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What are the best women’s winter hiking pants?
What even makes pants for hiking in cold weather the best? Either you are going on a winter mountain hike, winter fishing trip or just spending some time outdoors in cold weather you want to feel warm, dry and as comfortable as possible. Below we have selected some of the best and warmest winter hiking pants that offer just that.
Check out our selection of the best warm pants for winter.
Click here to see our favorite on Amazon now!
Table of Contents
Winter Hiking Pants: Women’s
Best Women’s Winter Hiking Pants
Either you are looking for simple lined hiking pants or pants for snowshoeing, here you will find winter hiking pants that suit your needs. No more dreading cold temperatures!
Enjoy winter time in proper gear instead!
1. Camii Mia Women’s Winter Pants (click for more details)
Neat looking and durable women’s hiking pants for cold weather.
Overall the best women’s winter hiking pants, our favorite.
These women’s fleece lined hiking pants are both durable and comfortable. They are waterproof and windproof on the outside and soft on the inside. The fleece lining makes them also extra warm. Useful pocket arrangement – two slanted hand pockets and two back pockets. Reinforced knees for mobility and high waist for great fit make them extra comfortable for outdoor activities.
Additionally, these pants are breathable which is a must-have for activewear.
MATERIAL: 97% Nylon, 3% Spandex
BEST FOR: camping, hiking, snow skiing, traveling, climbing, etc.
More: Best Gaiters for Hiking in Winter, Best Neck Gaiter for Cold Weather
2. Eddie Bauer Women’s Polar Fleece-Lined Pants (click for more details)
Multi-tasking hiking pants for snow hiking.
Flexion stretch-woven fabric offers excellent mobility. The pants have a classic look with a mid-rise waist and moderately curvy cut. Great pocket set – two on the sides, two at the back and two cargo pockets on each leg. The belt loops are great to have if you want to use a belt for better support.
It’s easy to take care of these Eddie Bauer women’s hiking pants. You can machine wash, tumble dry (on low) and even iron (on cool) if that’s necessary.
MATERIAL: Polyester, Spandex
BEST FOR: snowshoeing, hiking, traveling, winter fishing
3. Columbia Women’s Anytime Outdoor Boot Cut Pants (click for more details)
Lightweight and warm pants with UPF 50+ protection.
First of all, these hiking pants are extra comfortable. Additionally to zipper closure they feature adjustable drawcord for even greater fit. The nylon and elastane blend offers 2 way stretchiness. Two side pockets and one pocket at the back – basic set that doesn’t make you look too bulky. The pants are water and stain resistant.
Although these are great pants for activities in cold weather, for freezing temperatures you may want to have an extra underneath layer (for example, a pair of Merino base layer bottoms).
MATERIAL: 96% Nylon, 4% Elastane
BEST FOR: day hikes
4. BenBoy Women’s Waterproof and Windproof Pants (click for more details)
Well equipped pants for winter hiking that also look stylish.
These pants feature great material, functional design and good fit. The surface is windproof, waterproof and abrasion resistant while the fleece lining makes them also warm. There are patchwork knees and steric knee darts for movement flexibility. The waistband of these women’s snow hiking pants is partially elastic. Together with the belt it makes these waterproof hiking pants super adjustable to the waist.
There are two pockets on the side, one on the right leg and one at the back.
It’s very convenient that all pockets have zippers.
MATERIAL: 92% Polyester, 8% Spandex
BEST FOR: hiking, mountaineering, skiing, snowboarding, climbing, etc.
5. Tofern Warm Waterproof and Windproof Pants (click for more details)
Waterproof warm pants with Polar fleece lining.
One of the best women’s hiking pants for cold weather that are waterproof.
Although these pants are waterproof (10000 mm) and windproof, they are also breathable. They have great moisture wicking abilities (MVP5000+) too. The waistband has elastic panels and for better fit there is also a belt included. These pants have only two zippered pockets on the sides. Great setup for those who prefer a minimalistic look.
Note that these pants are made for temperatures as low as 14F (-10C). For colder weather you may want to add an extra layer or invest in warmer pants.
MATERIAL: 94% Polyester, 6% Spandex
BEST FOR: hiking, skiing, snowboarding, traveling, ice sports
6. Toomett Fleece-Lined Insulated Waterproof Cold Weather Pants (click for more details)
Light, yet warm fleece lined hiking pants for women.
These fleece lined outdoor pants feature three layers. There is a water repellent and breathable outer layer. The mid-layer is made out of high end fiber fabric that allows it to lock in the body heat. And the inner layer is a Polar fleece lining. The elastic waistband and belt make these pants fit well. There are two zippered pockets on the sides and another hidden zippered pocket as well.
Great to know that the polyester fabric makes them wrinkle free — extra handy for long, multi-day hiking trips.
MATERIAL: 100% Polyester
BEST FOR: hiking, mountaineering, camping, traveling, etc.
What About Base Layer Bottoms?
Are base layer pants worth it?
The short answer would be — it depends. Most of high quality hiking pants for winter are already made to keep you warm in cold temperatures without any additional garments. However, if you are planning a Northern lights hiking trip in Iceland, you’ll be camping in the woods or you feel like you need more warmth an extra layer may be a good choice – for example, a pair of Merino wool base layer bottoms.
Look for baselayer pants that look good on their own.
In that case you can always take off only the outer layer pants and, for example, leave them to dry while you are relaxing wearing the base layer pants at a camping after a long day on a mountain.
How to Find the Best Women’s Hiking Pants For Yourself?
Looking for the best winter hiking pants for women?
Let’s make this super simple.
Generally speaking it’s mostly about these 4 simple things.
1. Warmth
It’s the most important quality to look for in winter pants for women.
The more layers the pants have the more likely they are going to provide good warmth. However, pants that have one or two layers may be more versatile when it comes to seasons if you combine them with hiking leggings for instance. The general rule for good winter pants is to have a protective outside and warm and comfortable inner layer. You want your pants to protect you from the elements while being as comfortable as sweatpants.
Some cold weather hiking pants even feature special heat retaining extras. Pay attention to the design and all the details that make the pants warm. That’s the most important thing in cold weather women’s outdoor pants after all.
2. Freedom of Movement
You want your pants feel comfortable on a winter hike, that’s a fact.
Extra stretchiness and special design for leg movement can make one pants more comfy than others. The perfect pants for hiking in winter aren’t only tough and built to resist water, wind and cold, but they also allow you to move easily. Winter fabrics of women’s insulated hiking pants rarely are as lightweight as the ones used for summer activewear. However, even little stretchiness can make the difference. Darts and articulated knee design also make it more comfortable to move in slim fit pants.
3. Pay Attention to the Fit
When the pants fit well you not only look good, but also feel good.
To find hiking pants for cold weather that fits perfectly may seem a bit tricky at first, but it’s not impossible. Length is an important criteria. However, it isn’t a big problem to have pants a bit too long (as you can alter that later), if you really like the other qualities of the particular pants. Mid-rise or high waist is great to have. Elastic waistband inserts and a belt are also great features that keep your pants in place even when moving a lot like during a mountain hike.
Slim fit may look good on some body types, but may not work for all. Whereas, a straight leg cut may not have a fashionable look you would love to have, but it offers comfort and also fit most body curves.
4. Extras
Sometimes it is the extras that make hiking pants stand out in the crowd.
Either you want less pockets for a slimmer look or you want more pockets to carry more items, it is handy to have at least some of the pockets zippered. Other extras may be adjustable bottoms, drawstring or pull-up closure if you don’t like zippers.
What is your experience with winter hiking clothing? What are the best women’s winter hiking pants you have tried so far?
Featured photo by Andrew Neel from Pexels
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