The 9 Best Black Tights of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

H&M Tights 200 Denier

4.8

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If you’re looking for a stretchy, opaque, warm pair of black tights that are affordable, this is the pair we recommend most. In addition to being almost fully opaque and incredibly stretchy both at the waistband and the legs, our tester noted how warm they felt, making them a fantastic option for winter. 

While they did snag a bit during our velcro test, when our tester ran nail claws and jewelry across the tights, they resisted ripping and remained intact, making them impressively durable. We also appreciate that they can be thrown in the washing machine on a cold setting as opposed to hand-washing, which can be a bit more time-consuming.

Price at time of publish: $13

Material: polyester 90%, spandex 10% | Sizing: XS-XL | Waist: High-rise | Care: Machine wash cool

Best Budget

Hanes Blackout Control Top Tights

4.3

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People that don’t wear tights often might want to stick to an affordable pair, and this one is a great option. The material is fairly thick and almost completely opaque, and the legs have a nice stretch to them, which provides comfort. If you’re looking for tights with tummy control, you’ll likely appreciate that the waistband is pretty stiff, but if that’s not what you’re after, beware that the waistband doesn’t have much stretch capability.

What impressed our tester most about these tights was how resistant they were to the velcro and jewelry tests which were performed to assess for snagging, ripping, and pilling. The tights held up almost perfectly to all of the tests, and given how affordable they are, it makes this feat even more impressive.

In terms of sizing, they only come in three sizes, so we absolutely want to see the brand expand the range.

Price at time of publish: $10

Material: 83% nylon, 17% spandex | Sizing: S-L | Waist: High-rise | Care: Hand wash

Best Opacity

J Crew Control-Top Opaque Tights

4.6

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If you’re looking for a comfortable pair of very opaque black tights with unbelievable stretch, we recommend these. Our tester was shocked by how much she was able to stretch them, and even while stretched, they remained opaque. If you can’t stand tights that become see-through as you move around and bend, you’ll love these. 

While they held up fairly well during the velcro tests with just minor pulling, our tester shared that the finger claws did some damage to these tights by creating small holes. However, she mentioned that she had to use pretty strong pressure to see any visible damage, so they’re pretty durable for everyday wear.

Price at time of publish: $23

Material: Nylon and spandex | Sizing: XS-L | Waist: High-rise | Care: Machine wash

Best Sheer

Wolford Satin Touch 20 Denier Comfort Sheer Pantyhose

4.6

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While we love black tights that are opaque, some are specifically meant to be sheer to pair with specific types of looks. Sheer tights look beautiful with dressier outfits for special occasions, and these are fantastic for that. They’re stretchy, which makes them comfortable, and they have a thick waistband that provides tummy control. 

Because sheer tights are typically made with thin materials, it’s not surprising that these didn’t perform super well during the durability tests. Our tester shared that velcro created some piling, and jewelry and finger claws created micro-tears and small holes. Because of this, we recommend avoiding pairing these tights with dresses or skirts with heavy sequins or beading that could cause damage to the fabric.

Price at time of publish: $35

Material: 88% polyamide, 12% elastane | Sizing: XS-2XL | Waist: High-rise | Care: Machine wash cold

Best Tummy Control

SKIMS Full Control Tights

4.5

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If you like to wear tights and you want them to double as a form of shapewear to smooth your tummy, this pair is a great option for you. While the legs are sheer, the waistband is opaque due to how thick and shaping it is. The waistband provides full control, and our tester loved that rather than being stiff or too compressive, the material is still a bit stretchy. She also appreciated that the material in the foot area is thicker than in the legs, which is great because shoes and toenails can often cause damage in this area. 

While the sheer material held up nicely against the nimble and finger claws, the velcro test did some serious damage. Our tester shared that the moment the velcro touched the fabric, it immediately pulled and scrunched up. While they are a bit pricey for tights, the tummy control capability and the pretty strong durability (besides when it comes to velcro) make them a worthwhile investment if you’re in the market for them.

Price at time of publish: $48

Material: 65% polyamide, 35% elastane | Sizing: XXS-4X | Waist: High-rise | Care: Machine wash cold

Best Lingerie-Adjacent

Commando Sexy Sheer Tights

4.2

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Tights with a little something special—like lace detailing—can be paired beautifully with lingerie or fashion-forward looks. These are great because the lace detail at the waistband is thick without being too compressive, and the sheer legs combined with the bold, intricate waist create a gorgeous contrast. The material is stretchy, ensuring the tights are comfortable, and the waistband is raw-cut, meaning it won’t dig into your skin.

The one downside of these tights is that they’re not super durable. Our tester shared that the tights snagged easily when put through the velcro test, and any relatively sharp objects immediately caused damage on contact.

Price at time of publish: $38

Material: 82% nylon, 18% elastane | Sizing: S-XL | Waist: High-rise | Care: Hand wash

Best Long-Lasting

Sheertex Classic Sheer Rip-Resist Tights

4.3

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A lack of durability is a very common complaint when it comes to tights—put them under just the slightest bit of friction, and you can ruin them. But with these tights, you can wear them without having to be overly careful about your every move. While the velcro test did create some snags, our tester was shocked that these minor snags didn’t turn into really noticeable pulls or holes. She was also surprised when the tights passed the finger claw and jewelry tests with no visible signs of damage.

In addition to their durability, we love that the waistband provides minor compression that remains comfortable, and the semi-sheer look is pretty unique compared to the sheer and opaque options on the market. If we could change one thing about them, we would love for them to have more stretch.

Price at time of publish: $59

Material: 54% nylon, 31% polyethylene, 15% spandex | Sizing: XS-3X | Waist: High-rise | Care: Machine wash cold

Best for Cold Weather

Wolford Merino Tights

4.2

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Tights are a fantastic wardrobe essential when you want to wear skirts and dresses, but the temperature outside is making you think twice about it. These tights are made with nylon, elastane, and most importantly, wool, which helps to provide insulation. Our tester was impressed with how soft and stretchy these tights felt, noting specifically how well the waistband stretched and then maintained its shape.

While they did snag a bit during the durability tests, our tester explained that it was fairly minimal, stating that it took quite a decent amount of pressure with a nimble to create a small tear. If you’re in the market for a pair of tights to provide an extra layer of warmth this winter, these could be a worthwhile investment.

Price at time of publish: $90

Material: 49% nylon, 49% virgin wool, 2% elastane | Sizing: XS-XL | Waist: High-rise | Care: machine wash cold