Disclaimer: I received the 2XU Hyoptik Thermal Tight to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
Hi everyone! If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll see that I had quite the eventful weekend up here in Alaska! I plan on having a full recap of everything that went down this weekend posted tomorrow, so stay tuned for that. But in case you were worried, spoiler alert: we got through the earthquake with just a mess all over our apartment but no injuries or permanent damage. #alaskaproblems
Anyways, I’d like to direct your attention back to a more exciting topic – winter running here in Alaska. When I moved here almost two years ago I was under the impression that I’d need a bazillion layers of fleece all over my body in order to make it outside for a winter run. But that’s not the case! It turns out that buying high quality gear is what really makes a difference. And because I’m one of the extremely lucky 2016 BibRave Pros, I was given the chance to try out one of the newest thermal tights, the 2XU Hyoptik Thermal Tights!
Here’s the description from 2XU.com:
Stand out and get noticed. HYOPTIK reflective logos help you stay visible when training in low light conditions for greater safety. Powerful compression wrap and protect key leg muscles to help prevent muscle soreness and fatigue and long term overuse injuries. Graduated compression engineering promotes greater blood flow assists with improved warm up pre exercise and faster recovery post exercise. Train longer without fear of fading into the darkness.
I’m not going to lie: these showed up at my apartment right before my trip home for Christmas, and when I took them out of the box I was horrified by how small they looked. I realize that they’re compression tights, but I was so worried they wouldn’t make it over my thighs! These definitely take an extra 20 seconds to get on properly, but the fit was actually really nice. I’m a size small in all running tights so I got a size small in these as well, and I thought the sizing was perfect despite the deceiving first look. They were tighter than my usual tights but didn’t give me any more of a muffin top than I usually have. While they are listed as “thermal” they were not fleece lined, so I was initially concerned that they wouldn’t be able to keep me warm on my winter runs here in Alaska.
I didn’t have time to run in them before my trip home, so my first test run happened in PA during 40 degree weather. I wore just a tank top and these tights and I was definitely sweating! I noticed right away that they stayed in place throughout the whole run which is my #1 most wanted quality in good running tights. My mom was adorable – she told me they looked like “hardcore running tights” and it kind of made me feel more professional than when I wear my plain black ones! I wore these one more time in PA before taking them on their first test run in Alaska. Because I was running at night, I automatically grabbed these without a second thought because they have awesome reflective designs on both the front and back of each leg for higher visibility. Halfway out the door I realized that it was below 20 degrees and I wasn’t wearing fleece-lined tights! But I was late to meet my friend so I just left in the Hyoptik tights and hoped for the best. And I was completely blown away by how warm they kept my legs! My fleece-lined zip up was not enough to keep my arms warm, but my legs were feeling just fine.
Reflective designs in action on a nighttime run
It was after that run that I realized that these pants were possibly magical. I began grabbing them for every single run I did, no matter what the conditions were. I wore them on sunny runs in the 30s, cloudy runs in the 20s, and one fabulous run in the snow. They stayed dry on my snowy run even though everything else I wore got wet! My favorite run in them was definitely my trail run this weekend. I ran near sunset and didn’t have to worry about not being seen by bicyclists, skiers, or dog sledders on the trail.
I have to admit that many times I receive a product to review and I love it a lot, but then tend to grab my tried and true favorites for most of my runs. But guys, these ARE my new tried and true favorites at this point! I’ve worn them on all outdoor runs since I received them a month ago and I’m planning on wearing them again tomorrow…and beyond.
There is only one con, and that’s the price. At $139.95 it would seriously take me a lot of saving to be able to purchase another pair. But when I think about how many cheap $30 Old Navy running tights I burn through in a year, I think that these are worth the investment. They’re perfect in cool through cold weather, and helped keep me dry in the snow. They’re also the most reflective tights I own, which makes them a no brainer on any runs after 5:00 PM. And they match with everything! Overall I highly recommend these tights – if they work in Alaska they’ll definitely work where you live!
What’s your favorite piece of reflective running gear? Do you ever wear compression tights when you run?
Mom in the Mtns 
These tights looks so good. If I could run outside, I might have to think about investing! Glad you were ok through the quake–I can’t imagine how scary that would have been!
Yes! You would love these! And I’m going to go into more detail in my next post, but you have nooooo idea. There were a few seconds in the middle of the quake when I realized there was a possibility of me dying, and I’m still trying to get over that. Ugh. Natural disasters suck!
I always wondered if 2xu tights were worth it (I wear their socks) Thanks for testing.
Yes! They definitely are. You know how it’s worth it to buy expensive running shoes that actually work well? That’s what these pants were like. I hope you get the chance to try them out sometime!
Those look great! I’ll take all the warming power I can get around here but good lord they’re pricey. You’re the first person I thought of when I saw the quake there. Everybody ok??
Yeah they are, but it’s kind of like buying good running running shoes – the more you pay, the better they work. And yes we are okay! Some people south of us had some big issues from the quake, but everyone and everything in Anchorage is fine. Thank you for thinking of me!
These tights look awesome! My go-to winter tights aren’t compression (I don’t think) and not reflective except for a tiny logo on the hip, which usually gets covered by my shirts/jackets anyway. They’re warm, though! I got a super-reflective Nike Aeroloft flash vest as a combined bday-Christmas present this year, and I love it. Can’t be missed in something that reflective! 😉
Yeah, I think more pants need more reflective stuff on them! It’s such a game changer when I’m out running now – I really do feel like I have to worry less. And that vest sounds awesome! I’m going to have to look into that!
Yes, the price is why I didn’t buy them (yet). I usually wear Inov-8 which has a lot of reflection. Unfortunately they come off quite quickly due to washing…
I tried to wear compression calf guards but it wasn’t my thing. My legs felt very heavy and now they are hidden in my cupboard!
Haha I love the “yet” 🙂 If you can find a place that lets you try these tights on I’d highly recommend it. The fit is different from other pants, but since these are my first compression tights I’m not really sure how they compare to others. I just know that they feel good on my legs!
I really need some new running leggings. Mine have become super thin and worn in to the point where they probably aren’t doing much good at all! I love a good pair and have so much trouble finding ones that fit and are comfy. I would love to try these, thanks for telling us about them!
I hate buying new pants – nothing ever seems to fit like your old favorites! If you like compression I highly recommend these. I’d also suggest TJ Maxx and/or Marshalls for cheaper options. I bought most of my pants there!
It’s seriously amazing what a difference quality makes! These sound fantastic, I may have to check them out! 🙂 Haha and don’t you just love when a piece of clothing/equipment makes you feel like a “professional runner”? 😉
I think the only other thing to ever do this were my Mizuno running shoes! I went from random shoes I bought at Kohls to my running-store-bought Mizunos and felt like such a badass running around the park in “real” shoes that helped stabilize my feet like a “real” runner. So silly, but kind of accurate 🙂
These winter running tights really look good. I love the reflective pattern on them. I got a pair of Saucony Siberius Running tights for an extremely cold 10 Km race last February (coldest day of the year I think) and I love them. I do buy some Old Navy ones too and I’ve been fairly impressed with them, but not for really cold temps.