Tights: A Runner’s Best Friend
August 29, 2017 / ASICS Australia
A good pair of running tights (or two) is a wardrobe essential for serious runners, male and female.
The benefits of this item go beyond just comfort — running tights can offer unique advantages such as weather protection and even performance enhancement.
Fit And Comfort
The slim fit of tights provides the obvious yet crucial benefit of not riding up during a run. In addition, the tightness will eliminate friction that baggier clothing can cause against your skin. While the concept may seem restricting, tights are made of stretch fabrics — polyester and spandex, for instance — that allow flexibility and freedom of movement. Contoured waistbands can ensure both comfort and a flattering look, and many ASICS tights also feature flatlock seaming, meaning the seams are flat and therefore more comfortable.
Weather And Safety
Running tights come in different lengths and with varying functionality, so a good pair of tights can keep you comfortable and safe in many types of weather and terrain.
The fabric weight of both full and mid-length tights varies, so even in warm weather, you can wear tights to reap protection and performance benefits. Lighter tights can keep you cool but also protect your skin from elements such as sun and wind. In addition, running tights are often made with breathability and moisture management in mind — don’t be surprised to find mesh or lighter fabric behind the knees, for instance, to aid in ventilation.
On colder days, don’t be fooled into thinking the bigger the pants, the warmer they are. Running tights can be made with thermal or insulating fabric for extra cold conditions. Some also have wind and water-resistant properties to help keep you dry and protected during rain or other inclement weather. In cold weather, it’s also important to keep moisture away from your skin — good running tights will keep you dry and comfortable at the same time.
Like other running gear, many tights meant for outdoor activity have reflective properties — either on the flatlock seaming or in the form of a logo or design. In addition, many tights have pockets in convenient locations, often zippered, to ensure you can store valuables on the run comfortably and securely.
Performance
Some tights even double as compression gear. Compression in general can have a wide range of positive effects on performance, including improved recovery and increased muscle efficiency.
A number of our running tights also have elastic panels for muscular support, using COREBALANCE® technology to compress leg and lower back muscles in specific areas.
Running tights also offer an aerodynamic advantage for runners looking to reduce wind resistance and increase speed. In 1986, a study by the journal of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise found that runners who wore tights or minimized exposed hair were able to decrease wind resistance by two percent. This might not seem like much, but that’s 5.7 seconds over the course of a marathon.
Along with running tights, come view our wide selection in running gear :