My Favorite Women’s Winter Hiking Pants – Reviewed

We get more than 350″ of snow at our house in the mountains above Salt Lake, so the last few years I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect pair of winter hiking pants.

When I’m hiking in winter, I need my pants to keep my legs warm in cold, windy conditions, without making me overly hot. My favorite pairs also are also water resistant and can handle a little bit of snow if the weather changes while I’m on the trail.

In this blog post, I share my short list of the best women’s winter hiking pants. These are the pairs I most frequently wear when I’m exploring my local snowy trails in sub-freezing temps.

For more suggestions on winter hiking apparel, check out my post on what I wear winter hiking and my top winter hiking tips.

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1. Craft Storm Balance Tights

Pros and Cons

My Review

The Craft Storm Balance Tights are a happy medium between leggings and traditional winter hiking pants. Although they are called tights, they are not skin-tight like leggings. They are actually cross-country ski pants designed to keep you warm during winter workouts.

These winter hiking pants are fleece-lined with a windproof layer on the front, offering more protection from the elements than the other leggings mentioned further down on this list. The elastic waistband includes a drawstring to keep them in place. I like how these pants also include a reflective strip on the side to increase visibility at night.

The first time I wore these on a very mellow hike on a 30-degree day, and I stayed very warm, except for my butt felt a little drafty. Since then on tougher, colder hikes where have exerted more energy, these have been perfect.

I’ve also worn them on a day when we had some wet snow, and you can see in this photo how the droplets formed on the outside of my pants. As a result, my legs stayed dry underneath.

One interesting feature of these winter hiking pants is the articulating 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 articulating knee gives you more freedom of movement. This ultimately makes the pants way more comfortable for winter hikes and outdoor activities. If you’re learning how to snowshoe this winter, these pants are well-designed for climbing up 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 bottom of the leg is pretty narrow, making it difficult to securely fit the pang leg around a bulkier winter hiking boot. For that reason, they are better tucked in, and you may want to pair them with some gaiters that can prevent snow from getting in your boots.

I also HATE that these don’t have pockets. Of course I can put my phone in my jacket pocket, but seriously, why would any brand make pants with no pockets? Either way, these are still my favorite for both look and function.

2. lululemon Fast and Free High-Rise Fleece Tight

Pros and Cons

My Review

If you are searching for a lightweight option for those days when there is a slight chill in the air, 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 of the lululemon leggings that I own, I love how the waistband stays in place and doesn’t slip, even on longer hikes. Because they are designed with no inner seam, there is less friction while you move, which helps prevent discomfort and chafing. 

As far as leggings go, these offer ample room for your belongings with five total pockets, 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 these are designed with reflective dots so I can feel safe while hiking in the early evening.

The continuous drawcord around the waistband is convenient, making it impossible to lose the string inside of the pants. They run true to size, and at 145 pounds, I wear a size 8.

These have also become a favorite of mine for errands, quick winter outings with my son, and lounging around the house.

3. REI Co-op Activator 3.0 Pants

Pros and Cons

My Review

As one of the more budget-friendly options on this list, the REI Co-op Activator Pants are an excellent option for winter hiking pants. These pants are designed with soft shell fabric that has been treated with DWR to repel light moisture and wind.

I like how these pants have five deep pockets, three of which are zippered. The belt loops are a nice touch if you find that these pants fit a bit loose.

The articulated knee allows for a good range of motion in all sorts of outdoor winter activities. I appreciate the draw cord at the cuffs so I can cinch the pants to avoid getting snow in my boots while hiking. It pretty much eliminates the need for gaiters.

These pants are comfortable, quick drying, and a versatile option to bring on a winter trip or hiking in potential rain.

I also like that these can be worn straight from the trail to the town. Not that the others on the list can’t, but these look the most like a normal pair of 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 like the comfort of leggings and will choose them on milder days. However, if it’s really cold or snowing, winter hiking pants offer more protection and are more durable. Here are some factors to weigh as you decide which style of pants to wear.

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Which of these women’s winter hiking pants is your favorite pick? Let me know in the comments below!