Our Favorite Insulated Pants This Season
Insulated pants can be fleece, down, or synthetic and made of a variety of materials to keep you warm.
October 6, 2024
We've had a surprising amount of reader questions about insulated pants. Whether for wearing in camp, fishing, or birdwatching, on really cold days, you're going to want a pair of insulated pants when the temperatures are low.
Don't be fooled. They may call these winter pants, but these insulated pants are comfy (and often breathable) for fall, winter, and spring.
Puffy pants, down pants, or fleece-lined hiking pants, here are Treeline writers' go-to insulated pants for outdoor activities.
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Stio Fernos Insulated Knickers
When the temps drop and the snow starts to fly, there’s only one thing I want to do, and that’s go skiing. My preferred ski layering system is to have a shell jacket and bibs that I can easily layer under depending on the weather. Of all the layers I have to choose from, there’s one pair of pants I reach for almost every time I go skiing: the Stio Fernos.
I like the knicker version, which is cut mid calf so it doesn’t bunch up in your ski boots—a key feature if skiing’s your intended use. But they also come in a full pants version if you want to use them for other cold-weather activities where the extra length is beneficial. The microfiber, mechanical stretch fabric of these pants is like velvety, room temperature butter (in the best way possible). They are supremely soft, and comfortable whether you have a baselayer on underneath or are wearing them next to skin. And they’re lightly insulated with 40 grams of Stio’s synthetic PeakFill active insulation.
But don’t let all that coziness fool you: These are not made for lounging and they are not your cold weather belay pants for when you’re standing still (though you could use them for that, too). These are made for movement. They breathe well and they move with your body. And while they may lean on the higher end of the price scale, I think the comfort, quality, and performance is worth it. For almost all of my resort skiing days (and occasionally really cold backcountry days), the Fernos is an essential layer in my kit.
-Stasia Stockwell, Contributing Editor and Writer
Stio Fernos Insulated Knickers
Women's
Men's
When the weather brings snow and cold to the Gunnison Valley I put on my First Lite Catalyst Foundry pants. I’m wearing them now on this 30-degree morning as I get ready to take my pup out for a morning romp.
First Lite makes hunting clothing and isn't usually associated with other niches in outdoor recreation. But I have found the brand to make some of the most durable and functional clothing that I have in my gear and clothing closet. I wear these pants for everything from splitting kindling to frigid photo sessions to backcountry skiing in Taylor Park.
I have never been cold in these pants, ever. What makes the Catalyst Foundry pant so special? Full length zippered legs that make temperature management easy, waterproof layering in the seat and knees, and an innovative particle technology in the fleece lining that dumps moisture but retains body warmth and traps scent.
They’re treated with DWR to resist moisture, are triple stitched for strength, and have quiet zippers. The pants come with removable knee pads, which I’ve never used although I can see where they might come in handy for wintertime construction projects. The removable suspenders come in handy when you load your pockets up with dog treats or other gear like I do.
While the Catalyst Foundry pants cost $255, the upside is they may be the last winter pants you’ll ever buy. Despite lots of use and everyday wear from late October through April, I’m still wearing the pair I bought in 2021.
-Dean Krakel, Contributing Writer
The First Lite Catalyst Foundry Pant
Mountain Hardwear Yumalina Lined Pant / Yumalino Lined Pant
I have owned a version of Mountain Hardwear Fleece Lined pants for over ten years. These have been my go-to pants for when the Tahoe weather is really cold. I have worn them snowshoeing, hiking, during long days training for SAR, and working outside in the elements.
I love these Yumalina lined pants — the fleece lining is soft and super warm and the outer shell is wind and water repellent, making them a pretty warm combo for the coldest days. I rarely need to layer underneath them, however they are loose enough to handle a thermal base layer if you are super cold. Once I start moving in these they hold heat pretty well. I don’t really have to think too much about layering when I have these on. I also love that they flex and stretch a bit as I move, almost like yoga pants. The fleece liner makes them comfortable like house pants with the benefit of outdoor-pants-like protection in the shell. The elastic cuff keeps snow out of my pants and I can fit it over my boots pretty easily.
This new version is PFC free which is a plus, and features a zippered pocket at the thigh which is nice for small items like keys. . When it is cold or snowing I just wear these and it makes winter layering simple and easy. These are my warmest pants — I just need to pair them with the right layers on top and I am cozy for anything the weather has to throw my way.
-Sara “Socks” Kruglinski, Operations Coordinator
Mountain Hardwear Yumalina / Yumalino Lined Pant
Women's
Men's
Royal Robbins Alpine MTN Pro Pant
I run cold. My body’s inability to regulate its own temperature is the bane of my existence, which is why I can often be found using 0-degree sleeping bags even in the dead of summer. So, imagine my surprise when I slipped on a pair of Royal Robbins Alpine MTN Pro Pants for the first time.
They were internally soft to the touch, with blended polyester and elastane to create a lightweight, moisture wicking pant with a little bit of give, and a DWR coating. This meant that not only were they the perfect companion against precipitation, but they were also less likely to become stained or dirty during my adventures.
Suddenly, climbing Longs Peak in the snow no longer felt like the torturous experience I once thought it’d be because I had a pair of pants that could accommodate dynamic movement as well as supporting my body in frigid temperatures. I appreciate that these pants are wrinkle-resistant since I often use my outdoor gear while I travel.
-Mary Beth Skylis, Contributing Writer
Royal Robbins Alpine MTN Pro Pant
Women's
Men's
Baleaf winter fleece-lined water-resistant pants
I am very active in the winter, breaking trail through thigh-deep snow in snowshoes to high summits across the northeast. My successful approach to navigating cold temperatures has always been layers: an insulated hard or soft-shell pant with a mid-to-heavy-weight base layer underneath. I discovered the Baleaf winter fleece-lined water-resistant pants 4 years ago, when I was searching for an inexpensive, insulated comfortable winter pant to replace my favorite softshell pants that were no longer available.
These pants offered me a great range of motion, soft grid-fleece lining, and fun color accents, at a very affordable price. I've worn these for summiting high peaks in frigid conditions, biking in winter, and sitting around a winter campfire, all the while being warm and comfortable. If you're looking for an inexpensive option for insulated pants, consider checking these out!
-Aubri Drake, Contributing Writer
Baleaf winter fleece-lined water-resistant pants
Eddie Bauer polar fleece-lined pants
I am not very active in the winter, preferring roaring fires and warm beverages to the outdoors. I am San Diego born and raised and my whole body shuts down at temperatures under 64 degrees. So when I have to go to cold places and be outdoors for any length of time doing anything, I need an everyday pant that is, on the inside, fluffy pajamas. For the past decade or more, my absolute go-tos have been from Eddie Bauer: either their flannel-lined jeans (for an everyday, more breathable wear) or their semi-stretchy fleece-lined pants with “moisture-shedding finish” (for extra cold conditions).
I have at least three pairs of the jeans and wore them basically every day in winter when I lived in Philadelphia. The fleece-lined pants are perfect for properly snowy days in the mountains, though if it’s not already clear, I want to be warm, so if you run hot, these are likely not for you! l often wear a light base layer underneath to increase breathability.
Eddie Bauer has great sales reasonably often, so you can usually get both of these at good discounts. Highly recommend!
-Katie Hawkes, Contributing Writer
Eddie Bauer polar fleece-lined pants
Women's
Men's
Enlightened Equipment Torrid Pant
I’m always cold, so when I found a pair of Enlightened Equipment Torrid Pants at a used gear shop, I knew I had to get them. Until then, the only insulated pants I’d ever owned were snow pants, which tend to be heavy and bulky. Plus, they look a little ridiculous to wear when you’re not skiing. The instant I put these pants on, my whole life changed — I could laugh in the face of winter. I finally felt invincible, like I would never be cold again!
Before the Torrid Pants, I would often be found wearing four top layers, but still shivering due to just one thin baselayer or legging on my bottoms (I hate pants and don’t normally wear them). My body was inefficiently trying to take the heat from up top and use it to keep my lower half warm. This super light pant — about 6 oz for a women’s large — has done wonders for my temperature regulation.
The only thing I don’t love about the Torrid Pants is that it gaps in the back when I squat or bend down, but this may be because I have the men’s version, not the women’s.
Using Apex synthetic insulation — some of the lightest and warmest synthetic fill out there — the Torrid is available in limited stock colors, or in a myriad of colors and fabrics for custom orders. The ones I found are bright purple on the outside and bright orange on the inside, so they’re not at risk of being mistaken for someone else's. Get yours today and never feel defeated by the cold again!
-Tiffany “Miss Information” Searsdodd, Contributing Writer
Enlightened Equipment Torrid Pant
Women's
Men's
Eddie Bauer First Ascent Series FreeFuse Stretch Hybrid Pants
I don’t typically wear down (I prefer synthetic options when available since I’m vegan), but when I was gifted a pair of these Eddie Bauer Stretch Hybrid Puffy Pants, they performed SO well I made an exception.
These pants are warm and insulating with 800-fill goose down insulation, but the side panels also allow for stretch and breathability. I love the stretch for many occasions — when adding over base layers, changing clothes in a tent, walking or running in winter.
These pants aren’t the quintessential “puffy pants” you likely have pictured in your head, but their hybrid nature allows for more versatility and makes them epically great for shoulder seasons. You also won’t sweat to death if you decide to wear them as an outer layer while walking or moving around. I’ve even worn them as a layer for ice climbing.
Eddie Bauer’s FreeFuse technology uses a single sheet of fabric that’s folded over and woven together, instead of sewn. This saves weight and helps reduce cold spots. Of course, due to the breathable hybrid material, these won’t be as warm as fully insulated 800-fill down pants. But as someone who runs slightly warmer and is constantly on the move, I’m very happy with that tradeoff. They are more versatile, and I get a lot more use out of them.
They also pack down really well. I’ve worn them at home, in a dry winter cabin, in a campervan, at various campsites, and under shell pants when layering for extra snowy days. My only complaint is that the waistband seems really large compared to how the rest of the pants fit (but the roominess isn’t too bad if you’ve got multiple layers on).
- Mary Murphy, Managing Editor & Contributing Writer
Eddie Bauer First Ascent Series FreeFuse Stretch Hybrid Pants
Women's
Men's
Stio Pinedale Pants
I wasn't sure what to expect with these pants. Stio doesn't call them "insulated," but the inside has a brushed softness that makes them too warm for summer hiking. They may be niche, but for fall and winter activities where you're getting your heart rate up, like hiking or snowshoeing, they're perfect. I don't need to wear base layer bottoms underneath them unless it's really cold.
The Everlight softshell fabric is thick, tough, and doesn't snag. They have a PFAS-free DWR treatment that sheds rain and snow. I love the fit and comfort as well. They're flattering but have functional pockets (not easy to find in women's pants). And they're stylish enough to wear in town after a hike. I'm actually considering buying a second pair in a different color!
-Naomi Hudetz, Chief Operating Officer & Online Editor
Stio Pinedale Pants
Women's
Men's
