Meet the reviewer
Montane Slipstream Trail Running Tights: first impressions
There's no doubt about it: these running leggings are built to prepare you for a long day in the mountains. Made using tough regenerated nylon, they'll protect your lower limbs from offending thorns and branches when you're up against overgrown trails, but they're light enough to keep you moving comfortably.
Soft against the skin and with loads of four-way stretch, these comfortable tights won't distract you from the trail. A stretchy drawcord waistband means they don't dig in, but you can ensure a stay-put fit and don't have to stop to tug them up when you've just hityour stride.
• List price: $100 / £80
• Gender specification: Men's and women's sizing available
• Sizes: Men's XS - XXL, Women's XXS - XL US, 6 - 16 UK
• Weight (women's 4 US): 6.5 oz / 185 g
• Materials: Main Material fabric: 88% Polyester, 12% Elastane, Rear knee: 96% Polyester, 4% Elastane
• Colors: Black
• Best use: Trail running
At the other end, you'll find ankle zips which do add a little weight, but make it easy to pull these on and then secure them. Silicone grips help hold them in place once they're zipped up. If you're finding it a little warm, breathable mesh panels on the backs of the knees let you dump heat.
For storage, there's a drop-in pocket on the right thigh for your phone, and a small zipped rear pocket where you can stash a running gel or key. These pants are built for trail running where you need extra durability, but they do have reflective details for road runners and anyone who wants to remain visible at night. Besides the fact that they only come in one color, we can't really find a thing wrong with them.
Montane Slipstream Trail Running Tights: in the field
I've been running in yoga leggings for far too long and for going deeper into the backcountry, I'm ready for something a little tougher. Or at least, something I don't have to keep yanking up.
I've been testing out these trail running tights for a little over a month now and put about 75 km in them, first on the trails around Chamonix when I was in town covering the UTMB race, and since then in the hills and mountains of Scotland.
Here’s how they performed:
Sizing, fit and comfort
I tested a US 4 which is my usual size and they fit perfectly. Of course, with 12 percent elastane, there's plenty of margin but I do sometimes experience bagginess and wrinkling around my knees and crotch and extra fabric at the ankles with leggings (I'm 5' 4" tall). These however have a perfectly snug fit without being too tight.
The seams are designed to all but eliminate rubbing and the other big player when it comes to comfort is the drawcord waist. The waist is elasticated, but the drawcord means they can design it to not be too tight and I can secure these so they don't slide down when I run. Silicon ankle grips also keep them in place which is nice to protect my ankles now it's getting colder.
The waist comes up to my belly button and they come down to my ankle without being too long or short (I have about a 30-inch inseam).
Breathability and temperature regulation
I've worn these leggings in pretty hot weather just as a test (it was around 80 degrees in Chamonix) and lately in chilly weather. For hot weather, they're certainly breathable, but I wouldn't ordinarily choose them for those conditions and I did notice I got a little warm.
Like any running leggings, they're best for mild to cold runs where they provide a little protection, but let you breathe and I think the mesh panels really play a big role in keeping me comfortable.
Durability, storage and other details
These leggings have that light, silky feel that I want from tights, but they're actually made from pretty tough stuff and I wouldn't be afraid to wear them on overgrown trails (the mesh panels will be less durable but they're placed where they shouldn't come to any harm).
The pocket situation is exactly what I want, meaning a drop in thigh pocket where my phone goes, and a small gel pocket (where I usually put my car key). For bigger days, I have my hydration pack for storage anyway, but it means I don't need a backup for runs less than an hour.
The only other detail to mention is the ankle zips, which I hadn't seen on running leggings before. I was a little confused at first, thinking that they were for runners to pull them on while wearing their shoes (and who puts their trail running shoes on first?) but I soon realized that they just make it easier to get them on period. After all, tight ankles with grips can be a pain to get your foot through, so you can just unzip first. I'll admit, I actually unzipped them in Chamonix for extra airflow and found that to be a bonus feature.
Montane Slipstream Trail Running Tights: the bottom line
If you're a casual runner, there's no reason why you can't just keep on running in yoga leggings. But if you're looking for something a little tougher for the trails that's still comfortable and doesn't restrict your movement, these tights are the way to go. With a medium price and high level of performance plus eco-friendly fabric, they're simply a great addition to your mountain kit.
