Insulated leggings suggestions

[5xdisneyfans]

I was wondering what insulated running leggings people like? I am starting the hunt now before I actually need them. I had a pair from Costco years ago when I use to run but I hated them. They never fit right so when I stopped running it’s one thing I never held on too because I was never happy with them. I have short legs so I was hoping to find a pair that has a shorter length available. Trying to prepare for my winter runs for SS . Thanks for any suggestions

 

[Herding_Cats]

I hate spending a lot of money on running gear (I prefer to spend all my money on rundisney registrations) so I use under armour coldgear leggings. And if it's below like 40, I put a pair of "outrun the storm" pants over them. They're water resistant, so they are also wind resistant. I only purchase these items when they are on clearance with an extra 40% off coupon.
But also, I hate running when it's cold out (and my lungs hate it too) so my actual suggestion is a treadmill

 

[MissLiss279]

It depends on if you need them to be wind proof or not. If it’s cold here, there is usually some wind so I need some wind protection. For that, I have found some men’s bicycle fleece lined pants that work over other shorts or leggings. They fit a little weird (which is mainly why I wear something under them) since they are men’s and they don’t fit my shape.
Like these, but there a few different brands: https://a.co/d/byw1iuS

If you just want fleece lined leggings for warmth, I have found the Baleaf brand on Amazon to work well.


Ooo. I just found a women’s pair of the cycling pants, and now I’m wondering if they would work for me!
https://a.co/d/arGjKXt

 

[GollyGadget]

I hate spending a lot of money on running gear (I prefer to spend all my money on rundisney registrations) so I use under armour coldgear leggings. And if it's below like 40, I put a pair of "outrun the storm" pants over them. They're water resistant, so they are also wind resistant. I only purchase these items when they are on clearance with an extra 40% off coupon.
But also, I hate running when it's cold out (and my lungs hate it too) so my actual suggestion is a treadmill

I really don't know how you survive Michigan winters. I'm still in shorts until it's below 30

as such, I have no recommendations. I have one pair of fleece leggings that I bought at TJ Maxx a decade ago and I only wear a couple times a year.

 

[sunshine girl]

In my opinion the key to warmth is Polartec fabric!

I have several old Athleta Altitude Stash Polartec tights and they are the warmest. Unfortunately, Athleta changed the fabric and removed the Polartec...!! Now they're not nearly the same quality: thinner, less warm, and the new fabric pills like crazy. It's such a shame!

But in general, the new non-polartec Altitude Stash tights are workable in terms of warmth if that's your primary concern. They have black on the website now, but they usually come out with a few more colors later in the season. They're quite comfortable.

Athleta also has a Ranier tight which is still non-polartec, but is much more compressive and has a thin fleece lining. They're warm but less fleecy -- a little more of a technical running tight.

Finallly, Title Nine has a line of Polartec fleece tights called Crash tights that are super warm and toasty. They are fleecy like the Altitude, but more "stiff" like the Ranier, and thicker than both. Many colors and styles. Not quite as comfy for lounging around as the Altitude Stash, though, IMO.

 

[The Expert]

Athleta also has a Ranier tight which is still non-polartec, but is much more compressive and has a thin fleece lining. They're warm but less fleecy -- a little more of a technical running tight.

I love everything about the Rainier except the leg pockets. THEY ARE TERRIBLE! They have vertical zippers and the opening is awkwardly sized, so to get my phone in or out is way too complicated. There is a pocket in the back waistband, or if your phone is on the small side maybe it's easier, but if you have an Athleta near you where you can try them on, I encourage you to do so.

 

[RuntheMouse]

I have two pairs of these from Dick’s. Love them, they stay put, have pockets and are cuddly warm.

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/...qyfwcwctghtxxxxwaa?color=Pure Black Fair Isle

 

[Naomeri]

I have two pairs of these from Dick’s. Love them, they stay put, have pockets and are cuddly warm.

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/dsg-womens-cold-weather-compression-legging-19qyfwcwctghtxxxxwaa/19qyfwcwctghtxxxxwaa?color=Pure Black Fair Isle

I can second this recommendation! I've worn them for 0°F half marathon-length training runs and they're wonderful.

 

[xjillianpaige]

Team Rainier leggings from Athleta. Comfy, brushed, I don't get too warm and usually don't need anything else over them like an insulated skirt.

 

[Herding_Cats]

Team Rainier leggings from Athleta. Comfy, brushed, I don't get too warm and usually don't need anything else over them like an insulated skirt.

This is a good point. I made a fleece skirt for running when it’s cold out because even with cold weather gear, my butt will go numb from cold when it’s in the 30s.

 

[The Expert]

This is a good point. I made a fleece skirt for running when it’s cold out because even with cold weather gear, my butt will go numb from cold when it’s in the 30s.

I often find the Smartwool bum warmer skirts on sale at Sierra or REI, especially off season. They are a great weight -- warm but not bulky.

 

[GreatLakes]

When it comes to winter gear I'll spend more because I notice a significant difference between the cheap stuff I get and paying a little more for quality. I have a few pairs of tights but the two I like best are from Tracksmith and Janji. Both of these work to about 10 below. Any colder and I layer them with some running pants.

 

[MissLiss279]

When it comes to winter gear I'll spend more because I notice a significant difference between the cheap stuff I get and paying a little more for quality. I have a few pairs of tights but the two I like best are from Tracksmith and Janji. Both of these work to about 10 below. Any colder and I layer them with some running pants.

Because I haven’t bought expensive tights, but I do have things that work for me, I’m curious do these tights work with 10+ mph wind at 20-30 F?

 

[Zutroy]

Because I haven’t bought expensive tights, but I do have things that work for me, I’m curious do these tights work with 10+ mph wind at 20-30 F?

I have Tracksmith turnover tights that I wear in 20s and 30s, and they’re great. They have the NDO line for colder temps. Paired with their Harrier merino wool shirts or Brighton base layers, you end up the perfect temperature.

 

[GreatLakes]

Because I haven’t bought expensive tights, but I do have things that work for me, I’m curious do these tights work with 10+ mph wind at 20-30 F?

They do for me but my legs are rarely what gets cold when it is windy. It is my core. As Zutroy said they do have the NDO (No Days Off) line that is more wind resistant.

I also recommend Merino wool in the Winter. I have their Brighton, Waffle, and the 250 series from Smartwool. Depending on the windchill in the 20s with 10mph winds I'm not sure I'd wear a jacket. Maybe the 250 with a wind shell.

 

[The Expert]

Has anyone tried Woolx merino leggings? They are more lifestyle than running and they are pretty $$$ but I have a good coupon and was curious to hear reviews.

 

[Disneyhanna]

In my opinion the key to warmth is Polartec fabric!

I have several old Athleta Altitude Stash Polartec tights and they are the warmest. Unfortunately, Athleta changed the fabric and removed the Polartec...!! Now they're not nearly the same quality: thinner, less warm, and the new fabric pills like crazy. It's such a shame!

But in general, the new non-polartec Altitude Stash tights are workable in terms of warmth if that's your primary concern. They have black on the website now, but they usually come out with a few more colors later in the season. They're quite comfortable.

Athleta also has a Ranier tight which is still non-polartec, but is much more compressive and has a thin fleece lining. They're warm but less fleecy -- a little more of a technical running tight.

Finallly, Title Nine has a line of Polartec fleece tights called Crash tights that are super warm and toasty. They are fleecy like the Altitude, but more "stiff" like the Ranier, and thicker than both. Many colors and styles. Not quite as comfy for lounging around as the Altitude Stash, though, IMO.

As a major fan of the altitude stash polartec, that is depressing! I have half a dozen pairs and a pair with tags on still so at least they should last me a few years. I wear mine in sub-zero temps (-10F real feel is about my limit) and my legs remain warm. I have cheaper fleece leggings from brands like Old Navy, Xersion, but I do think you get what you pay for with fleece leggings sort of like winter coats. The cheap leggings do the job but pill, don't stay up as well, etc. The good thing is there is always someone with brand new leggings that are a few years old that end up on Posh/Mercari when they do a closet cleanup

 

[5xdisneyfans]

Some of the brand suggestions are not available here but I just ordered the athleta Rainer leggings since they are on sale right now. I like them. I find my body hard to fit. I appreciate all the suggestions and definitely will look into the other ones in the future when I travel to the United States.

 

[MissLiss279]

Review of Athleta Rainer tights

I bought these tights a while ago, but with weird weather recently, today was the first day I wore them.

So today the weather was about the exact scenario I had been asking about. The start of the run was 25 with 15mph winds (gusts up to 20) and over cast. The feels like was 12. The finish was a tiny bit better at 26, 10mph (still with 20 gusts), but the sun had come out. Feels like was 17.

I had 5ish miles with a magic mile, so 4 miles easy pace with one really hard mile. I ran an out and back (running west, then south, then west again, then turn around). Wind was from the North. So I had the wind from all directions throughout the run (crosswind, at my back, and then running into the wind).

The first easy mile was okay, the wind was cross or at my back. I was a little cool, but I was still warming up so expected. The second mile was my magic mile, with the wind at my back and cross. Tights were good and I was comfortable. When I turned around, I had cooled back down - a little cooler than I would like. When I was running back North into the wind, my legs were pretty cold - my quads were pretty much numb. The sun had come out at this time, so not as bad as it could have been. When I turned back east with a cross wind, my legs/quads felt a little better. I think I had a little better wind block here too. Besides the magic mile, the backs of my legs were cold most of the time - any direction that I was running.

Short review: For me, in these conditions, these tights will be good for harder effort runs, but for anything longer than 5 miles and for easy paced runs, I would prefer something warmer (such as thin tights under my fleece lined bicycle pants mentioned before).