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Click to view DipMom's profile Pro 171 posts since
Jan 2, 2007

Sep 27, 2007 9:39 AM

Clothing Recommendations

Can anyone recommend some good sites/stores to buy running tights? We have a running store but the selection is limited and the prices are high (I do use them for shoes).

I did a Google search last night and was overwhelmed. Some of the tights cost almost $100.00. I found some cheaper ones but they have little information so I am not sure if they have pockets or if they are cotton or synthetic.

How much should I expect to pay for a pair of the capri style?

Thank You
Click to view theredpen's profile Amateur 12 posts since
Jun 10, 2007
2. Sep 27, 2007 10:04 AM in response to: DipMom
Re: Clothing Recommendations
Target's C9 line is great. Pretty much everything is under $20 and they have a good amount of tech stuff.
Click to view kimber45caliber@yahoo.com's profile Legend 426 posts since
Oct 20, 2007
3. Sep 27, 2007 10:19 AM in response to: DipMom
Re: Clothing Recommendations
I have a stupid question. I expect to need to wear some kind of long pant or tights at some point this winter. I live in South Florida and it doesn't get that cold but I'll probably need something. I've read some of the other threads and people talk about getting hot and taking off layers as they run. And they mention taking off their tights and running in their shorts. Do you wear tights over shorts? What kind of shorts are you wearing that you can pull on a pair of tights over them? Or are they loose tights? I'm a new runner so I'm not familiar with cool weather clothing. My local running store does not have any cool weather clothing in stock right now so I'm not sure what I'm looking for or what I need.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Click to view cat4917's profile Pro 90 posts since
Dec 31, 2004
5. Sep 27, 2007 10:42 PM in response to: DipMom
Re: Clothing Recommendations
Compression shorts are like bike shorts without padding. Tight knit shorts. They come in different lengths, some are heavier fabric than others, etc. I agree that capris are not the cost effective way to go. I have a pair, but rarely wear them.

No one that I know layers real tights over shorts. If you're going to wear shorts when it's cold, you might have on a pair of "loose fit" tights or windpants for on the way or after the run, if you drive somewhere to run. (Or you could wear windpants over shorts to run if you think you'll warm up that much, but then what do you do with the pants? I just wear tights.)

Layering in my experience generally means on the top. If you wear a jacket or heavier pullover top, you would probably want to wear something underneath that can work (or be seen) by itself, such as a short sleeved or long sleeved thinner tech top.

My layers in the winter include some or all of these items: a thinner long sleeved top, a heavier zip neck top, a soft shell jacket and a fleece vest. All except the bottom layer have zippers, and I often just open the zippers. I could take off the jacket and tie it around my waist and put the vest back on, if I wanted. I like zip neck tops because while some people like to wear scarves or neck gaiters, my neck is the first place to get hot.

I have a pair of tights made from fleece, and a pair of "winter weight" tights that have been warm enough all by themselves down to about 10 degrees, so I've never had to layer on the bottom. Under about 25 degrees, I wear wool hiking socks so my feet stay perfectly warm. I always bring windpants in the car for after because you can get cold really fast when you stop running. Check out National Running Center for descriptions of different types of pants. Most are polyester spandex knit (like swimwear), and have some sort of key pocket but not usually larger pockets.

http://www.nationalrunningcenter.com/departments.asp?dept=164[/URL" target="_blank">

One thing that justifies the expense of tights is that they seem to last forever (unless you fall down and tear them!), they're black so no one knows if you only have one pair, and they make you feel really fast. HA. I think I paid about $40 for my winter weight ones, and maybe $35-45 for some nice Hind basic tights. The fleece ones I got at TJMaxx for about $30 and they are my favorites, so I don't mind the $ spent.
Click to view cat4917's profile Pro 90 posts since
Dec 31, 2004
6. Sep 27, 2007 10:49 PM in response to: DipMom
Re: Clothing Recommendations
Oh, I meant to ask, how cold does it get in South Florida in the winter? I'm not sure of the temps in your area, but I would guess you could get by with some light-to-regular weight tights.

Once you get adapted to the cooler temperatures and figure out how long it takes you to get warmed up and maybe have to shed your jacket, you will be able to decide if you need to invest in heavier items.
Click to view kimber45caliber@yahoo.com's profile Legend 426 posts since
Oct 20, 2007
7. Sep 27, 2007 11:39 PM in response to: DipMom
Re: Clothing Recommendations
Thanks for that link cat. To most people, it doesn't get that cold in Florida. That is most people who don't live in Florida
I think we used our furnace 3 or 4 times last year and that was during the night. But when you live here all the time, it can be 60 degrees and you feel like you're freezing. I'm a new runner and I asked some of the long-time runners what they wear. The women say they wear tights and the men wear sweat pants. I know one guy who also wears a hat and gloves. We had frost 1 morning last year. A cold front would have day-time temps in the 50's. But for me, just to go out to the store, I would be wearing 2 long-sleeve shirts , a fleece jacket,silk long-underwear, jeans, wool socks and boots. I know, you're thinking I'm insane. But I'm not kidding. When you live somewhere that is hot most of the time, you lose your ability to tolerate the cold. At least this old woman did.
The Canadians visit in the winter and are walking around in shorts and flip-flops while we Floridians are bundled up in jackets and jeans.
I looked at the link you provided. It has some items in the women's winter clearance section. I liked the "Best of Times Women's Chill Factor" top and bottom.
http://www.nationalrunningcenter.com/prodinfo.asp?number=T617PW[/URL" target="_blank">
http://www.nationalrunningcenter.com/prodinfo.asp?number=T217PW&variation=&aitem=1&mitem=1[/URL" target="_blank">
Would you wear a shirt under this top? Do you think this is too heavy for my climate?
And lastly, how many pair of tights will I need? Right now, I can only wear shirt, shoes, bra and socks once. They are soaking wet when I'm finished running and need to be washed. I'm assuming I won't be sweating as much in the winter. Will I be able to wear them more than once before they need to be washed? If not, it seems like this can get rather expensive.
And one more question, do you buy these tights a little large or a little small? I was looking at the size chart and they seem to run small. I normally wear a small or a size 2. But I certainly don't have a 24 inch waist! More like a 27-28 waist. According to their chart I'm right between a medium and a large. Can you tell I'm not a shopper? Hate it, hate it. Why can't a small be a universal small? Why can't a size 2 be the same in every brand?
I know. Senseless questions. I think I'm just wanting to gripe. It's way past my bed-time. Thanks for taking the time to help me out.
Karen
Click to view Evinmeer's profile Pro 92 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
9. Sep 28, 2007 5:37 AM in response to: DipMom
Re: Clothing Recommendations
Actually, Kimber, you may sweat more during the cold season b/c your body is actively trying to keep warmer. If you are going to wear layers, try to put the tech fabric against your skin to pull the sweat away from you.
Click to view mtnchk1's profile Legend 286 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
10. Sep 28, 2007 5:14 PM in response to: DipMom
Re: Clothing Recommendations
I'm gonna add this just for fun!

http://www.runningfunky.com[/URL" target="_blank">
Click to view ladymoonlite's profile Pro 131 posts since
Sep 8, 2007
11. Sep 29, 2007 5:15 AM in response to: DipMom
Re: Clothing Recommendations
quote: "...you could wear windpants over shorts to run if you think you'll warm up that much, but then what do you do with the pants?"

I take them off and tie them around my waist!

lml
Click to view ladymoonlite's profile Pro 131 posts since
Sep 8, 2007
13. Sep 29, 2007 1:30 PM in response to: DipMom
Re: Clothing Recommendations
Thanks for the TJMaxx tip, Cat! I don't shop there much because I don't like to search for the goods, but I found a pair of compression shorts for $5 today!

lml
Click to view cat4917's profile Pro 90 posts since
Dec 31, 2004
14. Sep 29, 2007 3:07 PM in response to: DipMom
Re: Clothing Recommendations
Glad to be of help to anyone. It was interesting reading about the Florida climate and how it's perceived to be cold at what I would say are ideal temperatures. For instance, to day it was 56 deg. when I started my run of 1.5 hr., and about 70 when I ended. I wore only shorts and a short sleeved shirt and it was perfect. But if I were going to run errands, I would wear jeans, long sleeve top, jacket, shoes and socks, and maybe take the jacket off as the day warmed up.

Those items you put on links for, kimber, are nice things. Watch those clearance items as the size availability is really limited. You asked if I would wear a top under that chill factor top, and I have to say, yes or no, depending on the actual temperature. :-)

If it were 40 deg. out, probably not - or just a tank or waist-long sports bra to add a layer around the middle. If colder, probably I would, and maybe a jacket over it if down below 30 or so. If you're running in 50 deg., I would say, try it alone with some light weight tights, gloves, and see what you think. Sometimes clothing choices take practice just like a new route or distance.

You asked what size tights to get. I generally wear a med. or sz. 8 and go for a sz. med. tights, so you would probably be okay in a small. Unless you are rather tall. Some brands may be different. Personally I think Nike runs small, but it might be that the cut is just for flatter (younger?) figures. You're right about sizes, though - ugh.