Winter kit essentials: We test tights from 4 top brands

January 20, 2025

Full length tights are an essential winter item, find the right pair and they can become your best friend, especially in cold or wet conditions. They’ll keep your muscles warm and supported and can be used across a wide range of sports. We tested four leading brands - Skins, Gore Running, 2XU and Tribe Sports.

SKINS’ K-PROPRIUM combine the world’s best Dynamic Gradient Compression with strategically placed Proprioceptive Power Bands (PPB’s) to fight fatigue, reduce the risk of injury and improve performance by enhancing proprioception.

Test: We used these for running, both shorter and longer distances. They are an easy fit and sit comfortably round the waist without wriggling down whist running (often a problem with tight compression gear). We loved the strong feeling of support in the lower back and especially to the calf and hamstrings - it’s a lot like the feeling of kinesio taping - and exactly what they are designed for.

Score: 5/5
More details: Coming soon

Test: These tights were tested for running, both shorter distances and longer 10 mile + runs. We would have liked a tiny bit more hight at the front waist so they sit right on the waist - put that’s going to be down to body type/shape. The tights also seem to fit better, the longer you wear them. Our favourite feature is the back pocket though - perfect for a phone and designed to sit in the small of your back. Perfect.

2XU are well known for their high performance compression gear, so it’ll be no suprise to hear that these tights feature fantastic, supportive fabric and perform really well across lots of activities. What we love most though is the unusual soft blue colour and reflective logo print.

Test: We tested these for running and crossfit. They were prefect in the gym, really supportive and fitted like a second skin. For running, they were great on shorter or interval sessions, but tended to ride down over a longer distance (10km plus) and needed to be pulled up a few times. Although that’s a normal problem with compression gear we deduct a point as it did restrict what we could use them for.

Score: 4/5
Cost: £75
More details: www.2xu.com

Fashionable and functional, these soft thermo pants are designed for comfort with a looser cut around the thighs and a tighter fit below the knee. The cozy insulation keeps you warm, plus teh fabric wicks away the sweat keeping you dry too.

Save

Featured in homepage running tried and tested

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Winter kit essentials: We test tights from 4 top brands

Select a sport

Select a sport

Blogs

Winter kit essentials: We test tights from 4 top brands

You may like

Select a sport

Select a sport

Blogs