most of the tights in this guide, including our favorite, the Patagonia Women’s Endless Run 7/8 Tightscome up to the middle of the waist, some, like the CEP Reflective Tights, have a much higher waist. This higher waist can provide more support throughout the abdomen and lower back area. Some people love the look and additional support, while others hate it.

When determining fit, you should also consider the level of compression a pair of tights provides. Tights like the CEP Compression Run Tights 4.0 offer a high level of compression throughout the various parts of the legs, while the REI Co-op Swiftland 7/8 Running Tights and the Saucony Women’s Elite Tight include much more stretchy and forgiving material that only provides the slightest level of compression. We didn’t find that any of the tights included in this guide restricted movement. 

Let’s not forget the dreaded chafe. If you are prone to hot spots in any specific area of the body, you will want to look at the seams and tightness of fabric in different places and how they might fit on your body before purchasing a new pair of running tights. Tights like the Tracksmith Women’s Turnover Tights with flatlock seams have a lower chance of chafing than those with regular seams. The most frequent areas of chafing with tights are around the waist and the groin, so you’ll want to ensure that your tights aren’t too tight or loose.

Best Running Tights for Women - climbing ridge in tights

iRunFar’s Meghan Hicks wears a pair of tights while running in the New Zealand backcountry. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Weight

The weight of tights tends to be directly proportional to the warmth they provide. Full-on winter tights — like those we recommend in our Best Winter Running Gear guide — will be much heavier than a pair of moderate-temperature tights like the Saucony Women’s Elite Tight.

A lightweight pair of tights can feel like wearing nothing at all, while heavy ones can keep you warm in the coldest conditions. We found that the Montane Women’s Slipstream Trail Running Tights worked well when temperatures dropped below freezing.

While the weight differences between most of the tights included in this guide are negligible, minor variations come from the addition of ankle zippers, pockets, or extra insulation. The lightest running tights weigh anywhere from six to 11 ounces and typically feature a blend of materials like polyester or nylon.

Fleece-lined or otherwise insulated tights are built for running in colder conditions and can weigh up to around 17 ounces. Finding running tights that keep you warm and are light enough to be comfortable is important.

Material

The material of a pair of tights determines how they fit, breathe, and keep you warm. Most tights feature a blend of synthetic materials, including nylon, spandex, and elastane.

The best running tights for women include quick-drying and moisture-wicking materials, helping to keep you warm (or cool) and dry and avoiding hot spots and hypothermia. While you want a thin fabric to wick sweat from your skin, you also want something durable enough to handle skidding across a rock during a fall or getting snagged on a branch hanging into a trail. We found the REI Co-op Swiftland 7/8 Running Tights to have impressive durability across various mountainous and desert conditions, including overgrown trails.

Best Running Tights for Women - on a ridge wearing the REI Co-op Swiftland 78 Running Tights - Womens

The durability, pockets, and price of the REI Co-op Swiftland 7/8 Running Tights led us to call them our favorite budget option. Photo: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks

UPF Rating

The best women’s running tights can protect you from the sun and minimize the amount of sunscreen you have to slather on your skin. Winter running, especially in the sun, can result in a lot of sun exposure, and you’ll want to protect your legs from harmful UV rays. Many materials come with a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating that measures how much protection they provide from the sun.

While none of the tights included in this guide have a UPF rating, it’s fair to assume that the ones with slightly thicker material, like the Montane Women’s Slipstream Trail Running Tights, provide significant sun protection. 

You can read more about UPF ratings and measurements in our best sun shirts for running guide.

Breathability

No one wants to feel like a stuffed and suffocating sausage during their long or speedy run, and the breathability of tights is important. In fact, many runners will cling to shorts for as long as possible as cold weather creeps up before succumbing to covering their legs. Luckily, the breathability of tights continues to improve, and a pair like the Saucony Women’s Elite Tight can let your legs feel the breeze while providing just that little bit of extra warmth you need.

Lightweight tights are also great for those who want to wear tights for protection from an overgrown trail or the sun during warmer parts of the year. We found that we could wear the REI Co-op Swiftland 7/8 Running Tights in reasonably warm temperatures without feeling like we were overheating, and this was mainly due to their breathability. 

Best Running Tights for Women - wearing tights while fastpacking

The iRunFar team often chooses tights while fastpacking for extra protection from the elements. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Managing moisture and regulating temperature during a run is critical. The best running tights for women have the material technology to stay dry while wicking moisture away from the skin. Tights that stay dry can also decrease the chance of chafing.

Some tights, including the Patagonia Women’s Endless Run 7/8 Tights and the Montane Women’s Slipstream Trail Running Tights, have strategically placed mesh panels behind the knees to enhance airflow and reduce heat buildup.

Durability

Whether you are a trail runner or a road runner, you will want a pair of running tights that can last you many miles and are durable enough to withstand various running conditions. Quality running tights tend to have a higher price tag, but they will often outlast less expensive options.

They will definitely stand up to the elements better than a pair of less expensive tights designed for indoor use. We found our favorite budget tights, the REI Co-op Swiftland 7/8 Running Tights, virtually indestructible on the trail.

As expected, thinner materials are more prone to tears and rips than thicker ones. The lightweight Saucony Women’s Elite Tight may not have the long-term durability of a pair of tights like the slightly thicker Patagonia Women’s Endless Run 7/8 Tights or the Montane Women’s Slipstream Trail Running Tights, but they should still last you many miles, especially if you stay off overgrown trails that can snag the material. 

Best Running Tights for Women - stemming in a canyon slot wearing Patagonia Women's Endless Run 7/8 Tights

Eszter Horanyi tests the durability of the Patagonia Women’s Endless Run 7/8 Tights during a fastpacking trip in Utah. Photo: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks

Odor Prevention

After a long or hard run, stinking a bit is inevitable. However, that does not mean we shouldn’t take any steps to avoid some extra stench. Some of the best women’s running tights, like the Patagonia Women’s Endless Run 7/8 Tights, are treated with antimicrobial agents that minimize the growth of bacteria, one of the leading causes of odor.

One of the best ways to reduce odor buildup is to keep materials as dry as possible, which is where the moisture-wicking ability of a fabric comes into play. Fabrics like polyester and nylon, which wick well and dry quickly, can minimize the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Natural odor-resistant materials like wool are also excellent at minimizing smell.

Warmth

Whether you plan to run through the cold and snowy winter months in Colorado or wind and rain in Seattle, you will want to consider exactly how warm your chosen running tights will keep you. Some runners overheat easily while on the trails, and others can’t stay warm enough. Luckily, there are running pants made for all warmth and condition needs.

While this guide looks at tights for the moderately cold conditions that most of us run in, there are plenty of options for when temperatures really drop. You can check out our best cold weather running gear guide to explore some of the best available options. We found that the Montane Women’s Slipstream Trail Running Tights were warm enough for the cold conditions most of us encounter during our regular winter runs. 

You can wear all the tights in this guide alone, but they can also be part of a layering system if you need extra warmth. For example, you can wear shorts over your tights or a full set of wind or rain pants for even more protection. While the CEP Compression Run Tights 4.0 for women are fairly unique in the compression tights sphere for being a standalone garment, they are easy to layer underneath another layer for more warmth.

Best Running Tights for Women - fastpacking in tights

Meghan Hicks of iRunFar uses tights for fastpacking in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Sustainability

While sustainability may not be at the forefront of everyone’s minds when choosing the best running tights for women, it’s becoming an important consideration for many. When thinking about sustainability, you will want to consider things like recycled materials in products and whether the company uses environmentally friendly practices to produce an item.

The Patagonia Women’s Endless Run 7/8 Tights feature recycled nylon from old fishing nets, and the company continues to be a leader in environmental stewardship. The Saucony Women’s Elite Tight and CEP Reflective Tights also feature recycled materials.

Our team advocates purchasing apparel that will last a long time, so you don’t have to replace it regularly. We were impressed with the durability of the REI Co-op Swiftland 7/8 Running Tights and would recommend them to anyone who is traditionally hard on their gear. 

Why You Should Trust Us

As product testers and writers at iRunFar, trust is the cornerstone of our commitment to delivering honest, insightful, and dependable product reviews and recommendations. When it comes to testing running tights for women, we make it a point to ensure that our evaluations of products are thorough. Many team members regularly run and fastpack in tights throughout the year.

We started this guide by polling our group of road, ultra, and trail runners about their favorite tights. We then went on to test nearly 20 pairs of tights in a variety of conditions in Colorado, Oregon, Idaho, and New Zealand. We wanted to find tights that work for various running conditions, including different temperatures, body types, and weather.

After a minimum of 100 miles of wear, we evaluated tights on their comfort, fit, durability, and features, such as pockets, zippers, and other extras. We also considered their moisture-wicking capabilities, breathability, and wind resistance. Our goal is to find the best running tights for women that will work for a wide range of people running in different conditions.

New tights are always coming onto the running market, and we continue testing new products and updating this guide with the ones we love.

Best Running Tights for Women - running on track in the snow

iRunFar gear tester and editor Alli Miles wears tights during a marathon training session on the track. Photo: iRunFar/Alli Miles

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Running Tights for Women

When and why should I wear tights instead of shorts while running?

The choice between wearing tights or shorts while running often depends on a variety of factors, including the weather, personal preference, and the specific conditions of your run. Tights are a great choice when the temperature drops, as they provide insulation to warm your joints and muscles during chilly or cold outings.

Keeping tendons, ligaments, joints, and muscles warm during a run can improve performance and decrease the chance of injury. Thinner tights like the Saucony Women’s Elite Tight are an excellent mid-temperature option for keeping your knees covered without worrying about overheating.

Some runners prefer not to wear pants until temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, while others slip them on with the slightest chill. If it’s windy, tights can help you stay comfortable during your run, especially when combined with lower temperatures. The Montane Women’s Slipstream Trail Running Tights provide a high level of warmth and protection from the elements. You can easily pair all the tights in this guide with rain or wind pants for extra protection from the elements.

If you’re running on rugged or wooded trails, wearing tights can help protect your legs from scratches, scrapes, and insect bites. They are instrumental in areas with overgrown vegetation. Tights are also a good option if your run is going from colder to warmer temperatures, or vice versa, as it’s easier to cool yourself down while wearing tights by getting them wet than it is to warm yourself up when wearing shorts. For this reason, many of our testers wear tights for fastpacking adventures or self-supported runs that span day and night. We found that the REI Co-op Swiftland 7/8 Running Tights stood up to nearly any abuse we threw at them. 

You can use compression tights like the CEP Compression Run Tights 4.0 for recovery purposes in addition to running. These garments support the muscles and aid recovery after a strenuous run by increasing blood flow to the muscles. Choosing between tights and shorts can also come down to personal comfort. Some runners feel more at ease and perform better in tights, regardless of the weather or conditions.

Best Running Tights for Women - running on slickrock

iRunFar’s Meghan Hicks turns to tights for winter runs in the Moab desert. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Can I layer with running tights?

All of the tights in this guide are designed to be standalone garments and have the durability to stand up to snags and abrasion on the trail. That said, if it’s raining or snowing outside, you might want to wear wind pants or rain pants over your tights. You can check out our favorite options in our best running pants guide. The tights included in this guide can all function like a base layer. That said, if you want something to wear exclusively as a base layer, check out our best base layers guide.

The CEP Compression Run Tights 4.0 are unique in the realm of compression tights because you can wear them alone without another layer.

What are the best running tights for women?

The best running tights for women combine fit, function, and style. What works best for you is largely individual preferences and will depend on the specific type of running you do, the weather conditions you encounter, and whether you want side pockets or not. The simplest tights, like the lightweight Saucony Women’s Elite Tights, have few features and only small pockets, which can be great for many applications.

The Patagonia Women’s Endless Run 7/8 Tights or the REI Co-op Swiftland 7/8 Running Tights are great options if you want pockets that can securely hold a phone or some calories. If a soft material and style rank high on your list of features, consider the Tracksmith Women’s Turnover Tights. If you want compression, consider the CEP Compression Run Tights, which can provide recovery benefits and may help improve performance while running.

Before committing to a pair of tights, consider your type of running. Is durability a top priority, or do you want a lot of reflective material, like that found on the CEP Reflective Tights, to ensure that cars can see you on the roads at night? In the end, the best tights are the ones that fit you well.

Best Running Tights for Women - running trail in tights

iRunFar’s Alli Miles tests tights on a chilly run. Photos: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

​​What materials are running pants made out of?

Running tights for mild to reasonably cold temperatures are made of materials that prioritize comfort, moisture-wicking, breathability, and durability. Polyester, nylon, elastane, and spandex are standard materials in the best running tights for women. These fabrics pull sweat away from your skin to the outer surface of the tights so that it can evaporate, helping you stay dry and comfortable during your run.

Some tights, including the Montane Slipstream Trail Running Tights and Patagonia Women’s Endless Run 7/8 Tights, even have strategically placed mesh panels behind the knees to enhance breathability and ventilation in an area prone to sweat buildup.

Adding spandex or elastane to the fabric provides stretch and flexibility, allowing for a full range of motion during your run. This is particularly important since you want skin-tight tights without being restrictive. The Tracksmith Turnover Tights contain a high amount of nylon, a material known for its durability. Nylon tights, including the REI Co-op Swiftland 7/8 Running Tights, are less likely to tear or wear out quickly, making them suitable for trail running or other rugged conditions.

Best Running Tights for Women - wearing tights for sun protection in New Zealand

Wearing tights can provide protection against both scrub and the sun. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

What are the best running tights for warmer weather?

For runners wanting to wear tights in warmer temperatures, the Saucony Elite Tights are lightweight and cool. They feature recycled nylon and spandex, a highly breathable and wicking blend. Whether you’re wearing tights in warmer weather for sun protection or a buffer against overgrown shrubbery on the trail, or you’ve been running in cooler weather, and now the sun has come out, you’ll want to make sure they can move moisture from your skin effectively. Getting tights wet in a creek or lake is an excellent technique for cooling the legs off if you’re getting too hot, but it can also increase the chance of chafing.

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  • Do you have a favorite pair of running tights for women that we haven’t included? Let us know!
  • Do you frequently run in tights or stick to shorts whenever possible?
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Amber Nelson

Amber Nelson is a writer, trail and obstacle course runner, and lover of travel and new experiences. She’s been writing about all things health and fitness for about three years and especially loves writing about about anything running related. Running changed Amber’s life when she stumbled into it after a 100 pound weight loss. In her free time you can find her planning upcoming travel, listening to an audio book while running in the foothills of Boise, Idaho, or slowly chipping away at her PhD in social psychology.


Amber Nelson

Eszter Horanyi identifies as a Runner Under Duress, in that she’ll run if it gets her deep into the mountains or canyons faster than walking would, but she’ll most likely complain about it. A retired long-distance bike racer, she turned to running around 2014 and has a bad habit of saying yes to terribly awesome/awesomely terrible ideas on foot. The longer and more absurd the mission, the better. This running philosophy has led to an unsupported FKT on Nolan’s 14 and many long and wonderful days out in the mountains with friends.