Best Men’s Running Tights of 2024

Need a pair of men’s running tights? Here’s our buyer’s guide to the best available on the market today.

By on February 26, 2024 | Comments
Best Men's Running Tights - Norrona Trollveggen Warmwool2 Stretch Tights running on ice in moutains

The author Craig Randall runs across a frozen lake wearing the Norrøna Trollveggen Warmwool2 Stretch Tights. Photo: Christin Randall

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. Not all running tights are created equal, and there are some drastic differences in protection, coverage, features, and price. For this guide, we tested a wide variety of options, from the most recognizable brands in running to some on the fringes of the sport and from the burliest tights meant for difficult conditions to budget tights that won’t break the bank.

We’ve tested these in conditions that were slightly warm — around 40 degrees Fahrenheit — to downright frigid — below zero degrees Fahrenheit with wind chill — so that we could find the best running tights for men. I’ve taken some painful falls in these tights, which is a pretty efficient way to gauge durability. I’ve layered the tights 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, and your winters mild or extreme, you can find a single pair of tights that should serve most of your cold-weather running needs.

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

Best Men's Running Tights - Under Armour Fly Fast HeatGear Tights mountain top

The author Craig Randall testing atop a mountain outside Boulder, Colorado. Photo: Christin Randall

Best Overall Men’s Running Tights: rabbit Pocket Tightz ($100)

Best Men's Running Tights - rabbit Pocket Tightz - Product Photo

Pros:

  • Lighter than average
  • Loads of storage with three phone-sized pockets
  • Wind protection in sensitive zones
  • Ankle zips make de-layering or adding breathability easy

Cons:

  • Not quite enough reflectivity for evening running around traffic
  • Fabric might be a little too thick for runners accustomed to classic tights

With the rabbit Pocket Tightz, rabbit has found the perfect mix of comfort, warmth, and storage to earn the title of Best Overall Men’s Running Tights. While other tights in this guide might be warmer, less expensive, or easier to find at REI or on Amazon, for runners who want one pair of tights to meet most or all of their needs, this is it.

The cheeky marketing information rabbit uses refers to the Pocket Tightz as a “magical combination” of polyester and spandex, and they are not exaggerating: this fabric ratio forms one of the softest and most odor-resistant materials of any running tights in this guide. The tights are super soft against the skin and don’t need to be laundered after each use.

For daily training runs when a running pack or vest is overkill, but you still want to bring small items like a wind jacket, phone, or sunglasses, the Pocket Tightz’s deep dual hip pockets provide ample storage.

Ankle zippers aren’t ubiquitous in running tights, but they should be. This useful features allows for better layering options and making adjustments when your run is warmer than planned. They also make it easier to put the tights on and take them off.

These tights are also offered in a fleece-lined option called the rabbit Defroster Pocket Tightz, but unless you run in colder-than-average conditions, the standard Pocket Tightz should satisfy nearly every runner and winter condition. I found the coverage to be slightly wind-protective but not muggy, which was especially appreciated in the crotch zone.

Shop the rabbit Pocket Tightz

Best Overall Men’s Running Tights Runner-Up: Hoka Hupana Tight ($78)

Best Men's Running Tights - Hoka Hupana Tight - product photo

Pros:

  • Great fit straight out of the box
  • Stretchy yet compressive fabric

Cons:

  • Not great for very cold temperatures

There’s a certain temperature that’s too cold for shorts but too warm for heavy-duty tights, and that range is where the Hoka Hupana Tight excels. Our tester wore them in temperatures ranging from the low 30s Fahrenheit up into the mid 50s Fahrenheit and stayed comfortable at both of these extremes. These form-fitting tights are lightweight and stretchy, and they don’t hinder movement at all. They’re light enough for everyday runs, and you may even find yourself reaching for them for chilly race days.  The blend of recycled polyester and Lycra keeps the tights in place, and an elastic waistband and internal drawcord adds extra security. In fact, our tester said that moreso than any other tights that he tested, these were the right combination of stretch and compression to fit both his waist, which is narrow for his height, and his larger calves.

For ease of wear, they come with ankle zips, making them easy enough to get on and off over shoes. The zippers are smooth and seem plenty durable. The storage options for these tights are minimal, with just a small zip pocket on the hip that is big enough for a key or credit card.

Shop the Hoka Hupana Tight

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

Pros:

  • Thin, light, and loose 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 very cold climates might find the fabric to be too thin
  • The looser fit may bother runners who prefer skintight running apparel

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 appreciated this one subtle but genius detail: the drawstring is on the outside! The same much-loved detail applies to the Patagonia Endless Run Tights. Some have remarked that putting the drawstring on the outside of a winter garment is not as practical as in summer items because the strings might get caught against winter jackets with Velcro or trapped in the zipper of your wind jacket, but our tester didn’t find this to be an issue at all.

These tights are light and thin and a great option for those living in milder weather places. They are particularly adept at extending seasonal running from fall to winter to spring. They offer a slightly roomier fit in the legs and hips than traditional running tights, and they work great when layered with running shorts on warmer days. Overall, the tights are very breathable, and the mesh behind the knees sheds head well. The pockets will easily hold a small wind jacket and phone, and tightening up the waist drawstring keeps everything from bouncing.

You have to appreciate running apparel that doesn’t need to be washed after every use. Patagonia uses an exceptional odor-fighting textile from HeiQ for these tights, which is a great value-add that doesn’t contribute to a lot of extra cost. It’s one feature that Patagonia employs to decrease the resources used in home washing machines, with the silver-based antimicrobial fabric killing odors before they have the chance to build up.

These tights are highly breathable but still warm enough to wear in a wide range of cold temperatures. With excellent styling and color options at a reasonable price, they are an excellent investment that will serve you well for many seasons of cold-weather running.

Shop the Patagonia Endless Run Tights

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

Best Men's Running Tights - Gore Wear R5 Gore Tex Infinium Tights - Product Photo

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. The composition is 92% polyester and 8% elastane, so it’s not super soft against the skin, but the warmth is supreme compared to softer tights or thick fleece, for example.

The breathability is very good, and moisture management is excellent. The inseam is longer than average at about 32 inches (which was appreciated by our six-foot, four-inch tester) and is balanced well by the tightly fitted form, which isn’t loose in the waist or around the knees.

There are a few less-positive details in these tights compared to some others reviewed in this guide. There are ankle zippers, but getting the tights on and off over shoes still proved to be a challenge. There is a zippered rear center pocket but only one hip pocket, which is deep enough but not wide enough to fit a plus-sized iPhone.

The drawstring seems like an afterthought. The material is not very soft against the skin, and the strings easily slip back into the waistband.

Shop the Gorewear R5 GTX Infinium Tights

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

Best Men's Running Tights - Norrona Trollveggen Warmwool2 Stretch Tights - Product Photo

Pros:

  • Very durable and extremely warm
  • Running-specific fit makes for excellent mobility
  • Unique details set these tights apart from the rest
  • Warmwool2 material is very odor resistant

Cons:

  • Purpose-driven tights for very cold weather
  • Lack of wind protection is surprising given the quality of material and cost

The Norrøna Trollveggen Warmwool2 Stretch Tights are an unlikely item to show up on a running website such as iRunFar because the Norwegian company has roots in mountain sports like skiing and trekking, but  these are one of the better running tights on the market. 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 are the tights you need. The one caveat with the cold protection is severe wind. In testing the tights in the notoriously windy Rocky Mountain National Park of Colorado, a tailwind sent cold air straight onto my bum and the backs of my legs.

They are very comfortable, and perhaps the lack of wind protection is due to the highly stretchable material and the breathability. Norrøna claims that for other sports besides running, they are really a midlayer. The fabric is made of a mix of polyester and wool mix that provides great temperature regulation.

There are two more standout features of these tights that are rarely found in running tights. First, there are full-length zippers on both legs, making 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 to limit skin exposure to cold air while urinating.

Shop the Norrøna Trollveggen Warmwool2 Stretch Tights

Comparing the Best Men’s Running Tights

TIGHTS PRICE MATERIAL
rabbit Pocket Tightz $100 Polyester/spandex
Hoka Hupana Tight $78 Recycled polyester/lycra
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

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

Warmth

Warmth is a key component of running tights, and the classic running tights are very straightforward in this respect. Many of us have worn basic tights from popular road running brands for years, and they serve us well for keeping us warm in cold weather.

Yet for brands in the trail running and ultrarunning categories, the features vary wildly from the road. Trail running brands, for example, emphasize warmth just like their road counterparts but integrate technical fabrics that additionally stand up to abrasion, wind, rain, and snow.

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

The best way to think about choosing running tights based on warmth 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 has a huge effect on how they choose my cold-weather running clothing, and they prefer tights that can be layered to adjust for these wild temperature swings. For very 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.

Best Men's Running Tights - Patagonia Endless Run Tights running on snow in mountains

The author Craig Randall making his way through an icy mountain path wearing the Patagonia Endless Run Tights. Photo: Christin Randall

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 offer terrific breathability like their summer-season counterparts. The only instance we’ve found breathability comparatively lacking was with tights using Gore-Tex fabrics, such as 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 the fact that they are designed to be waterproof, they are just not as breathable as polyester-based tights. Most runners will find polyester tights satisfactory, but runners in particularly wet weather might want to invest in Gore-Tex 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 a great choice for mild winter days.

Fit

It was surprising to find such a wide variety of fits on these 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 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 down with accessories.

The inseam on men’s mediums 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 of tights you are considering in order to ensure your correct fit.

Cost

If you buy tights from a reputable running brand, they will cost a little more than running shorts. You can find tights on Amazon from $20 on up, but we chose to source samples from the most common and trusted brands in the sport. More wallet-friendly options are typically made with nontechnical 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, like the Gorewear R5 Gore-Tex Infinium Tights.

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

Best Men's Running Tights - Gore Wear R5 GTX Infinium Tights mountain running

The Gorewear R5 Gore-Tex Infinium Tights were made for cold weather running. Photo: Christin Randall

Waistband Width and Material

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

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 indeed a little irritating, but with some repositioning or tucking in your shirt, the problem is mostly alleviated. Patagonia gets 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.

Storage

Almost all of the tights included in this guide have two deep hip pockets, which is a much-appreciated feature. We tried each of these hip pockets for phone compatibility, and they are all excellent, even for a plus-sized iPhone.

These pockets are also ideal for storing a jacket and food. Consider the size of a large iPhone, and extrapolate out the similar-sized accessories that these pockets can accommodate. For example, we could take a Patagonia Houdini Jacket, a sub-16-ounce soft bottle, and gloves, hat, and fuel and store everything in the pockets of the rabbit Pocket Tightz. Many of the tights, however, 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, and it’s very refreshing to use your running gear day after day without bacteria or smells forming.

Ankle zips are less common on tights from trail running brands, but several companies do include them, including the rabbit Pocket Tightz. This is an especially useful 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, where 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.

Testing occurred in Colorado from the 5,500- to 8,000-foot local peaks and in the Rocky Mountains with elements ranging from sub-zero wind chill to pleasant 40-degree Fahrenheit runs in the sunshine.

When considering cost, we looked at how adaptable the tights were for other active cold-weather sports where they might be cross utilized. As you might expect from trail running brands, their products are advertised as such: what’s great for trail running is also great for cross-country skiing, hiking, or winter climbing.

In the end, we picked a clear winner that excelled best across our testing criteria. Others were chosen for their singular advantage among the criteria like extreme warmth, best fabric, and so forth.

Best Men's Running Tights - rabbit Pocket Tightz adjusting before running

Adjustable zippers are on each leg of the rabbit Pocket Tightz and are a detail many people appreciate on a pair of running tights. Photo: Christin Randall

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 can be problematic for athletes in the cold. Whether it’s the barometric pressure causing the knee joint to expand, or the synovial fluid to become more viscous, the general rule is that your knees should be covered when it’s 50 degrees Fahrenheit or colder.

Running tights, compared to shorts or even capri tights, are more equipped to handle exposure to the cold, especially with wet weather or wind. When it’s just a little too cold for shorts, the Patagonia Endless Run Tights are a good option.

Are running tights the same as running pants or joggers?

Running tights will vary a bit on just how tight they are against the skin, usually erring toward being tighter than running pants or joggers. In general, running tights will offer superior warmth and wind protection via specific fabrics and features used. Tights like the Gorewear R5 Gore-Tex Infinium Tights are much more form-fitting than pants or joggers and provide a lot more protection from the elements.

Running pants are generally looser and not as warm, while joggers are generally 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 choosing a pair of tights. Some brands provide guidance on what temperature their tights are best suited for. A pair of tights like the rabbit Pocket Tightz are great for chilly runs at and above freezing, but something like the Norrøna Trollveggen Warmwool2 Stretch Tights are even better when temperatures really drop.

In general, you should consider heavier-weight materials like softshell or wool for very cold climates. Many of us can get by with more traditional nylon or polyester blends when our days typically hover around 30 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

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

Water-resistant tights for really wet weather are recommended, and because options exist with very breathable Gore-Tex fabric blends, such as the Gorewear R5 Gore-Tex Infinium Tights, you won’t be suffering from clammy or soggy legs as you might in a fully waterproof nylon pant.

Sometimes mild winter weather — where it’s cold enough to layer up but mild enough that you generate significant heat and sweat on the run — is the trickiest for which to dress! In these conditions, leaning on a pair of tights that breathes 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 end up running in tights?
  • Are there any elements in particular that you look for in a good cold-weather tight?
Back to Our Top Men’s Running Tights Picks
Craig Randall

Craig Randall is a Gear Editor and Buyer’s Guide Writer at iRunFar. Craig has been writing about trail running apparel and shoes, the sport of trail running, and fastest known times for four years. Aside from iRunFar, Craig Randall founded Outdoor Inventory, an e-commerce platform and environmentally-driven second-hand apparel business. Based in Boulder, Colorado, Craig Randall is a trail runner who has competed in races, personal projects, and FKTs.