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I Tried the Sheertex Rip-Resist Tights—Here’s My Honest Review

The tights to end all tights

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Few things are more frustrating when you’re getting ready than putting on a pair of tights and realizing there’s a rip running from your ankle to your thigh. OK, maybe coming to that realization while you’re on really good first date. Trust me, I’ve been there plenty of times, largely because I purchase my tights at the pharmacy and because I don’t prefer to dole out the extra cash. That is, until now, thanks to Sheertex, the cult-favorite brand you’ve likely seen on social media or on subway ads, making the impossible, possible: creating a rip-resistant pair of tights that doubles as shapewear (but more on that in a minute). As an innate apprehensive skeptic, I had to test the Sheertex tights ($35) for myself and figure out if they are truly worth the price tag.

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sheertex tights review sheertex lifestyle images
Sheertex/Collage by Stephanie Meraz

What Makes Sheertex Special?

While the brand offers an assortment of classic, premium and fashion tights, there’s one thing all Sheertex tights have in common, and that’s its revolutionary knit fabric. Unless you’re already familiar with the brand, it may come as a surprise to discover that it took the founder and CEO, Katherine Homuth, many years before she designed the noteworthy knit. With a desire to eliminate fast fashion waste, Homuth sought to develop rip-resistant tights rooted in sustainable practices that can last beyond just a few measly wears before snagging or running.

Per the brand, Sheertex tights are comprised of one of the world’s strongest polymers with material typically found in climbing and sailing equipment. For my numbers people out there, the fiber found in Sheertex is 100 out of 1,000 deniers—aka the highest level you can go before making socks or pants. Its strength is so intense that traditional machinery couldn’t handle it, so Sheertex went the extra mile to build their own hosiery manufacturing facility in Montreal, Canada.

How I Tested the Sheertex Rip-Resistant Tights

Over the course of many days for nearly four months, I wore two styles, the Super Sheer Rip-Resist tights and the Mini-Dot Super Sheer Rip-Resist Tights, as I normally would. I pulled them up with my long, often disheveled and scraggly nails with little delicacy, rushing to get dressed, per usual. I paired them with all kinds of shoes, from pointy-toe pumps to knee-high boots to comfortable sneakers, to witness how they held up under displaced pressure and strain. Similarly, I wore different kinds of outfits over the tights, some of which might cause friction, like my 100 percent cotton jeans. And I threw them into the washer and dryer multiple times, safely tucked into a delicates bag, and they came out good as new with no rips. When it came to my movement, I practically did it all: sat, stood, walked, ran, bent and lunged. Here’s how it went.

My Review of the Sheertex Classic Sheer and Super Sheer Rip-Resist Tights

What I Like

  • compressive, smoothing waistband
  • doesn’t sag in the crotch or butt
  • super stretchy

What I Don’t Like

  • can experience extra fabric around the midriff if you have a short torso
  • super sheer fabric may not look that sheer

Sheertex

  • Value: 19/20
  • Functionality: 19/20
  • Ease of Use: 20/20
  • Aesthetics: 19/20
  • Rip Resistance: 20/20

Total: 97/100

When I received the Sheertex tights in the mail, my first impression was, “Whoa, these are thick.” Despite their substantial knit, they weren’t heavy at all. (However, I will say each pair does take up a good amount of space in my sock and underwear drawer.) In fact, they're rather lightweight and unbelievably stretchy. Through all my pulls and tugs, the knit continued to stretch…and stretch and stretch and stretch, which came in handy when I wanted the tights to look a bit more sheer.

The fabric looked like it was double-stitched in one area, taking on the form of a dark run, but this was one of those minor imperfections my Virgo eye spotted that others probably couldn’t. My mom immediately stole the classic sheer leggings from right up under my nose (and I haven’t seen them since), but I found them to be rather opaque. The super sheer, pictured above, wasn’t as sheer as I expected a “super sheer” tight would be either, and this is where the tug and pull technique came in handy. The more I yanked them up the legs, the sheerer they’d be.

Naturally, this meant I had to deal with extra fabric around my waist, which I don’t love, but the joys of being a woman, right? I have a short(er) torso and long(ish) legs, and the six-and-a-half-inch mid-rise waistband sat right underneath the underwire of my bra like a super high-rise. This is great for wearing with dresses, especially since it boasts a light compression comfort that slims and smooths my stomach area. When I wore my high-waist jeans and skirts, I did have to roll the tights down as not to have the fabric popping out. Not ideal, but I concluded that I’d prefer to deal with too much fabric instead of having to constantly pull them up because they sag in the crotch, you know?

I normally wear tights with dresses, and the super sheers looked beyond chic paired with my blazer dress and heels, though the jeans and tights proved to be an unlikely match. If you know me, then you know I love my Agolde jeans, but my ripped pair is notoriously difficult to wear when it’s chilly out, so layering the tights underneath provided ample warmth and looked darn cute, if I do say so myself. And that rings true for the tights in general. They’re plenty warm, super soft and really hug your body well. They didn’t sag in the butt or crotch throughout the day or catch on anything sharp, so that’s a win for me.

My Review of the Sheertex Modern Diamond Sheer Rip-Resist Tights

What I Like

  • pop of the subtle diamond pattern adds texture to an outfit
  • compressive, smoothing waistband
  • doesn’t sag in the crotch or butt

What I Don’t Like

  • the pattern may bunch and become opaque around the knees and ankles

Sheertex

  • Value: 19/20
  • Functionality: 19/20
  • Ease of Use: 20/20
  • Aesthetics: 18/20
  • Rip Resistance: 20/20

Total: 96/100

The diamond pattern on these rip-resistant tights proved to be a super fun swap to the previous pair. As someone with a wardrobe bursting with predominantly neutral colors (blacks, whites and browns), incorporating eye-catching patterns like this was a fun way to spice up my outfits. All the same sentiments I had about the sheer tights ring true for the diamond pattern tights. I did notice that the tights looked extra opaque around the knees and ankles where the fabric naturally bends and gathers, so I had to pull the fabric up to get the pattern to sit evenly and sheer out.

Ordering one size smaller might’ve upped its sheerness and minimized the amount of extra fabric I dealt with, but I referred to the size chart and ordered a size medium. For reference, Sheertex recommends sizing based upon your weight, and I’m on the lower portion of medium, so if you’re between sizes—or, in this case, weight—I’d suggest opting for one size down if you don’t want to deal with extra fabric bunching around your midriff, knees or ankles. If you’re blessed with curves, then stick with your usual size. Best of all, Sheertex has a 90-day rip-resist guarantee in place for all orders, so you have time to test these babies out and figure out if they’re up to snuff for you.

Are the Sheertex Tights Worth the Money?

Sheertex

Yes, the $59 to $89 cost is pretty steep for many like me who are in the habit of picking up an $8 option at the drugstore, but the indestructible knits are worth it, especially when retailers like Amazon and QVC are selling them for a steep discounted rate of $35 and $39. If I compared the number of wears between the two, it’d be laughable. I probably enjoy three, maybe four or five (if I’m lucky), wears of my CVS tights before they get a run or fall apart, and my Sheertex’s lifespan has yet to be determined—even after a full year of owning them. I can happily report that I’ve far exceeded that amount and they still look as good as the day that I received them in the mail.

If you’re someone who loves to wear skirts, dresses or denim jeans with rips while it’s cool out, then investing in a pair of rip-resistant tights that’ll last you all season and then some is one of the smartest investments you can make. And considering the tights are available in inclusive sizes (XS to 3XL), many patterns and fits—such as sheer nude, mini dot, cherry red, fishnet, maternity, shaping and more—what’s not to love? We’ve got options, people.

See an In-Depth Video Review of the Sheertex Tights

In the episode above, Kate performs three tests involving her fingernails, scissors and a weighted vase on two Sheertex products: Classic Sheer Rip-Resist Tights ($35) and Micro Dot Super-Sheer Rip-Resist Tights ($35). She explains that “they are much more expensive than normal tights” because of the superb quality. “This waistband—this is tight,” she says in the clip. “It’s way stretchier than a normal pair of tights. It almost feels like leggings and tights combined.”


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