First Look: Smarter Pants by Rabbit
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Smarter Pants by Rabbit
Materials: Polartec® and Power Stretch®—54% nylon/17% polyester/29% spandex
Price: $100
Best Features: Semi-fitted, side pockets, allows good movement, warm, can be worn over running shorts, taper/zippers at ankles, comfort.
Room for Improvement: Waistband is a bit bulky, have to remove shoes before taking off.
The Women’s Smarter Pants by Rabbit (men’s version here) live up to their name. These semi fitted pants have a more relaxed fit than a tight but nicely contour the body. The pants are great for warming up or cooling down before or after a race as they provide an extra layer of warmth and are loose enough to wear a pair of running shorts underneath.
The Smarter Pants taper to the ankle allowing freedom of movement without bulk. However, despite the zippers around the ankle it can be difficult to remove the pants without taking shoes off. Dual front side pockets provide plenty of storage or can be used to warm up cold hands.
Rabbit was smart in the creation of these Smarter Pants, using moisture-wicking material with a relatively light fabric thickness. Despite the lightweight, I was pleasantly surprised by how warm the pants are. Perhaps the most attractive aspect of these pants is their comfort. Not only are they great warm up pants but the soft inner layer with 4-way stretch material and minimal number of seams makes them ideal for lounging or leisure wear. Overall, the Rabbit women’s Smarter Pants are an excellent choice for warmth, comfort and efficiency.
—Tara Richardson has placed first in the 2018 Collegiate Peaks 25 miler, 2018 Under Armour Mountain Running Series 50K on Copper Mountain, Colorado, 2018 GORE-TEX Grand Traverse Mountain Run and 2018 Under Armour Mountain Running Series 50K in Bend, Oregon. She was runner up in the USATF trail marathon championships and recently qualified for 2020 Olympic Marathon trials. She runs about 70 miles per week. The more uphill the better, she says!