Are these running tights or underwear (or both)?

November 30, 2013 8:31 PM

I received these compression pants and I would like to use them as running tights. To my mind, the difference between "running tights" and "base layer" is primarily just marketing, but similar models look like they are really just meant to be underwear. Assuming the ugly waistband is covered by my shirt or jacket, can the pants I received be worn as running tights (without shorts over the top), or will everyone think I'm running in my long johns?
posted by stopgap to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (15 answers total)

I wear my Pro Combat shorts by themselves sometimes. You can get away with a lot in black. The ass seam on the ones you linked is kind of weird, but I think overall they're fine. At least there's no junk seam like on the shorts in the "you may also like" section. Keep in mind I am not fashionable.
posted by Snarl Furillo at 8:35 PM on November 30, 2013

Yeah, the butt seam kinda throws me off but you know what? Personally, I wouldn't think you were but... Even if someone thinks you are running in your long underwear, you're going to be jogging right on by, so no worries.
posted by sm1tten at 8:38 PM on November 30, 2013

if you run fast enough your legs will be such a blur that no one will notice :) what matters is - does it let your skin breathe and keep you warm when you need it?

maybe wear a light pair of running shorts on top if the butt seams mentioned above bother you.
posted by cristinacristinacristina at 8:40 PM on November 30, 2013

I would think you were running in your long johns. (I know nothing about running clothes.)
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 8:51 PM on November 30, 2013 [1 favorite]

It would look normal enough to me that I wouldn't even notice. Now, add a Beardski...
posted by stormyteal at 8:54 PM on November 30, 2013

Other runners will think you are running in your underwear. They might be doing the same.

It's the white contrasting seam that makes them look like long johns.
posted by bluedaisy at 9:21 PM on November 30, 2013

Huh, I can be a big ole prude sometimes, but seeing a man run in tights doesn't faze me. Two caveats for my thumbs up on these specific tights: 1) they shouldn't be sheer in the glute/crotch areas, and 2) the fabric should be thick enough to provide support (ie, thick enough to hold all your bits securely like a compression pant would).
posted by cecic at 9:58 PM on November 30, 2013 [1 favorite]

From the front, I'd say all you have to worry about is that waistband (which screams underwear). From the rear, though, oh my, that butt seam ... I wouldn't call you out on it though. I wouldn't even be offended. But I would think you were running in your long johns.
posted by zanni at 11:18 PM on November 30, 2013

Well, here's a data point:

I was walking the dog the other morning and I saw a guy running who was wearing either this exact garment or something extremely similar, and I noticed it as out of the ordinary. My thought was something like, "Hmm... I wonder if maybe he just woke up and was too groggy to put on the rest of his clothes, or maybe he's an exhibitionist, or... ?"

But I live in San Francisco, and I see people wearing (and not wearing) all sorts of things. Basically my only criterion is "Does it upset the dog?" This guy didn't upset the dog.
posted by trip and a half at 11:23 PM on November 30, 2013 [3 favorites]

I don't hate, but I would think you were running in your underwear. It's the seams - I'd throw shorts on over if that impression matters to you, or maybe keep looking for a pair that doesn't have contrast stitching outlining your butt?
posted by Space Kitty at 12:58 AM on December 1, 2013

Mod note: Some comments deleted. Please drop the "men's junk" derail and stop arguing; please provide helpful answers to the question posted.
posted by taz (staff) at 1:30 AM on December 1, 2013

Put shorts over them if you're in doubt. (This is somewhat common in my area!)
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 2:32 AM on December 1, 2013 [1 favorite]

I think they are more underwear than not, but it really doesn't matter unless you are bothered. They don't usually look obscene in action, so go for it. In Atlanta, I'd see guys in just tights on rare occasion, but I havent seen it at all in Denver. The butt seams are the underwear tell, as others have noted.

(Just as a data point, I merely avert my eyes when I jog past men running in them, but if my husband set out for a jog in just his tights, I'd have to make sure he was feeling ok.)
posted by stormygrey at 8:59 AM on December 1, 2013

Hmm... following your link, I just realized that one of my pairs of Nike capris that I have been wearing as outerwear are actually compression tights. No one has ever said anything to me when I have worn them, but now I'm kind of embarrassed about it. So... I guess I would say that at least some people won't know they are underwear...people like me.....
posted by barnoley at 10:21 AM on December 1, 2013

I wear tights (women's) with shorts over top for this reason and it's actually super confortable and gives an extra pocket or two for key/phone/etc (my tights have no pockets).
posted by Pomo at 12:14 PM on December 1, 2013