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Best women's running leggings 2019 - Evening Standard

maretmakeup Mart 18, 2021

Best women's running leggings 2019 - Evening Standard

Best women's running leggings 2019 - Evening Standard

Posted: 03 May 2019 12:00 AM PDT

Whether you're running a marathon or just going for a quick morning jog, it only takes one outing wearing the wrong attire to realise the importance of having the right kit.

This starts with the legging - get these right and your run will feel smoother, faster and much more comfortable.  Whatever your style, there are certain things everyone should look out for when buying their next pair of running leggings.

Length

Shorter women will rejoice that there are now plenty of options that are cropped enough to not bunch at the ankles.

If you're under 5'5, look out for those labelled as 7/8s - the slightly shorter length is perfect for petite statures and even works for taller women, too - you'll just be showing a little more ankle. There are also some high quality cropped styles, which usually come in just below the knee and are a real asset in warmer months when you'll want to peel back the layers.

Material

No longer just made from simple lycra, most of today's running leggings offer some seriously high tech specifications in their material. Temperature regulating and sweat wicking properties seem to be the most common, although some also come with UPF protection to guard your skin against the sun.

Pockets

Pockets are an absolute must if you're heading out for a long run and need a place to stash your phone, keys or emergency cash. Though most claim to be big enough to hold a smart phone, it's worth testing this out before you set off, as those without secure fastenings can be a little unreliable if you move at speed or are doing high impact training.

Whatever your style and preference, rest assured that each of these pairs stood up to a literal test run, making them all great options to consider.

Oysho Shapewear Leggings

Oysho remains one of the best kept secrets in sports and loungewear. Minimal designs, sleek silhouettes and neutral colours make them look and feel way more expensive than they actually are.

These Shapewear leggings tick all the boxes for running - made from compressive, sculpting fabric, they sit snugly against the skin and thanks to a large elastic waistband, don't ride up or down.

The fabric feels velvety soft and with UPF 50+, 98 per cent of UV rays will be blocked out, making them a good choice for when the summer sun is beating down. Given their length, they work as a full length pair for petite women and as ankle grazers for women over 5'6.

£39.99 | Oysho | Buy it now

Lululemon Fast and Free 7/8 Tight

Though Lululemon sits undeniably at the luxury end of the sportswear spectrum, it's a brand that consistently delivers high quality products.

The new incarnation of the Fast and Free leggings - a firm favourite amongst Lululemon fans - have incorporated Nulux fabric, which wicks away sweat and drys quickly.

Aside from the beautiful colours available here (there are 12 in all) what makes these so great is the feel of the material - it's silky soft, lightweight, yet sturdy and opaque. As with most Lulu leggings, there are both 7/8 and full length options to choose from.

These come with their usual hidden integrated pockets as well as handy reflective strips for the evening (though don't rely solely on these if you're in a particularly dark area). These ones really do feel like a second skin, so if you're the kind of runner who likes to feel as light as possible, these will be right up your street.

£108 | Lululemon | Buy it now

M&S Quick Dry Performance Leggings

If you're not in the market for a pricey pair, these M&S leggings are affordable and still deliver on the tech front.

Made from moisture wicking fabric, they'll keep the sweat at bay and the high waistband will offer support. The large zip pocket built into the waistband — big enough even to fit the iPhone X at a push — was a particular asset, offering a secure and sizeable place to stash your phone in a spot that won't drag the leggings down or make you feel lopsided.

£19.50 | M&S | Buy it now

Sweaty Betty Zero Gravity High Waisted Leggings

Zero Gravity leggings have been a firm favourite of the Sweaty Betty tribe for almost 20 years and this year they're back with jazzier prints and even harder working fabric.

Promising to sculpt the bum, their sturdy seams, sleek cut and tight fabric make them seriously flattering - particularly on the behind, as they claim. Aside from the aesthetics, they come with some really useful features, too.

Reflective, ultra lightweight and sweat wicking, the fabric is designed to endure even the toughest of runs and the added compression technology makes them particularly useful for long distance running. They wash well - pinging back into shape once dry - and feel high quality.

Thanks to the tight fit, the integrated pockets actually do keep your phone firmly in place, despite not having any zips. A great all-round investment for a summer of running.

£98 | Sweaty Betty | Buy it now

Adidas Own the Run Speed Splits 7/8 Tights

The name of these leggings says it all, really. These are made to help you feel in control - of your pace, your stride and your temperature - as you run.

Of course, they can't do the running for you but they can handle certain issues so that you don't have to think about them - temperature control being one of them. Fitted with Adidas' patented Climacool, they'll regulate your temperature and wick away sweat - both of which will help you keep up the pace and remain focused.

Reflective strips make them easy to see in the dark and the wide waist band, though a struggle to get on, feels comfortably secure. The hidden zip pockets at the back are just the right size to fit a bank card or set of keys, though anything bulkier and you might struggle to fasten them.

Ideal for hot summer runs, they get an extra thumbs up from us for their use of recycled polyester.

£42.95 | Adidas | Buy it now

Nike Epic Lux 7/8 Running Tights

These modern day candy stripers have been designed by artist Eva Magill-Oliver, helping runners stand out from the crowds whether racing in the London Marathon or taking part in the Saturday morning Park Run.

The Nike Power fabric feels like satin against the skin, helping to minimise chafing and giving you maximum freedom of movement. With a 7/8 length, these are perfect if you have short legs or just like to show a bit of ankle.

Apparently the outside seam has been removed for the sole purpose of not interrupting the pretty design but a fortunate byproduct of this is that they won't leave marks on your legs, meaning you can go out for a run and be ready to slip into a dress or skirt immediately, without having to wait for unsightly grooves to fade.

£89.95 | Nike | Buy it now

Free People You're A Peach Leggings

With reflective strips running all the way down the seams both front and back, this is a great pair to invest in if you do a lot of night time running - particularly in areas without many street lamps.

A thick, elasticated band sits right on the waist, holding you in and supporting your back, lending added stability against the impact of each stride. One of the best things about this pair is the fabric - thick and sturdy, it feels hardwearing and is opaque enough not to show off your underwear in harsh light - just one less thing to worry about as you stride for that PB.

£68 | Free People | Buy it now

Saucony Bullet Capri 2.0

Those who prefer a cropped legging will find it easy to get on board with the Saucony Bullet Capri 2.0. Made with Saucony's very own Powertight fabric - a material that promises to tuck you in tight and keep you cool in the process - they're perfect for practising interval training, when you need to pick up speed and want a legging that'll support your efforts.

What's more, this pair comes with genuinely useful pockets - two side cargo pockets about the right size for a set of keys and a bank card and a waterproof back pocket that you can stash your phone in. Saucony's something of a running institution too, so you know you're in good hands with these.

£60 | Saucony | Buy it now

CW-X Women's Stabilyx Tights

Injury prone runners, pay attention: these CW-X tights offer the best compression of any on the list, giving extra support in the areas you need it most.

The quad, hip and the IT band areas are all reinforced and whilst these won't prevent injury, they'll certainly help you get into the correct stride and posture.

Despite the tight fit, which can make them a little cumbersome to pull on, once in place these offer free range of motion and feel surprisingly free. Added bonuses include Coolmax fabric to help regulate your temperature and flat inseams to reduce the possibility of chafing on long distance runs.

£89.99 | My Triathlon | Buy it now

Verdict:

For style, comfort, ergonomics and price, the Oysho Shapewear leggings are an all-round winner.

As it's not a hugely well known brand in the UK, you're unlikely to bump into anyone wearing the same ones either, if that's a concern for you. If you're keen to splash out on a luxury pair, Lululemon never fails to please and the new version of the Fast and Free leggings are a joy to run around in.

ESBest product reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing.

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