lululemon’s Fast and Free Tights Are Great for Iffy Weather Races

The lululemon Fast and Free Tight was recently updated; the new design features a low-profile storage system and refined waistband.The storage system has six pockets—two side pockets, one back pocket, and three drop pockets—so there’s plenty of room to store your essentials. The featherweight fabric is stretchy and non-restricting, a good option for chilly fall runs. As a runner, you want to build a fall wardrobe with different pieces you can wear on any given day since the weather in autumn is so unpredictable. Even if you’re someone who likes running in a T-shirt and shorts, having a good pair of running tights is a must for this time of year. lululemon’s Fast and Free Tights are popular amongst runners for good reason: They’re soft, lightweight, breathable, and work well for people who tend to get hot quickly (or for those who just prefer tights).The updated design has a low-profile storage system and refined waistband. The tights are available for both men and women. The women’s version comes in eight different colors, so you can get mix and match with different tops and bras. Men have two color options, black and true navy.I got the women’s tight in true navy, and wore those on a few of my long, easy, and speed runs. I liked them so much that I slipped them on to race the Copenhagen Half Marathon in Denmark. They are the softest pair of running tights I own, and that makes me want to wear them for all my runs. The lightweight fabric feels almost like a second skin. No wonder why we named them best tights overall.ProsBreathable fabric, great for fall runningHas plenty of pockets to store all your essentialsEasy to take on and offConsEasily attracts pet hairRuns big, so you might want to size downInseam23”, 25”, 28”Pockets6Sizes0 to 14Reflective detailYesThe Sleek Design Made out of Nulux fabric—a nylon and Lycra blend—lululemon’s Fast and Free Tights are unlike any other running leggings I own. There’s no inseam to irritate the inside of your leg, and it doesn’t have a hem.“They feel sleek and I could do stretches and runs in them easily,” Amanda Furrer, running reviews editor, said. I agree; the featherweight fabric gives the tights a naked nonrestrictive feel that makes me want to run faster when I wear them. Going forward, I’m keeping these tights for speed workouts and race days.The lack of a hem is noticeable, but not a bother. It actually makes slipping pants on a lot easier since your foot can just slide right through the leg hole without getting caught. When I wore them for my half marathon, I was glad I didn’t have to struggle to get them on or off. I also didn’t have to peel the spandex off my sweaty skin while using the porta-potty as I typically would with other form-fitting tights.Winston ZhouTwo sleek side pockets, great for storing your gels, keys, and more.With six pockets—two on each side, a zip pocket in the back, and three drop-in pockets along the waistband—there’s plenty of space to carry a phone, debit card, gels, keys, and more. On one six-mile long run, I tucked a 16-ounce water bottle in the left side pocket, and my other essentials in the right side, so I didn’t have to wear my hydration vest. It was brilliant. The stretchy fabric kept everything secure and in place, so no matter how fast I ran, I didn’t have to worry about things bouncing around in my pocket.I can see why runners love these tights so much, and whenever I wear them, I feel fierce. Sort of like Angelina Jolie when she played Lara Croft in Tomb Raider. The only complaint I have is that the fabric feels very thin, and I fear that one day I might tear them.I’m 5 feet 4 inches, and weigh about 150 pounds. The 28-inch leggings in a size 8 fit me just right. I didn’t experience any extra fabric sagging above my ankles, but if you’re a taller runner you might want something with a little more material, as Senior Gear Editor Cat Bowen, who is 6 feet, wishes they were longer.A Good Pair of Tights for Fall Running The seasons will change, but your performance demands won’t. With lululemon’s Fast and Free Tights you don’t have to sacrifice performance for comfort. The breathable fabric will keep your legs warm on those crisp fall mornings or evenings, and if the temperature rises, you can still get away with wearing them. They’re also water-wicking and quick-drying, which is good for running in the rain.Winston ZhouThe featherweight fabric has a skin-like feel and is super comfortable for running.When I raced in Copenhagen the temperature was in the 60s with clear skies and wind gusts up to 13 mph. The lightweight fabric was just enough to keep me warm as I walked to the starting line, and since it’s breathable I didn’t get overheated when I started running. Once the rain hit, I was grateful to have these leggings on. The water-wicking fabric dried fairly quickly, and I wasn’t completely soaked or cold when I crossed the finish line. That’s the kind of staple piece every runner needs.lululemon’s Fast and Free Tights will work well for most runners. I specifically recommend them for full marathoners and half marathoners who will need more pockets to store all the essentials for a long run or race.Shop Women’s at shop.lululemon.com | Shop Men’s at shop.lululemon.comMonique LeBrun is a health and fitness editor who is based in Easton, Pennsylvania. She covers a wide range of health and wellness topics, with a primary focus on running performance and nutrition. Monique is passionate about creating content that empowers runners to become the best versions of themselves. As an avid runner and parent, she loves spending time outdoors with her daughter, who often accompanies her on weekend runs as her personal mini run coach.