iRunFar has been a fan of rabbit apparel for several years now, and to say we were enthusiastic about exploring their current cold weather lineup may be an understatement. A woman-owned, California-based brand, rabbit’s goal has been to provide some of the best running apparel on the market while also stepping up the game on crossover apparel that works well for the trail to casual life.
The brand has really perfected the balance between fashion, function, fit, and comfort. Now, with the addition of more pieces that function in colder conditions, rabbit has options that appeal across all four seasons.
- rabbit Defroster Speed Tights ($135) performance fleece-lined tights
- rabbit Cocoon 2.0 ($125) cold weather performance hooded fleece
- rabbit High Country Flannel ($85) performance and leisure plaid flannel
- rabbit EZ Joggers ($88) leisure joggers
- rabbit EZ Tights ($88) lounge or performance tights
Sizing note: Two women tested the apparel in this review. Both testers consistently wear mediums across the rabbit brand. One tester is 5 feet, 5 inches and 125 to 130 pounds, and the other is 5 feet, 7 inches and 135 to 140 pounds.
iRunFar gear reviewer Annie Behrend with Dash the rabbit, the unofficial mascot of this gear review. Photo courtesy of Annie Behrend. All other photos courtesy of Kristin Zosel unless otherwise noted.
Rabbit Defroster Speed Tights
For cold weather running where a simple pair of tights isn’t enough, rabbit introduced the rabbit Defroster Speed Tights ($135) this year, and our buns and thighs are pleased. The semi-compressive fleece-lined, full-length tights cover our ankles completely and have a smooth finish that resists light precipitation. We prefer these from about 10 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit and simply add a down skirt at temperatures below this to stay cozy. They breathe well but do get a bit sweaty above 35F.
True to rabbit’s commitment to function, these tights feature five pockets — the roomy lower back reflective zipper pocket for a key, card, or small snack; my two very favorite stash pockets on the upper, lateral thighs that hold a cell phone, more snacks, or gloves with confidence; and two flat-lying pockets on the inside of the waistband in the front for those extra gels.
A front view of the rabbit Defroster Speed Tights.
We much prefer the mid-rise of the Defroster Speed Tights over anything high-waisted, but the internal drawstring is very thin and slightly less comfortable when tightened down. I’d love to see a wider elastic piece here so the drawstring wouldn’t need to do the heavy lifting. While the medium is the right size for us in the legs — our calves and kneecaps are apparently too powerful for the smalls — the waist and hip portion does tend to slide down into the thighs after about 45 minutes, requiring a shimmy and pull-up. Although this occurs more subtly with these than other rabbit tights, I do wish this aspect of the fit was a bit more dialed in across the brand, but only in the tights/capris. I have zero issues with the fit of the loose shorts, loose joggers, and seven-inch tight leggy shorts. For cozy winter running, the Defroster Speed Tights can help you zip along, but perhaps consider sizing down if you’re between sizes.
A back view of the rabbit Defroster Speed Tights.
Rabbit Cocoon 2.0
If you regularly run in places so cold that your face hurts, rabbit has outdone themselves with the rabbit Cocoon 2.0 ($125). This semi-relaxed fit, fleece-lined performance hoody with an integrated perforated face mask even has a ponytail hole in the back of the scuba-fit hood! With the hood down, it’s like having a turtleneck or thin neck gaiter cozied up to your chin to keep the wind and light precipitation out. We aren’t always ones for snug things around our necks, but somehow by using the thinner material for the hood and face mask portion, we can easily wear this fleece the rest of the day post-run; it dries quickly and isn’t constricting in any way. So impressive.
A front view of the rabbit Cocoon 2.0.
The rabbit Cocoon 2.0 keeps us quite cozy as an outer layer with just a short sleeve base layer in temperatures in the 20s to 30sF, even with some wind, and as a mid-layer for temps down to -5F. The PFC-free, water-resistant, smooth-faced finish resists light snow, and the 77% polyester/23% spandex body breathes really well ─ even as we work up some heat on the hills. Sweat is wicked away speedily and dries in a flash, so in the Colorado climate, it’s a perfect cold-weather option.
The Quick n’ Fit hood is made from a much thinner 89% polyester/11% spandex material, just like the rabbit EZ Tee Long Sleeve, which basically means it’s so soft that you don’t want to take it off. The laser-cut perforations in the face mask conduct air and moisture really well, such that we can run with sunglasses on and have minimal fogging (none if there’s some wind). It can ice up under the right conditions over several hours, in which case having some other face-covering options can be handy, especially if your winter adventure is rather epic and lengthy.
A back view of the rabbit Cocoon 2.0.
The last brilliant detail we love about this piece is the presence of two thumb holes on each sleeve. The standard placement allows the long sleeve to cover the back of the hand, leaving the other hole as a possible watch-viewing window. But if you choose the second thumb hole, the cuff then covers most of the fingers as well, which is so perfect for the beginning of runs, where you kind of want a second pair of gloves, but you know you won’t need them in 30 minutes. All in all, if you run in the cold or simply run cold, the Cocoon 2.0 is an amazing performance hooded fleece with extra benefits!
The rabbit Cocoon 2.0 with the hood up.
Shop the Women's rabbit Cocoon 2.0Shop the Men's rabbit Cocoon 2.0
Rabbit High Country Flannel
The rabbit High Country Flannel ($85) is one of our all-time favorite pieces from rabbit, simply because it can cross over from trail run to leisure and back again on the same day. You simply cannot go wrong with a performance plaid with pearl snap (minus the pearl) — even one tester’s teenager loves the men’s version. The semi-relaxed fit is just long enough in the arms, hips, and across the back that we can fit a thin baselayer beneath and still have plenty of room to give ourselves a hug, wrangle the fat bike handlebars, or high-five each other after scoring our favorite croissants. A touch of merino wool (4%) added to the 54% recycled polyester and 42% Thermolite polyester makes for a lightly warm, breathable, yet somewhat wind-resisting layer that dries quickly after a trail run and looks polished at the coffeehouse afterward. The flannel dries relatively quickly if we throw a running pack over it and generate some sweat. Two snap pockets on the chest are well-sized and functional, and the snaps at the wrist keep some breezes out but still fit over a running watch. Rabbit celebrates trail running culture with the variety of plaids offered in this style, and it will soon become a favorite if you snatch one up.
A front view of the rabbit High Country Flannel.
A back view of the rabbit High Country Flannel.
Shop the Women's rabbit High Country FlannelShop the Men's rabbit High Country Flannel
Rabbit EZ Joggers
The rabbit EZ Joggers ($88) are made of the softest fabric you’ve ever worn ─ Quick n’ Fit fabric combines 89% polyester and 11% spandex. Despite being smooth as butter, the fabric itself holds up well. However, we have noticed mild pilling along the inside stitching and seam of both. The joggers have a more classic mid-rise elastic waistband with an external drawstring and two front, classic, roomy pockets.
A front view of the rabbit EZ Joggers. Baby goat not included. Photo courtesy of Annie Behrend.
While we hesitate to make direct comparisons with other brands, the feel of these reminds me a lot of the increasingly popular Vuori Performance Jogger, which we reviewed in our Vuori Women’s Performance Apparel review. The style of the joggers is quite similar to Vuori, though a bit sleeker. The fabric is lighter weight, and the 27- to 28-inch inseam allows more ankle coverage. We’ve been known to throw these on first thing in the morning and complete every daily activity in them, from running to kiddo activities to casual dining and more. They’re just so comfortable.
A side view of the rabbit EZ Joggers featuring Coco the bunny. Photo courtesy of Annie Behrend.
Shop the Women's rabbit EZ JoggersShop the Men's rabbit EZ Joggers
Rabbit EZ Tights
The rabbit EZ Tights ($88) are constructed from the same Quick n’ Fit material but with a form-fitting style and a 26 to 27-inch inseam that stops just above my ankle. They have long cuffs at the ankles and an extra-wide waistband with a drawstring. The tights also sport two internal waistband pockets for stowing keys, cards, snacks, and more. You won’t want to take these off. Work out in them, relax in them, hold soft furry animals in them … or all of the above on repeat.
A front view of the rabbit EZ Tights.
A back view of the rabbit EZ Tights.
Shop the Women's rabbit EZ TightsShop the Men's rabbit EZ Tights
Rabbit Women’s Cold Weather Apparel Overall Impressions
Rabbit’s expansion into cold-weather running performance apparel is welcome for those of us who live where winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing. Thankfully, they’ve also continued to work the tried-and-true EZ fabric into more pieces, which makes for comfortable performance and leisure wear in any season. The flannel has been a hit for two cycles now, which is exciting as it’s also hard to beat as a crossover piece.
Honestly, each piece of the apparel in this review fits a slightly different niche, so if you’re similarly motivated to grab a little bit of everything, keep your eye on sizing and availability, as rabbit’s items tend to sell out. If you’re lucky enough to find a piece on an end-of-season sale, then you’re lucky indeed.
The pocket detail on the rabbit Defroster Speed Tights.
It’s been a pleasure to review both the performance and athleisure ends of rabbit’s spectrum of apparel. The company remains true to its name by providing some items that inspire us to run fast and free and others that remind us to recover and relax. Dash and Coco, the fittest bunnies in the Rogue River Valley of Oregon and unofficial mascots of our rabbit reviews remind us that there’s a time to run and a time to relax, and rabbit has us covered.
The watch/thumb hole detail on the rabbit Cocoon 2.0.
Call for Comments
- Have you used any of the rabbit gear reviewed here? How did you like it?
- Are there any other great cold-weather pieces from rabbit that you would recommend?
[Editor’s Note: If you’re affiliated (i.e., an employee, ambassador, etc.) with a shoe brand, please share your relation in each of your comments on this article. Thanks!]
Frank — a rabbit mascot in training. Photo: Lynn Malie
