I need to get a pair (or three) of women’s running pants/tights. I’ll be outdoors in, say, 10 F to 35 F degree weather, probably rain, possibly wind. I don’t mind being wet, but I hate being cold.
Things to consider:
I hate the nylon kind that flaps and makes swooshy noises.
I have a 34" inseam, so they have to be long.
I don’t want to spend a fortune.
What’s on your legs this winter?
There’s good advice on www.runnersworld.com
Underarmour is also a good brand I use Underarmour
You should also find some discounted stuff at Eastbay Eastbay.com
RoadRunner Sports has a good selection. I also like REI which does have an outlet site. Good women only sites are Athleta (expensive) and Title 9. I’ve found that I tend to wear my more expensive tights way more often than the cheap pairs I’ve bought because they’re just more comfortable and fit better. My favorite are Adidas. I’ve also noticed that there seem to be more of the “pants” styles available this year compared to tights. I prefer tights 'cause I don’t like to have a lot ofexcess fabric.
I’ll second RoadRunnerSports. They have a great selection of gear at a wide range of prices. I’m not too crazy about their brand of tights though. They tend to slip down and get baggy in the crotch, at least on me, and I hate that while running.
I usually wear nylon/polyester tights during the winter. It it’s really cold and I feel like going outside, I have a thicker pair of tights made by Hind that I really like.
It sounds like you’re pretty tall, so you may want to try men’s tights so you get the length you need.
Well now I’m confused. I see responses talking about pants/tights but 99% of the time when I see people doing their winter morning jog, they are always wearing absolutely nothing on their legs.
It could be 20 degrees and sleeting, but I’m seeing people dressed like this lady if you multpily all her clothing layers by a factor of 5 and add a knit hat, scarf and mittens. Layers and layers of clothing on everything but their legs.
What gives?
I LOVE Title 9 Sports. They’re one of the only places I can find any sort of workout, especially running, wear that doesn’t come in a cute little outfit for people who wear a size 2. It drives me nuts that whenever I got to Sports Authority or something similar, I always wind up looking like a hippo in a tutu. Anyway, here’s a link to some of their winter pants: cold weather training. I got some winter training pants there a couple of years ago, and they’re definitely my favorites. They’re durable, too. I generally like stuff by Hind - it tends to fit my somewhat wide hips and long legs well. I also like Title 9’s skin layers. They fit well, keep you warm, and they’re the only skins I’ve found that don’t make me feel like a buffalo.
I know what you mean, Patty. There are some pretty hardcore folks around here that trot around in shorts all winter. If it’s over 40 F, I’ll wear shorts, but below that, well… chilly, chapped thighs aren’t my thing.
I went to an outlet store today and got a pair of Springhill Infuzion tights. They’re fuzzy inside, but not heavy. If I like them, I may get more. Keep those suggestions coming, though!
Let us know how they work lengthwise.
Every time I’ve bought tights I’ve been told “oh, they stretch, they’ll fit fine” and they have stretched
…out.
Not down.
So I could gain weight, but my ankles are still gonna be cold. I wear long socks.
You’ll have a hard time finding a 34" inseam without getting a very large waist size, so you’ll need to wear calf-length socks. I have a pair of Sugoi tights that I just love. Not sure where I got them (probably Roadrunner) but I remember they were not cheap. The fit nice and tight and keep my legs warm. The only downside to them is they attract cat hair, not good when you have four cats.
Anyway, make sure you dress in layers so that you can adjust to the weather when you’re out running. I’m headed out for a run in about an hour and the current temp is about 24F. I’ll wear a my Sugoi’s with a pair of thermal briefs (gotta keep the boys warm), a coolmax short sleeved shirt, a long sleeved drifit shirt, and probably a sleeveless nylon shell. For me, if I keep my body core warm usually the rest of me will be okay. Oh, and of course a headband and gloves.
I wear sweatpants (too heavy, not recommended) or any of the pairs of track/xc pants I have. Most are made of nylon, which is warm and not swishy (I can’t stand that, either.) A lot of the people on my team wear spandex, but I just can’t get into it (that’s kind of a joke, sort.)
I’m also one of those crazy runners out in shorts on a brisk winter day. I do my warmup, and that’s sufficient enough to merit the pants a-coming off! I find I go faster without a big pair of pants weighing me down.
~S&S
