Best Running Leggings For Women In The UK

Last Updated on December 6, 2023 by Amanda Bowden

The Ultimate Guide To The Best Women’s Running Leggings

If you’re passionate about running, finding the perfect pair of running leggings can make your runs even better. This guide will help you find the best running leggings for women.

There is such a wide range of options available, it can be daunting looking for a pair of leggings you’ll love. You don’t want to end up with ones that sag at the knees and fall down!

We’ve selected the top leggings for racing, trail running, winter running, running on a budget, and runs in the rain.

We’ve got you covered if you want something reflective and brightly coloured too.

Here are our top picks:

• The Best Trail Running Leggings: Montane VIA Trail Series Women’s Long Running Tights
• Best Warm Running Leggings: Ronhill Tech Winter Tight
• The Best Budget Running Leggings: Ewedoos Gym Leggings with Pockets
• Best Reflective Running Leggings For Women: Brooks Run Visible Tights
• The Best Budget Water Resistant Running Leggings: BALEAF Fleece Lined Water Resistant Running Leggings
• Best Top Of The Range Water Resistant Running Leggings: GOREWEAR R5 GTX Tights
• The Best Running Leggings for Racing: Inov8 Race Elite Women’s Tights

Read on to find out what these leggings look like and their best features.

The Best Trail Running Leggings

Montane VIA Trail Series Long Running Tights

Our top pick for trail running is the Montane VIA Trail Running Tights. These running leggings are designed for long days on the trail, whether running, fastpacking, or hiking. They are comfortable, stretchy and have an inner drawstring to make sure they won’t slip down.

They are also fantastic value.

Key Features:

• Made for the great outdoors: They are robust, ideal for unpredictable weather, and lightweight.
• Wicks moisture, and they dry quickly too.
• Super stretchy: The great ability of these running leggings to stretch makes movement feel free and easy.
• Flat seams: The seams have been locked flat to make sure they won’t chaff on a long run.
• Pocket on thigh: This handy pocket for your phone looks good with the Montane logo on.
• Odour control: Polygiene fabric makes sure your leggings stay smelling fresh, and means you won’t need to chuck them in the wash after every run.
• These come in blue too.

Whether you’re conquering the moors, or exploring the woodlands, you will want to pick Montane’s trail running leggings whenever you leave the house.

Best Warm Running Leggings

Ronhill Tech Winter Tight

Stay cosy on frosty mornings with these warm Ronhill Tech Winter Tights. These running leggings are perfect for keeping the chill off your legs on early morning runs.

Key Features:

• Thermal tech: The leggings feature a super snug thermal fleece lining that traps heat and keeps you toasty throughout your run.
• Performance-oriented: While they keep you warm, they are also stretchy for comfort and ease of movement.
• Pockets: There is a pocket on the thigh, ideal for your phone, and a zipped pocket on the back too.
• They dry quickly and are breathable.
• Available in black and Cabernet/Blush (which is a deep red colour).
• The reflective details on these leggings look good and will help drivers spot you.

When you put on your Ronhill running leggings you’ll be looking forward to getting out for a winter run, well-equipped to beat the cold.

The Best Budget Running Leggings

Ewedoos Gym Leggings with Pockets

If you’re tight for money but still want some nice leggings, then Ewedoos Running Leggings are a great choice.

These leggings fit nicely, look good and don’t fall down. You will be surprised how good they are for the cost.

Key Features:

• Pocket power: The Ewedoos Gym Leggings have a pocket on each thigh. This is very handy for carrying your phone, so you won’t need a running belt for a short run.
• High waist design with tummy control: The high waist makes these leggings feel secure, and ensures they don’t slip down while you’re running. It’s also flattering, preventing muffin top.
• Look good: Perfect to wear all day.
• Stretchy and moisture wicking.
• Available in other colours as well as black! There’s also charcoal, dark grey, dark blue and a muted green.

These leggings are a good wardrobe staple, whether you’re heading out for a run or not!

Best Reflective Running Leggings For Women

Brooks Run Visible Tights

The Brooks Run Visible running leggings will help you stay safe if you’re an early bird, or like joining evening club runs.

Running in low-light conditions demands gear that enhances your visibility to others on the road or trail. For this purpose, our top recommendation is the Brooks Run Visible Tights.

These reflective running leggings are designed to ensure you stand out! They are very eye catching, but still manage to look good while they’re at it.

Key Features:

• High visibility: These leggings feature reflective elements strategically placed to make you visible from all angles. There are bright yellow panels on the front and back of the calves, plus reflective panels. And there are extra reflective elements on the thighs and waist band (on the front and back).
• Comfort and performance: But you probably want leggings that perform too, and these will do that. They are breathable, have supportive compression, are easy to move in, and have minimal seams to prevent chaffing.
• Stylish design with pockets: These Brooks running leggings are both functional and look great. They have a pocket on each thigh to stash phone and gels.

With Brooks Run Visible Tights, you can confidently hit the road or trail in any lighting conditions. However, if it’s really dark, and you’re running on the roads, still take care! Make sure you wear a head torch too.

Best Budget Water Resistant Running Leggings

BALEAF Fleece Lined Water Resistant Running Leggings

Stay dry with these super snug running leggings from BALEAF.

These are winter leggings, designed for when it’s less than 4 degrees Celsius. Although, really they are suitable for anything less than 10 degrees.

They are especially good at keeping off the chill when it’s windy and drizzly.

Not only do these leggings help keep you dry and warm, they are also good value.

Key Features:

• Water-resistant: These leggings have a water-repellent finish to shield you from light rain and snow.
• Wind protection: These will keep the chill off much more effectively than everyday leggings.
• Fleece lining: The cosy fleece lining provides both warmth and comfort.
• Pockets: A pocket on each thigh, plus a zipped pocket too.
• Reflective details for safety: A strip on each ankle, a reflective logo on the thigh pocket, and a reflective pattern above the bum.
• Available in black, grey and blue.

These leggings will make you look good, and keep you dry, without making much of a dent in your wallet.

Best Top Of The Range Water Resistant Running Leggings

GOREWEAR R5 GTX Tights

If you don’t want to let the weather dictate your training plan, investing in high-quality, top-of-the-range water-resistant running leggings will do you well.

These GOREWEAR running leggings are designed for elite performance and are ideal if you want the best you can get.

Key Features:

• GORE-TEX INFINIUM: This type of Gore-Tex is designed to protect you from the rain and wind, and is highly breathable.
• Precision fit: The leggings offer a snug and athletic fit that optimises performance.
• High waist for a nice looking legging with an adjustable waistband too.
• Pockets: There is a pocket on the left thigh, and a zipped back pocket.
• Reflective logo and strips on the calves.
• These come in a pure black version, but there’s also a high-vis option with neon yellow panels on the calves.

GOREWEAR running leggings are perfect if you refuse to compromise on performance, even in the face of challenging weather.

The Best Running Leggings for Racing

Inov8 Race Elite Women’s Tights

If you love racing, or get a thrill out of running fast, you will love these Inov8 running leggings that are designed for the job.

These leggings are super stretchy, lightweight, fitted and supportive. They won’t hold you back as you go for a personal best.

Key Features:

• Race-specific design: Inov8’s Race Elite Tights are tailored for racing, with stretch fabric letting you move with freedom.
• Breathable and moisture-wicking: Their moisture-wicking capabilities keep you dry, even during intense races, and their breathability ensures you stay cool.
• Flat seams: Designed for the long run, you can keep going in these without annoying seams starting to chaff.
• High waist with secure pockets: There is a zipped pocket on the rear, a key loop, plus an accessible mesh pocket for gels.
• Reflective details: The Inov8 logo is reflective, plus there are reflective strips on the calves.

When you want to push your limits in a race, these Inov8 running leggings are a wonderful choice. You may find you love the feeling of unrestricted movement and want to keep them on all day.

Running Leggings For Women: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are the key factors to consider when choosing running leggings?

• Have a think about whether you’re on the look out for weather resistance, comfort, pockets and visibility features. And think about whether or not you like them – this will be the key factor in how often you put them on!

2. Are reflective running leggings only suitable for night-time running?

• It’s good to wear reflective running leggings when you’re running at night, or in dim light. It really helps you to get noticed by traffic. If you wear them in the day-time they will still help you be seen, but any light reflected will not be as noticeable in bright day-light.
• If you’re likely to be running on roads with traffic it’s a good idea to not only be careful, but also wear extra lights. A head torch and flashing LED armbands will make extra sure you get noticed.

3. How do I determine the right size for running leggings?

• To find the right size, have a look at the sizing chart provided by the manufacturer. Measure your waist, hips, and inseam, and choose a size that matches your measurements. If in doubt, you can always check customer reviews for sizing advice.

4. Can budget-friendly running leggings offer good quality and performance?

• Yes, budget-friendly running leggings are often better than you would expect. Our recommended EWEDOOS Gym Leggings with Pockets is a great example of this.

5. Are water-resistant running leggings suitable for heavy rain conditions?

• Not really, they will keep you dry for a while, and then soak through. They’re better for drizzle, light rain, and snow days.
• If you want to run in heavier rain, and stay dry, you’d be better off running in waterproof trousers. The disadvantage of these though, is that they don’t offer the same freedom of movement that water-resistant leggings offer.

6. What’s the benefit of GORE-TEX Infinium technology in water-resistant running leggings, and how does it differ from normal GORE-TEX?

• GORE-TEX Infinium is an advanced material used in some of the higher priced water-resistant running leggings, like the GOREWEAR Women’s R5 GTX Tights. It has very good water-resistance and wind-proofing, with excellent breathability.
• GORE-TEX focuses on absolute waterproofness, whereas GORE-TEX Infinium is engineered more for comfort, lightness, breathability, and wind protection.

7. Can I use water-resistant running leggings for activities other than running?

• Yes, of course, they are wonderfully versatile. They are great for running, hiking, cycling, the gym, or just wearing all day long not matter what you’re up to!

8. How do I care for and maintain my running leggings?

• Make sure you check the label for instruction before you wash them. But the typical instructions include washing them at 30 degrees Celsius, avoiding fabric softeners, and ideally air drying. This helps preserve their quality for longer, although it’s normally OK to tumble dry them on a low heat.

9. Do all running leggings come with pockets?

• No, although more running leggings come with pockets than they used to. All the running leggings in this article do have pockets though!

10. Can I wear racing leggings for everyday running, or are they specifically for races?

• Running leggings like the Inov8 Race Elite Tights are perfect for a race, but you will love running in them whether you’re racing or not. They are so lightweight and easy to move in that they are great for any runs.

Conclusion

Hopefully you have easily chosen your favourite running leggings from this selection, but in case you’re still not sure…

Here’s a recap of our top picks:

• For trail running, the Montane VIA Trail Running Tights are lightweight, stretchy and have flat seams to avoid chaffing.
• When you need warmth, the Ronhill Running Tech Winter Tight ensures you stay cosy on your colder runs.
• If you’re on a budget, the Ewedoos Gym Leggings with Pockets combine affordability with practicality.
• To enhance your visibility, the Brooks Run Visible Tights will help keep you safe during low-light runs.
• For budget water resistance, the BALEAF Fleece Lined Water Resistant Running Leggings are great for protection from the drizzle, without breaking the bank.
• For top-of-the-range water resistance, the GOREWEAR Women’s R5 GTX Tights are ideal for elite performance.

And if you love a good race, the Inov8 Race Elite Tights are your go-to choice to get a PB.

Now, if you’re looking to get a man something to wear when they’re running, have a read of: The Best Men’s Running Trousers.