Summer Runnin' / Sweatin' So Fast
May 8, 2018 12:25 PM Subscribe
I think I'm in the market for lightweight, knee-length running tights, but I'm a dude and they only seem to be marketed to women. I've found reference to so-called ¾ length running tights for men, but most of those hit at or below the calf (19-22" inseam) and I'd really like something that comes just below the knee (16.5-17" inseam). Does the product I want exist?
I'm trying to exercise more. I'm a skinny guy in general, and you wouldn't think I'd have chub rub, but you'd be wrong. The full length tights I've come to rely on to prevent chafing during cool weather workouts are already too hot and it's only May. Assume shorts won't work. I'd like to have my knees covered because it seems to help me avoid exacerbating an old knee injury, and I'm not a fan of the exposed elastic of a "gripper" hem (I know that from padded bike shorts). Ideally I want something above the calf and below the knee. It should be running-specific and capable of surviving my chub rub. Basically, I want the smoothest, lightest, most breathable running tights available to man (or woman, if it comes to that), only I want them to end just below the knee.
Men's ¾ length tights all seem to be too long, and while some running outlets sell something called a "half tight" for men, they all seem to be above the knee, just to mess with my shopping. I took a couple pairs of pants that fit well and don't ride up or down on me and marked the inseam at the length I think I want. It looks like that's about 16.5-17 inches. These are promising, maybe, but they might still be too warm, and the inseam is 18" so I'm afraid they'd ride up and bunch up under my knees.
Basically what I want is the Saucony Bullet Capri or Scoot Mini Capri or the Athleta Dobby Be Free Knicker, but I'd prefer to avoid "feminine" looking products if I can. If I have to resort to buying women's pants I will, but patterns, details, and logos all conspire to give up the game there. I've got long, bony legs and I already get catcalls and funny looks as it is (which is ridiculous, but I'm still self-conscious about my workout clothes, so not pushing any more of those buttons than strictly necessary would be helpful).
Is there some other magical product I'm missing because the terms are so vague and inconsistent? Does anybody specifically make running tights for men in below-the-knee-but-above-the-calf length, or do I just need to man up and buy some women's pants already?
I'm trying to exercise more. I'm a skinny guy in general, and you wouldn't think I'd have chub rub, but you'd be wrong. The full length tights I've come to rely on to prevent chafing during cool weather workouts are already too hot and it's only May. Assume shorts won't work. I'd like to have my knees covered because it seems to help me avoid exacerbating an old knee injury, and I'm not a fan of the exposed elastic of a "gripper" hem (I know that from padded bike shorts). Ideally I want something above the calf and below the knee. It should be running-specific and capable of surviving my chub rub. Basically, I want the smoothest, lightest, most breathable running tights available to man (or woman, if it comes to that), only I want them to end just below the knee.
Men's ¾ length tights all seem to be too long, and while some running outlets sell something called a "half tight" for men, they all seem to be above the knee, just to mess with my shopping. I took a couple pairs of pants that fit well and don't ride up or down on me and marked the inseam at the length I think I want. It looks like that's about 16.5-17 inches. These are promising, maybe, but they might still be too warm, and the inseam is 18" so I'm afraid they'd ride up and bunch up under my knees.
Basically what I want is the Saucony Bullet Capri or Scoot Mini Capri or the Athleta Dobby Be Free Knicker, but I'd prefer to avoid "feminine" looking products if I can. If I have to resort to buying women's pants I will, but patterns, details, and logos all conspire to give up the game there. I've got long, bony legs and I already get catcalls and funny looks as it is (which is ridiculous, but I'm still self-conscious about my workout clothes, so not pushing any more of those buttons than strictly necessary would be helpful).
Is there some other magical product I'm missing because the terms are so vague and inconsistent? Does anybody specifically make running tights for men in below-the-knee-but-above-the-calf length, or do I just need to man up and buy some women's pants already?
Could you buy the longer ones and just get them hemmed to the length you want... My local dry-cleaner will do this kind of work.
posted by HuronBob at 12:34 PM on May 8, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by HuronBob at 12:34 PM on May 8, 2018 [3 favorites]
Nike sells compression tights that seem to match what you're asking for.
It's going to sound kooky, but there are a lot of options if you search for 'wrestling tights' or even 'wrestling tights capri'. There are going to be a lot of decoration options (or maybe you like gold), but you can also limit your search to just for black via Google Shopping.
posted by Alison at 12:39 PM on May 8, 2018
It's going to sound kooky, but there are a lot of options if you search for 'wrestling tights' or even 'wrestling tights capri'. There are going to be a lot of decoration options (or maybe you like gold), but you can also limit your search to just for black via Google Shopping.
posted by Alison at 12:39 PM on May 8, 2018
Response by poster: Athletic "boxer briefs" eliminate chub rub for me
Yeah, the problem I have is basically that I need the ones with like 9" inseams so they don't ride up, and then they get into other issues like how high the waist is or the problem of a "working fly" (which doesn't work for me). I've got some seamless, low-rise boxer briefs from Uniqlo that fit me great, except the legs aren't long enough and they ride up. Uniqlo used to sell long boxer briefs but not in the low rise that I prefer, and they don't even seem to sell them at all now. Mack Weldon might be an option, I guess, but I have a problem paying $32 for underwear.
posted by fedward at 12:50 PM on May 8, 2018
Yeah, the problem I have is basically that I need the ones with like 9" inseams so they don't ride up, and then they get into other issues like how high the waist is or the problem of a "working fly" (which doesn't work for me). I've got some seamless, low-rise boxer briefs from Uniqlo that fit me great, except the legs aren't long enough and they ride up. Uniqlo used to sell long boxer briefs but not in the low rise that I prefer, and they don't even seem to sell them at all now. Mack Weldon might be an option, I guess, but I have a problem paying $32 for underwear.
posted by fedward at 12:50 PM on May 8, 2018
Best answer: These Under Armour Knee Tights seem pretty close. They say the inseam is 15.5" regular or 17" tall, but the photo looks like what you're describing.
These EVAPOR 3/4 tights also have a 15" inseam, but appear to be designed to hit below the knee.
But honestly, if you get women's tights in a solid color or generic sort of pattern, I'm not sure how anyone would notice. I guess a wide waistband is a kind of feminine detail, but are you going to tuck your shirt in? Even if so, I don't think it would be noticeable on a dark solid color. So go for it, if the fit is right.
posted by Kriesa at 12:59 PM on May 8, 2018 [1 favorite]
These EVAPOR 3/4 tights also have a 15" inseam, but appear to be designed to hit below the knee.
But honestly, if you get women's tights in a solid color or generic sort of pattern, I'm not sure how anyone would notice. I guess a wide waistband is a kind of feminine detail, but are you going to tuck your shirt in? Even if so, I don't think it would be noticeable on a dark solid color. So go for it, if the fit is right.
posted by Kriesa at 12:59 PM on May 8, 2018 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: I swear I googled "knee tight" and never found those UA pants, which would be perfect in the tall if anybody had the tall ones in stock.
posted by fedward at 1:12 PM on May 8, 2018
posted by fedward at 1:12 PM on May 8, 2018
Not sure how you feel about this style, but the legging inseam is 17". UA Launch 2-in-1.
posted by Kriesa at 1:19 PM on May 8, 2018
posted by Kriesa at 1:19 PM on May 8, 2018
You can have them altered, which will probably fit better than any "knee length" tights.
Also, plain black women's tights won't have patterns or details that look feminine, and most companies put the logo on the waistband where it's less likely to be visible.
posted by yohko at 1:21 PM on May 8, 2018 [1 favorite]
Also, plain black women's tights won't have patterns or details that look feminine, and most companies put the logo on the waistband where it's less likely to be visible.
posted by yohko at 1:21 PM on May 8, 2018 [1 favorite]
I have to say, I think there's a number of women's running tights that would really fit the bill. You say you're self conscious; I think you may be over-estimating the amount of attention you'll be getting if you wear something that's plain and black. I can't really picture where a logo could be placed to make it look "feminine". Some search terms you might not have thought of: running knickers/capris/leggings.
A small meditation on my part, hopefully it will be useful to you, hopefully you'll find it humorous. I used to be an insecure boy who hiked, ran, and cycled; now I'm an "attractive" woman who does those things. I remember being so self-conscious about the way I looked when I was outdoors and exercising. I never regret my transition, but I do sometimes long for the days I could go out without drawing so much attention. It really showed me, frankly, how absolutely little I actually had to worry about as a dude-person being, well, out-and-about. I don't want to minimize your feelings, but maybe you can take it from me: no one really cares :)
posted by lilies.lilies at 3:58 PM on May 8, 2018
A small meditation on my part, hopefully it will be useful to you, hopefully you'll find it humorous. I used to be an insecure boy who hiked, ran, and cycled; now I'm an "attractive" woman who does those things. I remember being so self-conscious about the way I looked when I was outdoors and exercising. I never regret my transition, but I do sometimes long for the days I could go out without drawing so much attention. It really showed me, frankly, how absolutely little I actually had to worry about as a dude-person being, well, out-and-about. I don't want to minimize your feelings, but maybe you can take it from me: no one really cares :)
posted by lilies.lilies at 3:58 PM on May 8, 2018
I can't endorse these yet, because I only just now bought a pair, but I'm hopeful these will work for me. They seem to have many styles that fit your criteria.
https://www.zensah.com/collections/running/products/seamless-compression-shorts
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 5:25 AM on May 9, 2018
https://www.zensah.com/collections/running/products/seamless-compression-shorts
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 5:25 AM on May 9, 2018
Response by poster: Following up: I bought the Nike pants I linked as "promising, maybe" and they did, in fact, fit wrong. They hit about an inch above the widest part of my calves (the inseam was 18.5"), and they immediately rode up. What I wasn't expecting was that instead of bunching up in the narrow spot between my knees and my calves, they mostly bunched up above my knees. It was weird. The vented mesh patch that's supposed to go behind your knees ended up sitting about two inches above them after only a few steps.
I sent them back and I've now ordered something else to see if it fits any better. I'm gonna end up on so many catalog mailing lists before this is done.
posted by fedward at 10:52 AM on May 15, 2018
I sent them back and I've now ordered something else to see if it fits any better. I'm gonna end up on so many catalog mailing lists before this is done.
posted by fedward at 10:52 AM on May 15, 2018
This thread is closed to new comments.
But what about your knee (I did read the full question!)? Get a wrap/support for your knee and where it separately. Running has greatly helped my knees, but before I used a simple knee wrap that I got from the dollar store - I imagine getting a few of these so you can rotate between laundry days. To just keep your knee warm this would definitely help.
posted by nobeagle at 12:34 PM on May 8, 2018