We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. There comes a point every year when bare-legged running is no longer feasible. For some, that’s a sign to head indoors and find the treadmill.
For others, it’s time for a wardrobe adjustment: putting on some pants. The best running pants and tights make cold-weather running not just tolerable, but enjoyable. That means you can bypass the treadmill and get outside, even when frosty temperatures, icy winds, snow, and rain are in the forecast.
After nearly seven years living in Southern California, I’ve returned to a colder climate (northern Michigan) and have been getting reacquainted with wintertime running—and that means my tights and running pants have come back into regular rotation. I’ve been amazed at what a difference they make. With my trusty merino tights, for example, I can run comfortably even in single-digit temperatures.
No matter which kind of bottoms you prefer, the picks in this guide will help you achieve that same state of wintertime running bliss. I selected the pants and tights below based on my own experience with wintertime running, online reviews, and input from RW staff. My background: I’ve covered running shoes and apparel for almost a decade, writing for Runner’s World, InsideHook, Men’s Journal, and other outlets.
Apart from my stint in California, I have run outdoors (in both pants and tights) through many snowy, cold winters in the Midwest and Northeast. In addition to using my own gear knowledge and experience, I also incorporated feedback from RW Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate and Running Reviews Editor Amanda Furrer and pants-and-tights testing notes from RW staffers. RW staff tested several picks in this guide, including the Best Overall and Best Value options, and two of the picks—Best for Wind Protection and Best Merino Tights—are based on my own firsthand testing.
A clear favorite among RW testers, Brooks’s Momentum Thermal Tights will take the sting out of cold weather and help you maintain your motivation to run on the frostiest of winter mornings. They’re made from a stretchy blend of polyester and spandex, and the fabric has a brushed interior for a fleece-like feel against your legs. Three pockets—a zippered rear waistband pocket and two elastic drop-in pockets on the thighs—keep a lockdown hold on your phone, keys, and gels, and the internal drawcord waistband ensures a slip-free fit.
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