The Best Pants for Winter Hiking

There are three things you need your winter hiking gear to do: keep you warm, dry and moving. Most of us can figure out the top between base layers and waterproof shells, but when it comes to the body part you’re driving most up a trail—your legs—bulk adds up fast. After all, no one wants to commit to another four miles to the summit when your layers have you waddling like the Michelin man.

The real key is understanding you don’t have to have full protection in one outfit. Harsher conditions may call for snow pants, but adequate layering combined with softshell pants, rain pants and even hiking pants you’ll wear in the summer will do the trick for many winter walks (throw on a set of gaiters to keep snow out of your boots). For the most part, the goal is to aim for a pair that’s light, comfortable, mobile and weather-resistant. You can always stash a pair of rain pants in your pack if the skies open up while you’re out.

What Makes a Good Winter Hiking Pant?

The best winter hiking pants are going to prioritize three features: abrasion resistance, water resistance and wind-roofing. Winter hiking conditions can range from dry, freezing cold temperatures to heavy rain to light-heavy snowfall, and as such, any winter hiking pant you consider should factor in wet and cold conditions, high winds and low temperatures. Picking a pant that is roomy enough to accommodate layering in baselayers without letting in too much airflow requires paying close attention to sizing and fit.

To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.

Patagonia

Best Overall Winter Hiking Pant

Patagonia Terravia Alpine Pants – Regular

• $149.00 at Patagonia

The temperature, weather conditions and terrain will dictate your apparel choice more than anything else, but if you’re looking for a versatile option that will be suitable, along with appropriate layering, for a broad range of conditions, go for a softshell pant. Patagonia’s Simul Alpine are lightweight at 13.6 ounces and come in a water-resistant and durable fabric that’s also stretchy. The waist is adjustable, and the cuffs accommodate full-sized hiking boots.

Courtesy

Best Upgrade Pick

Fjallraven Keb Trousers

• $240.00 at fjallraven.com

This bestseller from the Swedish trekking company lives up to its reputation of quality technical hiking gear. The secret is in Fjäll’s proprietary G-1000 fabric, which is tightly woven and quick-to-dry for wind- and water-resistance and durability. Most of the pant is made from the G-1000 polyester and cotton blend, but the knees, butt and front of legs are all paneled with the softer Eco fabric for more mobility, and the bottom of the legs have a second layer of material to stand up to any chafing from your hiking boots. The rear and knees are pre-shaped and have reinforced seams for optimal durability and mobility as you scramble over sharp rocks or through the brush. There are pockets for storage, fabric panels to minimize chafing where you want help most and, best of all, zippered vents from the knee to hip and along the calves to let heat out on temperamental days.

REI

Best Budget Pick

REI Co-op Rainier Full-Zip Rain Pants

• $60.00 at REI

Most hikers use rain pants as an emergency layer — even on day hikes — in case they get caught in a sudden shower. They aren’t breathable, so while they’ll provide reliable waterproof protection, they can also get clammy in warmer conditions. That said, that same trait means they’ll provide warmth without insulation, and full-length side zippers allow you to dump heat when you need to. They also make them easy to throw without taking your shoes off.

Patagonia

Best For Backcountry

Patagonia Stormstride Pants

• $314.00 at Patagonia
  $449.00 (30% off)

Patagonia makes these snow pants for backcountry skiing and snowboarding, and the features that make that so also make them ideal for hiking with boards. The Stormstride have excellent stretch and breathability, weigh 16.8 ounces and have three-layer waterproofing. You’ll want to wear a base or mid-layer underneath, but the lack of stifling insulation makes them wonderfully versatile and suitable for any activity out in the snow.

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Most Comfortable

Outdoor Research Cirque II Pants

• $159.00 at outdoorresearch.com

Outdoor Research’s Ferrosi rightly nabs spots on many lists of great hiking pants. They’re both water- and wind-resistant, they dry quickly, they’re stretchy enough to move in, and they breathe well. They also have a comfortable waistband and cuffs that you can cinch up to stop the wind from coming up your legs.

Arc’teryx

Best Lightweight Hiking Pant

Arc’teryx Alpha Pant

• $350.00 at Arc'teryx

The Alpha Pant maintains its ultra-durability and lightweight feel thanks to Hadron fabric, a liquid crystal polymer grid face fabric that is abrasion-resistant, highly technical and minimal. The Alpha is windproof, waterproof and breathable, and was crafted to perform in rugged, unpredictable alpine conditions.

Roark

Best For Cold, Dry Climates

Roark Layover Pants – Women’s

• $95.00 at roark.com

Sometimes, the best hiking pants are the ones that can pull double-duty: if you’re traveling and need to pack lightly, pick up a pair of Roark’s Layover Pant. Newly launched in a women’s silhouette, the pant is also available in men’s, and thanks to durable fabric and plenty of pocketing, these can go straight from the terminal to the nearest trail with ease (and comfort). If you’re hiking in colder temps, add some baselayers underneath for enhanced coziness.

Columbia

Best All-in-One Pant

Columbia Bugaboo IV Ski Pants

• $120.00 at Columbia

If you want to buy just one pair of pants for all your winter needs, opt for snow pants with a lot of mobility. This pair from Columbia hits all the key features for hiking, skiing and snowboarding: they’re fully waterproof with no-leak seams, they contain some insulation, and they have built-in gaiters. The fleece lining and lack of vents mean these risk being a little too toasty on a bluebird day and they might not hold up over multiple seasons of heavy use, but they’re an affordable option for folks who need something basic for a range of outings in the snow.

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Best Heavy Duty Pant

First Lite Obsidian Merino Pants

• $190.00 at firstlite.com

If you’re hard on your gear but feel restricted by most thick, dependable fabrics, you need heavy duty pants explicitly made for mobility. The Obsidian Pants were crafted for hunting, but inspired by rock climbing and mountaineering. The result is a killer hybrid of serious durability, uninhibited movement and three-season warmth. They’re made from 90 percent stretch merino, delivering great temperature regulation (and odor control) and, along with strategic stretch nylon panels, let you crouch, jump and climb with ease. Their DWR finish will keep you dry while the merino helps wick sweat away as your heart rate shoots up and the temperatures drop. Throw a pair of gaiters over the bottom and rain pants in your pack and these trousers will buffer against anything a winter hike throws at you.

Lululemon

Best Women's Insulated Hiking Pants

Lululemon Cargo High-Rise Lined Hiking Pant

• $148.00 at Lululemon

Lululemon took its immense knowledge in athleisure and applied it to the outdoors. The result is hiking apparel that can hang with the most core brands. The Cargo High-Rise Lined Hiking Pant is our top pick for women’s winter hiking pants for a few reasons: the fit is accurate, the material is buttery soft while maintaining durability, and the pocketing provides just enough places to stash your stuff — without going into full cargo pant territory. The waistband on these can feel a little restrictive, so if you like a looser fit in your hiking apparel, you may want to size up.

kuhl

Kuhl Radikl Outsider Pant

• $199.00 at kuhl.com

Slip these on when you want to stay warm and dry in the snow — water-resistant nylon face fabric repels moisture, while built-in stretch keeps you moving on the trail, even when conditions go from bad, to worse. Kuhl’s workwear-inspired hiker are great for the trail, but are also comfortable enough to wear on the daily. The gusseted crotch, articulated knees and rivets at stress points can handle outdoor work while maintaining comfort.

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