The best black tights we tested
Best black tights: Spanx High-Waisted Tight-End Tights?
Best black tights runner-up: Uniqlo HeatTech Tights
Best budget black tights: Hanes EcoSmart Women's Blackout Tights
The second the temperature drops and the leaves change colors, I know it’s time to break out all my favorite fall essentials: the spookiest Halloween decor, the coziest sweaters and my most Meg Ryan fall-inspired skirts and dresses.
There’s no greater feeling than planning and executing a Pinterest-worthy fall outfit, until realizing there’s an eyesore of a rip in my tights. A single rip or hole can completely throw off an entire look in seconds.
So, I decided to set out to find the most durable pair of black tights capable of holding up to whatever the fall and winter might throw at them. After sourcing a range of products from brands like Spanx, Hanes and Uniqlo, I put each pair through extensive tests. Yes, that’s right: I intentionally attempted to stretch and rip my way through several tights to land on a handful of tried and trusted winners. Ultimately, I found three pairs of the best black tights I’d recommend to anyone.
Soft yet thick, these extra-stretchy Spanx tights didn't rip once during my testing. They didn't get covered in lint or dust either, somehow staying flawless and exceeding my expectations. I was impressed with Spanx's durability, which survived an 8-pound weight and several stretch and rip tests. These tights were also incredibly comfortable, despite the compression and thick fabric.
I'm a long-time Uniqlo loyalist, but I've never worn tights from the brand. Though this pair wasn't as thick or compressive as the Spanx stockings, Uniqlo's tights were an excellent pair that didn't tear once. I appreciated the heat-retention feature, which will come in handy when attempting to survive another New York winter.
I can always count on Hanes for affordability. Even at a fair price, these "blackout" tights were surprisingly thick and survived all my ripping tests. I also appreciated that they are made of recycled nylon, which is why they've been dubbed "eco-smart" tights. If this pair ever ripped, which it didn't, I'd gladly buy another pair.
Best black tights: Spanx High-Waisted Tight-End Tights
A great pair of tights should be stretchy without losing shape, breathable and, most importantly, durable. Spanx tights blew me out of the water, and I truly believe they could survive any hectic morning or fashion fiasco. Flawless, comfortable and indestructible, I would reach for this pair often. Spanx checked all my boxes and even inspired me to up my skirt game this fall.
What I loved about this pair was the heavy-duty fabric. This pair didn’t rip at all even after shoving an 8-pound dumbbell through the legs. One of the most agitating parts of putting on tights is being on edge trying to hike them up if you have a lengthier manicure or even press-on nails for fear of ripping through them. With this pair from Spanx, I could comfortably pull up my tights without the nagging thought of ruining the fabric.
As a petite gal, I’m also extremely mindful of length. In the past, I’ve worn tights that pool and scrunch up, but this pair was the perfect length even for my short frame. They’re also high-waisted for that extra shaping effect.
I especially appreciated the “SPANXshape” technology, which meant the tights were compressing without feeling suffocating. I also thought these tights were comfortable and breathable, all with a soft waistband that didn’t cut into my waist.
If you’re looking for stretchy dark tights that can survive the pointiest manicure, I would invest in Spanx tights. Although on the pricier end of the spectrum, they will last you through every season and you won’t be stuck purchasing a new pair of stockings over and over again.
Best black tights, runner-up: Uniqlo HeatTech Tights
I can always count on Uniqlo for high-quality clothing items, but I’ve never tried Uniqlo tights for some unknown reason. I’m typically a fan of Uniqlo’s products, so I made sure to test its HeatTech Tights. The brand’s HeatTech technology ensures the tights keep you warm without that bulky, heavy feel. According to the Uniqlo site, this technology promises “a light, thin base layer” recommended for wear in temps from 41 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Uniqlo tights are made from nylon and spandex, two golden fabrics guaranteed to make a great, stretchy pair of tights. Thanks to this dynamic duo, the tights offer gentle compression, which could explain why they felt extremely comfortable. Although they don’t have the waist-snatching capability of the Spanx stockings, these tights from Uniqlo were quite sleek and flattering.
I was a fan of the high-waist design, and the tights didn’t bunch up around my thighs, which is one of my main pet peeves with tights.
If you’re looking for a lightweight pair of stockings, or if your goal is to stay warm, you’ll appreciate Uniqlo’s heat-technology-infused tights, which are fairly priced and incredibly durable. I liked the semi-sheer fabric, which was more durable than it appeared. The pair didn’t rip or tear once when I shoved an 8-pound weight through the leg, even after swinging it side to side. Overall, Uniqlo tights were a hefty, solid pick that looked and felt high quality.
Best budget black tights: Hanes EcoSmart Women’s Blackout Tights
Hanes prices never cease to amaze me. I was pleasantly surprised by the durability of these ultra-affordable black tights. In my notes, I even jotted down how shocked I was by the high-quality feel of the $11 tights.
Despite being the least expensive pair in my pool, the Hanes stockings were shockingly strong. This pair didn’t rip when I passed the 8-pound weight through the leg and swung it around.
The fabric was surprisingly thick and stretchy without being transparent. I also found this pair to be ultra soft. After reading up on the fabric, I found that this pair is made with Hanes’ Repreve recycled nylon and spandex. Not only did I feel great about finding an eco-friendly pair of tights but I could rest assured that this pair wouldn’t rip either.
I also found this pair to be static resistant, which is great for someone like me who loves cozy sweaters. Ultimately, this was one of my favorite pairs of the bunch, thanks to the eco-friendly mission, price point and long-lasting material.
If your main goal is to find an ultra-affordable pair, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy Hanes’ eco-friendly option. They were more durable than the Instagram-lauded Sheertex tights, which are nearly double the cost.
How we tested
What’s frustrating about landing on the perfect pair of tights is that every pair looks almost identical, making it nearly impossible to differentiate the quality and strength of each one.
The only way to properly find top-grade tights was to rigorously stretch, tear, weigh down and examine the sheerness of several pairs. In my testing, I considered the following.
- Fabric Strength: Perhaps the most crucial element of our test, I examined how durable every pair was. To do so, I passed an 8-pound weight through each pair to see if the fabric would run. I also wore and stretched all pairs to see how they would hold up in everyday use.
- Sheerness: Although all the tights were black, there are different levels of sheerness. I took note of how opaque the material of each brand was, in addition to how thick the fabric felt.
- Comfort: I tested the softness and comfort levels of each pair and noted the fabric quality to find out if the tights felt breathable, scratchy or simply too tight.
- Price: When you’re constantly ripping tights, the price can add up. We tested tights ranging in price from $11 to $50 to find out if each one was worth the price tag.
Other black tights we tested
I've wanted these viral tights from Sheertex for a while. I was shocked at how tiny they looked after unboxing and even more surprised at the sheer material. Of all the tights I tested, these were the most opaque. For a brand known and trusted for its durability, all these factors worried me.
Sheertex claims to be long-lasting and made with advanced rip-resistant technology. This is all thanks to a fabric made with strong polymers. Plus, Instagram and a select few celebrities swear by this brand. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but after my weighted durability test, this pair did indeed rip. I was surprised at how quickly this pair tore considering its claim to fame, to the point where I triple-checked to make sure they were the Sheertex pair.
Additionally, these tights run extremely small. Even for a petite person like myself, I struggled to get them on. The legs felt too short without any stretching room, which speaks volumes coming from a 5-foot-1 tester. Sorry to all the Sheertex fans, but I wasn’t sold on the quality or comfort of these tights.
I'm a J.Crew superfan and trust this brand to deliver high-quality items. If I can, I'll go to J.Crew for long-lasting sweaters, jackets or fashionable dresses. Unfortunately, I would not go to this brand for tights.
The J.Crew sheer black tights ripped almost instantly and were incredibly thin. Additionally, the fabric felt a bit scratchy on top of being flimsy. To be fair, the J.Crew tights never claimed to be ultra durable or high strength. Also, it’s not always likely you’ll be aggressively ripping your tights while putting together an outfit (though, it can happen sometimes, of course).
FAQs
Carolina Gazal is an associate testing writer for CNN Underscored, where she writes best-of reviews in the lifestyle realm. When she's not testing products in the kitchen and home space, you will most likely find her on a coffee run or baking sweet treats.
