We get over 350 inches of snow at our home in the mountains above Salt Lake, so for the past few years I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect winter hiking pants.
When I’m hiking in the winter, I need my pants to keep my legs warm in cold, windy weather, without getting too hot. My favorite pairs are also water resistant and can handle a little snow if the weather changes while I’m on the trail.
In this blog post, I share my short list of the best winter hiking pants for women. These are the pairs I wear most often when exploring my local snowy trails in freezing weather.
For more suggestions on winter hiking clothing, check out my post on What I Wear on Winter Hiking and My Best Tips for Winter Hiking.
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1. Craft Storm Balance Tights
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The Craft Storm Balance Tights are a happy medium between leggings and traditional winter hiking pants. Although they are called tights, they are not form-fitting like leggings. These are actually cross-country ski pants designed to keep you warm during winter training.
These winter hiking pants are fleece lined with a windproof layer on the front, providing more protection from the elements than other leggings mentioned further down in this list. The elastic waistband includes a drawstring to keep them in place. I like that these pants also include a reflective stripe on the side to increase visibility at night.
The first time I wore them on a very mild hike on a 30 degree day, I stayed very warm, except my butt was a bit exposed to the drafts. Since then, on harder, colder hikes where I’ve exerted more energy, these have been perfect.
I also wore them on a day when we had wet snow, and you can see in this photo how the droplets formed on the outside of my pants. As a result, my legs remained dry underneath.
A nice feature of these winter hiking pants is the articulated knee. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this detail, but I found that because the pants themselves aren’t stretchy like leggings, the articulated knee gives you more freedom of movement. This makes the pants much more comfortable for winter hikes and outdoor activities. If you’re learning to snowshoe this winter, these pants are well designed for climbing hills.
The bottom of the pant leg is tapered with an elastic cuff. The cuffs have zippers designed for cross-country ski boots, but the lower leg is quite narrow, making it difficult to fit the leg securely around a bulkier winter hiking boot. For this reason, they fit better and you may want to pair them with gaiters that can prevent snow from getting into your boots.
I also HATE that they don’t have pockets. Sure, I can put my phone in my jacket pocket, but seriously, why would a brand make pants without pockets? Regardless, these are still my favorites, both in terms of looks and functionality.
2. Fast and Free lululemon High Waisted Fleece Tights
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If you’re looking for a lightweight option for days when the air is slightly chilly, the Lululemon Fast and Free High-Rise Fleece Tight fits the bill. These leggings are designed with a thin layer of fleece, which keeps your legs warm without overheating them.
These leggings are extremely soft and comfortable. Like many Lululemon leggings I own, I love how the waistband stays in place and doesn’t slide around, even on longer hikes. Because they are designed with no interior seams, there is less friction when you move, which helps prevent discomfort and chafing.
As for the leggings, they offer plenty of room for your stuff with five pockets in total, and the two side pockets are even big (and tight) enough for your phone. Since the sun sets so early in the winter, I like how they are designed with reflective dots so I can feel safe on an early evening hike.
The continuous drawstring around the waistband is practical, making it impossible to loosen the drawstring inside the pants. They fit true to size and at 145 pounds I wear a size 8.
These have also become my favorites for running errands, quick winter outings with my son, and lounging around the house.
3. REI Co-op Activator 3.0 Pants
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As one of the more budget-friendly options on this list, the REI Co-op Activator Pants are a great option for winter hiking pants. These pants are designed with softshell fabric treated with DWR to repel light moisture and wind.
I love how these pants have five deep pockets, three of which are zippered. The belt loops are a nice touch if you find these pants to be a little baggy.
The articulated knee allows for a good range of movement in all kinds of outdoor winter activities. I like the drawstring cuffs that allow me to tighten the pants to avoid getting snow in my boots while hiking. This virtually eliminates the need for gaiters.
These pants are comfortable, dry quickly, and are a versatile option to pack on a winter trip or hike in potential rain.
I also like that they can be worn straight from the trail to town. Not that the others on the list can’t, but these look the most like normal pants. They can easily be dressed up with a button-down flannel.
Winter Hiking Pants vs Hiking Leggings
As you can see from this blog post, I recommend both winter hiking pants and fleece-lined hiking leggings for winter temperatures. I love the comfort of leggings and will choose them on milder days. However, if it’s really cold or snowy, winter hiking pants offer more protection and are more durable. Here are some factors to consider when deciding what style of pants to wear.
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Which of these women’s winter hiking pants do you prefer? Let me know in the comments below!