Is it inappropriate to run in just compression shorts?

Nah, I've run marathons in them.

You could go for a run in certain boxers and no one would bat an eye because tights have become normalized and they look similar. Women wear much skimpier outfits daily, which also normalizes a minimal wardrobe.

Definitely if I am doing it. Just being honest.

Is there any actual difference between half tights and compression shorts? Other than the ugly giant manufacturer's logo on the waistband of what is marketed as a "compression short" these days, they seem to be the exact same garment to me.

Richard Simmons would approve

Great, because not only consensus — but rational, well-meaning consensus — is exactly what you can expect.

It's weird to run in tights and not wear shorts over them as a guy.

The half tights are maybe a bit thicker?

Answer is yes in fact stuff a sock down there before the long run.

Either wear shorts or wear tights, not both.

You look like the world's biggest beta-male when you do this.

Maybe if you didn't wear a shirt and weren't thin.

Is only wear compression if I needed it or long tights for warmth. In neither case would I not wear shorts over them. It is totally weird not to.

You should just run freely with your dingaling flapping in the breeze.

Do whatever you want. Personally I think it looks fine during a run, but I would wear something over it in public before and afterwards.

Especially white ones in the rain. They're fine!

This is the biggest thing I noticed. Again, I figured that they were basically the same thing but my half tights are thicker, have a draw string, and a little zipper pocket in the back. The compression shorts felt way thinner and this is mainly what made me feel a little uncomfortable wearing them out in public. Ironically, I used to wear compression shorts under my split shorts when I was self conscious about how short they were.

Let's see how many negatives we can pack into a couple of short sentences!!

Here is the post with all the negatives I was referencing.