To find the best warm tights, we spent hours researching the options on the market, assessing them for material, thickness, and style. We also took factors such as size range and color options into account. For expert advice, we received tips from López on how to shop for, style, and properly care for tights. Our best overall pick is Commando’s Eclipse Opaque Matte Tights. They’re thick, stretchy, and cozy—and since they’re unlined, they’re easy to layer under all kinds of different clothing. Here are the best warm tights for staying cozy in cold weather. Who it isn’t for: People who want to stock up on tights in different colors or prints. Commando’s Eclipse Opaque Matte Tights are everything a great pair of warm tights should be. Since they’re made of microfiber (with a nylon and elastane blend), these tights are incredibly warm and cozy. And with a 110 denier, these tights are some of the thickest and most opaque on our list. But what we love most about these tights is that they’re unlined. Their warmth comes from the thick microfiber they’re made of, rather than a plush lining. This makes the tights sleeker than some of our other favorites, so they’re particularly easy to layer under other clothing. These opaque tights are designed with an extra-long waistband, which lays flat over your stomach instead of digging in (it’s raw-cut for added comfort). One downside of these tights? They’re available in just one color—black. So while they’re a great basic to have in your wardrobe, they might not be able to replace all the other tights in your collection. Price at time of publish: $42
Material: 95 percent nylon, 5 percent elastane Denier: 110Size Range: S–XL
Who it isn’t for: People who’d rather invest in tights made with top-quality fabrics. If you’re looking for a pair (or two) of budget-friendly tights, we recommend G&Y’s Fleece-Lined Tights for a few reasons. For starters, the tights are made of plush microfiber and lined with polyester fleece, so they offer twice as much warmth as some of the other pairs on our list. We also love that these tights come in footed and footless varieties, so you can choose the version that works best for your wardrobe. Because while traditional footed tights are great, some people (like those who are mainly looking for a warm layer to wear underneath pants) would rather wear tights with their go-to socks. By far the biggest selling point of these tights, though, is how budget-friendly they are. They come in sets of two, so you can get two pairs of warm tights for less than the price of a single pair of other options. Price at time of publish: $23 for 2
Material: 87 percent polyester, 13 percent spandexDenier: 100Size Range: S–XL
Who it isn’t for: People who would rather avoid wool tights. If you’re in a position where you can splurge on high-quality materials, Wolford’s Merino Tights are some of the warmest tights money can buy. Many other warm tights are made of a nylon-elastane blend and occasionally lined with fleece for added warmth—but these are made of equal parts merino wool and nylon, with a little elastane thrown in. This hard-to-find material blend makes the tights extra warm and cozy, though they’re still sturdy and stretchy enough to wear every day. And if you’re worried about wool tights feeling itchy, put your fears to rest. Merino wool is one of the finest and softest wools around, so you can expect these tights to feel comfortable rather than scratchy. And even though they’re the most expensive pair of tights on our list, we think their soft-to-the-touch feel makes them worth the investment. Price at time of publish: $75
Material: 49 percent virgin merino wool, 49 percent nylon, and 2 percent elastaneDenier: 200Size Range: XS–XL
Who it isn’t for: People who want a fleece lining that isn’t beige or a size-inclusive option. Sheer tights are rarely as warm as opaque tights. But if you love the look of sheers too much to ditch them when it’s cold, López has a clever trick. “Look for [specialty] fleece-lined tights,” she says. “They appear to look sheer, but are lined with skin-toned fleece to keep you warm.” Aobioni’s Sheer Fleece Winter Tights fit the bill. At first glance, these tights appear sheer—but they’re actually lined with a layer of beige fleece to keep you warm when the temperatures drop. You can even choose whether you want 220 or 300 grams of fleece lining, with the latter being the warmest and heaviest option. Also, take note that the 85-gram version isn’t lined with fleece. Though these tights might be a game-changer for many people, they don’t come without any downsides. They come in just one size, which the brand says is “one size fits most,” making them the least size-inclusive option on our list. And while these tights come in three different colors (black, brown, and gray), the fleece lining is only available in beige. Unfortunately, the other faux sheer tights on the market share this issue. But that doesn’t mean you’re totally out of luck: “You can also layer skin-toned fleece leggings under sheer nylon tights for the same look,” López says. Price at time of publish: $22
Material: Polyester fleeceDenier: Not listedSize Range: One size
Who it isn’t for: People who prefer unlined tights. Over the years, people have fallen in love with Target’s A New Day Cable Sweater Tights—a cozy pair of tights designed to feel like your favorite sweater. But when it comes to warmth, we prefer Target’s A New Day Cable Fleece-Lined Tights. The sweater tights look and feel just like the other fan-favorite, but they’re lined with plush fleece for added warmth. This detail makes these tights a must on cold winter days. Woven from a blend of polyester and spandex, the tights feel like a stretchy sweater for your legs. We also like that they’re designed with a tagless waistband to cut down on itch and irritation. Since the tights come in three versatile colors, they’re super easy to pair with your favorite winter outfits. And to top things off, they’re remarkably budget-friendly, too. Price at time of publish: $12
Material: 92 percent polyester, 8 percent spandexDenier: Not listedSize Range: S/M–L/XL
Who it isn’t for: People who’d rather spend more to get more cashmere, or who’d rather save on a lower-cashmere blend. When shopping for cashmere tights, you’ll discover a couple things. First, it’s nearly impossible to find a pair of 100-percent cashmere tights. Second, cashmere tights can get really expensive. But we love Natori’s Cashmere Sweater Tights for a simple reason: They offer a hearty amount of cashmere at a reasonable price. Sure, you can find more affordable tights that contain half as much cashmere, or cashmere-heavy tights that cost three times the price. But we felt these tights hit the sweet spot, giving you the cozy feel of cashmere without costing you a small fortune. Of course, there’s more to love about these cashmere tights than their materials. They’re also thick, warm, and durable. And since they’re unlined, they’re easy to slip underneath tight-fitting clothing. This makes them a great layering essential to have on hand in the winter. Price at time of publish: $68
Material: 33 percent nylon, 27 percent viscose, 20 percent cashmere, 18 percent polyester, and 2 percent spandex Denier: Not listedSize Range: S/M–L/XL
Who it isn’t for: People who are specifically looking for brightly colored tights. If you’re looking for a pair of colorful tights that can keep you warm, Calzedonia is the place to turn. The brand’s Thermal Super Opaque Tights are available in six striking colors, including classics like black, brown, and gray, and bolder hues like burgundy, teal, and navy. One thing to note: All of these colors are pretty dark, which might be a bummer if you’re craving something vibrant. But if all you want is a pop of color that will make a statement and keep you warm, these tights are tough to top. Made of polyester and elastane, these warm tights feel thick and durable. They’re also lined with a brushed material that makes them feel extra cozy. Price at time of publish: $20
Material: 92 percent polyester, 8 percent elastaneDenier: Not listedSize Range: S–XL
Who it isn’t for: People who want lots of prints and designs to choose from. It’s hard to find a pair of warm patterned tights. The warmest options tend to be opaque, and opacity makes patterns hard to see. But MeMoi’s Juneau Diamonds Cotton-Blend Sweater Tights get around this common problem in a clever way. The knit tights have been woven into an argyle-like pattern that doesn’t sacrifice warmth. Woven from polyester, cotton, and spandex, the tights feel incredibly soft and cozy. And they’re stretchy enough for everyday wear. Since the tights are unlined, they’re relatively sleek. This also makes them an ideal candidate for layering over another pair of tights—ideally a pair in a contrasting color to best bring out the pattern. One of our favorite things about these tights? They come in nine different colors, so you don’t have to stick with classic black. Instead, you can score the tights in a number of fun colors, including soft neutrals like taupe and gray and vibrant shades like red and purple. Price at time of publish: $22
Material: 56 percent polyester, 40 percent cotton, 4 percent spandex Denier: Not listedSize Range: S/M–L/XL
Who it isn’t for: People who want plus-size warm tights that are colorful or patterned. Berkshire’s The Easy On! Plus Thermal Plush Lined Tights are among the thickest on our list. Designed with a plush inner lining, these 200-denier tights feel velvety soft inside and out. They’re comfortably stretchy and durable enough to withstand regular wear. But most importantly, they’re available in a range of plus sizes. When shopping for warm tights for the winter, you’ll typically see a lot of size ranges that start at XS and stop at XL—and some are even more limited than that. But these tights start at 1X/2X and end at 5X/6X. And we especially love that they come in a plus-size petite style, too. After all, tights are sized by length, too—and no one wants to deal with fabric bunching around their feet because of too-long tights. Price at time of publish: $18
Material: 95 percent polyester, 5 percent spandexDenier: 200Size Range: Queen petite, 1X/2X–5X/6X
Who it isn’t for: People who’d prefer shapewear that’s more sculpting, even if it means sacrificing warmth. If you want a pair of shapewear tights that will also keep you warm, look no further than Hue’s Super Opaque Tights With Control Top. These ultra-cozy tights are made of a blend of nylon and spandex, and they’re designed with a “control top,” which makes the top of the tights feel snug and slimming—but not uncomfortably tight. At 90 denier, these tights aren’t the most opaque on our list. But thanks to their nylon-heavy blend, the warm tights feel thick and sturdy while maintaining enough stretch for everyday wear. They’re also unlined, which is a must for any kind of shapewear tights. Unlike the other tights on our list, these come in sizes 1–5 instead of letter sizes. These sizes approximate the sizes you’re likely familiar with—1 means XS/S, while 5 means XL/XXL. But you can also check the brand’s size chart to find the right size based on your height and weight. Price at time of publish: $19
Material: 90 percent nylon, 10 percent spandex Denier: 90Size Range: 1–5 (XS/S–XL/XXL)
For a more budget-friendly option, we recommend the G&Y Fleece-Lined Tights. Available in sets of two, these cozy tights are super opaque and have a polyester fleece lining for extra warmth.
How to Shop for Warm Tights
Material
Tights are rarely made from just one material. Instead, they typically consist of a blend of nylon (for durability), spandex or elastane (for stretch), and cotton, polyester, or wool (for feel). Nylon-heavy tights will be thicker and sturdier, while spandex- or elastane-heavy heavy tights will be thinner and stretchier. Cotton will add softness and breathability, polyester will trap heat, and wool will add warmth and breathability.
Denier
Denier is a unit of measurement for the thickness of fabric—a higher denier indicates a thicker fabric. So when shopping for tights, you can expect low-denier options to be more sheer and lightweight, while high-denier tights will be warmer and more opaque.
Size Range
Tights aren’t sized the way pants and skirts are. Instead, they typically come in more general sizes—like medium or medium/large. So before buying a pair, double-check the brand’s tights sizing guide to make sure you’re ordering the right size.
Questions You Might Ask
How do you stay warm when you’re wearing tights?
To stay warm while wearing tights, buy the warmest tights you can—and layer other warm clothing on top of them. While you can wear tights to keep your legs covered with dresses and skirts on cool days, López recommends sliding warm tights under pants, jeans, leggings, or maxi dresses to add an extra layer of warmth on very cold days.
Are tights machine-washable?
“Tights are extremely delicate,” López says. “So to help your tights last as long as possible, hand-wash them whenever you can.” She recommends flipping your tights inside out, hand-washing them in your sink, rinsing them with cold water, and letting them air dry. “If hand-washing isn’t an option, you can machine-wash your tights on a delicate cycle,” López says. Be sure to put the tights in a mesh laundry bag before washing them. (This will protect them from getting damaged by your other clothing.) And once your tights are clean, López suggests letting them air dry on a hanger or a flat surface.
How do you prevent tights from ripping?
The key to keeping your tights from ripping? Buy tights made with sturdy materials, and make sure you’re buying the right size and length for your legs. Then, be gentle when wearing, cleaning, and storing your tights. “Avoid harsh pulling,” López says. “Wash [your tights] by themselves or in a mesh laundry pouch, and store them with other tights.” If your tights do rip, use some clear nail polish to keep the tear from getting worse. “If you see a small tear in the tight, you can seal the run with clear nail polish,” López says. “Just dab a little on each end of the tear.”
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Lindsey Lanquist, a contributing writer for Real Simple with seven years of experience writing fashion and lifestyle content. To find the best warm tights, Lindsey spent hours researching top-rated options—assessing them for material, thickness, style, and size range. She also interviewed fashion stylist Audree López.
