Running is a great way to get rid of stress, keep your heart rate up, and get that burst of energy, but sometimes you come back from a good run all sweaty with excitement, and you look in the mirror to see if your big guns are finally coming in but what do you spot instead? That annoying wedge in your crotch that you have become all too familiar with— the camel toe.
Well, you are not alone because the camel toe is no respecter of persons, it can happen to anyone from celebrities to everyday people like you and me. Although it is completely natural, having that frontal wedgie can be very uncomfortable as well as embarrassing for a lot of people, so after it has occurred one too many times, you may start to wonder; Why is camel toe in my running tights?
Do not fret though, because in this post we will not only provide an answer to this question but also help you with practical tips that will banish camel toe from your tights forever.
Why Is Camel Toe in My Running Tights?
The term camel toe is slang used to describe the outline of the female groin in clothing and like a moth to a flame; the camel toe is attracted to snug-fitting pants. So camel toe is in your tights because tights are usually made with thin fabrics that are designed to fit on the body in order to provide the wearer with benefits such as flexibility, compression, and protection.
Besides their form fitting nature, there are other reasons why a person can get camel toe from running tights, including;
1. Wearing ill-fitting tights
Running tights are always made to be stretchy, which makes a lot of people assume that the sizing is just a suggestion, but this is not the case. Wearing tights that are too loose or too small can cause the fabric to get into the folds and corners of the crotch. Additionally, tights that don’t fit properly can result in constant pulling up, which may also cause a camel toe.
2. Getting damp from exercise
The body tends to heat up and release sweat during cardio exercises like running, and and when this moisture does not dry easily, it can make the fabric cling to the skin highlighting the crotch area. This is usually made worse by super thin fabric.
3. Friction from physical activity
While running, the repeated movement of the thighs rubbing against each other causes friction, and this can force the fabric to ride up the legs.
4. Individual body shape
The human body is diverse with different shapes, from apple to hourglass. So naturally, some women have a more obvious pubic area than others. This can be due to genetics, pregnancy, weight gain, and even weight loss.
How Can I Get Rid of Camel Toe in My Running Tights?
1. Wear a camel toe concealer
The camel toe concealer has been a godsend for a lot of women, including me, because it does exactly what the name implies, it conceals, covers, and protects against the pesky camel toe. And what’s more, this concealer is easy to use all you have to do is place it over the area down there before wearing your tights, and you are good to go.
Not only does it leave a smooth finish to your running tights, but this product also comes with a waterproof adhesive, so you don’t have to worry about it shifting out of place during your run.
2. Buy the correct size
Of course, when you want to buy a pair of bottoms, you look at the sizing, but that is not the only thing you should be checking. You have to ensure that the tights fit comfortably so that you don’t have to pull them up or drag them down, and when you put them on, the crotch area should fit seamlessly on your pubes.
Personally, before deciding on a purchase, I like to do something I call the bend test, and I do this before getting any type of form-fitting pants. To do the bend test, simply stretch your hands towards your toes, and if you start to feel too much pressure on your crotch, that could be a sign that those are not the right tights for you.
3. Avoid going commando
Going commando is a common practice that has some benefits, according to experts, but you have to realize that underwear serves as a barrier between your body and your tights, so removing this layer may give room for the fabric to rid up into those delicate areas.
To counter this, you should put on a pair of breathable panties before wearing your running tights.
4. Add a gusset to your tights
A gusset is a piece of fabric that can be installed in the crotch area of your panties to add some allowance and eliminate bunching. Now if you are a DIY lover like me, then you can learn how to sew in a gusset, but if not, you can take the affected tights to a seamstress to have them professionally fixed or, better still, get tights already have a gusset.
5. Stay away from tights with middle seams
Middle-seam tights are your worst enemy if you are trying to prevent camel toeing because the seams tend to cut through the crotch. Instead, go for tights with flat panels, or try the ones that are seamless. In addition to avoiding middle-seam tights, you should also avoid wearing underwear with the same issues.
6. Use a panty liner
Since we know that the reason why the problem of camel toe persists in tights is that the fabric lacks structure, you can introduce a middleman to add some firmness to the fabric by using a panty liner. To use a panty liner to prevent camel toeing, place one panty liner in the crotch area of your underwear as usual and place another one horizontally across the front. If you have done it correctly, the panty liners should be in the shape of the letter T.
7. Go for tights with built-in liners
Some running tights come with a built-in liner, which is simply another layer of fabric. This extra layer is supposed to add some thickness to the fabric in order to prevent bunching up. There are a lot of brands that offer this feature in their tights; some put the liner all the way while others only add lining to the crotch area, but whichever one you choose is fine. Just ensure that the fabric is breathable so it does not trap odors and sweat.
8. Consider darker colours
Darker colored bottoms are better at creating a smooth appearance than bright colors, so you can go for colors such as navy blue, emerald green, dark purple, and dark grey.
9. Don’t skimp on quality
Quality over quantity, my mom always says. Sure, good quality tights may cost a pretty penny more than the generic ones, but who can put a price on comfort? That said, this does not mean that if it is expensive, it is automatically good. Affordable tights can be made with great fabric. You might have to take your time to find them, but once you do, it will be worth it.
You are probably thinking, how can I know if the tights are of good quality? Good running tights should provide comfort as well as support. They should remain opaque even when they are stretched out, so if you can see your skin through the fabric, then they are probably not going to provide much support.
Another tip is always to check the fabric content to ensure that it suits your needs. Here are some of the popular picks;
- Cotton is an obvious choice for sports and exercise because of its soft texture and breathability. However, cotton lacks moisture wicking ability which means your tights will stay soaked for a long time. Luckily fitness experts have developed new cotton blends that solve this issue, so make sure you check the label for this quality.
- Polyester is probably the most used type of fabric for active wear. Polyester is obtained from a by-product of petroleum, so they are affordable and durable. Regarding quality, they can go either way, depending on the manufacturer, but the benefit of polyester is that it allows sweat to evaporate quickly during physical activities.
- Spandex is an age-old fitness fabric that has never gone out of style. It provides a great stretch and gives adequate support, but the downside is that they require gentle care so that the elastic fibers are not damaged.
Final Takeaway
The bottom line is this; good running tights can make your run more enjoyable and effective, so it is important to find the ones that do not give you a camel toe. And one thing is for sure, If you follow the tips discussed in this article, then you are well on your way to discovering a camel-toe-free world.
