umm... nylons are really tough materials, if you're tearing them pantyhose often, you should upsize it. Or check where are they ripping (such as the toes or the heel or the crotch) and by pantyhose that have additional reinforced threading at those areas.

For the uninitiated, the "half" pantyhose aren't pantyhose, they're either knee highs or thigh highs. The quality of the hosiery are measured in denier (or weight) of the nylon, the higher the number, the more opaque the hosiery. However, regardless of how thick it is, the risk of a run is still the same because that depends on the stitching. A flat knit is gives a very lustrous shimmery look and feels soft and sensuous. Pebble mesh hosiery is cheaper to produce and is more resistant to runs, but looks crude and feels rough against the skin and other materials.