It turns out that in recent years, the best cycling tights and leggings have been in fashion. An alternative to breeches and breeches, cycling tights are more like the leggings you wear to the gym or yoga class. They should be light, very comfortable and provide great freedom of movement. They have a slip-on design and are usually made from 4-way stretch material, so they are also easy to put on and take off.
Most will have some sort of handle to help you sit securely in the saddle, it could be a full seat or knees. Other features to look out for include flat (or seamless) seams, reflective details, and mesh panels. Many models have a hip pocket that you can put your phone in while riding, but some also offer zippered leg pockets or on the back of the waist belt for added security.
An alternative to breeches are cycling pants or leggings. More like the leggings you wear to the gym, cycling leggings don’t have a front or zippers, but usually have grippy full seat or knee pads (although not all have them) to help you feel confident in the saddle. Cycling pants are also often available in a variety of colors and styles.
This guide focuses on summer cycling tights, but if you’re looking for warm clothing for chilly weather, check out our selection of the best winter cycling tights.
When considering all the popular features mentioned earlier, the first thing you need to consider is what kind of grip you want. Leggings are inherently less grippy than breeches as the material is usually smoother, but you can choose between a full fit, knee pads, and no extra grip – choose if you want more security in the saddle. Stronger grip.
Next, it’s important to consider style as well – do you prefer a high waist or do you like the look of the mesh panels? There are many options to choose from. At the end of the day, some small but everyday practical differences like pocket size will make a good pair of leggings a great pair that you will enjoy wearing. Some pockets are big enough to hold larger phones, while others have zippers or envelope flaps to make them more secure – these are features you should be aware of and our testers took into account.
Summer cycling tights have been tested by Martha Terry and Sophie Cheeseman of Horse & Hound, so we can give you an idea of what they really are – learn more about how we test our products.
Colour: hyacinth, fuchsia, grey, navy blue, marine or white | Sizes: UK 4-18 | Suggested retail price: £69.95 | H&H rating: 10/10, endorsed by H&H |
These lightweight, seamless-fit leggings provide comfort with a loose, elasticated waistband for a flattering fit. They feature a roomy stretchy phone pocket on each thigh and a full silicone seat.
We found the pockets on these cycling tights to be very secure and the tights themselves to be soft, comfortable and supportive without being restrictive or tight. It’s great value for money and it’s Sophie’s favorite pair of shoes she’s tested.
These tights with compression panels provide extra support for your muscles and joints. They feature a deep waist for strength and maximum comfort, half seat handles and letter closure pockets at each hip.
We think these leggings look very good, are comfortable and supportive. The pocket for the phone is very convenient, especially the flap-envelope.
in England? Check out ariat.com, amazon.co.uk, equus.co.uk or naylors.com now in the US? Visit ariat.com now to view
Colors: Black, Navy Blue, Grey, Maroon, Charcoal, Taupe, Khaki, Burgundy, Chocolate, Metallic or Beige | Sizes: XS-XL | Suggested retail price: £50 | H&H rating: 10/10, endorsed by H&H |
Available in a variety of colors, these skinny leggings are made from high quality recycled fabric for total protection. They feature a thick elastic waistband, silicone knee pads and side pockets.
We fell in love with these leggings from the moment we opened the bag and found them to be very stylish and elegant.
Colors: white, taupe, brown brocade, dark green, light grey, shades, black, navy blue, burgundy or vanilla cream | Sizes: 18″ – 32″, regular or long | Suggested Price: £138.95 | H&H Rating: 9/10, Approved by H&H |
These ultra-stretch leggings have a soft interior and a wide, elasticated waistband. The full seat has silicone and a large phone pocket on the outside of the thigh.
Color: black or lilac | Sizes: XS-3XL | Suggested retail price: £59.95 | H&H rating: 9/10, endorsed by H&H |
These cycling tights feature ventilated calf panels and a supportive waistband to prevent rolling. They feature flat seams for comfortable positioning, as well as a matte silicone seat and deep hip pockets.
We think these cycling pants are stylish, comfortable and comfortable. The silicone bits are attractively designed and provide a secure grip on the saddle.
Colors: fuchsia, grape, charcoal, burgundy, jet black, navy blue, berry or slate gray | Sizes: XXS-XXL | Suggested retail price: £45 | H&H rating: 9/10, endorsed by H&H |
These cycling tights are also suitable for other sports. The breathable, moisture-wicking fabric is treated to prevent UV penetration, provide sun protection and reduce heat. They also have two cell phone sized pockets.
These leggings come in a variety of gorgeous colors and we find them comfortable and flattering. They don’t have any grip, so they are the closest to athletic tights of any cycling tights we’ve tested.
These full length cycling tights are made from technical supportive fabric. It has two side leg pockets, mesh inserts at the ankles and a drawstring high waist.
They “feel like a second skin and don’t feel like you forgot your pants,” our tester Marta said.
Made from a combination of nylon and spandex, these tights feature a thick, comfortable waistband and two phone pockets, as well as a smaller zippered back pocket. They have silicone knee pads and mesh ankle cuffs.
We found these to be great quality and affordable leggings for everyday use. We think they are more suitable for younger riders who need less support, but we think the traction works well and we like the mesh sleeves at the ankles.
These high-waisted leggings provide support over breeches when combined with the athletic benefits of cycling tights. They have a full silicone seat, no bulky elastic stretch ankles, and are made from VPL resistant fabric.
Seat: Full seat or knee pads | Colour: dark blue, gray or black | Sizes: UK 6-18 | Suggested Price: From £59.99 |
These high-rise cycling tights feature a supportive high waistband with silicone inserts and are made from 4-way stretch and breathable fabric. They have a slim fit, a large, low-profile phone pocket on each leg, and embossed logos.
Constructed from 4-way stretch nylon for maximum comfort and maximum movement in the saddle, these technical leggings are made from Comfort Dry technical fabric that provides moisture control for all-day comfort. This system ensures that moisture dries quickly, keeping you cool, comfortable and dry. These elegant paneled tights feature a full silicone fit for stability, zip pockets at the high thighs and a formfitting elastic waistband for a sleek fit.
in England? Visit amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, equus.co.uk, naylors.com, sportsdirect.com or gsequestrian.co.uk now
These stretchy, seamless cycling pants have a supportive elastic waistband. The tapered shaft makes it easy to put on socks or riding boots without causing clumping or discomfort. Full seat silicone pattern provides extra grip and safety.
These cycling tights are made for warm weather. It’s made from lightweight, quick-drying fabric and features mesh panels on the legs to help keep you warm and circulate. They feature a supportive deep waist belt, silicone leg clips for safety in the saddle and a handy hip phone pocket.
These stretchy cycling tights have two leg pockets and two zippered side pockets for valuables. The letter-print full silicone seat, wide support belt and champagne gold print add an elegant touch.
in England? Check it out now on amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk In the US? Check it out now on amazon.com
These tights have 3/4 silicone seats. They feature a non-bulky mesh ankle for optimal comfort and mesh pockets.
We found that they are really good at VPL – you can’t see anything – however they would benefit from more pocket.
These mid-rise cycling tights are made from sweat-wicking fabric to keep you cool, comfortable and dry. They also feature belt loops, covered hip pockets and a fully silicone printed seat. Children’s sizes are also available.
in England? Check out amazon.co.uk, viovet.co.uk, equus.co.uk or gsequestrian.co.uk now in the US? Check it out right now on amazon.com
Colors: Black, Gray Mix, Navy Blue, Antarctic Gray or Wine Mix | Sizes: EU 34-46 | Suggested Price: £69 |
These riding tights have silicone inserts on the seat and knees for added stickiness. They dry quickly and have pockets on both legs.
We think these tights are a good budget buy – they don’t have many of the features that other riding tights have, like grip, and the pockets are a bit small, but the material doesn’t show VPL, which is a downside. real positive.
To keep you cool, these cycling tights feature ventilated mesh panels on the outside of the legs. The tights also feature full silicone padding and legs with a phone-sized pocket on the thigh. Children’s sizes are also available.
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Post time: Jul-12-2023