Janji Trail Tights for Hiking and Trail Running

Janji Trail Tights have become my go-to tights for hiking and trail running when the weather is cool outside.

The trail tights by Janji are for everyone, really. You can wear them hiking, trail running, backpacking, and even just casually. They are available for both men and women and can be worn alone or as a layer.

I wear the Janji Trail Tight for hiking in cooler weather and for trail running. I wear them alone most of the time, but they do make for a great layer when it’s much colder outside. In this review, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about them.

At-a-Glance Verdict

Here’s some basic information about the Janji Trail Tights for hiking and trail running.

• Rating: I would give them 5 out of 5 stars. I’ve not found even one thing bad about the Janji Trail Tights.
• Best for: These tights are best for hiking and trail running in cool to colder weather. They are not insulated, so I wouldn’t recommend them in extreme cold conditions.
• Not for: They’re full-length tights, so I wouldn’t recommend them during hot and humid summer conditions.
• Standout Features: Pockets, a comfortable waistband, and compression that’s neither too tight nor too loose.
• Price: These trail tights are approximately $108.00 and are available in various colors.
• How to Buy: You buy them from REI. Please note that this link is an affiliate link, and while it will not affect your price, I may earn a commission.

 

How I Tested the Janji Trail Tights

I’ve been using the Janji Trail Tights for over a year for hiking and trail running activities.

I’ve worn them alone on well-used hiking trails, off-the-beaten-path hiking trails, and even off-trail. I’ve found that they have worked really great and have held up well. The tights are very durable and made well, in my opinion.

I usually wear them when the temperature reaches the mid-50s. I’ll wear half-tights if the weather is warmer, because I tend to sweat a lot. When the weather is below freezing, I usually layer these with hiking pants, or I’ll have to switch to a thicker, insulated running tight.

As I mentioned, I typically wear them alone, but I’ll pair them with a breathable shirt, ankle-high hiking socks, and trail running shoes. My cycling experience has shown me how compression wear helps, as I tend to overheat easily. I take advantage of it when hiking and running as well. I will also sometimes wear hiking pants over them when layering up.

I wear XL in Janji Trail Tights. I’m 250 pounds, 6 feet 5 inches tall, with a 38-inch waist size. My legs are long, but the regular tights still cover them without exposing too much skin around my ankles. I find that the XL is fairly true to fit, but if you want something with more compression, you might consider sizing down one level.

Fit and Sizing

As I mentioned above, I wear an XL, which is my typical pant size for just about any tights, cycling shorts, and half-tights.

The overall fit and compression were about true to size. If I had gone with a larger size, it would have provided a little more compression, but the XL still fits very well. It depends on how tight you want the tights to be, but even if I sized down, they wouldn’t have been too tight.

The waistband is slightly higher than that of most men’s tights. Personally, I like the higher waistband because it is more comfortable. The drawstring is located inside the waistband, which, to me, gives it some security.

The inseam length is about 29 inches. My legs are relatively long because I’m tall, so my ankles show a little when I wear the right shoes. However, I can easily wear taller socks to mitigate any problems that came with that.

There is a built-in front liner to give your crotch area more support and modesty. There is room in the seat and thigh area of the tights. The material stretches well enough to accommodate those with larger thighs or hips.

There really isn’t a big and tall accommodation with the Janji Trail Tights. They offer sizes ranging from small to extra-large. However, as a tall person, I felt that they fit me very well.

 

Fabrics and Build Quality

The fabric and quality of the Janji Trail Tights are one of my favorite parts about these tights.

The main fabric consists of nylon (68%), elastane (32%), and mesh (82%). It has a nice, sleek feel and features some reflective material. It stretches (4-way stretch) well, and the recovery of the stretch is very quick.

The extra front liner makes the front portion a little more insulated. Other than that, there is no extra insulation to this tight. It’s made for cooler weather, but Janji does offer a thermal tight for colder weather.

The hems of the legs are laser-cut and seamless. The waistband is soft and elastic for a more comfortable fit. The crotch area (at least for the men’s) is a gusset-type and comfortable for male users.

The Janji Trail Tights are very breathable. The material wicks moisture and doesn’t seem to stink after you sweat a lot. The material is thin, but still a little thicker and more durable than other tights, and I feel it has a bit of abrasion resistance.

Pockets and Carry

The Janji Trail Tights are loaded with pockets, which is probably my favorite feature aside from comfort.

There are 5 different pockets on these rights. There are two on each side, with a pocket inside a pocket, and one features a plastic key clip. There is also a pull-through pocket on the back of the waistband, which is perfect for my micro towel.

I carry my iPhone 16 Max Pro (large phone) in my pocket. It fits in snug and isn’t hard to get in and out of. Of course, when performing the bounce test, the phone and any other items I carry remain secure without causing me any issues.

You can also easily carry water bottles in your pockets. I carry a towel in the back pull-through pocket, my phone, my keys, a trail bar, a gel packet, and a flashlight when I’m hiking or trail running. These tights would be perfect for ultralight hikers because you could carry most of your gear in the pockets alone.

I find the pockets are also easy to access while hiking and running. They are up on the leg, tight enough that I can reach without having to bend awkwardly. This is the night when I need to access things while actively trail running.

 

On the Trail Performance

As for performance, this is my experience with the Janji Trail Tights while hiking and trail running.

 

Hiking

• As I hike, the tights feel comfortable on me. There were no bind issues or a feeling that the material was too tight without proper compression.
• The security and options of the pockets make these tights some of the best ones I’ve ever owned.
• I’ve done exceptionally longer hikes with these tights and have never experienced any chaffing issues with them.

 

Trail Running:

• When running in the Janji Trail Tights, I have had no bad experiences. I have plenty of freedom of movement and no unusual feelings of tightness from the compression.
• I’m a big guy, and I tend to sweat a lot. The material wicks the sweat from my body very nicely, and I always feel dry when wearing these tights.
• The waistband and drawcord are positioned very nicely. I never encounter sagging issues while trail running, as my tights stay in place to my waist.

Layering and Temperature Range

As I mentioned, I typically wear these tights by themselves because I find them most comfortable, and I think I look good in them.

However, I want to be practical about using them alone and layering in terms of temperature ranges. You can wear them alone if the temperature is at least 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (F). I would use them as a layer if the temperature were under 40 degrees (F) or colder.

The material is very breathable and wicks moisture quickly. I’ve worn them in the rain, and they dry out fairly quickly, as long as the rain stops or you reach a dry place. They have also done well for me in the snow, as well.

 

Durability and Care

The Janji Trail Tights will last a long time, provided you take care of them.

I’ve been wearing them for over a year. They have no faded out or lost compression through the various washes. The tights are just as durable now as they were when I first bought them.

For washing these tights, I recommend washing them inside out. You can put them in a washing machine if the water is cold. Let them hang dry to keep them durable.

For as long as I have been using them, I have seen no snags, tears, or loose threads. I wear them on and off trail. I have brushed up against trees, branches, and bluffs, and have never had any abrasion issues with these tights.

 

Comparisons and Alternatives

When comparing the Janji Trail Tights with my other running tights, I’ve found Janji to be the best in terms of durability and comfort.

As for other running tights to compare with these, I use a few different brands. I use CompressionZ tights, REI Swiftland Tights, and Baleaf Tights. While all these other tights are great, the Janji Trail Tights have done way better in terms of durability, comfort, and pockets.

If you’re getting serious about wearing tights for hiking and trail running, I would recommend using Janji tights. If you only need tights for a layer or to wear here and there, you can get something cheaper. For the money, I feel the Janji tights are built tough and very valuable for the cost.

 

Pros and Cons of the Janji Trail Tights

These are the pros and cons of the Janji Trail Tights based on my own personal experience.

 

Pros:

• Secure pockets; no bounce
• Comfortable waistband; drawcord support
• Solid warmth for shoulder season
• Flatlock seam; no chaffing

 

Cons:

• Too warm above 60 degrees
• No ankle zips (could be an issue for some people)
• Limited big and tall options (longer inseams would be nice)
• Price may be steep for some ($100+)

 

Real-World Use Cases

The Janji Trail Tights can be used for various purposes.

I use these for day hiking, backpacking, and ultralight hiking. I also use these for trail running. When it’s colder, I use them as a layer under my hiking pants, and I’ll put hand warmers in the pockets for additional warmth.

You could use these tights for regular running. You could also use them for going to the gym and working out. If you get into the meggings scene, you could wear these tights casually as your everyday clothes.

 

FAQ About the Janji Trail Tights

Below are some frequently asked questions and answers concerning the Janji Trail Tights based on my own experience.

Are these tights good for winter?

Yes. You can wear them alone on cold days or as an additional layer on colder days. However, these tights are not insulated for extremely cold weather.

Are the pockets zippered?

No. The pockets are not zippered. However, I feel they are deep and secure enough that no zipper is really necessary.

Are these trail tights true to size for men?

Yes. I wear an XL in tights and cycling shorts. These tights fit me true to size but have a slight loose compression to them. I could go down to a large size, and they would still fit, but the compression would be a bit tighter.

Are these tights see-through when stretched out?

No. I can run, bend over, pull them up to make them tighter, and move in any direction, and they never become see-through. I even wear colors other than black.

Should I wear these alone or as a layer?

This depends on your needs. I wear them alone, and I don’t wear underwear with them. I will use them as a layer under my hiking pants when it’s extremely cold outside.

How would you compare these tights with thermal tights?

I wouldn’t. The Janji Trail Tights are not thermal tights. They’re better for cooler weather. In extremely cold weather, I would recommend the Janji Thermal Tights instead.

 

Final Thoughts About the Janji Trail Tights

Thank you for reading my review of the Janji Trail Tights.

As I said, I wear these for hiking and trail running. I think they look great on me, and they always feel very comfortable and durable. The pockets are also very convenient. I recommend getting these for hiking and running.

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And until next time, I’ll see you on the trail!