Jamie:
You must be wearing the same brand of mens tights I wear to class (Capezio mens professional ones....btw) You have described exactly my "strugle" to get into them twice a week for class. And I thought I was the only one. They are great dance tights and hold up very well. Like most of us, I take class as a guy usually wearing black dance tights and some sort of dark t-shirt with my black Bloch mens full sole leater soft shoes. I have a pair of split sole soft shores which seem to be more popular with the other ladies in my class, but I have not started to use them yet.
However, when I practice at home I stick to the more traditioal ladies dance wear. And yes, ladies tights are much easier to wear and dance in. I can really notice the differance when I dance.