Adjusting to winter operating will be tough. Swift motion in 30 levels in November feels a lot colder than 30 levels in March. Reminding your physique that it might nonetheless perform and do arduous issues when it’s chilly will be difficult, even for these of us who dwell in super-cold climates — I’m one in every of them! However, correctly made winter operating tights just like the Rabbit Defroster Velocity Tights can assist make that adjustment a bit of simpler.
This cozy fleece-lined quantity not solely retains your legs heat even when it begins snowing but in addition presents practicality with 5 usable pockets. I discovered these pouches to be nice for storing snacks, keys, and a cellphone, which helped me keep organized throughout my runs.
Briefly: The Rabbit Defroster Velocity Tights ($135) are a pair of stable, technical fleece-lined winter operating tights to help girls on chilly runs. Whereas it seems to be fundamental, the face sheds water, and there are ample storage pockets to help longer runs. The drawstring helps hold issues in place, and this fall, a traditional black shall be launched to the lineup.
Learn the complete Girls’s Winter Tights purchaser’s information to see how these tights stack up.
-
Variety of pockets
5 -
Pant rise
Mid-rise -
Fleece lining
Sure -
Gusset
Sure -
Inseam
25.5″
-
Grippy drawstring that stays tied -
Eco-friendly PFC-free waterproof end on face material -
Reflective seams -
Very comfortable
-
Shorter inseam -
Material does frivolously capsule
Rabbit Defroster Velocity Tights Evaluate
I’ve been sporting the ladies’s Rabbit Defroster Velocity Tight for 2 winter seasons, and it’s turn into one in every of my favourite run companions. That’s saying lots, given the pile of winter operating tights I’ve examined for GearJunkie during the last couple of winters.
For subject assessments, I’m primarily based in one of many coldest locations within the Decrease 48: Gunnison Nation. We’ve got lengthy, frigid 6-month winters. Summer season didn’t begin this 12 months till June, and there’s nonetheless snow within the excessive nation.
Fleece-lined and sturdy, it’s the primary pair I attain for when the times flip chilly. Whereas the material has pilled a bit of, that’s to be anticipated after two arduous seasons. General, these tights have been well-built and are going into their third season sturdy.
Heat and CLO Score
With an extremely comfortable inside and buttery exterior, these winter operating tights have the right quantity of compression, in my expertise. They really feel like a heat hug every time I pull them over my legs.
This design has a comparatively excessive Thermal Insulation of Garments (CLO) ranking of 0.23. CLO is used to measure heat ranges throughout completely different supplies. For context, sweatpants sit at 0.28. With a ranking that’s pretty near sweatpants, that explains why they’re so cozy!
Water-Resistant End
One element that units this ladies’s winter operating tight aside is the PFC-free, waterproof end. I recognize Rabbit incorporating a extra environmentally pleasant design observe. Though it’s actually not low cost — as mirrored within the worth — I’m keen to help firms which are extra environmentally aware, even when it prices a bit of further.
Whereas I by no means ran with these in a rain downpour, during the last two winters, I’ve run via numerous snowstorms. Usually, they do a fantastic job of retaining moisture from seeping in. I did discover after a 3-hour run with constant heavy snow that there was extra flex within the material, and the moisture had soaked in. However for on a regular basis runs, I’ve had zero points.
Pockets
Truthfully, I hardly ever use operating tights in the event that they don’t have pockets. I merely love having pockets accessible. However good pockets will be arduous to return by, and the Defroster Velocity Tights cracked the code.
This winter operating tight has 5 pockets to choose from, together with a left and proper hip pocket (6″ x 4.25″). There’s a zippered pocket (7″ x 3″) on the bottom. And there are two pockets (left and proper) on the entrance waistline seam: A 3-inch envelope opening goes to every 3″ x 6″ pouch.
I prefer to put my cellphone in one of many aspect pockets and power gels within the different. My keys or bank cards go within the zippered pocket. And any trash stuffs into the opposite pouches. Voilà! Locations for all my issues.
One factor to notice is that the pockets will not be sweatproof, and my cellphone display screen normally had moisture buildup on it.
Mid-Rise Waistband
Not everybody likes a mid-rise waist, nevertheless it works greatest for my shorter torso. It sits proper at my stomach button. I’ve observed that the tights have a tendency to slip down after my warm-up. So, I cinch down the drawstring, which takes care of the difficulty.
The drawstring is printed with the model title, and the appliance is grippy, which helps stop the drawstring from loosening up. It’s a extremely easy, neat design I haven’t seen elsewhere. I don’t need to persistently retie the drawstring on a run.
However be warned: The drawstring secures so effectively that on one event, I struggled to untie it in a rush once I needed to step off the path for a loo break. Evidently, it was a detailed name.
In the end, if you’re in between sizes, the waist would possibly sag a bit of after your warm-up, however the drawstring helps hold issues in place.
Enhancements
As a result of my winter runs typically overlap with daybreak or nightfall, I choose to put on a good that helps me be seen. I don’t rely on my tights’ reflection capabilities: It’s a bonus past different operating lights. Whereas the Rabbit Defroster Velocity Tights declare to have reflective inseams, I haven’t observed this to be correct. I’d love for the up to date model to have enhanced reflectivity.
The inseam is 25.5″ and falls proper above my ankles. I believe it might be good to have a bit of further size for full ankle protection. For runners preferring lengthy inseams, this may not be your greatest wager. That mentioned, loads of winter runners choose to layer their selection winter operating socks over their ankles for cover from the muck and temps.
In Conclusion
After two years of testing, I discovered that the Rabbit Defroster Velocity Tights stand out for his or her distinctive mixture of heat, practicality, and sturdiness.
These tights are particularly designed to fight frosty circumstances. They characteristic a fleece liner that gives a comfortable embrace for legs, making certain consolation in harsh climate.
For comfort, there’s a well-thought-out array of pockets to safe necessities. That assortment consists of pouches positioned on the hip, again, and waistband. A PFC-free, waterproof end provides an eco-friendly protect of safety towards moisture, making them nice for snowy circumstances. Whereas the mid-rise waist might barely slide down, the Rabbit Defroster Velocity Tights have a grippy drawstring to make sure a safe match all through even lengthy runs.
Extra reflectivity might be included to help runners in low-light circumstances. And the inseam might be longer to totally cowl the medial and lateral malleoli. However I’m completely satisfied to see that black is being added to the colour scheme in fall 2024, increasing upon the present grey!
After stacking numerous chilly miles, I discovered that the Rabbit Defroster Velocity Tights supply distinctive efficiency and sturdiness, justifying a better worth level. Whether or not navigating frosty trails or braving chilly roads, these ladies’s winter operating tights present dependable heat and luxury, making them a worthwhile funding for winter runners in search of top-quality gear.
Winter winds will be brutal on path runs. Women, combat it off with the Craft Girls’s ADV Essence Wind Tights constructed for freezing, windy circumstances.
The Norrøna Senja Warm1 Hood is a ladies’s light-weight fleece jacket that sings throughout high-output exercise.
