Wearing running tights is a great way to make those winter runs more bearable, adding a layer of insulation to help maintain your body temperature and giving your circulation a boost.
Some tights are designed to provide compression, too, stabilizing your muscles and speeding up the repair process for a faster recovery time.
Better still, running tights give you an aerodynamic silhouette, with studies confirming that even a small reduction in drag can significantly increase performance!
But finding the best men’s running tights for your particular needs isn’t always straightforward.
There are so many styles on the market – each with different benefits – that it can be tough deciding which pair to choose.
So we’ve created this guide to help!
Read on to discover the very best men’s running tights available right now and the reasons we recommend them.
We’ve also outlined some of the features you need to consider when making your choice.
Let’s get started!
Features to Look For in Men’s Running Tights
When choosing the best men’s running tights for your needs, the first factor to consider is durability.
Yes, this might mean spending a bit more, but features like panels in the knee area, reinforced seams, and dual-layer fabrics in areas of high wear mean your tights should need replacing less often.
Other things to think about include:
Weather Protection
Wearing running tights is a great way to protect your skin from the elements and that extra coverage can be useful for shielding you from the sun’s harmful rays.
When running in warm conditions, look for tights made from a lightweight fabric, or for short tights rather than full-length.
More commonly, however, runners opt to wear tights during the colder months, when that extra layer provides some much-needed insulation!
In this case, thicker, thermal tights are ideal and can help you retain warmth.
It’s also a good idea to look for tights made with a quick-drying fabric, which will be more comfortable if you get caught in a passing shower!
Comfortable Fit
Comfort is key to a great performance, and when it comes to running tights this largely depends on the waistband.
You’ll need one that fits you perfectly in order to prevent it from riding down, folding, or digging in as you run.
A drawcord can also be useful, helping you achieve a custom fit.
Ensure, too, that the inseam length is sufficient for your height.
There’s nothing more uncomfortable than too-short tights riding up and exposing your ankles to the elements on a cold day!
The tights should be form-fitting from top to bottom and should ideally feature flat seams to eliminate chafing.
Fabric
Basic running tights for men are usually made from durable, lightweight materials like polyester and nylon.
These textiles are generally blended with elastane or spandex, which gives them the flexibility you need to move freely.
Some pairs will be made with a single layer of fabric, whereas those intended for winter runs may feature dual-layer fabric, perhaps with an inner fleece lining.
The best men’s running tights will be designed to wick moisture away from the skin, as this will help them dry more rapidly and prevent chafing.
Pockets
Pockets can be a very useful feature in running tights – particularly if you tend to cover long distances – and give you somewhere to stash items like your phone, keys, and nutritional gels.
A zippered pocket is ideal for security, but pockets that rely on compression are great too, and stop items from bouncing around as you run.
The 6 Best Men’s Running Tights
#1. ASICS LITE-Show Winter Tight – Best Men’s Running Tights for Visibility
Fabric: 91% Polyester, 9% Spandex, Sizes: Small to XX-Large, Pockets: 1
| Pros | Cons |
| Protect against wind and cold | Run a little small |
| Sweatproof phone pocket | |
| Stretchy for freedom of movement |
Training during the winter months often means you’re running in low-light conditions, so the advanced retro-reflective technology used in these running tights helps enhance your safety.
The reflective accents are placed around the tights to significantly boost your visibility, especially when worn with a reflective jacket.
You’ll stay nice and warm, too, with the three-layer soft shell fabric and brushed lining on the calves keeping out the chill!
Other useful features include an adjustable drawcord waist tie, zippers at the ankle for easy on/off, and a pocket large enough to hold most phones.
#2. Gore Wear R5 Gore-Tex Infinium Tights – Best Men’s Running Tights for Wet and Windy Weather
Fabric: 92% Polyester, 8% Elastane, Sizes: X-Small to X-Large, Pockets: 2
| Pros | Cons |
| Runner-specific cut | Expensive |
| Moisture-wicking and breathable | Drawcord is short |
| GORE WINDSTOPPER material in critical areas |
These may not be the cheapest tights in our guide, but if you regularly run in cold, wet conditions then we’ll think you’ll agree they are worth their hefty price tag.
They manage to strike the perfect balance between keeping out the rain whilst allowing moisture to escape.
Meanwhile, the extra WINDSTOPPER material in the knees and groin helps keep you warm when temperatures plunge.
There are also WINDSTOPPER inserts on the sides and inner legs to allow you to move freely and to provide ventilation, plus reflective details and zippers on the lower legs.
The pocket on the hip is deep enough to hold your essentials, and you also get a zippered pocket at the back for extra security.
#3. CW-X Stabilyx Joint Support Tights – Best Men’s Running Tights for Compression
Fabric: 80% Coolmax Polyester, 20% Lycra Spandex, Sizes: Small to XX-Large (tall sizes also available), Pockets: 1 (very small)
| Pros | Cons |
| UV protection | No proper pockets |
| Support for lower back, pelvis, hips, and knees | Pricey |
| Helpful with recovery | Little protection against very low temperatures |
The benefits of compression for runners are still being investigated, but studies tend to indicate that it can help with everything from boosting blood circulation to reducing DOMS (delayed-onset muscle soreness).
These high-quality compression tights use a technology called EXO-WEB™ to mimic the kinesiology-taping techniques used to treat injured muscles, supporting you during exercise and accelerating your recovery afterwards.
Made from a breathable 4-way stretch fabric that moves when you do, they wick moisture effectively to keep you cool and dry.
The flat-seam construction helps prevent chafing, and the reinforced waistband features a flat drawstring for an adjustable fit.
Our only complaint is that the internal slip-in pocket is tiny and doesn’t feel very secure.
#4. Under Armour HeatGear 3/4 Leggings – Best Men’s Running Tights For Warmer Weather
Fabric: 79% Polyester/21% Elastane, Sizes: X-Small to 4X-Large (tall sizes also available), Pockets: 1
| Pros | Cons |
| Second-skin fit | No reflective details |
| Four-way stretch | No drawstring |
| Wide range of colors |
HeatGear is one of Under Armour’s proprietary technologies to help athletes perform at their best in warmer conditions (the company also makes ColdGear tights for winter runs).
These 3/4 length tights are ideal from spring to fall, made from a super light fabric that wicks away sweat and dries very quickly.
They are ergonomically designed to keep seams off high abrasion areas, meaning that you feel more comfortable and the tights last for longer!
They also feature a comfortably wide waistband, mesh panels for ventilation and a newly updated gusset design that’s both supportive and comfortable.
We particularly like the phone pocket which is easily accessible and holds your phone firmly in place, so it won’t bounce as you run.
#5. Nike Phenom Elite – Best Men’s Running Tights for Storage
Fabric: 75% polyester, 25% spandex, Sizes: Small to X-Large, Pockets: 3
| Pros | Cons |
| Updated support and breathability | Not as form-fitting as other brands |
| Durable fabric | |
| Reflective tape for visibility |
These running tights come with plenty of options for stashing your stuff, with 2 drop-in pockets at the hips for small items and a lined, expandable pocket at the back dedicated to your phone.
The design has recently been updated based on data from hundreds of runners, and it now offers excellent ventilation in key areas to keep you cool.
The low-profile elastic waistband has a drawcord for a custom fit, although the soft, lightweight knit fabric used through the lower leg means you don’t really get the ‘body hugging’ feel in that area.
Nevertheless, these are still a great pair of tights with the added advantage of being made with polyester derived from recycled plastic bottles, so they’re environmentally friendly, too!
#6. New Balance Impact Run Tight – Best All-Round Running Tights for Men
Fabric: 77% Recycled Polyester, 23% Spandex, Sizes: X-Small to XX-Large, Pockets: 2
| Pros | Cons |
| Quick drying | None! |
| Mid-rise waistband for an easy fit | |
| Zippered phone pocket |
Versatile and affordable, New Balance’s Impact tights have flat seams to guard against chafing and use the company’s DRYx premium, fast-drying technology to wick moisture away from your skin.
Although they fit snugly at the hip and thigh, they move easily with your body so you never feel restricted, and come with drop-in pockets for your gels.
The zippers at the ankle give the tights a classic look, and there is reflective branding on the thigh and taping down the leg to enhance your visibility at night.
They work well in most weather conditions – although you might prefer to check out the Impact Heat tights instead if you run in very cold temperatures – and are machine washable, so they’re easy to care for.
The Best Men’s Running Tights: Key Takeaways
A good pair of tights can make your runs a lot more comfortable, whether you’re looking for protection from the weather, a more streamlined silhouette, or a little extra stabilization for your muscles.
We hope you’ve found our guide helpful in choosing the best men’s running tights for your needs!
It’s hard to find men’s tights where I live but Walmart has Danskin tights so I wear them.