Winter running is hard for everyone, whether you’re an every-day-come-what-may die-hard or just decided to start running in the New Year. But thanks to high-performance fabrics and smart designs, this season’s best womens running tights and pants make getting outside accessible, whatever your tolerance for cold. So pull on a good pair of pants or tights and don’t let a little snowstorm or dip in temperature keep you from getting out there.

　　At a Glance Best All-Around: Nike Universa Leggings ($110) Best for Winter Trail Running: Salomon Sense Aero Stow Tights ($110) Best Value: CEP Cold Weather Pants ($100) Best for Beginners: Smartwool Active Fleece Joggers ($170) Most Versatile: Oiselle Lux Life Full Tights ($108) Other Products We Tested How to Choose Running Tights and 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 Nike Universa Medium-Support High-Waisted Full-Length Leggings with Pockets $110 at Nike $110 at Dicks Sporting Goods

　　Material: 76% nylon, 24% spandex; Gusset lining: 84% nylon, 16% spandex

　　Fit: High-rise waist; tight fit

　　Pros and Cons

　　⊕ Comfortable, compressive fit

　　⊕ Deep side pockets comfortably hold phone and other items

　　⊗ The name. C’mon, Nike! Simplify!

　　We love the smooth, soft, irritation-free feel of these tights. The wide, flat, slightly compressive waistband hugged us ever-so-slightly (“No pressure on the belly!” raved a tester) and kept these tights from sagging, despite a lack of drawstring. The weight of the nylon/spandex blend proved versatile—not too thin or too thick, suitable for winter days in dry Colorado and humid Virginia alike—and the slick, quick-dry fabric shed snow and didn’t get bogged down in light rain.

　　Two deep pockets, one on each thigh, can carry a phone or other necessities comfortably. We appreciated being able to securely stash liner gloves or a thin beanie in them after warming up. These tights come in a range of color options, too, allowing an escape from the standard black.One tester said her bright green pair helped cheer her up on a dreary winter day. A comfortable run didn’t hurt, either.

　　Best for Winter Trail Running Salomon Sense Aero Stow Tights $110 at REI $110 at Salomon

　　Material: 76% polyamide, 24% elastane blend

　　Fit: High-rise waist; tight fit

　　Pros and Cons

　　⊕ Allow comfortable carrying of multiple items

　　⊕ Targeted insulation: thicker around butt and thighs, thinner/more open weave from the knee down

　　⊗ Can feel thin and cold in frigid temps

　　These tights have a host of bells and whistles while feeling simple and dependable for everyday wear. Made out of stretchy, breathable polyamide/elastane, they’re soft against the skin and thin enough to allow full mobility, but provide adequate warmth in most winter temps. Ankle zippers allow easy on-and-off and the ability to hike the fabric above the calf if temperatures warm mid-run. Storage options include a large phone pocket on the leg, and a pocket at the low-back that’s roomy enough to hold a 250ml soft flask, with a small internal pocket and a key clip inside. Bungee loops at the low-back can hold a layer like a lightweight jacket or long sleeve shirt, should you need to shed it mid-run.

　　The Sense Aero Stow Tights were the utility tights of choice for testers in a range of wintry conditions around Boulder, Colorado. “I love how I can ball up and shove my jacket into the storage loops,” says one tester whose layer never stays tied around her waist. “These are just solid, all-around tights with good pocketing.”

　　Best Value CEP Cold Weather Pants $100 at Amazon $100 at CEP Compression

　　Material: Main material: 100% recycled polyester; Backside: 86% recycled polyester, 14% spandex

　　Fit: Loose-fitting

　　Pros and Cons

　　⊕ Block wind and snow

　　⊕ Versatile for Nordic skiing and casual wear as well as running

　　⊗ Wind-blocking material isn’t completely breathable and can feel clammy against the skin

　　We’re not awarding these “Best Value” just because they’re the lowest-priced pants in our roundup (which they are). We also think there’s high value in versatility, and found ourselves not only wearing these for winter running but also for Nordic skiing, walking the dog, running errands, hiking, etc. They have a loose fit and casual look with two zippered hand warmer pockets that can carry car keys or a phone when out and about.

　　For running and other active pursuits, we also place high value on these pants’ ability to block a frigid headwind, sideways-blowing wind or rain, or a sudden squall delivering all three, thanks to the thin, water-repellent and windproof softshell fabric on the frontside. The backside interior is lined with a super-soft, stretchy, velour-like material that breathes while providing warmth. Testers noted the tapered, zippered ankles “don’t flare or catch wind,” and that the zippered back pocket was “perfect for a cell phone,” holding it without excessive bounce while running.

　　Best for Beginners Smartwool Active Fleece Joggers $170 at Amazon $170 at Smartwool

　　Material: Main Body: 47% Polyester, 38% Merino Wool, 15% Elastane

　　Fit: Loose-fitting

　　Pros and Cons

　　⊕ Super-soft and comfortable

　　⊕ Zippered hand pockets and jogger-style fit allow them to crossover to casualwear

　　⊗ Can be too warm for hard efforts or mild winter conditions

　　Motivation to run in the cold can be hard enough for die-hard, lifelong runners. But when you’re first starting out? Having a pair of pants that are a treat to pull on—super-soft against the skin and warm despite cold temperatures—can take away the excuse to not head out the door for fear of being too cold when you do.

　　The interior of these pants is a soft-brushed Merino wool blend that helps regulate body temperature, warming while wicking sweat to the pants smooth exterior. The fit is slightly loose with a tapered leg—they’re more jogger than running tight, which makes them versatile for wearing as good-looking sweatpants as well as on the run. In motion, we appreciated their stretch for ease of movement, and their insulation which kept us from freezing our butts off if we slowed to a walk. When we picked up the pace in these pants, they proved adequately breathable, albeit a little warm in mild temps. But boy, are they comfy, cozy, and capable.

　　Most Versatile Oiselle Lux Life Full Tights $108 at Oiselle

　　Material: 87% polyester, 13% spandex (bluesign®-approved materials)

　　Fit: High-rise waist, compressive

　　Pros and Cons

　　⊕ Extremely soft and breathable

　　⊕ Two-in-one pocket on small of the back works well for stashing

　　⊗ Can be too thin on cold days

　　Simply put: These are a great pair of leggings that work well for running, and can also be worn traveling, cross-training, hanging out, and even to work in a casual office—there are no side pockets on the legs that make them scream “workout pants!” The polyester/spandex blend is what Oiselle calls “Heavy Lux” and it’s so, so, so soft and luxurious against the skin. The wide, flat waistband extends higher than most other “high-rise” tights and provides extra protection from the elements, plus a soft hug around the midsection. “Love how high they come up without being constricting—instead the waist feels very supportive and even flattering,” said a tester. In action, these tights breathe great and stay put (no sagging). Because they’re so thin, they’re best suited for mild winter days on their own, but can be worn under wind pants as a great layer. One tester gushed: “LOVE these!! OMG! So comfortable!”

　　Other Women’s Running Tights and Pants We Tested Tracksmith Women’s Turnover Tights ($130): Generally love these but they fit a little snug at the waist for most. On Running Performance Tights ($120): These are sleek-feeling, but one tester experienced bunching behind the knees, and one noted the looser (colder) fit at the ankles. Patagonia Wind Shield Pants ($169): Great at shielding from wind and cold, but slightly swishy (noisy) and could be more breathable. Janji ⅞ Trail Tight ($98): Awesome tights with multiple pockets to carry fuel, etc. Their ⅞ length is versatile but leaves a tiny gap at ankle bone, requiring long socks to stay warm. 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 feel of the soft brushed interior. Arc’Teryx Essent High Rise Utility Leggings ($140): Very thin for moving fast or mild temps, and no irritating seams, but some testers experienced sagging. Also, one reported, “Not very breathable in the privates!” Hoka Novafly Run TIght ($108): Good, staple tight that works in a range of conditions, just not as comfortable against the skin as some others. And testers didn’t love the logo placement. Icebreaker 200 ZoneKnit Thermal Leggings ($150): These are better as long underwear/baselayers than tights worn on their own, in both looks and function. Nike Zenvy Gentle-Support High Waisted Tights ($100): We like the look, feel, and simplicity of these but they’re better suited for gym workouts and yoga. Tend to sag. Brooks Hight Point Tights ($130): Well-functioning, fun-looking tights with multiple fabric panels, but we could feel the seams where the fabric changes. How to Choose Womens Running Tights and Pants Consider the conditions you’ll most often be running in throughout winter to select how insulated, weather-resistant, or breathable tights or pants you need. Then think about what pocketing needs you may have–do you carry a phone in your tights? Want to carry an extra layer, or a car key securely without wearing a pack? Then try on tights made of the material that will work best for you with the ideal pocketing for your needs. If the tights feel at all uncomfortable in the store—the fabric against your skin, the seams, the fit, the feel around your waist—try on something else. If they feel good and make you want to run, even in cold, wind, snow, or rain, you found your pair.

　　How We Test Head tester and writer Lisa Jhung researches each gear category and works with gear companies to narrow down which items to add to the test loop. She then orders samples for herself and her team of five testers, who live in Colorado, Virginia, and the San Francisco Bay Area. For this test, tights and pants were worn in a range of winter conditions, from cold, dry, sometimes snowy Colorado Front Range and high country, to cold, damp Virginia and cool, rainy, mild Northern California.

　　Meet Our Testers Lisa Jhung has been running for 35 years, testing and writing about gear for 25-ish years, and manages a pool of testers out of her home in Boulder, Colorado. She runs in all conditions and loves heading out in a gnarly snowstorm.

　　Kristen Mecca moved to Virginia after running all over Colorado, including multiple podium finishes at the Pikes Peak Ascent and snowshoe races. She now tests gear through the East Coast winter and is a stickler for irritating seams and rough materials.

　　Beth Smith lives and runs in Burlingame, California, and runs roads and trails while trying to not get Prednisone-level poison oak rashes. She loves functional clothing with smart pocketing for her phone, which she always has with her.

　　Lindsay Clark trains around the roads and trails of Louisville, Colorado, while also heading to the Boulder foothills to hit rugged, rocky trails. After tragically losing her home in the Marshall Fire, she says she appreciates good running apparel on a new level.