Asics Thermopolis XP Tights

I've been testing out a lot of tights lately, and what I've concluded is that different running tights are necessary for different temperatures and conditions. It sounds pretty obvious, but I didn't realize that until I had a variety of tights of varying weights to compare against each other. The Thermopolis XP tights by Asics are, for me, the best for temperatures in the low 30s to low 40s, so they've quickly become a staple of my winter fitness wardrobe.

The Thermopolis fabric is a warm Lycra blend with a super thin -- like, less than 1 mm --  fleece lining on the back. This fabric is great in moderate to cold temps because it keeps me warm but it also breathes well enough to keep me dry. Pretty key on winter days because when I start sweating too much, I get clammy. And then when I stop to enjoy the view or take a breather, I quickly cool down and suffer for the rest of the workout because I'm sopping wet. I love how well these tights keep me warm and dry, yet also keep my muscles operating in the proper temperature zone.

I think it's also pretty key to get tights that fit properly, and the Thermopolis XPs seem to be built for lanky runner types like me. First, they hug my legs and muscles, which keeps me warmer and also helps to prevent injury since I warm up adequately and don't stay cold. If tights are too tight, they're restrictive, and if they're too loose, they just bunch up in uncomfortable places like behind the knees.

I also think they're going to hold up for some abuse in the next few years. The ankle zippers seem pretty sturdy, I love how much elastic they've got at the bottom of the legs, and the stitching throughout is bomber. And last but not least, gotta love the tiny pocket in the rear for keys, an ID, and a couple of bucks.

In women's and men's sizes.

Bottom LIne : Comfy, warm tights for those days just above freezing (NW, Jan '09) 

Price: $80, on sale at Amazon.com - Click here to shop/purchase

Manufacturer's Site: www.asicsamerica.com

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