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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Any serious runners out there? Could you advise me on running leggings as a present?

38 replies

youhadmeatjello · 16/12/2021 15:15

Sister is a hardcore runner, does marathons and ultra marathons regularly. Her huband has said she would like some new running leggings but hasn't got any more info than that - but function over fashion.
I have no clue!

Can anyone recommend some good running leggings?

OP posts:
ReviewingTheSituation · 17/12/2021 11:36

Not every run she does is going to be ultra distance! She'll probably be running several times a week, and some of those runs will be 4/5/6 miles (where she won't have her Salomon pack on...), so not every pair of leggings needs to be super-high performance! The key is probably for them to be well made (if she runs a lot, they'll go through the wash a lot) and comfortable.

For her loooooong runs, and races/events, she'll have preferred kit that she knows works for her*. You're not trying to find that pair of leggings for this present. You're (I guess) looking for something that she will enjoy wearing, that will fit and flatter, and will see her through lots of the short/mid length training runs along the way. So don't worry about all the posts that say ultra runners won't entertain the idea of wearing anything other than high-performance/specialist kit. Whilst something like Tikiboo probably isn't a good idea, you already know she wears Gymshark etc, so it sounds like she's perfectly open to 'normal' brands as part of her kit repertoire.

I'm just back from a run with friends - I'd say we class as fairly serious runners, having clocked up about 5,000 miles between the 4 of us this year - I was in Decathlon, 2 were in Sweaty Betty and one was in something from TKMaxx of an unknown brand!

(*whilst I don't do ultra events, I do run marathons, for which I have my kit of choice, and do a lot of long trail runs in the spring/summer/autumn, for which I also have kit which works best for those, but I also have Decathlon leggings, Ronhill leggings, Skins leggings, Ronhill shorts, Nike shorts, Asics leggings... basically a bit of everything)

purplesequins · 17/12/2021 12:02

mym 'duds' I keep as well, they are used for other workouts.

ime pockets for phones are useless for running as gravity & weight of the phone = piulling them up again every few meters...

randomsabreuse · 17/12/2021 12:18

I run a fair amount and like phone pockets if I'm planning to take it easy and take lots pictures or if I'm sneaking in a run while DH is on call so I might need quick access to my phone. For anything longer or more serious it's in a waist belt or pack - so different kit needs for different runs is definitely a thing.

I've seen lots of fast runners in Sweaty Betty - although mostly sale prints and darker colours - I also get the impression that runners tend to get the cheapest thing that they like other than shoes... So would not necessarily dislike a gift of something they normally consider overpriced.

I've found SB worth the price but I'm not built like a distance runner so need the inner thigh durability more than any other features - the SB powers have lasted so much longer than any of my other leggings.

I'm serious at another sport - and although competition kit it very specific it's nice to have a variety of training kit, especially leggings!

fellrunner85 · 17/12/2021 17:58

I also get the impression that runners tend to get the cheapest thing that they like other than shoes... So would not necessarily dislike a gift of something they normally consider overpriced

This is so true Grin Spend a fortune on shoes; everything else is sale Nike, sale Ronhill or Decathlon... Sweaty Betty I love to receive as a gift, but don't generally run in it (unless it's one of those chatty runs that also incorporates popping to the shop/coffee /gym session/school pick up etc)

Hotcuppatea · 17/12/2021 18:00

Lululemon are the best in my view. Expensive but worth every penny.

user1471539385 · 17/12/2021 18:37

Serious runner here… Lucy locket loves are fab. High waisted so no need for a drawstring, and a pocket big enough to accommodate even an iPhone 8+. They have fab prints, but also plain black which is good for wearing with race T-shirts that always seem to clash with prints. ProViz are great for tops and accessories at this time of year, as they are the most reflective ones I have found.

WorryMcGee · 17/12/2021 18:43

I’m a marathon runner and love my Sweaty Betty leggings, they’re the only ones that don’t fall down! Have had Nike, Adidas, Ronhill and Asics in the past but they just don’t quite fit right on me and I end up hoiking them up mid run. 2XU used to fit well when I had abs in my twenties, alas those days are gone 😒 as many others have said, you’re best going with a brand she’s already running in! Good luck 🙂

IamChipmunk · 17/12/2021 18:50

My sister does marathons and I have got her some tikiboo leggins for xmas at her request. I let dd (5!) Pick the pattern and she went with mermaid print! They do plain ones tho.
I only do 5ks but when they came I liked them so got myself a pair in the black Friday sale! I like the pocket on them and they were high wasted.
I also like puma and have a really good pair from sainsburys!

Kittykatmacbill · 17/12/2021 18:52

If she has Nike get them. Epic lux with a drawcord.

TheRealMrsG · 18/12/2021 18:27

Sturdy by Design leggings are amazing. They do standard and winter leggings, as well as three different lengths.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 18/12/2021 18:33

I’d give her Wiggle vouchers, or ask her. As this thread shows, there are so many variables! My absolute favourite running tights are full of jokes and over 10 years old, but I have never been able to replace them with anything quite the same. My drawers are full of things that are not quite right!

turtledovelove · 18/12/2021 19:01

TikiBoo and Electro Karbon do some fab running leggings.

turtledovelove · 18/12/2021 19:04

Sorry, I meant 'Element Karbon'

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