Even when the roads are iced over, the trails are covered in snow, and the wind is ripping, runners still ask themselves the question, “Can I get away with shorts today?” But there’s no need to sprint through your first mile in survival mode and finish your run with wind-burned thighs and a frozen grimace. The free-flowing, breathable materials, subtle muscle support, and well-tailored construction of men’s running pants and tights today make moving so comfortable they might convince you to wear them even on mild days.

　　At a Glance Best All-Around: On Running Performance Winter Tights ($130) Best for Winter Trail Running: Nike AeroSwift DriFit ($125) Best Value: Adidas COLD.RDY Techfit Long Tights ($33) Best for Low-light Conditions: Brooks Run Visible Tight 2.0 ($130) Most Versatile: REI Co-op Swiftland Thermal Running Pants ($95) Best for Coldest Days: Craft ADV SubZ Running Wind Pants 2 ($130) Other Products We Tested How to Choose Winter Running Tights or Pants How We Test Meet Our Testers If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

　　Best All-Around On Running Performance Winter Tights $130 at Huckberry $130 at On Running

　　Sizes: S-XXL

　　Pros and Cons

　　⊕ Unmatched fabric comfort

　　⊕ Snug, supportive fit

　　⊗ High compression feel is not for everyone

　　Unlike other tights that get pulled off seconds after returning from a run, these On Running models were comfortable for extended post-workout stretching or even just lounging. The 74 percent recycled polyester, 26 percent elastane fabric is buttery smooth, with reassuring muscle support that was especially noticeable when descending steep terrain. The fit is close, bordering on too tight for some testers liking, but there was so much stretch that everyone ended up giving them high marks. The brushed fleece interior effectively wicks away moisture, and details like a comfortable flat drawstring, reflective patches, and abundant pockets also earned praise.

　　Best for Winter Trail Running Nike AeroSwift DriFit Advantage $125 at Running Warehouse $125 at Nike

　　Sizes: XS-XXL

　　Pros and Cons

　　⊕ Best-in-class range of motion and support

　　⊕ Highly breathable

　　⊗ Lacks insulation for frigid days

　　These tights’ flex patterns and stretchy polyester/spandex fabric let us move so well that one tester actually wondered if they helped lengthen his stride. They proved well suited to charging hard on hilly trails, as the fabric breathed enough to prevent overheating during climbs while still shielding us from the cold on descents. We found them most comfortable in temperatures at or just below freezing, but they were a little too thin for colder weather.

　　Best Value Adidas COLD.RDY Techfit Training Long Tights $33 at Amazon $55 at Adidas

　　Sizes: 2XS-4XL

　　Pros and Cons

　　⊕ Similar features as premium-priced tights

　　⊕ Warmer than most tights

　　⊗ Heavier feel; bulky ankle zippers

　　While they werent as feather-light or soft against the skin as other styles in our test, these 93 percent recycled polyester, 7 percent elastane Adidas tights performed well in temperatures down to zero degrees Fahrenheit and provided a full array of features for a remarkably low price. The generous thigh pockets accommodated larger cell phones and held them securely without bouncing, and an interior fabric panel on the front added a welcome measure of extra warmth and support. The fit is close but not suffocating; however, the ankle zippers were somewhat bulky and obtrusive.

　　Best for Low-light Conditions Brooks Run Visible Tight 2.0 $130 at Marathon Sports $130 at Brooks

　　Pros and Cons

　　⊕ Comfortable light compression

　　⊕ Color panels provide night visibility

　　⊗ But the neon is garish during the day

　　Reduced daylight in the winter months means more time running in dark and semi-dark conditions—the day-glow orange color panel and abundant reflective features on these tights added reassuring visibility. With dark comes cold, and the soft, medium-weight fabric was up to the task, even in damp New England conditions. The smooth waistband and flat drawstring were always comfortable and a small zippered pocket, plus another for larger items, carried our keys and phones securely.

　　Most Versatile REI Co-op Swiftland Thermal Running Pants $95 at REI

　　Sizes: Short, Medium, and Tall lengths, XS-XXXL waist

　　Pros and Cons

　　⊕ Many sizes and lengths

　　⊕ Effective wind protection without sacrificing breathability

　　⊗ Built for comfort, not for speed

　　Available in an impressive range of sizes and lengths—and featuring a fit thats distinctly more relaxed than the other leggings in this review—the Swiftland Thermal Running Pants are a great choice if youre not interested in shiny fabrics or crotch-hugging closeness. The waffle-like inner fabric was plenty warm in conditions down to about zero degrees Fahrenheit, and the insulation was bolstered by front-facing wind-block panels. The zippered side pockets were roomy and secure, plus theres a small additional back pocket (but no zipper, so we didnt keep our keys back there). On really cold days you can easily fit a baselayer or close-fitting tights under these pants for a super warm ensemble. A bonus: 28 percent of the polyester in these pants’ main fabric is made from carbon emissions captured from industrial sites.

　　Best for Coldest Days Craft ADV SubZ Running Wind Pants 2 $130 at Running Warehouse $130 at Craft

　　Sizes: S-XXL

　　Pros and Cons

　　⊕ Reliably warm in temps well below freezing

　　⊕ Overheat quickly in moderate conditions

　　⊗ Heavy, with small pocket openings

　　These winter pants proved their worth on a freezing-cold, overcast day in the Colorado mountains when a runnable trail disappeared into a snow drift, leading to an extended post-holing session. But even when plunged knee-deep in pow-pow, the thick, waterproof, double-layer polyester/polyurethane front and stretchy, brushed recycled polyester/elastane back fabric stayed warm and shielded out the elements. The soft, fleecy waistband, wind panels, and stretchy ankle cuffs upped the insulation factor. The pockets, however, were a little tight for stashing bulky gloves or mittens. Theres plenty of room in the cut for an additional layer of insulation underneath, but we honestly never resorted to that, as the Craft pants were a match for even the coldest weather.

　　Other Mens Running Pants and Tights We Tested Tracksmith Men’s Turnover Tights ($125): Fabric was heavy, almost restrictive. High waisted. Best for below-zero temps. Patagonia Wind Shield Pants ($179): Comfortably relaxed fit and good weather protection, but the fabric was slightly abrasive. Saucony Hurricane Tights ($95): Testers didn’t love the contrast fabric look, or compressive feeling around the waist (not as stretchy as some) but liked the soft brushed interior. How to Choose Mens Running Pants or Tights Consider the relative advantages of close-fitting tights and looser-fitting running pants. Stretchy tights do more than just insulate—they also provide muscle support and can help improve circulation. In moderate temperatures, typically down to the low 20s Fahrenheit, tights work fine on their own. When temperatures dip below that, theyre easily combined with wind pants or a heavier outer layer, creating a highly protective combination.

　　On the other hand (leg?), a pair of lightweight or midweight running pants offers improved modesty, comfort, ease of getting on and off, and freedom of motion. A downside is that the extra bulk means pants do not work as well for use as base layers. Running pants often provide roomier pockets, but what you place in them will bounce around more than whatever you can wedge into the pockets of tights. Pants also have the edge for non-running versatility—unless youre cool with hanging it all out in the post-run coffee shop.

　　Once you know your style, fit and heat regulation top the list of priorities. Make sure the pants or tights neither constrict anywhere nor are too loose so that they get in the way or fail to stay up. How much insulation you need differs significantly per individual. Consider the conditions you’ll be running in most often and whether you tend to run hot or cold. The best pieces keep you from freezing while you’re warming up then breathe and vent well enough that you don’t overheat when you’re working hard.

　　How We Test Mark Eller led the test crew for this review. Based in Boulder, Colorado, he pursues running, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and other outdoor activities that keep him away from treadmills when the snow flies. He coordinated getting dozens of winter running items to additional testers in New England, the high plains, and the Rocky Mountains who wore the gear in this review in a variety of cold conditions for many months before making their picks and writing their comments.

　　Meet Our Testers Lead reviewer Mark Eller trains through the winter on the roads and trails near his hometown of Boulder, Colorado. Hes a three-time Boston Marathon veteran, a hack Nordic skier, and a competitive racer in on-water racer rowing events.

　　Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Michael Rorick has run and raced in New England since his middle school track team days in Connecticut. Hes completed many editions of Boston, New York, and other major marathons.

　　Brian Metzler is the Editor in Chief of RUN and the founding editor of Trail Runner. A former walk-on Division I track athlete, he mostly runs on mountainous trails nowadays in Boulder and Leadville, Colorado.

　　Scott Douglas has run more than 130,000 miles since starting as a teen. He has held senior editorial positions at running publications and is the author or co-author of several well-known running books, including Advanced Marathoning, Meb for Mortals, and Running is My Therapy. Scott runs every day unless injured, and always runs outside, either despite of or because of living in North Yarmouth, Maine.

　　Jonathan Beverly is no stranger to winter weather. He began running in high school on the Maine coast, trained for marathons for years in New York, and now can be found chasing windmills in the western Nebraska Sandhills, accompanied by his two dogs. He is the senior running gear editor for Outside.