Why are running clothes so impractical?

[PilesofGuilt]

I need to get fitter. I need to lose weight. We've just moved house and basically all my spare time has been organising that for the last 4 months.
I have some north face running tights. But they're tights, so basically underwear and show off every bulge and roll of fat. Put a skirt over and I look like a toddler dressed me. Pair of shorts over the top looks even worse. No pockets - so nowhere for a phone, house key and couple of tissues. Ended up tying my jacket around my waist instead of wearing it.

But why can't they make running kit with pockets? Or T-shirts long enough to hide your underwear? Pretty sure no one wants to see my arse in running tights! Am I looking in the wrong place?

Go to TK Maxx
loads of running/liking/yoga leggings in there with side pockets and or small zippy pockets in the waistband.
Honestly, as long as you are comfortable it doesn’t really matter what you run in imo unless you are some sort of elite runner or running long distances.

I have just bought a Decathlon running belt for about £15. It is big enough to sit over my hips (a size 5) and has a rubbery strip inside to stop it sliding up. It has top opening pockets all round that are enough for a soft water bottle, snacks, phone and keys - one of the pockets has a clip for keys.

I did have a flip belt but found it too difficult to get water bottles in and out.

Tesco have gym leggings. With pockets for phone, wee zip pocket in back for key. Thick material which I find more flattering. Think they were about £20. They had cheaper ones without pockets.

Part of the problem is you don't really want excess fabric flapping around which is why so much running kit is skintight. You can get leggings with an integrated skirt or shorts bit at the top which might work - they match perfectly so look more intentional than wearing leggings over shorts. Pockets is a matter of shopping round but they definitely can be found, or a flip belt is a good alternative.

My DD has running leggings with a phone pocket. Sorry no idea of brand but they are out there. As are more opaque ones and long ts - you need to shop around.

I like Lidl running gear when they have it. Lasts for years! Otherwise, if men’s shorts and tops fit they are less revealing and the material often seems to be better quality.

NorthFace is a walking / hiking brand not a running brand.

Look at Sweaty Betty, LuluLemon, Acis, and other such sports brands that make for running. You don't need to buy full price, places like brand alley and so on always have such products on sale.

i often buy men's t-shirts because they tend to be longer and wear a lot from races which are usually mens/"unisex". I find a lot of women's tops, running kit or otherwise, are so short these days. It's like everyone is under 5ft 3 or wants their middle showing!
Look at Flanci skorts - very flattering compared to shorts, 2 thigh pockets and a zipped pocket in the back for your key. All my leggings have pockets though, you're buying the wrong brands!

I use a running belt as although leggings with side pockets are everywhere I don't like the feeling of my phone against my leg. But for tops, I like bum covering ones and buy tops sold as modest active wear. Size down so they are less baggy, and you have lovely mid thigh tops

I dunno where you are but where I am lots of men wear running leggings for running.

most put shorts over for modesty as if you think running leggings on women expose every bump you ain’t seen a man in them!

I am not a runner, I just walk as fast as I can for exercise, but I like the Matalan Souluxe range and they do longline t-shirts. Like others I use a running belt to carry my phone and keys. I'm tall and a size 18 and that combination works for me

I’ve recently got back into running after a long time and although a lot slimmer these days I still feel self conscious of certain areas so I’m not comfortable in very clingy outfits. echoing other posters but I’ve got a good cache of gear mainly from Vinted. Sweaty betty leggings come in lots of great patterns as well as plain and usually have at least a key zip pocket. They’re also flattering and not thin over the bum so no jiggly bits or knicker lines on display. I have a small north face bum bag I got for £8 from ASOS for shorter runs, holds inhaler, key and phone. A karrimor one from sports direct that also holds two small water bottles for longer runs. Vests seem popular now and you can get ones with a ‘bladder’ for easy drinking on the run. I wear Nike or adidas running t shirts that are dri fit but purposefully loose fitting so look good. Also yoga sleeveless tops are good for summer running as don’t cling but are lightweight and again, look appropriate not like you’ve raided the back of your wardrobe. I also have a pair of Nike cycling shorts that are thick enough to feel supportive and provide coverage without being too warm/heavy. They have a key pocket in. I use a lightweight trespass rain jacket on showery or windy runs as it has pockets and easy to tie around my waist if I get hot.

Never really thought about this. But then, I know lots of men who run in leggings in colder weather 🤷‍♀️

I have a running vest with pockets for phone, keys, snack and a drink on the go as i take electrolytes to boost my energy! Best money iv spent apart from my Brooks running trainers which are amazing and stopped my knee pain.

You probably don’t need a jacket now as it’s so warm.

If you don’t want to run in shorts, leggings QueenieKee on Amazon have pockets, are thick and are nice leggings. But what is it you want to cover up? Your bum? Shorts over the top of leggings? The downside is that is a lot of hot layers and not comfy for running.

Shorts with pockets would probably be better. I keep my bra and keys in my sports bra (queeniekee again) and that makes it a bit easier.

I think it's fine to want tonfeel comfortable about how you look. Sounds as. Though pps have posted some useful options. I usually just run in joggers but with the ones with not-great elastic, I put my phone in an elasticated running/ festival pocket belt, which would also work with running tights.

Being a taller woman I wear Tesco running leggings, which are a couple of cm longer than the norm and have a pocket for my key, and a parkrun woman's tshirt or a mens running tshirt which are both longer length.

Leggings and Lycra are shit. You rarely see men in them as they are uncomfortable. Especially in warmer weather. You’ll get far too hot. I have loose, light material running trousers. So much better. So much more comfortable. I will never go back to Lycra or leggings.

Just wear unbranded joggers and long t-shirts. Expensive running clothes aren't necessary.

Wear tracksters instead of leggings. Phones tend to pull the leggings down.
If you want to take your phone, wear a cycling top or an arm wallet.
Women’s Bottoms | Women’s Jogging Bottoms & More | Start Fitness
Running & Training Accessories | Start Fitness
Altura Airstream Womens Short Sleeve Cycling Jersey - Forest Green – Start Fitness

Decathlon will probably sell them and is good value.

The North Face is an outdoor brand that does fashion for the 'JD Sports' market.
I'd go for a proper running brand like Ronhill.

You don't need expensive kit just what works for you. When I started, I wore cotton shorts and t-shirts and an old pac-a-mac if it rained. I had a proper sports bra and running shoes.
I invested in kit after I could run 4 miles.

With the gym, I wore cheap leggings and a baggy t-shirt and inexpensive trainers.

Nobody really looks at you.

Harrier do a women's jacket with proper pockets. My only issue is the colour - it's a nice colour but not really visible

Harrier also do a decent waist pack which you can get plenty of things in

Shop All – Harrier Trail Running

You rarely see men in them as they are uncomfortable.
I switched to hiking in leggings as I found hiking trousers uncomfortable on the scars on my legs when I'm a bit hot. I don't have that issue with leggings. So yes, my leggings are not brand new and were bought with hiking in mind, I didn't really think about pockets as I hike with a backpack.

Leggings/tights to stop everything wobbling too much, I have tried in normal joggers and it's not for me.

I don't want my arse on view.

I'm tall, but with short legs, so find it hard to find decent length tops anyway.

with a flip belt, do you go for waist size or hip size? Does it not ride up? (I've a two size difference between top half and bottom half.)

If I feel like an idiot, I'm even less likely to go out. The jacket I wore today was only worn around my waist! I didn't start out wearing it properly.

You rarely see men in them as they are uncomfortable.
Are they?
I wear Ronhill tracksters. They're not the prettiest but they're very comfortable, not tight anywhere, don't bother me in any way, and dry quickly. If you shop around they're not expensive.