13 Best Running Tights of 2025 to Keep Your Legs Warm

ShoppingThere's no such thing as bad weather, only bad running gear.By Will PorterFebruary 4, 2025Images: Getty and Will PorterSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.Pounding the pavement when it's dark and miserable out requires a certain mental fortitude. Where that fails, a pair of the best running tights can push you the rest of the way out the door—especially if you're the type of coldblooded runner that needs the extra insulation. While sweats and tapered joggers are always worthwhile stand-ins, if you're prioritizing speed, tights are your streamlined, aerodynamic friend: the optimal choice for warmth, comfort, and compression, whether worn alone or layered under your favorite running shorts.Below, we logged some miles in the blustery cold to put a bunch of running tights through their paces, from Gore-Tex leggings that combat rain and snow to half-tight hybrids for days when the weather just breaks 40 degrees and you want to let your calves breathe. A few other options mentioned here we weren't able to test firsthand, but they do have good brand credibility and specs in case you want to shop around.The Best Running Tights, According to GQBest Running Tights for The Absolute Coldest Days: Tracksmith NDO Tights, $195Best for Everyday Runs: Bandit Superbeam, $128Best Tights That Aren’t That Tight: Path Projects Benham Hybrid Tight, $158Best Tights for Road-to-Trail Runners: Janji Trail Tights, $98Best Running Tights for Light Trail Running: Nike Lunar Ray Tights, $145 $117Best Tights For Menswear-Obsessed Runners: Satisfy Justice CoffeeThermal Tights, $300Best Half-Tights for Medium-Cold Days: District Vision 9-Inch Half Tights, $150Looking for Something Specific?AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronMore Running Tights We LoveWhat to Look for in Running TightsThe Best Running Tights for The Absolute Coldest Days: Tracksmith NDO TightsChevronChevronTracksmithNDO Tights$198 TracksmithPros & ConsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronProsFully windproof360° reflective panelConsToo warm for many climatesPockets: ThreeLiner: YesThe New England-based running obsessives at Tracksmith know the cold all too well—a few jogs along the Massachusetts waterfront in the winter will do that for you. That's why these extra warming “NDO” tights are made with double-layered, water-repellant fabric. They're the perfect defense against freezing winds, keeping your muscles well-supported with compression and your legs toasty enough to keep trudging. They're even blessed with reflective details if you're, ahem, going the extra mile and running at night.Best for Everyday Runs: Bandit SuperbeamChevronChevronBanditSuperbeam Tights$128 BanditPros & ConsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronProsUltra-soft, silky materialDouble-layered front for extra coverageUseful pocketingConsNot ideal for the coldest days of winterPockets: SevenLiner: NoThanks to a great fit, ultrasoft materials, and a whopping seven pockets, these are our pick for running all day and every day in the winter. Double-layered fabric at the center-front panel adds an all-important bit of coverage for days when your runs end at the coffee shop and reflective branding keeps you lit up when the sun starts to go down.Best Tights That Aren’t That Tight: Path Projects Benham Hybrid TightChevronChevronPath ProjectsBenham Hybrid Tight$158 Path ProjectsPros & ConsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronProsGreat for very cold daysSoft fleece is very comfortable against the skinConsToo warm for in-between daysPockets: ThreeLiner: NoNot every person is ready to bare it all to the community when they step out on a winter day. For those folks (or ones who just prefer sweats), the Benham Hybrid Tight from Path Projects is the move. They’re made with warm, lightweight Karuishi Active Fleece that kept us warm on a devastatingly cold Wisconsin evening and come with a handful of pockets to keep your necessities nearby. They’re tight from the knee down, but have some extra room in the hip and thigh that lets you wear these even when you’re not on the run.Best Tights for Snowy Excursions: Ciele FRDWintertightCieleFRDWintertight$150 CielePros & ConsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronProsMade for the coldest daysGreat for other activities than runningConsOn the expensive sidePockets: ThreeLiner: NoMontreal’s Ciele has never let cold weather get the best of them, which is really the only option for a brand based in the Great White North. Their team and community are no strangers to running in the snow all winter, so they made the FRDWintertight for those days when the ground is blanketed. They’re wind-, snow-, and sleet-resistant; have multiple pockets; and might even become your go-to for wearing under your ski kit.The Best Tights for Road-to-Trail Runners: Janji Trail TightsJanjiTrail Tights$98 JanjiPros & ConsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronProsGreat po

Feb 5, 2025 - 02:24
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13 Best Running Tights of 2025 to Keep Your Legs Warm
There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad running gear.
Image may contain Clothing Pants Person Footwear Shoe Photography Desk Furniture and Table best running tights
Images: Getty and Will Porter

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Pounding the pavement when it's dark and miserable out requires a certain mental fortitude. Where that fails, a pair of the best running tights can push you the rest of the way out the door—especially if you're the type of coldblooded runner that needs the extra insulation. While sweats and tapered joggers are always worthwhile stand-ins, if you're prioritizing speed, tights are your streamlined, aerodynamic friend: the optimal choice for warmth, comfort, and compression, whether worn alone or layered under your favorite running shorts.

Below, we logged some miles in the blustery cold to put a bunch of running tights through their paces, from Gore-Tex leggings that combat rain and snow to half-tight hybrids for days when the weather just breaks 40 degrees and you want to let your calves breathe. A few other options mentioned here we weren't able to test firsthand, but they do have good brand credibility and specs in case you want to shop around.


The Best Running Tights, According to GQ


Looking for Something Specific?

The Best Running Tights for The Absolute Coldest Days: Tracksmith NDO Tights

Tracksmith

NDO Tights

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Fully windproof
  • 360° reflective panel
Cons
  • Too warm for many climates

The New England-based running obsessives at Tracksmith know the cold all too well—a few jogs along the Massachusetts waterfront in the winter will do that for you. That's why these extra warming “NDO” tights are made with double-layered, water-repellant fabric. They're the perfect defense against freezing winds, keeping your muscles well-supported with compression and your legs toasty enough to keep trudging. They're even blessed with reflective details if you're, ahem, going the extra mile and running at night.

Best for Everyday Runs: Bandit Superbeam

Bandit

Superbeam Tights

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Ultra-soft, silky material
  • Double-layered front for extra coverage
  • Useful pocketing
Cons
  • Not ideal for the coldest days of winter

Thanks to a great fit, ultrasoft materials, and a whopping seven pockets, these are our pick for running all day and every day in the winter. Double-layered fabric at the center-front panel adds an all-important bit of coverage for days when your runs end at the coffee shop and reflective branding keeps you lit up when the sun starts to go down.

Best Tights That Aren’t That Tight: Path Projects Benham Hybrid Tight

Path Projects

Benham Hybrid Tight

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Great for very cold days
  • Soft fleece is very comfortable against the skin
Cons
  • Too warm for in-between days

Not every person is ready to bare it all to the community when they step out on a winter day. For those folks (or ones who just prefer sweats), the Benham Hybrid Tight from Path Projects is the move. They’re made with warm, lightweight Karuishi Active Fleece that kept us warm on a devastatingly cold Wisconsin evening and come with a handful of pockets to keep your necessities nearby. They’re tight from the knee down, but have some extra room in the hip and thigh that lets you wear these even when you’re not on the run.

Best Tights for Snowy Excursions: Ciele FRDWintertight

Image may contain: Clothing, Pants, Hosiery, and Tights

Ciele

FRDWintertight

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Made for the coldest days
  • Great for other activities than running
Cons
  • On the expensive side

Montreal’s Ciele has never let cold weather get the best of them, which is really the only option for a brand based in the Great White North. Their team and community are no strangers to running in the snow all winter, so they made the FRDWintertight for those days when the ground is blanketed. They’re wind-, snow-, and sleet-resistant; have multiple pockets; and might even become your go-to for wearing under your ski kit.

The Best Tights for Road-to-Trail Runners: Janji Trail Tights

Janji

Trail Tights

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Great pockets
  • One of the most comfortable pairs of tights we tried
Cons
  • Not great for days below 25°F

Part of running in the winter is deciding whether to stay on the tarmac or to hit the trails. If you’re someone who wants to have it both ways, the Janji Trail Tights are the answer. They’re incredibly warm for tights that aren’t fleece-lined and boast a bunch of handy pockets for keeping valuables and granola bars close at hand. They're also super durable, according to our testing, and keep wind and precipitation at bay without any excess materials or paneling so you don't overheat.

The Best Running Tights for Light Trail Running: Nike Lunar Ray Tights

Nike

Lunar Ray Tights

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Zipper at ankle for easy-on, easy-off
  • A slightly looser fit is more versatile
Cons
  • Not ideal for layering under shorts

We’ve tried a lot of trail running gear here at GQ and can vouch that the Swoosh is one of the best places to shop, from its hero sneakers to its techy apparel. Take these Lunar Ray tights, which we put through their paces first-hand in the great outdoors. We loved the blend of warmth and breathability, plus the handy pockets and internal briefs that keep you supported when things get frosty. Whether you’re knocking out a quick mile or training for an ultra marathon, these are up to the task.

The Best Tights For Menswear-Obsessed Runners: Satisfy Justice CoffeeThermal Tights

Satisfy

Justice CoffeeThermal Tights

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Very lightweight for the amount of warmth
  • Side pockets are easy to access
Cons
  • Not the softest material

Fresh out the packaging, the Justice CoffeeThermal tights from Satisfy aren't the softest pants on the planet, but once you pull them on, you won't find a more comfortable, versatile, and easy-wearing pair of running tights. The brand’s proprietary CoffeeThermal fabric is stretchy in every direction, provides the perfect amount of compression, and nterknit with coffee-charcoal fibers that naturally insulate you from the cold. The side pockets are also roomy but snug enough to reduce bounce from your phone mid-stride, which is not something that can be said of all running tights.

Best Tights for Warmer Winter Days: District Vision 9-Inch Half Tights

District Vision

9-Inch Half Tights

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Comfortable over long distances without chafing
  • Keep thighs warm with minimal weight
Cons
  • More pockets would be nice

DV is one of the swaggiest brands in running, but they also put a premium on performance. If you live somewhere like LA, where the temperature coasts around 50 to 60 degrees in the dead of winter, the District Vision Half Tight are a healthy compromise between a streamlined fit and a short silhouette. The Italian-milled, stretchy fabric is tight and silky enough to be comfortable regardless of how long you're sprinting, while the extra pockets are perfect for storing an energy gel when you need an extra kick.


More Running Tights We Love

Image may contain: Clothing, Hosiery, Tights, Adult, Person, and Pants

Hoka

Novafly Run Tight

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Great price for the features
  • Good variety of pockets
Cons
  • Not designed for weather under 25-30°F

Hoka makes some of the best running shoes you can buy, but it also makes surprisingly good running apparel, too. The Novafly Blend tights are made with the hardest trail races in the world in mind, namely the ultra-competitive UTMB Mont-Blanc. Even if you’re not running 100-mile races, they’re still great for everyday winter training.

Saysky

Combat+ Tights

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Great for transitional weather
  • Tight without constricting
Cons
  • Front seam can be uncomfortable

Designed and tested in the harsh winter conditions of Copenhagen, the Combat+ tights from Saysky are truly ready to take on any foul weather battle you find yourself in, whether it’s brutal winds, heavy snow or some combination of the two.

On Running

Performance Winter Tights

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Reflective details for night runs
  • Good for wearing alone or under shorts
Cons
  • Could use more pockets

On the more lightweight side, you have the Performance Winter Tights from Swiss brand On Running. They’re ideal for track workouts or days when speed is of the utmost importance, rather than warmth.

Smartwool

Active Fleece Tight

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Made from merino wool
  • Ankle zips
Cons
  • Merino wears in differently than most performance materials

Having merino wool as the first layer of defense against the cold is never a bad idea, so we had to include Smartwool’s Active Fleece Tights on the list. Plus, we love the reflective elements for the low-light conditions that are all too common in the winter.

Hoka

Merino Blend Tight

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Great price for the features
  • Good variety of pockets
Cons
  • Not designed for weather under 25-30°F

Hoka makes some of the best running shoes you can buy, but it also makes surprisingly good running apparel, too. The Merino Blend tights are made with the hardest trail races in the world in mind, namely the ultra-competitive UTMB Mont-Blanc.

What to Look for in Running Tights

Running tights don't look all that different on paper, but a couple details might move the needle for you if you're on the fence about a certain type. Here's what we'd suggest looking into before you pull the trigger on a pair of tights you've never tried.

Materials

Some running tights are silky soft like your favorite sweats. Others are blessed with tight-knit compression fabrics that keep your hammies and thighs in play when workouts get tough. This writer is a sweaty mess most of the time, even in winter, so ventilated tights are a godsend. If you tend to have the opposite problem, you may want to opt for tights made with thick and interwoven nylon or some other heat-retaining fabric to block out the cold. Or, if you know you'll be running come rain or come shine, some weatherproofing by way of Gore-Tex materials can also help you keep moving without getting soaked.

Construction

For even more weather-resistance, some tights have wind and rain blocking materials sewn onto the front panels, reverse fabrics on the back of the knees for breathability, or some other combination of techy materials that promising a more comfortable experience.

Storage

More than ever, brands are stuffing their gear with discreet pockets that let you keep your credit cards, energy gels, your phone, or keys on your person before you step out the door. Additional pockets on your workout gear are never a buzzkill, but you may not even need them if you're layering your tights under shorts or just hopping out with your keys for a couple laps around the local track.

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