Alpkit Koulin Trail Tights | Review - Outdoors Magic

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Alpkit Koulin Trail Tights | Review

Bargain-priced trail-running tights from Alpkit offer a whole lot of legwear for the outlay and even have handy stash pockets.

‘Simple, effective, mo’ frills, lightweight trail tight that combines decent performance with a humdinger bargain price-tag ‘

Koulin Tight

  • PRICE: £19
  • WEIGHT: 223g
  • FABRIC: Polyester
  • USE FOR: trail running, general outdoors.
  • alpkit.com

Outdoors Magic: Light, fast wicking, close fitting, mesh panels and handy pockets. Zipped leg adds minor venting option.

Outdoors Tragic: No DWR as standard. Slightly high waist. They are still tights…

Outdoors Grabbit? Yes, if you’re in the market for a bargain-priced trail tight for running, hiking, ballet or anything else where tights are appropriate – your call. They look surprisingly good, work just fine and we love the handy thigh-side stash pockets for their on-the-move accessibility.

Full Specification

Lightweight trail tights / 90% Polyester with 10% Spandex / elasticated waist with drawcord / zoned mesh panels behind knee / zipped rear pocket / two thigh stash pockets / reflective Alpkit logos / ankle zips with reflective strips

Full Review Below

Handy stash pockets are ideal for storing gels or bars, a hat or gloves - don't expect elegance though... - Photo: Lukasz Warzecha (lwimages.co.uk)
The 10 per-cent Spandex content means the tights are stretchy and unrestrictive. You will run like a gazelle... - Photo: Lukasz Warzecha (lwimages.co.uk)

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.

Short ankle zips allow some minor venting and potentially mean you can wear them with mountain boots if you're that way inclined. Maybe... - Photo: Lukasz Warzecha (lwimages.co.uk)

Alpkit Koulin Trail Tight – Verdict

Absolute bargain price for a surprising featured, attractive and effective lightweight trail tight that’s great for cool, dry running days or lightweight walking use if you’re man enough to carry it off. You could climb in the, too. The pockets are a neat and useful touch as well.

Yes, they are tights and that might frighten you at first, but the combination of lightweight comfort and excellent mobility arguably outweighs any sartorial downsides. The only problem is deciding what to wear underneath…

More Information

See www.alpkit.com/products/koulin-trail-tights-mens

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