Best Mens Running Tights?

Hi, I'm training for the marathon and want to get some decent tights to train in/ I've only ever runs in shorts before so have no idea what to go for, any suggestions? Thanks

You tell him Dave, go for fishnets you tart!

why not just go all out and run in budgie smugglers? 

My Dad has some interesting views on men who wear tights ....... most of which are unprintable here.

Jesus, i'd heard good things about running tights and the benefits they can have on your training so wanted to try them out. I'm perfectly comfortable running in tights, and your opinions say an awful lot about all of you. This is my first time posting on here as this is my first marathon. I was looking for advice from what I was led to belive was a friendly and welcoming community, clearly I was mistaken.

Rafe Clutton wrote (see)

Jesus, i'd heard good things about running tights and the benefits they can have on your training so wanted to try them out. I'm perfectly comfortable running in tights, and your opinions say an awful lot about all of you. This is my first time posting on here as this is my first marathon. I was looking for advice from what I was led to belive was a friendly and welcoming community, clearly I was mistaken.

Woah! Dude, a lot of what is said is in jest ...... the truth is a lot of us probably dont run in tights. Ive run in shorts in every single event, no matter the weather. So I cant recommend a pair, but thought I would chip in with a joke to lighten the mood.

Hopefully some people who do have experience will answer, but dont go getting all stroppy at the first sign of trouble. You'll have some serious answers, just give it time.

Do you forgive us?

Hi Rafe, it does depend on why you want to wear the tights - is it for additional warmth or is it for compression/support?

Generally, most kit manufacturers have a least one pair of tights in their line-up.  I have a cheap pair of Nike tights and a more expensive pair of Gore Running tights.  The Nike ones are thinner material, and the finish isn't quite as good as the Gore ones - but the Gore ones were at least twice the price.  For the marathon long runs I'll favour the Gore ones, but for normal mid-week runs I'd take whichever ones are clean. Also, this kinda reflects my running wardrobe - my favourite stuff is the Gore kit but I tend to only buy it when I see it heavily reduced as the RRP is quite high.  So if you currently have a preferred brand of kit, then it might be worth sticking with them.

If you're after compression tights, both Skins and 2XU seem to be highly regarded, but I don't have any personal experience of either.

They do tend to get worn only when its sub-zero temperatures, although I did wear the Gore ones on my long run yesterday in (slightly warmer) temperature due to the cold wind & rain, as they stopped the wind chill.

As you may have seen from the other posters, they aren't essential kit for marathon training in UK conditions.  If you're training in a colder climate then they may be more important.     

Apologies! Scanned through all of those very quickly, didn't look at it enough to realise the light-hearted nature of the comments, didn't mean to snap! 

Stutyr thanks for the reply. To be honest hot/cold not really an issue for me, I tend to run in just shorts and a vest no matter what it's like outside, i'm more interested in the benefits compression tights can have (if there are any!?). I've read that they can improve the flow of oxygen during the workout and speed up recovery afterwards, is this the case? I suppose the other thing to think about is wether i'm going to overheat wearing them! Temperature's never been an issue for me because I tend to warm up fairly quickly when running, never really thought about being too hot though! 

Well now we have had an explaination....

I have a pair of 2XU compression tights, I don;t run in them tho I usually wear them for a couple of hours straight after any long run

i have some 2xu ones that i find have a little too much compression to run in, so i wear them like dave, post run, but i also have a pair of adidas foremotion ones for running in that i think are fantastic, last year i'd tried some karimorre and some craft ones and didnt like them, the adidas were quite spendy (£50 and in a sale rrpis £80 i believe) compared to them but worth it, the design with various materials in the panels made them stay put, not riding up or down, and the breathability in the back of the knee pannel is great too. 

I'm not a man, as you can probably tell, but I also wear 2XU tights and run in them for most of the year - I only dig out shorts for summer and racing because I'm a woss. I got a pair of the thermal tights back in November, and I have to say they are awesome in cold weather, but I love the feeling of the standard tights - they feel really shiny and fast, and I don't get that feeling in any other tights. I have noticed the benefits of the compression as well, and when I've picked up niggles I've slept in them/worn them under trousers to work (not the same pair as I ran in, obviously, that would be gross), and found they've helped me get over them quickly.

bradders13754 wrote (see)

After a lot of research decided to give skins A600 a go
Must admit they have helped me spot on for recovery as
Well .

As long as they allow enough room for the 'boys' to still breathe you should be fine. Don't want them cooking away in a furnace now do we?