Our reviews are 100% organic. We do not accept payment for reviews or bundle with advertising budgets. In most cases, the brand is providing the product to our reviewers free of charge. Taller male runners often have difficulty finding running pants that work for them, as many companies offer only one inseam length that is built with more average body sizes in mind. This winter, we tested four brands of running pants with spec inseam lengths of at least 31” that are solid options for runners over 6 feet tall. Men’s running pants don’t need to match your everyday inseam length, because you want the hemline to fall somewhere around your ankle rather than over the shoe like standard pants. However you also don’t want the pants landing up on your calf somewhere. The options below all worked well for our primary tester who is just over 6’2” tall, with a normal inseam length of 34” for jeans or dress pants.
Janji Atlas Multi Pant, Long Version ($101 to $114, depending on color)
Inseam: 31” spec, 31” hand-measured*
Weight: 7.7oz*
We frequently wore these pants throughout the fall and winter, combining exceptional comfort with great versatility for use during high-intensity or leisurely activity. Fabric construction combines 77% recycled nylon with 23% spandex for extensive stretch capacity, at a relatively light overall weight. A PFC-free C0-DWR finish provides a bit of precipitation resistance, and the fabric itself dries quickly and doesn’t retain sweat when pushing the pace. A contoured silhouette is roomy enough in the top half to layer easily over a pair of shorts, and tapers below the knee for a secure fit. Atlas pants have the longest ankle zippers in this group, extending to the knee for greater ease of use over shoes. The entire garment can be turned inside out and stuffed into one of its pockets for convenient storage in a pack. Another great feature is the amount of storage space which includes three zip pockets and three drop-ins integrated into the waistband. These pants are for all seasons, ideal for routine training in the winter and a perfect stash item for peak-bagging or overnight ultras in the summer. They are available in four color options at www.janji.com.
*Weights and measured inseam length for all garments here is for men’s size large, which sometimes differs from official spec length.
Tracksmith Session Pants ($130)
Inseam: 31.25” spec, 30.5” measured
Weight: 10.8oz
As the name implies, Tracksmith’s Session collection is designed with tough interval days in mind, but these pants are equally capable of handling high mileage days on road or trail. They have the silhouette of a classic track suit on the top half, with a mid-rise waist and adjustable drawcord, but taper into a slim fit through the mid-calf zippered legs so excess fabric doesn’t impede your stride. Fabric construction blends almost equal parts tencel, polyester, nylon for an exceptionally soft skin feel (easily the most luxurious in this test group), plus 3% Spandex for a bit of stretch capacity. The fabric wicks moisture effectively, and utilizes Nilit cooling fiber technology for enhanced thermoregulation. Overall fabric construction is relatively thin compared to more robust winter layers, making Session pants great for high-intensity activity, but the material also insulates remarkably well when temps drop below freezing. A small secure zipper pocket on the right flank can hold a key, card or gel, and two drop-in hand pockets on either side provide more storage for casual use. These are the most comfortable pants in our test group, and the most likely to be worn around the house for the rest of the day after a hard workout. Available at www.tracksmith.com.
Gorewear Everyday Track Pants ($120)
Inseam: 33” spec, 32” measured
Weight: 10.9oz
Designed primarily for track workouts, these pants have exceptional stretch capacity for full range of motion, and a comfortable fabric made from 79% recycled polyamide and 21% elastane that has strong breathability for higher intensity work. Its external surface feels like a lightweight shell, with a sleeker surface on the interior side. The overall fit is described as slim, but the upper half is roomy enough for easy layering over a pair of shorts. An elasticized waistband is secured with an external drawstring that is easy to manipulate while wearing gloves. Tapered calves have a raw cut bottom hem that minimizes the seam prominence to rest flush against your leg without chafing. Of note, however, is that these pants do not have a zipper opening at the calves, so they can’t be put on or removed while your shoes are on. Storage areas on these pants include two full-size zipper pockets on each hip and an elastic envelope pouch on the center rear waist that is large enough to accommodate small to midsize phones. Everyday Track pants are available at www.gorewear.com.
Craft SubZ Light Running Pants ($120)
Inseam: 32.5” spec, 32.5” measured
Weight: 11.8oz
The longest pants in this test group are also the most rugged for weather resistance, and are ideal for long hours in frigid conditions. Dual layer fabric construction combines a wind and water repellent exterior recycled stretch polyester, plus super soft and fuzzy PrimaLoft padding on the front of the legs for targeted insulation from headwinds. We wore these through a cold spell in the mountains where temps dropped into the high teens, and our legs stayed comfortable the whole time. SubZ pants are cut with an “athletic” fit as opposed to slimmer fits from other running pants, which makes them great for larger runners in addition to being easy to layer over shorts or a full-length insulated base layer. Impressively, despite their larger size, these pants don’t feel baggy when worn as a single layer and the fabric never feels excessive or bulky when running at pace. Generous zipper lengths extend almost up to the knee for positioning over shoes as needed, and dual zippered pockets at the hips provide storage. Craft products are available at www.craftsports.us.