The Best Men’s Running Tights

Best Men's Running Tights 2024: Jump Menu

Man running in city wearing running tights and shorts, and running jacket

(Image credit: Getty Images)

1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best value: Mountain Warehouse Running Leggings
3. Best for wind and rain: Gore R3 Partial Windstopper Tights
4. Best for the cold: Tracksmith NDO Tights
5. Most comfortable: Saysky Logo Pace+ Tights
6. Best running tights with pockets: Soar Fast Cargo Tights
7. Best compression tights: 2XU Ignition Shield Compression Tights
8. Best for milder winters: Nike Dri-FIT Challenger

For some runners, the moment the weather gets too cold for shorts is the moment they choose to give up outdoor running altogether until the spring. Pah, I say to them, pah! Running in the winter is just as enjoyable as running in the summer—you just need the right kind of running gear, and that includes tights.

The best running tights—also known as leggings—will keep you snug without restricting movement and some offer compression to help warm up your muscles and aid in their post-run recovery. Here is my pick of the best men’s running leggings to consider.

How I Test Running Tights

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I run around 50-70 miles a week all year round and while the winter is not too harsh where I live in north London, I still opt to wear tights for a lot of my runs during the colder months. I test each pair of tights I cover in this round-up over two or three runs, and I’m looking for warmth without feeling any kind of restriction on the run.

The Quick List

These are the running tights I rate most highly, within various categories. For more in-depth analysis, click on the links to the full reviews further down the page.

The Best Running Tights For Men

Best Value

Mountain Warehouse Running Leggings

(Image credit: Mountain Warehouse)

1. Mountain Warehouse Running Leggings

Best budget running tights

Specifications

RRP: $16.99 / £14.99

Reasons to buy

+
Great value
+
Comfortable

Reasons to avoid

-
No pockets
-
Bunch up at times

If you rarely feel the need to pull on a pair of tights, then having a cheaper set just to provide extra warmth on particularly cold days is a smart way to go. These Mountain Warehouse leggings aren’t as warm as pricier tights and don’t have any pockets and I found they bunched up a little, but they will do the job for occasional use. Best of all, they seem to be constantly reduced from their already low RRP. 

Best For Wind And Rain

Gore Partial Windstopper Tights

(Image credit: Gore)

2. Gore R3 Partial Windstopper Tights

Best for wind and rain

Specifications

RRP: $120 / £99.99

Reasons to buy

+
Windproof and water-resistant
+
Very warm
+
Breathable sections

Reasons to avoid

-
Bulkier than others
-
Overkill on mild days

Windproof and water-repellent fabric on the top half of these tights keeps you warm and dry where it’s most appreciated, while the lighter fabric below the knee prioritizes breathability. There’s a small zipped pocket on the back of the tights, which have reflective details on the front and back. They might be bulkier than most tights, but there are occasions when the extra warmth and protection you get here is invaluable. I remember running around an icy field in a freezing gale wearing these tights, marveling at their warmth.

Best For The Cold

Tracksmith NDO Tights

(Image credit: Tracksmith)

3. Tracksmith NDO Tights

Best for the cold

Specifications

RRP: $198 / £210

Reasons to buy

+
Very warm and windproof
+
Useful pockets
+
Reflective details

Reasons to avoid

-
Too warm at times
-
Expensive

NDO stands for no days off, and wearing these seriously warm tights enables you to run on freezing days without fear that your legs will fall off. The dual-layer design has a windproof and water repellent outer layer and traps warmth against your body. It’s a snug design that’s bulkier than lightweight tights, but I found the tights still allow free movement.

Two large envelope pockets on the back can be used without having to take your gloves off, though I found it hard to use them while wearing mittens. There is also a zip pocket that’s large enough for your phone, which is held tightly against your body so it doesn’t bounce. The price is high and these tights will be too warm if your winters don’t often feature freezing temperatures, but if you are facing those conditions regularly the NDO tights might make themselves indispensable.

Most Comfortable

Saysky Logo Pace+ Tights

(Image credit: Saysky)

4. Saysky Logo Pace+ Tights

Most comfortable

Specifications

RRP: $195 / £155

Reasons to buy

+
Soft, cozy internal fabric
+
Very warm
+
Drop-in phone pocket

Reasons to avoid

-
Too bulky for fast running

The soft fabric on the inside of these tights makes them a joy to pull on, and the cozy, comfortable feel might well prove an extra motivation to get out the door for your run on freezing days. The tights are thick, and so can feel a bit bulky for fast running, but they’re perfect for long and easy cruises in cold conditions.

There is a drop-in pocket on the right leg for your phone, and a fairly large zip pocket on the back of the tights that you can stuff keys and a couple of gels in. I also found the Saysky Logo Pace+ tights easier to pull on than others, and while that isn’t a massive factor, it adds to the comfort when the tights slip on without needing a lot of tugging, because I find that can irritate the hair on my legs.

Best Running Tights With Pockets

Soar Fast Cargo Tights

(Image credit: Soar)

5. Soar Fast Cargo Tights

Best running tights with pockets

Specifications

RRP: $195 / £155

Reasons to buy

+
Lots of clever pockets
+
Lightweight feel

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Not as warm as others

A world of pockets awaits anyone who picks up these tights, with myriad options for storing your stuff attached to the back of the Soar Fast Cargo Tights. There is a large pouch pocket with two sections that allows easy access to things like gels and another large zipped pocket for valuables. There’s also a slide-through tunnel into which you can push extra layers so your belongings are held in place against your body.

The result is that you can carry enough gear for long runs without needing a running belt or a backpack, and the pockets are well designed so you can grab stuff easily with one hand from the pouch and tunnel. You can also run fast in the tights thanks to their close fit and lightweight feel. If you frequently head out in freezing temperatures you might need warmer tights than these, but I found them warm enough for any runs last winter.

Best Compression Tights

2XU Ignition Shield Compression Tights

(Image credit: 2XU)

6. 2XU Ignition Shield Compression Tights

Best compression tights

Specifications

RRP: $119.99 / £95

Reasons to buy

+
Graduated compression
+
Waterproof upper section
+
Back pocket

Reasons to avoid

-
Compression won’t suit all

They won’t work for everyone, but those looking for a combination of warmth, weather protection and compression will find it in these tights. The fabric on the upper legs is waterproof, while the lower legs are sheathed in a thermal material for extra warmth. They may be just too warm for some and the high level of compression will not appeal to everyone, but one feature that I’m sure will appeal to pretty much all runners is the large pocket on the back that can take a phone. 

Best For Milder Winters

Nike Dri-FIT Challenger men's tights

(Image credit: Nike)

7. Nike Dri-FIT Challenger

Best for milder winters

Specifications

RRP: $62 / £44.95

Reasons to buy

+
Unrestrictive fit
+
Phone pocket
+
Ankle zipper

Reasons to avoid

-
Not windproof or waterproof

The Challenger tights aren’t the warmest or most weatherproof in Nike’s range, and if you want more water resistance in particular it’s worth looking at the Repel tights instead, but for those who live in climates with relatively mild winters the Challenger tights might see you through to spring. The benefit of the lighter material is that it allows you to move freely too.

I’m always pleased to see a pocket for your phone on running shorts and tights, and in this case Nike has used a coated material for the pocket to keep your phone dry. There is also a smaller drop-in pocket for essentials like keys or a card, and the ankle zipper on the bottom of the tights makes it possible to get them on and off without taking off your shoes. 


More Winter Running Gear

Nick Harris-Fry
Senior writer

Nick Harris-Fry is a journalist who has been covering health and fitness since 2015. Nick is an avid runner, covering 70-110km a week, which gives him ample opportunity to test a wide range of running shoes and running gear. He is also the chief tester for fitness trackers and running watches, treadmills and exercise bikes, and workout headphones.