With temperatures dropping, it's time to pack up your favorite running shorts and treat yourself to a new pair of running tights. Or, if you're like many female runners, you run in leggings year-round thanks to their magical body-smoothing compression and anti-chafe benefits.
But your tights can do more than make you look good. They should give your legs life and make you excited for that next run. That's why we rounded up the best running tights this season and ranked them—on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest—for compression, warmth and sweat-wicking abilities.
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The Best Running Tights for Women
Written by
Nikki Chavanelle
Saucony Bullet Tight
$88
1 of 11
Compression: 4
Warmth: 2
Sweat-Wicking: 5
At just $88, you honestly cannot find a better running legging than the Saucony Bullet Tight. These will be the "little black dress" of your running wardrobe and your go-to chilly race-day favorites. The waist is medium rise and even though they don't hit all the way above the hip, they don't ride down. They're cool to the touch when you put them on and wick your sweat on long, hot runs. The Bullet Tight has a large back pocket and two large side pockets for your phone and keys.
Warmth: 2
Sweat-Wicking: 5
At just $88, you honestly cannot find a better running legging than the Saucony Bullet Tight. These will be the "little black dress" of your running wardrobe and your go-to chilly race-day favorites. The waist is medium rise and even though they don't hit all the way above the hip, they don't ride down. They're cool to the touch when you put them on and wick your sweat on long, hot runs. The Bullet Tight has a large back pocket and two large side pockets for your phone and keys.
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Your Next RaceLululemon Fast & Free 7/8 Tight
$128
1 of 11
Compression: 4
Warmth: 2
Sweat-Wicking: 4
Lululemon is known for having some of the most luxurious fabric on the market and the Fast & Free tights made with Nulux is no exception. These running tights slide on like butter--and they don't slide down. They have a very nice compressing high-waist that keeps you tucked in in all the right places. The Fast & Free have small pockets for cash or cards all around the waistband and larger pockets on the side for your car key and smart phone. The pockets are tight, so your items stay securely in place. These leggings are Lululemon's top choice for runners and they definitely make it into our weekly rotation.
Warmth: 2
Sweat-Wicking: 4
Lululemon is known for having some of the most luxurious fabric on the market and the Fast & Free tights made with Nulux is no exception. These running tights slide on like butter--and they don't slide down. They have a very nice compressing high-waist that keeps you tucked in in all the right places. The Fast & Free have small pockets for cash or cards all around the waistband and larger pockets on the side for your car key and smart phone. The pockets are tight, so your items stay securely in place. These leggings are Lululemon's top choice for runners and they definitely make it into our weekly rotation.
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Your Next RaceUnder Armour Mirror BreatheLux Asym Hi-Rise
$149.99
1 of 11
Compression: 4
Warmth: 1
Sweat-Wicking: 5
After sliding Under Armour's Mirror BreatheLux tights on, it's almost as if they disappear. Feeling like a second skin without extreme compression, you'll never want to take these off. With Sweat-wicking material and advanced seam placement, you won't have to worry about chaffing anytime soon. Plus, the hi-rise waistband means you won't be tugging up these pants every few minutes of a run or high-intensity workout.
Warmth: 1
Sweat-Wicking: 5
After sliding Under Armour's Mirror BreatheLux tights on, it's almost as if they disappear. Feeling like a second skin without extreme compression, you'll never want to take these off. With Sweat-wicking material and advanced seam placement, you won't have to worry about chaffing anytime soon. Plus, the hi-rise waistband means you won't be tugging up these pants every few minutes of a run or high-intensity workout.
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Your Next RaceNew Balance Highrise Transform Printed Tight
$94.99
1 of 11
Compression: 3
Warmth: 3
Sweat-Wicking: 3
New Balance's Transform tights are well suited for a plethora of activities--from running to meal prepping during the holidays (that counts as exercise, right?). The contoured waistband ensures you're looking your best and the NB Dry Technology cuts down on pesky stains when you're working up a sweat. Plus, the two color options are both fun yet not too crazy, leaving you the perfect legging option for just about any occasion.
Warmth: 3
Sweat-Wicking: 3
New Balance's Transform tights are well suited for a plethora of activities--from running to meal prepping during the holidays (that counts as exercise, right?). The contoured waistband ensures you're looking your best and the NB Dry Technology cuts down on pesky stains when you're working up a sweat. Plus, the two color options are both fun yet not too crazy, leaving you the perfect legging option for just about any occasion.
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Your Next Race2XU MCS Bonded Mid-Rise Compression Tights
$119.99
1 of 11
Compression: 5
Warmth: 2
Sweat-Wicking: 3
These high-tech compression tights were designed with elite athletes in mind so you know they deliver results . 2XU is a market leader in compression gear for recovery and the MCS bonded mid-rise tights have muscle-targeted compression to specifically help reduce strain and speed recovery on your quads and calves. If you don't enjoy near-suffocating compression, you'll definitely want to size up in these babies. One of the best features of this tight is the flat mid-rise waistband. It's super smooth so it won't bunch up when you're doing ab exercises or cross training with some yoga and it has felt-like material around the top to keep your tights firmly where you want them. The only down side? No pockets!
Warmth: 2
Sweat-Wicking: 3
These high-tech compression tights were designed with elite athletes in mind so you know they deliver results . 2XU is a market leader in compression gear for recovery and the MCS bonded mid-rise tights have muscle-targeted compression to specifically help reduce strain and speed recovery on your quads and calves. If you don't enjoy near-suffocating compression, you'll definitely want to size up in these babies. One of the best features of this tight is the flat mid-rise waistband. It's super smooth so it won't bunch up when you're doing ab exercises or cross training with some yoga and it has felt-like material around the top to keep your tights firmly where you want them. The only down side? No pockets!
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Your Next RaceROKA Elite Run High Rise Crop Tight
$105
1 of 11
Compression: 4
Warmth: 1
Sweat-Wicking: 4
The only cropped tights in the bunch, these ROKA high-rise tights hug you perfectly in all the right places. The exaggerated high waist keeps your core tucked in and makes room for a giant zippered back pocket that easily stows an iPhone 7 with any case. The laser-cut holes on the calves are both fashionable and functional. These tights are made of a highly breathable fabric that will keep you cool even during 90-degree runs. The waistband is adjustable and tight so your leggings will stay put.
Warmth: 1
Sweat-Wicking: 4
The only cropped tights in the bunch, these ROKA high-rise tights hug you perfectly in all the right places. The exaggerated high waist keeps your core tucked in and makes room for a giant zippered back pocket that easily stows an iPhone 7 with any case. The laser-cut holes on the calves are both fashionable and functional. These tights are made of a highly breathable fabric that will keep you cool even during 90-degree runs. The waistband is adjustable and tight so your leggings will stay put.
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Your Next RaceReebok Competition Running Legging
$110
1 of 11
Compression: 3
Warmth: 3
Sweat-Wicking: 3
These are Reebok's premiere tights for runners and they are perfect for the versatile athlete. The stretchy jersey-like fabric with Speedwick technology keeps you dry and comfortable. Despite a lack of pockets, these are one of the only leggings on the list with ankle zippers for quick gear changes. They're also antimicrobial-treated to protect your skin from icky gym germs.
Warmth: 3
Sweat-Wicking: 3
These are Reebok's premiere tights for runners and they are perfect for the versatile athlete. The stretchy jersey-like fabric with Speedwick technology keeps you dry and comfortable. Despite a lack of pockets, these are one of the only leggings on the list with ankle zippers for quick gear changes. They're also antimicrobial-treated to protect your skin from icky gym germs.
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Your Next RaceBrooks Threshold Tights
$95
1 of 11
Compression: 2
Warmth: 5
Sweat-Wicking: 2
The new Threshold Tights from Brooks are the brand's warmest tights intended for runners powering through winter runs. They're super comfortable, not very compressing and they keep you extra toasty. These tights have small inside pockets around the waistband and larger side pockets for your phone and keys. But shorter runners beware: these will probably run a little long.
Warmth: 5
Sweat-Wicking: 2
The new Threshold Tights from Brooks are the brand's warmest tights intended for runners powering through winter runs. They're super comfortable, not very compressing and they keep you extra toasty. These tights have small inside pockets around the waistband and larger side pockets for your phone and keys. But shorter runners beware: these will probably run a little long.
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Your Next RaceNike Shield Tights
$95
1 of 11
Compression: 3
Warmth: 4
Sweat-Wicking: 3
The Shield tights help athletes get out and run—no matter the weather. The Shield fabric on the upper thighs and lower legs protects you from harsh, chilly winds, rain and unavoidable puddles. These tights are mid-rise with a convenient zippered back pocket that actually lies flat, meaning it won't hurt your back during post-run ab workouts. The fleece-lined, drawstring waistband adds an extra bit of comfort.
Warmth: 4
Sweat-Wicking: 3
The Shield tights help athletes get out and run—no matter the weather. The Shield fabric on the upper thighs and lower legs protects you from harsh, chilly winds, rain and unavoidable puddles. These tights are mid-rise with a convenient zippered back pocket that actually lies flat, meaning it won't hurt your back during post-run ab workouts. The fleece-lined, drawstring waistband adds an extra bit of comfort.
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Your Next RaceSecond Skin Cold-Weather Compression Tights
$80
1 of 11
Compression: 4
Warmth: 3
Sweat-Wicking: 3
Second Skin compression gear is a favorite among obstacle course and mud run racers because the cool fabric that stays tight and doesn't weigh you down when it gets wet—or muddy. These tights are Second Skin's warmest option, perfect for late fall and winter racing on mild days. HeiQ Smart Temp technology regulates your skin's temperature and the odor-control treatment will keep you feeling, and smelling, fresh.
Warmth: 3
Sweat-Wicking: 3
Second Skin compression gear is a favorite among obstacle course and mud run racers because the cool fabric that stays tight and doesn't weigh you down when it gets wet—or muddy. These tights are Second Skin's warmest option, perfect for late fall and winter racing on mild days. HeiQ Smart Temp technology regulates your skin's temperature and the odor-control treatment will keep you feeling, and smelling, fresh.
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