Last updated on April 14th, 2021 at 04:51 pm
During the cooler months, running outdoors can be a great way to stay active and beat cabin fever at the same time. The problem, of course, is the cold. In addition to good planning, gathering the right gear can keep you focused and warm. A great pair of running pants (and probably some waterproof running shoes too) will keep you out on the trails, even through February.
We’ve put together the information in this article to share what we’ve found to be the best running pants for women that look great, perform well, and don’t break the bank.
What Makes a Great Pair of Women's Running Pants?
Everyone has different expectations for their running pants, but we find that most great running pants will excel in all of the following:
- Comfort: Soft feel, drawstring waistbands and tapered legs should be considered when heading out into the elements.
- Fit: Choosing pants that allow for movement is key. Running in pants that restrict mobility can hinder your natural running gait.
- Material: For running in the cold we choose lightweight materials such as nylon/spandex blends for long runs and fleece-lined loose fitting pants for shorter runs.
- Breathability: Airflow is the key to comfort. Because of this, breathability and moisture-wicking properties of running pants are important to note suring your search.
The Best Running Pants for Women are...
With the above in mind we compared a ton of the best women’s pants for running….we found that all of the pants in this post were great options, and a few deserved mention as our favorites:
Best: BALEAF Women’s Athletic Joggers
Second Best: New Balance Women’s Accelerate Tights
Third Place: BALEAF Women’s Fleece Thermal Running Pants
While these pants ranked in the top three for us, read on to learn more details and see the comparison table below, so you can easily choose the best option for you.
Comparison Table of the 7 Best Women's Running Pants
In the table below we’ve compiled our favorite running pants based on the attributes detailed above. We’ve ranked them in the table below and added columns to compare their price, number of pockets and noted their breathability.
| Picture | Name / Link | Price | Pockets | Breathability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 
|
BALEAF Athletic Joggers | $ | Two | Yes |
 
|
New Balance Accelerate Tights | $$ | None | Yes |
 
|
BALEAF Fleece Lined Running Pants | $ | Two | Yes |
 
|
RBX Active Fleece-Lined Leggings | $ | Four | Yes |
 
|
UURUN High Waist Running Leggings | $ | Two | Yes |
 
|
G Gradual Tapered Joggers | $ | Two | Yes |
 
|
Brooks Spartan II Running Pants | $$$ | Two | Yes |
Any of the above would make for a great pair of running pants. We’ve found that the below pants rose to the top with their superior value and comfort.
Our Winning Pants for Women: BALEAF Women’s Athletic Joggers
Our favorite option is the BALEAF Women’s Athletic Joggers. The best thing about these pants is their lightweight and breathable comfort during activity. We love the ability of these pants to transition between seasons as well.
For style, comfort and lightweight athletic materials, these pants are our favorite and ranked here as ‘Best.’ They’re tight where they need to be around the ankles and looser around the knees, hips and thighs for range of motion. With several additional elements like pockets and ventilation panels, these pants are a must have when the seasons begin to transition into fall.
The BALEAF Athletic Joggers Offer Breathable Comfort
Baleaf has constructed these pants from premium materials, a mix of nylon and spandex provides a light, soft and stretchy feel. With the comfortable combination of loose fit and stretch, these pants provide much needed airflow on long runs. Additionally, mesh ventilation panels on each leg add breathability, but not too much to make you cold.
The BALEAF Athletic Joggers are also moisture-wicking and quick-drying when running in wet conditions. Wicking moisture away from your body will help regulate your body temperature, which can be important even in colder weather. Therefore, quick-drying running pants are necessary while exerting energy over long distances regardless of the season.
Not only are they fantastic for adding coverage during long runs in, they transition seamlessly into spring and summer with lightweight material and design elements that provide breathable performance.
Deep Zippered Pockets Keep Belongings Safe
These Baleaf Athletic Joggers have two zippered, water-resistant hip pockets for your phone and keys, providing ample space for safe keeping. This feature makes them a great option if you’d like to forgo the armband or hip pack.
Each pocket is deep enough to hold most phones up to 6.5 inches securely within the zipper enclosure.
A Relaxed Fit And Drawstring Waist Offer A Custom Fit
Baleaf kept your active lifestyle in mind when designing these joggers. With a relaxed fit and the right amount of stretch, we find that these running pants provides ample space for range of movement.
From a style point of view, the relaxed fit, at least for me, gives piece of mind not only while running, but also when in public. Since these pants are comfortable enough to run both miles and run errands, the fit really looks great doing both.
However, a loose fit needs something to hold them up. For these joggers, a drawstring closure is the perfect feature for a custom fit. Not only do they have an extremely comfortable elastic waistband, it also houses a drawstring for extra support when needed. Which certainly will come in handy if you utilize the zippered side pockets for large phones or house keys.
Legs Taper To An Elastic Cuff
Especially functional, is a thick elastic cuff that caps each tapered leg. It’s not only flattering, the cuff also allows you to focus on your pace instead of fighting extra material around your ankles.
Additionally, the cuff is great for keeping your pants dry and securely fastened above your running shoes in wet conditions. As a result, no cold water or mud creeping up your legs!
These Joggers Are Lightweight
Finally, one of the most impressive things about the Baleaf Athletic jogger is how lightweight they really are.
Weighing in at only 5.4 oz, the BALEAF Athletic Joggers provide effortless leg coverage in any condition. Designed with a lightweight and thin nylon blend, they’re also easy to pack away for extra needed coverage later in the run.
BALEAF Running Pants PROS
- Lightweight
- Deep, zippered side pockets
- Moisture-wicking
BALEAF Running Pants CONS
- Run small, we recommend a size up
- Not ranked for the coldest weather
These pants are perfect for active runners that love a lightweight and loose fit on those chilly, but not freezing, runs. If you agree that these pants need to be in your running rotation, you can check out more specs, pictures, and current pricing on Amazon here: The BALEAF Athletic Joggers Women’s Running Pants
Second Place Women’s Running Pants: New Balance Women’s Accelerate Tights
Who doesn’t love a good pair of tights or leggings for running? The New Balance Women’s Accelerate are our favorite athletic tights for women for their simplicity and longevity .
With durable construction, stylish designs and super comfortable waistband, these tights are runner approved.
Simply put, these Accelerate tights by New Balance are both functional and well-made. Featuring a double-knit blend of a polyester and spandex, you’ll find these are a great thickness for running in many seasons.
These Tights Offer High Quality Materials and Design
Possibly the most important of all, these running tights have tough, double-stitched seams boasting durability for active use.
Furthermore, the absence of pockets and additional cuts in the materials will help retain their integrity over time. While extra seams/pockets carry the possibility of ripping with overuse, you never need to worry about that here.
If you’re ever worried about not having pockets, however, a hydration running belt can quickly solve your storage problems.
The Accelerate Tights Have Several Features For Comfort
With a mid-rise waist and thick waistband, these tights get high marks for comfort and fit. More importantly, the tape-style waistband is also self contained, so no twisting and turning of elastic after the first wash.
Runners love their ultimate stretch, double knit material which has a quality feel and provides a snug fit that’s perfect for running.
These tights are also true to size and run from XS-XXL.
NB Dry Technology For Moisture Wicking
With NB Dry Technology, these tights are made to wick away moisture rapidly. Which is an important addition to providing a comfortable workout from start to finish.
This technology brings excess moisture to the material’s surface where it can quickly evaporate. Consequently, NB Dry Technology allows for New Balance garments to be form fitting while eliminating the possibility of overheating.
These Tights are Super Versatile
One of the best things about tights is that they can be worn for so many different activities. Whether you’re hitting the trails or staying in for yoga, there are plenty of reasons to have more than one pair of these tights.
These New Balance Accelerate Tights come in a lot of different colors, each of which has a stylish graphic design. If you’re like us, when you find something that works, you buy more than one. For more color and a pop of design, check out their other options and you’ll surely find something to suit your style.
Reflective Waistband Offers Safety When Running In Low Light
Finally, running in the dark or low light is no problem with these tights as every variation has a reflective waistband. A few of the styles even feature a leg design element that also reflects light.
New Balance Accelerate PROS
- From a trusted brand
- Well made
- Double-knit thickness
New Balance Accelerate CONS
- No pockets
Running in tights can be the most freeing experience. If you love the feeling that it’s just you and the trails, these tights are for you. Check out their available design styles, sizing, current pricing and more reviews here: The New Balance Accelerate Tight
Our Third Place Running Pants for Women: BALEAF Women’s Thermal Fleece Running Pants
Chillier runs are no problem with our third place option, the BALEAF Women’s Fleece Thermal Running Pants are perfect for hitting cold trails and wearing on training runs.
We found that Baleaf has expertly paired a comfortable fleece-style lining with moisture-wicking properties for a versatile pant.
While they look comfortable enough to lounge in, these BALEAF fleece-lined pants are designed for running. They get high marks for unique features like zippered side pockets, lockable drawcord cuffs and quick-drying design.
The BALEAF Fleece Pants are Loose Fit for Runners
Not only does the loose fit provide ample space for range of motion during your run, it also adds needed airflow to keep you cool.
While loose-fit is the key here, these pants run large. We recommend sizing down when considering these for your running gear.
Poly-Blend Exterior Wicks Away Moisture
A polyester exterior in the design helps to wick away excess moisture and heat that are often associated with ‘sweatpants’. While the lining is made of brushed, cotton-blend fleece material, its construction is thin enough to prevent overheating while the upper layer does its job. As a result, you have the ability to concur cold terrain with confidence.
Two Deep-Zippered Pockets Keep Your Belongings Secured
The addition of large hidden zipper pockets on each hip allow you to keep your belongings safely secured. Each pocket is deep enough to comfortably hold a 6.5″ phone within the zipper enclosure.
Lockable Drawcord Cuffs Add Versatility
One of the most interesting and functional of features are found at the ankle. An optional lockable, elastic drawcord inside each cuff allows you to cinch these pants up above shoes in cold and wet weather. This feature also allows you to efficiently bring them up over your calf muscles to cool down.
BALEAF Fleece Thermal PROS
- Warm and Comfortable
- Deep pockets
- Adjustable ankle cuffs
BALEAF Fleece Thermal CONS
- Not quick drying
- Run large
For those really cold trail runs, these fleece pants are a great option. View more information, current styles and pricing here: The BALEAF Fleece Thermal Running Pant
How to Select Women’s Running Pants?
Before you buy a pair of running pants, take some time to consider a couple questions:
- Will I run into wet conditions?
- Are pockets necessary for my phone or keys while I run?
- Do I like tight or loose-fitting running pants?
- What’s the duration of each run?
Running In Wet Conditions
Consider if you’ll come across water along your route. Whether it’s a stream, a small puddle or rain, your pace and timing can be altered by uncomfortable wet running pants.
Cuffs that rest above your shoes, fabrics that are quick drying or ones that wick away moisture can help keep you dry while you run.
The Duration Of Your Run
The one and only time I have run a half-marathon, I made a poor wardrobe choice that lead to some uncomfortable chaffing. What I wore had been great for shorter runs, but at that distance I simply needed something different. So, take my advice, and consider your distance when making any wardrobe choices.
For just a few miles, the fit of most pants will likely be perfect. If you plan to run more than an hour or more, however, we recommend that you take comfort and fit carefully into consideration.
At longer distances loose-fitting is likely ideal. The less rubbing against your skin, the better.
When training for marathons and half-marathons, consider training in the running pants you want to use before the big marathon day… trust me.
Hitting The Trails In Running Pants..Just Get Out There
There isn’t one kind of running pant that will work for everyone. The good news is, you have a lot of choices. Whether you’re heading out for a morning trail run or training for an ultra-marathon, getting out there is the important part. Answer the most basic questions about what you really want in a pair of running pants and consider that the right pair will empower you to hit the trails and will ultimately put you on many future paths to come.
Image Credit: akunamatata | (https://www.flickr.com/photos/akunamatata/) | Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0) — reduced file size and cropped