Review: Craft Storm Tights
Last week, on the two days after Christmas, the East Coast was blasted with a massive snow storm (referred to as the I-95 Blizzard) from the deep South all the way to Maine. The New York City area was hit with a full on blizzard that brought us 60 mile an hour winds and 24+ inches of snow. So, like any good runner, outdoor nerd and glutton for punishment I suited up and headed out to run.
There are a number of reviews that will ultimately pull from the run I had through the snow and trails in Inwood Hill Park but one that has leapt out at me several times so far this winter is my impression of the Storm Tight by Craft.
The Storm Tight is designed to be used in a wide variety of cold weather activities. Be it cycling, running or Nordic skiing, these tights are made to keep the wearer warm without sacrificing flexibility and comfort. The front side of the tights is a breathable, windproof fabric while the back of the legs is a more traditional stretch fabric that allows for subtle heat regulation. The inside of the Storm Tight is lined with Flex Fleece which do wonders for keeping legs warm. Adding to the flexible and comfortable nature of the tights are the articulated knees. Reflective piping is essential for winter running and completes the package for the Storm Tight.
The first time I wore these was on an eight mile run with the temperature at 18° F and a windchill of about 0° F. On that particular run, all I was wearing in terms of bottoms was a pair of compression shorts which were NOT windproof at all, and the Storm Tights. To be honest I fully expected to pay the price for wearing so little especially in such a significant wind. I was wrong. The windproof legs kept my entire lower body free from the ravaging effects of the steady breeze that was cutting the air. On top of that, the Flex Fleece material lining the legs was so wonderfully warm and malleable that it was easy to forget that it was even there at all.
On my post-Christmas run through the 24 inch deep snow, theses tights help up exceptionally well. Not once on my hour and a half run did I feel the least bit
cold or damp, save for the normal sweat. Even after falling a few times (thankfully, no one else was stupid enough to be out and see my demise) the tights shed whatever sticking snow there was and remained dry.
If there is one thing to change about the Storm Tight it is the size of the ankle cuff. The ankles of the tights are zippered and have a stretchy, silicon backed cuff. However, they’re just a bit loose for my taste. I don’t have particularly large or small ankles, just average but they cuff of the Storm Tight isn’t snug around my ankle. I have to assume that this is because they’re designed to fit over top of Nordic skiing, or winter cycling boots. That said, this is in no way shape or form anything close to a deal breaker.
Coming in at $119, these tights are well worth their weight in gold and, truth be told, you’ll get a huge bang for your buck. These tights deliver on every level and I would highly recommend them to anyone who gets outside in the snowy craziness of winter.
