Mountain Hardwear Super Power Tight : For Men and Women

I did something really stupid the other day. I walked miles and miles in the pouring rain to run an errand downtown. Running the errand in the rain wasn't stupid; wearing my cotton/poly tights was. I know better!

And I have better gear for that particular type of day and activity. My Mountain Hardwear Super Power Tight would have been the ideal garment for my urban workout. The front of the tight is made out of GoreTex Windstopper, an incredibly effective material for blocking cold wind and repelling water. The same materials is used around the ankle area. The back of the tight is made out of stretchy, breathable material.

I don't know why I didn't change from my lounge pants to my tights because I hate how the cold and wet weather burns my tights when my pants get wet. This doesn't happen to me when I wear my Super Power tights. So, instead of trekking miles through the dark in pouring rain, smug and comfortable, I was freezing and my friend was more than irritated with me because I refused to take the bus home. I had to promise her that sometime in the near future she gets to make me do something I don't want to do.

These tights are available in men's and women's styles. I tested the women's tight, and was happily surprised by the length (I have long legs and usually find most women's tights to be too short). I also liked how the legs tapered and had a zipper to cinch the material tighter around my lower calf. The tights have discreet zippered side pockets, always a bonus for credit cards and a nutrition bar, as well as a tiny key pocket.

The tights I tested were a size too big for me, although they are still quite effective. I prefer low-cut waist lines on all pants, but rarely find workout wear that's low-waisted. That's the only thing I would change about the women's tight - lower the waist line. And maybe I'd add a bit of elastic around the waist. However, I think most women will find the waist to be a good fit.

Because the tights I tested were a size too big, I had to cinch the drawstring very tightly to get the tights to stay up. (For the record, I think MH's women's pants can run big. I'm usually a size 10 in pants, and their size 10 pants are always too big for me. If you're an 8 or 10, go for the size M.)

All in all, these are ideal tights for cold weather endurance workouts. The weather protection panels are ideally placed, and the other material does a great job of wicking and breathing.

Available in men's sizes S-XXL, women's sizes XS-XL.

See review of matching Transition Super Power Jacket, available in men's and women's sizes.

Bottom LIne: Aren't you tired of thigh freeze? These tights will change all that -- and allow you to keep on truckin' no matter the weather.--E.D. (Dec 09)

BUY ONLINE: $100, click to shop at altrec , click to shop at rei .

Manufacturer's Site: www.mountainhardwear.com

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