Alpkit Koulin Trail Tight – The Tech

They’re tights Jim, but with added frills. The basics are a lightweight mix of Polyester with 10% Spandex thrown in for stretch. Amazingly you also get some basic ‘zoning’ with lighter mesh-like panels sat in the sweaty spot at the back of your knees.

You also get twin stash-pockets on the thigh. A pocket at the back of the stretchy waistband. And two ankle zips complete with reflective strips down below.

And that’s it really. No DWR or laminated construction or anti-odour finish. Just tights.

Alpkit Koulin Trail Tight – Performance

A youth scarred by exposure to Ronhill Tracksters has left us instinctively wary of any sort of tight-fitting legwear as a result, but the Koulin pretty much won us over.

For starters – with an appropriate choice of under-layer – they look pretty good. Still tights, but quite flattering ones with cool orange bits and reflective decals. To be honest the waist sat just a tad high on us, something that down-sizing might have solved, but the overall fit is good and, erm, clingy with the lightweight fabric feeling comfortable and unrestrictive.

That makes them a good call for chilly autumnal mornings when shorts shrink away in fear. Or any other time you want a little extra leg protection without adding restriction.

We liked the handy thigh stash pockets too. They’re idea for squirrelling away some easily accessible food or a hat, the only downside is the interesting jodhpur look that results.

The ankle zips we could have managed without to be honest, but they might come in handy with bulky hiking or mountain boots if you want to wear them with your tights.

One downside is that although the lightweight fabric wicks and dries decently, it doesn’t have any sort of DWR, so using them in rain means they get a little soggy, though thankfully without sogginess.