Women's leggings for sport and winter

NORDBLANC women’s leggings for fitness, running and yoga – full-length, 3/4 and short, mostly with 16–30% elastane. For winter, there are insulated waterproof leggings in SOFTSHIELD® softshell (10,000 mm), rated down to −10 °C on the NORDBLANC warmth scale.

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What you'll find in this category

Waterproof leggings – NORDBLANC women’s insulated waterproof leggings and softshell trousers for cross-country skiing, winter running and cycling. Most models have a Slim fit and SOFTSHIELD® with a water column of 10,000 mm, and are rated down to −10 °C (NORDBLANC’s indicative warmth scale).
Long leggings – NORDBLANC women’s full-length leggings reach the ankles and suit running, fitness and yoga. They fit close to the body, mostly contain 16–30% elastane and have DRYFOR technical fibre; most models have flat seams that chafe less.
3/4 length leggings – NORDBLANC women’s 3/4 leggings (capris) end below the knee – for running, fitness and working out in warm weather. They are made of a stretchy fabric with 16–30% elastane and have DRYFOR technical fibre, which wicks sweat, and flat seams.
Above-the-knee leggings – NORDBLANC women’s above-the-knee leggings – short fitness leggings in 75% nylon and 25% elastane with DRYFOR technical fibre and flat seams. For the gym, running and outdoor workouts in summer.
Short leggings – NORDBLANC women’s short leggings are close-fitting fitness shorts for strength training, running and hot summer days. Made of 75% nylon and 25% elastane with DRYFOR fibre, they wick sweat quickly and have flat seams.

How to choose women’s leggings for exercise, running and winter

Leggings differ mainly in length, how stretchy the fabric is and whether they protect you from cold and water. NORDBLANC sports leggings are close-fitting, mostly with 16–30% elastane and DRYFOR technical fibre, which wicks sweat. The insulated waterproof leggings are made of softshell and are worn as an outer layer in winter.

For fitness, strength training and yoga

For the gym and workouts, choose fitness leggings that stretch in a squat, a lunge and a deep forward bend. Most of them have flat seams, and you can choose full-length, 3/4, above-the-knee or short in the form of fitness shorts. For yoga, there are leggings designed specifically for it, and for workouts also seamless leggings that fit like a second skin.

For running

On cooler days, full-length leggings are good for running; in warm weather, 3/4 or short ones. Some models designed specifically for running have a zipped pocket at the lower back and reflective details that make you more visible at dusk. For freezing weather and snow, reach for insulated leggings.

Insulated leggings for winter

Insulated waterproof leggings are made of three-layer SOFTSHIELD® 10000 softshell: a durable outer layer with a water column of 10,000 mm protects you from rain and snow, and an insulating layer keeps you warm. They are rated down to −10 °C on NORDBLANC’s indicative warmth scale, so you can wear them for winter running, hiking, cross-country skiing and cycling; they have a wide elastic waistband with a small pocket at the back.

In the same Waterproof leggings subcategory, you’ll also find close-fitting insulated trousers for cross-country skiing that combine softshell at the front with stretchy POWERFLEECE fabric at the back (some rated down to −20 °C on the NORDBLANC warmth scale), and two multisport trouser models with a TERATEX® 20000 ELP membrane (20,000 mm), ventilation zips and hem zips.

How to read the specifications of leggings

Elastane – a stretchy fibre. The higher the proportion, the more the fabric stretches and the more firmly it hugs the body; in NORDBLANC sports leggings, it mostly makes up 16–30% of the composition.
Nylon or polyester – in leggings, both are combined with elastane. Nylon (polyamide) is smooth and abrasion-resistant; polyester is light and dries quickly.
DRYFOR – a technical fibre that absorbs sweat and carries it to the surface of the fabric, where it evaporates quickly, so your skin stays drier. All the sports and insulated leggings have it; only the multisport trousers with a TERATEX® membrane don’t.
Flat seams – seams sewn flat chafe less during repetitive movement, for example on the inner thighs. Seamless leggings have no conventional seams.
Water column – given in millimetres, it shows how well the fabric resists water penetration. The insulated waterproof leggings have 10,000 mm, so they withstand normal rain and wet snow; models with a TERATEX® 20000 ELP membrane have 20,000 mm.
Warmth – on NORDBLANC’s indicative warmth scale, the insulated leggings are rated down to −10 °C and two models of cross-country ski trousers down to −20 °C. The sports leggings are not insulated.
Length – full-length leggings reach the ankles, 3/4 leggings end below the knee, above-the-knee leggings above it, and fitness shorts are the shortest.

How to care for leggings

Wash leggings inside out at a low temperature and without fabric softener, which would clog the technical fibre. Don’t dry them on a radiator or in a tumble dryer, because high temperatures damage elastane and the leggings then lose their stretch. Wash insulated softshell leggings with a detergent for technical fabrics, and when they start to soak up water in the rain, reproof them.

Technologies and materials

DRYFOR®

A functional fiber that excellently absorbs body moisture and wicks away sweat. Thanks to the micro-grooves on its surface, moisture is efficiently carried to the outer side of the fabric where it evaporates quickly, keeping your skin dry and comfortable. This property allows the material to provide perfect body temperature regulation.

SOFTSHIELD® TERATEX® 10000

Functional outdoor material for high demanding outdoor activities. Main advantage is elasticity, heat insulation, great windproofness, waterproofness and perfect breathability. The material consists of a three laminated layers. Carefully combining the most compatible layers, we created light, elastic and soft fabric with excellent thermal insulation.

POWERFLEECE

Lightweight, highly elastic material, microbrushed on the inside for increased thermal insulation and outstanding comfort. On shell side is very smooth and nice to touch, it offers excellent thermal insulation and protection against the windchills.

TERATEX® 20000ELP Membrane Core

ELP marked membranes are specifically optimized for female needs of temperature regulation. Perfect membrane fabric excels in extreme level of waterproofing and breathability. The uncompromising features of the material and durable water repellency protect easily against extreme weather conditions. The intelligent breathability feature offers comfortable heat circulation in any weather. The product made of this fabric is designed for very demanding outdoor activities and all extreme sports activities.

Frequently asked questions

Which women’s leggings for winter – insulated or thermal?

You wear insulated leggings on their own and thermal leggings under trousers. NORDBLANC insulated waterproof leggings are made of three-layer SOFTSHIELD® 10000 softshell with a water column of 10,000 mm and are rated down to −10 °C on NORDBLANC’s indicative warmth scale – for winter running, hiking and cycling. Thermal leggings are a base layer for under ski or winter trousers, and you’ll find them as winter thermal bottoms in the women’s thermal underwear range.

Which women’s leggings should I choose for running and the gym?

Close-fitting sports leggings in a stretchy fabric that gives in a squat and a long stride. Most NORDBLANC sports leggings have 16–30% elastane, DRYFOR technical fibre and flat seams. For running, choose full-length or 3/4 leggings; some models have a pocket at the lower back and reflective details. For the gym in summer, above-the-knee leggings or fitness shorts work well too.

Are women’s leggings suitable for hiking too?

For cold and wet weather, yes: the insulated waterproof leggings are also designed for hiking, and with a water column of 10,000 mm they withstand normal rain and wet snow. NORDBLANC sports leggings are built mainly for running and exercise. For longer hikes over rocky ground or through undergrowth, where the fabric gets abraded, outdoor trousers are more durable.

How can you tell good-quality sports leggings?

By the composition, seams and waistband. Elastane provides the stretch – NORDBLANC sports leggings mostly contain 16–30%. Flat seams chafe less, and a technical fibre such as DRYFOR wicks sweat. In the changing room, do a squat and bend forward – the waistband shouldn’t slip down and the stretched fabric shouldn’t be see-through.