Best running leggings for women reviewed of 2023

The running equivalent of a high-end sports car, you can see that Montane has paid real attention to detail with their Slipstream trail-specific running tights. What makes them particularly suited to trails, you ask? It’s the attention to detail that stands out here. 

An anti-slip hem around the ankles holds them firmly in place as you run and keeps trail debris out. In the same location, there’s a zip to make them easy to pull on or off. This is particularly handy if you’re covered in mud, which is quite probable on the trails. 

The Slipstream is perfectly designed for trail and mountain running. Sweaty legs are kept cool thanks to a large ventilation area in the form of a mesh panel behind the knees, which keeps the air circulating. 

The medium-sized, high waistband feels delightfully comfortable against the stomach as you run, with a tie drawstring so they stay in place. Soft seams equal no chafing, negating the need for any anti-chafe balm. 

In terms of pocket capacity, the Slipstream has a thigh stash pouch that’s big enough to fit a phone, a large, zipped waist pocket for valuables, and a small key pocket. You’re spoilt for choice.

Made of regenerated nylon, the Slipstream tights are durable and better for the planet than many of their counterparts. The leggings move with the body, are unrestrictive, and perfect for getting up mountains. The tights come up just a touch on the big size, and we noticed a slight gathering at the ankles by the end of the run, so would also suit longer legs.

We were thoroughly impressed by the Decathlon Emboss leggings, especially considering their affordable price point at sub-£30. Not only do they provide great comfort, but they're also one of the most practical pair of leggings we've tested.

The most remarkable aspect of these tights is the huge pocket capacity, which makes these a great pick for stashing gear during trail races. Three mesh pockets are strategically placed on the front and sides of the waistband. These offer convenient pouches to store gels, bars, gloves, or even a 500ml of smaller soft flask bottle.

Additionally, there's a small front zip pocket suitable for keys, and a spacious back pocket capable of accommodating large smartphones. Moreover, the waistband, with its comfortable width and added drawstring at the top, ensures a secure and snug fit.

Crafted from a synthetic and breathable fabric, these leggings effectively wick away sweat and provide some thermal insulation, making them suitable for temperatures as low as 0°C. However, they still remain comfortable for running even in temperatures up to 15°C, but after this we’d recommend you reach for one of our other tights reviewed here.

The Emboss leggings are specifically designed to eliminate any chafing or pressure points, and they succeed in doing so exceptionally. The presence of ankle zips and well-placed, flattering seams further enhances the fit of these leggings. When it comes to sizing, the women's XS is a perfect, compressive fit for a true UK8 and should also work well for a UK6.

On first view, we wondered if these BAM Flexa leggings were actually a base layer, as the soft material feels unlike anything we’ve run in before. Made of 50% bamboo, these running leggings take five years to degrade when disposed of, compared to 100 years for synthetic material. Environmental box truly ticked! 

Bright coloured and soft to touch, they’re touted as seam free, but do have a seam around the gusset and inside leg. They offer a good stretch and keep their shape well. BAM have thought of those with sensitive skin with their sewn-in label, which is made to be easily removed to avoid chafe. A small detail, but big after many miles run. We had no rubbing whatsoever. In fact, the Flexa feel like a silky smooth, second skin when in motion. 

Ribbed lines along the tights offer a contoured and flattering body sculpt thanks to the mildly compressive qualities. Sitting high on the waist, these also stay in place despite no obvious waistband or drawstring. This could be an issue for larger sizes, but for our size S stayed in place perfectly. It’s worth noting that the sizing does run a little large. 

One gripe was that when it rained, the Flexa got soaked and retained the water, becoming heavy. There are no pockets to store anything in, so we’d only slip these on for shorter runs, or when you have a running pack with you.

Sliding on the Under Armour (UA) Rush SmartForm Ankle Leggings, we were immediately struck by their silky smooth feel and how they hug the body in all the right places. A wide and high waistband sits comfortably against the skin and doesn't budge. The waistband has interior auxetic technology that moulds to your shape as you move.

Made from a mix of polyester and elastane, the legs feel super smooth and breathable. Sweat is wicked away at lightning speed and the thin material is fast to dry. The lower hem around the ankles has a svelte laser cut, which suits the style of the flattering seams. Importantly, there is no chafing while running, which UA says is down to their placement that aims to avoid pressure points.

There aren't loads of pockets, a simple key pouch in the inner of the waistband and a thigh phone pouch. They'd get extra brownie points for a zip compartment for valuables, but the capacity there is plenty to work with. We have. to admit, out of all the leggings tested, these feel the most performance-focussed when on, like a second skin.

The On Running Performance Tights are some of the more versatile running leggings we've come across. Primarily for their sleek appearance, the plain black tights being the first pair we reach for when going out on hikes and the gym, as well as runs. The stylish asymmetrical leggings have two main pockets, one phone pouch the side of the thigh and a rear zip pocket for valuables.

The nice and thick, high waistband is adjustable thanks to an inner drawcord, while the seams are places just right to avoid chafing. Though On says the Performance Tights are made for cold temperatures, we'd rather reach for some thicker options like the Decathlon Emboss or Hoka Performance leggings than go out in minus figures in these.

These Tech X Tights from Ronhill provide a good fit with generous leg length. A high, thin waistband with drawstring allows them to sit comfortably and the overall look is flattering. We like the sleek black colourways, too. There’s also one waist pocket for stashing a key or gels, but it’s not large enough for a phone. 

These running tights are designed to provide an extra injection of weather protection than your run of the mill leggings. We’re talking reflective detailing to boost visibility, and a brushed inner to retain heat, all of which kept us cosy in the cold. 

After several miles in the rain, we did find that rain started to seep through. It’s worth bearing in mind that while there’s some water protection here, these tights are not fully waterproof.

A brand designed by a mum struggling with her mental health, the print alone of these Badass Mother Runner leggings screams cheerful and positive, bringing a smile to your face. The bright and fun, multicoloured animal print is extremely visible, you're not in danger of getting lost against the greens and browns of nature and mud! 

The legging material feels like good quality, being a good amount of thick and elasticated. Meanwhile, the placing of panelling appears flattering, paired with soft seams that don't chafe. 

They have a very thick high waist band that holds everything in place, so the only thing you have to worry about is enjoying your run. Accurately sized with squat proof material, the four-way stretch material allows full range of motion and modesty. 

These tights also have two large pockets that hold a phone and a small waist zip pocket for a key. Small yet vital details for us. Lastly, we found them to be superbly breathable and speedy drying after particularly wet runs.

The Rab Talus leggings are true to size, flattering, and contour the body perfectly. They form a snug fit, thanks largely to the flexible yet supportive soft material, allowing for free movement while running mountains and trails - exactly as they are designed for. 

Not only do the Talus feel nice and light, but they also effectively wick moisture and dry quickly, even in damp conditions. The high-wear areas are reinforced, which works well. For instance, I once had a fall where I cut my knee, but the tights remained intact. This proves their flexibility and breathability since the low-wear areas are made of thinner material. Another plus, the Talus is also squat-proof, in other words, not see-through. 

They offer great functionality with two thigh stash pockets and a waist zip pocket, providing a brilliant amount of storage. The high waistband with a thin drawstring has to be knotted since it is just a loop with no ends, supposedly to avoid losing the end of a drawstring. Regardless of drawcord, the leggings held in place well. 

The Talus has some small reflective details, with one on the waistband that might be hidden by a long top or jacket. Unfortunately, the care label inside the leggings on the right leg caused some irritation on my skin as I ran. However, apart from that, the seams were comfortable.

In addition to their performance, Rab is climate neutral, so you can invest in their gear without any environmental guilt. What’s more, Rab also prioritises sustainability by using more recycled materials and eliminating the use of fluorocarbons.

The Hoka Performance Tights are attractive, blissfully soft, smooth, and thick, making them perfect for cooler weather. We agree with Hoka, who claim that the power mesh construction allows for unrestricted movement, while also being supportive and flattering.

Importantly, the Performance leggings are not see-through, even when stretching post-run. The fact that these are made from 75% recycled materials makes them an excellent choice for environmentally-conscious trail runners.

Hoka tights come in true-to-size with this pair designed in a ⅞ length, sitting perfectly with soft seams that don't cause any discomfort while you move. The thick and high waistband stays firmly in place, though it lacks adjustment, which might be an issue for those with smaller waists. Nonetheless, we found that they maintained their shape and didn't become soggy even in the rain. This must partly be due to the thickness of the material used.

When it comes to pockets, these tights feature two handy stash pockets on the sides, suitable for carrying a phone and snacks, while one pocket has a zip for added security. There's also a waistband key pocket. Overall, these running tights proved to be hugely practical and versatile for both trail running and other workouts.