Best Fleece-Lined Tights That Look Sheer: 8 Picks, Tested and Ranked

What Are Fleece-Lined Tights, Exactly?

Fleece-lined tights are a two-layer garment. The outside is a knit that looks like hosiery, usually a fine synthetic yarn in black, brown, or a skin-tone shade. The inside is a brushed fleece or plush lining that traps warm air against the leg. You put on what feels like a soft legging and walk out looking like you are wearing 20-denier pantyhose in February.

The category exploded because it solves a specific, stupid problem. Dresses and skirts do not disappear when the temperature drops below freezing, but standard sheer tights offer roughly as much insulation as a paper towel. Thick opaque tights keep you warm and read casual. Fleece-lined tights split the difference: they keep the leg line slim, they read dressy from a distance, and they do not turn your lower half into a separate climate zone.

That is the pitch. The execution varies wildly. Some pairs are genuinely warm and convincingly sheer. Others are shiny, baggy around the ankle, and warm in the way a plastic poncho is waterproof. The difference comes down to lining weight, outer yarn, seam construction, and whether the brand bothered to test the thing on a human body over five feet tall.

The two-layer trick behind the “bare leg” illusion

A sheer illusion tight works by separating color from coverage. The inner fleece is usually a nude or beige shade, and the outer layer carries the black, brown, or charcoal tint. Light passes through the thin outer knit, your eye blends the dark surface with the lighter lining underneath, and the result reads as translucent hosiery. It is an optical trick, not a fabric miracle. Move the tight into direct sunlight and the effect weakens. Stretch it hard over a knee and the lining may peek through.

Opacity is a function of three things: the outer yarn's denier, the contrast between the lining and the outer color, and the density of the fleece. A 220g lining with a 20-denier black outer layer gives the most convincing sheer look. A 300g lining with a heavy outer knit starts to look like a matte legging no matter what the product photos promise.

Noosh Toast is the current benchmark for the trick. Good Housekeeping's testers praised the five skin-tone shades and the soft interior, and one six-foot tester reported no sagging or sliding through a full workday. Hue Faux Sheer is the cheaper version of the same idea, widely available at Amazon, Macy's, and Bloomingdale's for around $20. The gap between the two is mostly in the shade range and the waistband, not in the basic concept.

What fleece lining actually does (and does not do)

The fleece traps heat, but it does not block wind. That distinction matters more than any gram-weight number on a product page. A 220g pair under a wool coat and over a pair of socks is comfortable on a 25°F commute. The same pair on a windy street corner with a short skirt and no long coat will feel cold at 35°F, because the wind pushes through the outer knit and flattens the fleece.

Fleece lining also adds bulk, despite what the marketing copy says. A fleece tight is thicker than a 100-denier opaque tight. It has to be. If the goal is a genuinely bare-leg look under a bodycon dress, no fleece tight will pass a close inspection. If the goal is “warm enough to wear a skirt to dinner without hating your life,” the category delivers.

The lining stops at the ankle on most pairs. That is deliberate: fleece in the foot would make shoes fit differently and turn your toes into a sweat lodge. The trade-off is a visible transition line if you wear low-cut shoes without socks. Reviewers mention this on the Hue pair, where the fleece ends at ankle length and can look odd with a ballet flat.

The Sheer Illusion: How Fake Translucent Tights Work

“Fake translucent,” “faux sheer,” “sheer illusion,” and “translucent fleece” all describe the same construction: a colored outer layer over a lighter fleece core. The marketing language is interchangeable. The product quality is not.

The cheapest versions use a high-gloss outer yarn that reflects light like a legging. They look fine in a photograph and suspicious in a hallway. Mid-range versions use a matte or semi-matte outer knit that mimics the way light diffuses through sheer nylon. The best versions match the undertone of the fleece to the outer color so the blend looks natural on a range of skin tones rather than gray or ashy.

Why some pairs read as 20-denier and others read as leggings

Contrast is the whole game. A black outer layer over a warm beige lining creates a strong value difference, which the eye interprets as depth. That is why black sheer illusion tights are the most convincing. A brown outer layer over the same beige lining reads muddy unless the brand adjusts the undertone. A “nude” pair over a pale lining reads chalky on medium and deep skin.

The other variable is the outer surface finish. Gloss equals leggings. Matte equals hosiery. If a product photo shows a highlight running down the thigh like a satin ribbon, expect the tight to look synthetic in person. Look for flat, diffused lighting in customer photos and video reviews. TikTok try-on videos are useful here because creators move, sit, and stretch the fabric in ways a studio shot never does.

The foot problem: where the fleece stops

Nearly every fleece-lined tight has a fleece-free foot. Some brands hide the transition inside the ankle. Others leave a hard line that shows above a loafer. The fix is simple: wear socks that cover the transition, or choose a footless tight and pair it with your own socks. Commando's fleece-lined opaque footless tight exists for exactly this reason, and it also solves the sizing problem for tall wearers who find footed tights too short in the leg.

If you insist on a footed pair, check the toe seam. A bulky seam over the toes is the most common comfort complaint in reviews, even on otherwise well-liked pairs. Noosh's tester specifically flagged the toe seam as uncomfortable despite loving the rest of the tight. That is not a dealbreaker, but it is the kind of detail that separates a pair you wear twice from a pair you wear weekly.

Best Fleece-Lined Tights: Ranked Picks for 2026

This is not a list of every pair on Amazon. It is a short list of pairs that solve different problems, ranked by how well they do the one thing the buyer actually needs. Prices are typical US street prices as of late 2026 and will move with sales.

1. Best overall sheer illusion: Noosh Toast

Why it wins: five skin-tone-matched shades, a soft fleece interior that does not shed, a waistband that stays put on a six-foot frame, and an outer finish that reads matte rather than shiny. The Toast is the pair that made the category credible for people who actually dress up in winter. It costs around $38, which is not cheap, but it is the closest thing to a no-compromise sheer-look tight.

Watch out for: the toe seam. Tall wearers report the foot area can feel short even when the leg length is fine. Size up if you are between sizes and plan to wear socks.

2. Best budget sheer: Hue Faux Sheer

Why it works: Hue is the brand most shoppers encounter first, and the Faux Sheer delivers about 80% of the Noosh experience for around $20. It is widely stocked at Amazon, Macy's, and Bloomingdale's, which means easy returns and no DTC shipping gamble. The outer layer is convincingly sheer in black, and the fleece is soft against the skin.

Watch out for: sizing runs big in some colorways, and the fit is inconsistent across the range. A 5'11" reviewer reported the crotch would not pull up past mid-thigh in the medium-large. Try before you commit if you are tall or long-torsoed.

3. Best under-$15 workhorse: A New Day Flat Knit (Target)

Why it works: $15, three colors, a high-waisted band, and a machine-washable construction that survives regular rotation. Target shoppers bought over 7,000 pairs in a month, which tells you the fit works for a broad range of bodies. The look is more “opaque with a sheer underlay” than true sheer illusion, but it is warm and it does not scream “thermal.”

Watch out for: availability. Sizes sell out fast in black, and the heather gray reads more casual than the product photos suggest.

4. Best sub-$10 experiment: EVERSWE Opaque

Why it works: around $9 on Amazon, with a 30-day return window and a genuinely opaque finish. This is the pair to buy if you want to test whether fleece tights fit your winter wardrobe before spending $40. It is not a sheer illusion tight. It is a warm, matte, no-frills tight that layers under trousers without adding a visible line.

Watch out for: limited size range and a polyester-heavy hand feel. At this price, the fleece is thinner than the gram weight suggests.

5. Best plus-size tummy control: oufali One-Seam

Why it works: a single seam through the crotch and inner leg reduces the bunching and twisting that plague cheap plus-size tights. The high-rise compression band smooths the stomach without digging, and the size range extends to 2XL with a fit that reviewers describe as true to size. The faux-sheer outer layer is convincing in black and tan.

Watch out for: the compression is gentle, not shapewear-grade. If you want hard hold, size down or look at a dedicated shaping tight. Reviewers with larger bellies sometimes prefer the larger size for comfort over the tighter fit.

6. Best deep skin-tone match: Melanskins

Why it works: Melanskins built the brand around a gap the mainstream ignored. The shades are designed for melanin-rich skin with refined undertones, no orange or ashy gray cast, and sizes run XS through 3XL. The Espresso and Toasted Almond shades are the standouts at $25.99, and the three-pair bundle brings the per-pair cost down to roughly $14.

Watch out for: stock. The brand is small and sells out of popular shades, and shipping is slower than a big-box retailer. Order early if you need a pair for a specific event. Melanin Fleece Tights' LayerTone system is the other credible option: a durable fleece base layer you pair with your own sheer outer tights, which solves the “the whole pair is ruined when one ladder runs” problem.

7. Best multi-pack value: Chrleisure 3-Pack

Why it works: around $40 for three pairs, which works out to roughly $13 per pair. The outer layer is a convincing faux-sheer black, the fleece is soft, and the pack format makes sense for anyone who wears tights four or five days a week and does not want to hand-wash after every wear. It is the pair TikTok made famous, and the volume of reviews gives you a realistic picture of the fit.

Watch out for: consistency. Multi-packs sometimes vary in lining thickness between colors. Check reviews for the specific shade you want, not just the black.

8. Best opaque cold-weather tight: Commando Footless

Why it works: Commando's footless fleece-lined opaque tight is the pair for people who want warmth without the sheer illusion gamble. The footless cut works with boots and socks, the opaque finish hides everything, and the construction holds its shape through repeated wear. It is the closest thing to a fleece legging that still reads like a tight.

Watch out for: price. Commando sits at the premium end, and the footless design means you need to think about socks, which is an extra decision at 6 a.m.

Comparison table: price, opacity, size range, and returns

Sheer vs Opaque: Which Look Do You Actually Need?

The answer depends on where the tights sit in your outfit, not on which pair has better reviews. Sheer illusion tights are a styling tool. Opaque fleece tights are a utility layer. Most people end up owning both, but if you are buying one pair, buy for the outfit you wear most.

When sheer illusion wins

Sheer illusion is the right call when the tight is part of the look rather than a hidden base layer. A mini skirt with a blazer, a slip dress with a chunky knit, a knee-length skirt with a loafer. The whole point is that the leg reads bare but feels warm. Black is the most reliable shade because the contrast between the dark outer and the light lining is strongest. Brown and tan are riskier: the wrong undertone reads orange or muddy under office lighting.

Sheer illusion is also the better choice for indoor events. A 220g fleece tight under a dress in a heated room is warm but not unbearable. A 300g opaque fleece tight in the same room will make you regret the decision by the second drink.

When opaque is the smarter buy

Opaque fleece tights win for commuting, outdoor errands, and any outfit where the tight is essentially a base layer under trousers or a long coat. They hide cellulite, they do not require skin-tone matching, and they are more forgiving of fit inconsistencies because there is no illusion to break. The EVERSWE and Commando pairs above are the sensible picks here.

Opaque is also the better choice if you are hard on your clothes. A sheer illusion tight has a thin outer layer that can snag on a ring, a zipper, or a rough chair. Once the outer layer runs, the illusion is gone. An opaque tight has more material between you and the world.

Plus-Size Fleece Tights and Tummy-Control Options

The plus-size fleece tight market is bigger than it was five years ago, but it is still full of pairs that treat “plus” as a size label rather than a fit problem. The common failure modes are a waistband that rolls, a crotch that sags, and a thigh that stretches the outer layer until the lining shows through.

What “tummy control” really means on a fleece tight

On a fleece tight, tummy control is a wide, high-rise compression band sewn into the waist. It smooths the stomach and holds the tight in place. It does not flatten the way a dedicated shapewear piece does, and it should not, because too much compression on a fleece garment causes the lining to bunch. The oufali One-Seam is a good example: the band is supportive without being punitive, and the single seam reduces the twisting that makes cheap plus tights uncomfortable after an hour.

Beware of any product that promises “butt lifting” and “tummy control” and “sheer illusion” in the same sentence. Those are three different engineering problems. A pair that claims all three at $15 is probably mediocre at all three. The best plus-size fleece tights pick one job and do it well.

Size charts are lying to you (a little)

Most fleece tight size charts combine height and weight into a single recommendation, which is a crude way to fit a garment that has to stretch in four directions. A 5'3" and 165 lb shopper and a 5'9" and 165 lb shopper often get the same size, even though their leg lengths are completely different. Use the weight range as a starting point and the height range as a tiebreaker. If you are long-legged, size up. If you are short-waisted, the waistband may sit higher than you expect.

Kohl's publishes separate height and weight ranges for its Simply Vera and MUK LUKS lines, which is more useful than a single size letter. The MUK LUKS chart, for example, puts a 5'4"–5'9" and 120–180 lb shopper in a medium, while a 5'2"–6'0" and 185–240 lb shopper goes to a large. That is still a range, but it is a range you can reason with.

Skin-Tone Matching: Nude, Brown, Tan, and Deep Shades

“Nude” is not a color. It is a marketing category that usually means “light beige.” That is why so many sheer illusion tights look wrong on medium and deep skin: the lining is the wrong shade, and the outer layer blends into a gray or orange cast instead of reading as sheer hosiery.

The brands that get this right treat skin tone as a spectrum. Noosh offers five shades. Melanskins builds its entire line around deeper melanin-rich tones. Melanin Fleece Tights' LayerTone system uses refined undertones with no orange, yellow, or ashy gray cast, and sizes XS–3XL. These are the brands to look at first if you have struggled with “nude” tights that were never nude for you.

Why “nude” is not a color

A sheer illusion tight has two color variables: the outer layer and the lining. On light skin, a black outer over a beige lining works because the contrast mimics the shadow of sheer black nylon. On deep skin, the same construction can look ashy because the beige lining is lighter than the leg underneath. The fix is a lining that matches the wearer's undertone, not a lighter lining that tries to “blend” with everything.

Brown and tan tights are especially tricky. A warm tan lining under a brown outer can read orange in daylight. A cool taupe lining reads gray. The best brown sheer tights have a lining that sits close to the wearer's actual skin value, which is why reviews from deep-skin shoppers are worth more than the product description. One reviewer on the X-CHENG pair put it plainly: for darker skin tones, get the brown, not the black.

The undertone test

Hold the tight against the inside of your wrist in daylight, not in a bathroom mirror. If the lining disappears into your skin, it is a match. If it looks pink, orange, or gray against your arm, it will look worse on your leg. This test takes ten seconds and saves a return. It also works for opaque tights, where the stakes are lower but the disappointment of a chalky “nude” is the same.

Warmth Ratings: What Temperature Will They Actually Handle?

Fleece tight warmth is usually described by lining weight in grams, sometimes by denier, and almost never by a tested temperature rating. The gram number is the most useful signal, but it is not standardized across brands. A 220g lining from one manufacturer can be thinner than a 200g lining from another.

The rough mapping that holds across most of the market: a 200–220g fleece is a mild-winter tight, comfortable from roughly 40°F to 60°F, or 5°C to 20°C. A 300–330g fleece is a cold-winter tight, comfortable from roughly 23°F to 50°F, or -5°C to 10°C. A 230g pair is often listed for 20°F to 60°F, which is optimistic at the low end unless you are wearing it under trousers or a long coat.

Grams per square meter vs. denier

Denier measures the thickness of the yarn, not the warmth of the garment. A 200-denier opaque tight and a 220g fleece-lined tight can feel similar on the leg, but the fleece pair traps more air because the lining is brushed. That is why a fleece tight can feel warmer than a heavier denier opaque tight. The brushed surface creates thousands of tiny air pockets, and still air is the best insulator you can wear.

The catch is that the air pockets collapse under compression. If you wear a tight pair under skinny jeans, the fleece flattens and loses some of its warmth. If you wear a looser pair under a skirt, the fleece stays fluffy and the warmth stays put. Fit matters as much as gram weight.

The wind factor

No fleece tight is windproof. The outer knit is too thin. On a still day, a 220g pair is fine at 35°F. On a windy day, the same pair feels cold at 45°F because the wind pushes through the outer layer and flattens the fleece. If wind is the main problem, layer a thin wool tight underneath or choose a pair with a denser outer knit, which usually means a higher denier and a less convincing sheer illusion. That is the trade-off in one sentence: the more sheer the look, the less wind resistance.

Warmth tiers by lining weight

Sizing, Height, and Maternity Fit

Fleece tights are harder to fit than standard tights because the lining reduces stretch. A sheer tight can stretch 30% and still look fine. A fleece tight that stretches 30% starts to thin out the lining and lose warmth. That is why the size chart matters more here than in any other hosiery category.

Tall, petite, and the crotch-drop problem

The most common fit complaint in fleece tights is crotch drop: the tight fits the waist and the legs but the crotch hangs several inches below where it should. This is a height problem, not a weight problem. A pair sized for a 5'6" wearer will crotch-drop on a 5'11" wearer even if the weight range is correct. If you are tall, look for brands that publish a height range alongside the size letter, and size up if you are at the top of the range. Noosh is the most tall-friendly of the sheer illusion picks; Hue is the least consistent.

Petite wearers have the opposite problem: the crotch sits too high, the waistband rolls, and the knee articulation lands on the shin. A footless tight is often the better choice for petite shoppers because you can adjust where the hem sits. If you are buying footed, check the return policy before you commit. Target's 90-day window is the most forgiving in the mass market, but hosiery is sometimes excluded from change-of-mind returns, so confirm the specific item's policy before you cut the tag.

Maternity options that do not roll down

Maternity fleece tights need an over-the-bump panel that stays up without compressing the belly. The construction that works is a wide, soft elastic band that sits above the bump, not across it. boohoo's Maternity Thermal Fleece Tight uses an over-the-bump waistband designed to accommodate a growing bump without digging or rolling, and the elastane content helps the tight keep its shape across trimesters. Noosh also makes a maternity version of its Toast tight with the same fleece interior and a panel designed for bump room.

The sizing rule for maternity fleece tights is different from standard tights: buy your pre-pregnancy size, not a size up, unless the brand specifically says otherwise. The panel is designed to stretch. Sizing up gives you a baggy leg and a waistband that slides. If you are between sizes, follow the brand's bump-specific chart rather than the general size chart.

Where to Buy Fleece-Lined Tights (In Store and Online)

Availability is the least glamorous part of this category and the part that causes the most returns. Fleece tights are seasonal, they sell out in core sizes, and the in-store selection is a fraction of the online selection. Knowing where to look saves a wasted trip.

Big-box stores: Target, Walmart, Nordstrom Rack

Target is the best in-store bet for a cheap pair you can touch before buying. A New Day's Flat Knit Fleece-Lined Tight is $15, stocked in the hosiery aisle, and returnable within 90 days with a receipt. Walmart's Joyspun Sheer Fleece Tight is $12 and available in sizes S–3XL, which makes it one of the few sub-$15 pairs with a genuine extended size range. Nordstrom Rack carries Steve Madden fleece-lined illusion tights in store and offers free same-day pickup on eligible orders, which is useful if you need a pair for a specific event and cannot wait for shipping.

Marshalls and TJ Maxx are worth a look if you are near one. The stock is unpredictable, but the prices are the lowest in the category, and the brands are often the same ones selling for $20–$30 online. The trade-off is no size consistency and no reliable restock.

Online-only and DTC brands

The best sheer illusion and inclusive-shade options are direct-to-consumer. Noosh, Melanskins, and Melanin Fleece Tights all sell primarily through their own sites. That means slower shipping and a brand-specific return policy, but it also means access to shade ranges and size ranges that big-box retail does not stock. Read the return policy before you order, especially for skin-tone-matched pairs, because the whole point is a color match and a color mismatch is the most common reason to return.

Amazon is the middle ground: fast shipping, a 30-day return window on most clothing, and a review base large enough to spot fit patterns. The risk is counterfeit or mislabeled product. Buy from the brand's official storefront where possible, and check that the listing specifies the lining weight and the outer denier. A listing that says “fleece lined” and nothing else is a gamble.

Marketplace roulette

Third-party marketplaces and drop-ship storefronts are where the category gets messy. The same product photo appears under five brand names, the gram weight in the title does not match the gram weight in the description, and the size chart is copied from a different garment. If the price is under $8 and the brand name is a string of consonants, assume the fleece is thinner than advertised. The EVERSWE at $9 is the floor for a pair that actually works; below that, you are buying a costume.

How to Wash Fleece-Lined Tights Without Ruining Them

Fleece is a brushed surface. Brushing is what makes it warm, and brushing is what makes it fragile. Hot water, fabric softener, and a tumble dryer all flatten or mat the fleece, and once it is matted it does not come back. The care routine is not complicated, but it is not the same as the routine you use for standard tights.

The four-step hand-wash routine

Fill a sink or basin with lukewarm water, not hot. Add a small amount of gentle detergent, preferably one formulated for delicates. Submerge the tights and gently swirl for a minute, then let them soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Do not scrub and do not wring. Rinse with cool water until the water runs clear, press the water out between two towels, and lay the tights flat to dry away from direct heat. That is the whole process, and it takes about 20 minutes of hands-off time.

Turn the tights inside out before washing if you are worried about the outer layer snagging on the basin or on other laundry. Check the pockets of anything else in the sink. A stray earring will put a run in a sheer illusion outer layer faster than anything else in your wardrobe.

If you must use a machine

Machine washing is survivable if you turn the tights inside out, put them in a mesh laundry bag, use the gentle cycle with cold water, and skip the spin cycle or set it to low. Do not use fabric softener. Do not use bleach. Do not tumble dry. Lay flat to dry, or hang them over a drying rack with the weight distributed evenly so the legs do not stretch out of shape.

The one thing most people get wrong is drying. A fleece tight on a radiator or in a hot dryer will shrink, and the lining will felt. Air-drying takes longer, but it is the difference between a pair that lasts two seasons and a pair that lasts two wears. If you are in a hurry, roll the tights in a dry towel to press out the water, then hang them in a room with a fan. Do not wring them like a dishrag.

How to Compare Fleece Tights for Opacity and Fit

Product pages are not built to help you compare. They are built to sell one pair at a time. The shopper who wants to compare five pairs has to do the work manually, and the work is mostly about reading between the lines of the listing.

The stretch-and-hold test

Take the tight out of the package and stretch the thigh area gently between two hands. Look at the color where the fabric is stretched. If the outer layer goes pale or gray, the illusion will break when you sit down. If the color holds, the outer knit is dense enough to survive movement. Then hold the tight up to a lamp. If you can see the outline of your hand through the fabric, it is a true sheer illusion. If the light barely passes through, it is an opaque tight with a marketing problem.

Check the waistband next. Stretch it widthwise and let it snap back. A waistband that stays stretched is a waistband that will roll down by lunch. A waistband that snaps back has enough elastane to hold. This test is more reliable than the size chart for predicting whether the tight will stay up.

What reviews actually tell you

Reviews are most useful when they mention height, weight, and what the reviewer wore the tights with. A review that says “so warm!” tells you nothing. A review that says “5'10, 170 lb, wore them under a midi skirt in 30°F and was comfortable for a two-hour commute” tells you everything. Search the reviews for your height and your usual size, and ignore the five-star reviews that read like they were written by the brand's marketing team.

The most common red flags in fleece tight reviews are crotch drop, ankle bagging, toe seam discomfort, and lining shed. If multiple reviewers mention the same problem, it is a design flaw, not a one-off. The most common green flags are “stayed up all day,” “no fuzz on my legs when I took them off,” and “looked sheer in photos.” Those three phrases are the closest thing to a quality guarantee in this category.

FAQ

Are fleece-lined tights warm enough for real winter?

Yes, if you match the lining weight to the temperature and the wind. A 220g pair is comfortable from about 40°F to 60°F, especially under a coat. For temperatures in the 20s, choose a 300–330g pair or layer a thin wool tight underneath. No fleece tight is windproof, so a windy 35°F can feel colder than a still 25°F.

Do fleece-lined tights look cheap in person?

The cheap ones do. The tell is a glossy outer layer that reflects light like a legging, or a lining that peeks through when you sit. Matte outer layers with a skin-tone-matched lining read convincingly sheer. Black is the most forgiving shade. Brown and tan are riskier because the wrong undertone looks orange or gray in daylight.

Can you wear fleece-lined tights under pants?

Yes, and it is one of the best ways to use them. A 200–220g pair under trousers adds warmth without changing the silhouette, as long as the tight fits smoothly and does not bunch at the knee. Avoid 300g pairs under skinny jeans, because the fleece compresses and the extra bulk can make the jeans feel tight.

How long do fleece-lined tights last?

A well-made pair washed by hand and air-dried lasts two to three seasons of regular wear. The first thing to go is usually the outer layer, which can snag on rings, zippers, or rough chairs. A machine-washed and tumble-dried pair often lasts a single season because the fleece mats and the outer layer loses its matte finish.

Are expensive fleece tights worth it?

Sometimes. The $38 Noosh pair buys you a better shade range, a more reliable waistband, and a matte outer layer that survives more than a few wears. The $12 Walmart pair buys you warmth and a 90-day return window. If you wear tights twice a week, the expensive pair is cheaper per wear. If you wear them twice a season, the cheap pair is the rational buy.