How to choose the right running tights?

When it comes to running, you need special shoes, but what you wear on your feet is just as important. It could be sweatpants, running shorts, leggings or capris. But the best functional solution today is tights. They bring tangible health benefits and give real pleasure from training. Suitable for any kind of athletics, be it: sprint, cross-country, steeplechase, road running or cross-country running.

You've probably heard of compression tights. We dare to assume that you're already thinking about buying them and would like to know how to choose the right running tights. After reading our publication to the end, you will receive enough information to make your choice consciously and get what will give you comfort and improve the results of your training. Let's consider the following questions:

1. Features of running tights.
2. What materials are preferred?
3. What style should I choose?
4. How to choose a size, and what fit is considered correct?
5. How to choose running tights by season?
6. What do you need to know about the degree of compression?
7. What else should you pay attention to?

1. FEATURES OF RUNNING TIGHTS

Running tights are compression tights for people who are professionally or actively involved in sports. We have already written about them on our blog more than once. Let us repeat once again that this sports equipment is the ideal solution for those who value freedom of movement in sportswear, the ability of the fabric to breathe, retain heat, wick away sweat and dry quickly.

Running tights are designed for training indoors and outdoors in any weather all year round. Their main feature is compression. What does compression give to an athlete?

• Firstly, it improves blood flow to the calf muscles, and this is the most important function of compression pants. The tightening (compression) action creates pressure on the vessels. The blood flows back to the heart better (30% easier), and then saturates the muscles with a new portion of oxygen. In tights, you train as hard as you need and, at the same time, feel full of strength, ready to increase the load.
• Secondly, it stabilizes the muscles. The tightening effect minimizes body vibrations during running. As a result, a large amount of energy is saved on maintaining the muscles (this is especially noticeable over long distances). This means that you can train longer and, as a result, improve your results.
• Thirdly, compression enhances the sensation of the body in space, as well as body parts in motion relative to each other (there is such a term - proprioception). That is, you are "collected into one lump", and you do not have the feeling of "imbalance". You feel the position of the body, feel every muscle and joint movement, feel your strength and know how to spend it.

This compression effect on the body reduces fatigue and pain, increases endurance, improves coordination and speeds up the recovery process after a run. In addition, tights constantly keep muscles warm, which reduces the risk of injury. And due to the tight fit, the pants effectively remove moisture to the outside and dry quickly. Now that we've covered the compression features of running tights, let's look at what materials to choose.

2. WHICH MATERIALS ARE PREFERRED?

Modern tights are made of synthetic materials. Most of the fabric is a mixed composition of several types of synthetic fibers, which are present in a certain proportion. These are microfiber, polyamide, polyester, lycra, nylon. One of the most common options is considered to be products made of polyester and lycra. It is noteworthy that up to four types of material can be used when sewing one model of tights. That is, zonal compression can be made from two different types of synthetics, a wide belt is the third type, and zones with increased sweating are the fourth.

Premium tights are made from high-tech polyamide blends that have high density and compression. The fabric contains a large amount of lycra, which makes the tights durable and elastic. And considering that polyamide was originally created as an alternative to silk, the sports product is very soft and pleasant to the body. In addition to the fact that polyamide tights are elastic, extremely light, durable, fit tightly (like a second skin), wick away sweat well, dry quickly and "correctly" tighten - they do not absorb odors. Among other technologies that combat this problem, we can name antibacterial impregnation (prevents the development of fungi, bacteria) and the presence of silver ions in the fibers. The latter also destroy pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi, acting on more than 650 types of bacteria.

3. WHICH STYLE TO CHOOSE?

If possible, do not take unisex tights - choose a clear division by gender: men's or women's tights. Each of them takes into account the anatomical features of the body, respectively, the location of the ventilation zones. When they say "tights style", they mean the length of the product and the height of the waist. First of all, we decide on the length.

There are currently three options, and all of them are very comfortable and practical for running.

1. Short tights - above the knee. They can be used for summer jogging or even under loose-fitting sweatpants to prevent chafing that can occur during exercise.
2. Mid-length tights are a version of capri pants, just below the knee. They are ideal for dry, warm autumn and spring, when the air is not warm enough to wear short tights, but long ones are still too hot.
3. Long tights - covering the entire leg or just to the ankle. Used in the off-season and cold period of the year, when due to low temperatures, cold wind and precipitation the body needs more protection.

There are also three types of belt height:

• High belt 10+ cm with a thin insert inside so that the belt is flat and fits tightly around the waist. This model supports the lower back very well.
• A regular belt 8 cm with a wide soft elastic band inside is a classic option for most models.
• A low waistband of 5 cm is actually the usual waist height for tights. It can be with a solid wide elastic band (such products are almost always designed for athletic athletes with the correct proportions) or with a drawstring, which can be used to additionally fix the tights at the waist.

4. HOW TO CHOOSE THE SIZE OF TIGHTS, AND WHAT FIT IS CONSIDERED CORRECT?

Compression tights always fit the body, precisely repeating the contours of the legs. But when it comes to choosing tights, size matters. Too big will literally get in the way (you will constantly pull them up), and too small will squeeze and cut into the body (this is uncomfortable and dangerous for health). Make sure the tights fit tightly around your legs and waist. If they tighten your ankles and calf muscles well, but are "loose" in the waist, choose another model.

A proper fit means that the tights sit tightly along the entire leg from the heel to the waist, following all its contours without squeezing or digging in.

Please note that compression clothing is different from regular shapewear. The fit of tights is tight. When you pull on the tights, you feel resistance and apply a little force. The whole point of compression underwear is to fit tightly, like a second skin. This is the only way to create the necessary compression.

Obviously, the ideal option would be to try it on in a sports store. A consultant will help you choose the right size based on your parameters and the size chart of a specific manufacturer (and they may differ and sometimes surprise with a large discrepancy). If you buy online, study the size chart of the brand you like. To determine the size of tights, you need to know your parameters: height, weight, waist and hips.

5. HOW TO CHOOSE TIGHTS BY SEASON?

Based on the theory of clothing layers, tights are always the first, and often the only, layer. Therefore, when choosing them, you need to take into account the air temperature, the presence of strong wind, running activity and individual characteristics of thermoregulation. Taking this data into account, the product is selected by thickness, density, the presence of wind protection and an insulating layer.

• At temperatures from 0˚C to -10˚C, long tights without insulation are quite suitable. You can protect the pelvic area from temperature changes by wearing shorts or a running skirt over compression pants.
• For weather with temperatures below -10˚C, when there may be a blizzard or wet snow outside, you need to buy insulated windstopper tights.

Winter tights can be made of polyamide with the addition of Merino sheep wool. The presence of natural fibers enhances thermal insulation without disrupting heat exchange. Another warm option can be a model with an inner side made of microfleece (the top is wind- and moisture-proof synthetics, the bottom is warm and soft microfleece).

The general approach to sportswear in the cold season is approximately this: it should provide thermal comfort. Dress as if it is 10˚C warmer outside than it actually is. Because running will raise your body temperature by these 10˚C, and you will be comfortable. More details on how to choose sportswear for running in winter, in the heat and off-season, at different temperatures and weather conditions.

6. WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE DEGREE OF COMPRESSION?

When running, the foot hits the ground and sends vibrations upward. The muscles shake, and during long runs they are overloaded with vibrations. The result of such overload is individual for each athlete. Here, much depends on the runner's training, the type of surface, running technique and the duration of the training. The most common symptom is pain, which in particularly severe cases is accompanied by muscle tissue injury (detachment, rupture). Tights constantly compress the muscles, reducing the harmful effects of vibrations and pain after the run.

The degree of compression of the product depends on the weave of the fabric threads. Manufacturers offer two types of tights: with strong directional and moderate directional compression. The degree of pressure in each zone of the product is different. Most of it falls on the ankles, and less on the hips. This feature allows the blood to rise from the bottom up to the heart quickly, eliminating possible stagnation. In both types, compression is to a greater or lesser extent (it all depends on the activity of the training process), but it protects the muscles from vibrations.

7. WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU PAY ATTENTION TO WHEN CHOOSING RUNNING TIGHTS?

As always - "the devil is in the details", so all attention is paid to them. And there are many of them in tights.

• Appearance - pay attention to the fact that the tights do not "flatten" the fifth point of support - unfortunately, this also happens. It seems that "everything is in place", but, having put on an unsuccessful model, you realize that you did not squat enough. Often the secret is hidden in the cut - some tights sit "sadly", while others favorably emphasize the advantages.
• Ventilation inserts (most often on the lower back and in the area under or above the knees) - special mesh segments for maximum ventilation in areas of increased heat transfer.
• Quality of seams (especially in the groin area) - should be flat and practically imperceptible.

• The presence of pockets (on the hip, on the waist, on the sides) for essential items is one of the important options in running gear. While you can still do without a phone on a run, you definitely need to put napkins, the key to your apartment or locker in the locker room somewhere.
• A good elastic band on the waist is the most important element of the fittings in tights. The comfort of using compression pants depends on its height and quality. In budget models, it may not hold its shape and bend. Only trying on will show how tightly it fits and holds its shape.
• Zippers on the shins - will allow you to easily put on tights and adjust the fit in the ankle area.
• Reflective elements (above the ankle or along the seams, on the sides, on the front or back of the leg) - so that you can be quickly identified in the twilight on the road.
• Special insert in the groin area (for men's models) - an anatomical feature that increases comfort.
• Zonal inserts on the hips - for support with the hands (when running up a steep hill), reduce their slippage.
• High-quality compression tights should maintain their original level of compression for six months, provided they are worn daily and handled properly. But you will only find out about this after some time has passed. Therefore, you should initially choose only branded items.

Conclusion

Tights are a new generation of sportswear for the most active strength training and grueling running. Their main advantages are compression and good thermoregulation. Long models with insulation are an ideal solution for cold winter weather. All the others are almost universal - suitable for spring, autumn and summer. That is, having two models in your wardrobe, you will completely cover the need for comfortable sportswear for all 12 months. The "cooler" the brand, the higher the cost of its tights and at the same time more functional "bells and whistles". After the first run, you will understand how cool it is to train in them.

Ready to try it? FREEVER offers a wide range of men's and women's tights, so finding a comfortable option will be easy. Check out the collection of compression pants from the leading Ukrainian manufacturer of clothing for sports and active recreation