The temps are dropping—and if your motivation to get outside is too, some new seasonally appropriate gear could help give you the boost you need to leave your cozy cave. Fleece-lined leggings can help keep you toasty on that jog around the block, mental health stroll in the sunshine, or at home on the couch (hey, heat doesn’t come free!). To find the very best ones for any of your winter activities, we asked SELF staff, experienced runners, and year-round hikers which pairs they reach for when the weather gets nippy.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Lululemon Fast and Free High-Rise Thermal Tight 28″ Pockets
- Runner Up: Baleaf Fleece-Lined Leggings
- Best Budget: 90 Degree By Reflex Fleece Lined Leggings
- Best with Pockets: Outdoor Research Melody 7/8 Leggings
- Best for Running: Under Armour ColdGear Authentics Leggings
- Best for Light Workouts: CRZ YOGA Thermal Fleece Lined Leggings
- Best for Hiking: Eddie Bauer Crossover Winter Trail Adventure High-Rise Leggings
- Best Base Layer: Nike Therma-Fit One High-Waisted 7/8 Leggings
- Most for Lounging: Lands’ End High Rise Serious Sweats Fleece-Lined Pocket Leggings
- Best Compression Leggings: Athleta Rainier High Rise Legging
What to consider when shopping for fleece-lined leggings
To find a pair of fleece-lined leggings that’ll keep you warm and allow you to move and groove however you want, we recommend keeping the following factors in mind.
Leggings made of sweat-wicking materials like polyester or nylon will help draw moisture away from your skin in order to prevent damp, clammy, cold-in-your-bones feeling, Alysha Flynn, founder of the female running community What Runs You, tells SELF. She also recommends looking for leggings made from stretchy fabric blends that’ll move with you, especially if you plan to wear them for workouts.
Fleece-lined leggings that are thinner and lighter in weight are better for more intense activities like running and hiking, Flynn says, because they usually allow for more flexibility in your movements. But if your goal is to find a cozy pair for when you run errands or grab coffee with your friends, there’s no harm in going with a thicker pair.
FAQs about shopping for fleece-lined leggings
What’s the difference between thermal leggings and fleece leggings?
Thermals are designed to be worn underneath your clothes on cold days. They can be super helpful during activities like skiing because you can layer them under your snow pants and jacket without feeling like the Michelin Man. Fleece-lined leggings are meant to be worn on their own and are sometimes treated with weatherproof coatings to help them stand up to wet and windy conditions.
How do you care for fleece-lined leggings?
“Fleece-lined leggings usually come at a higher price point, so you really want to pay attention to caring for them,” Flynn says. “I’ve had some of mine for years because I’ll always machine wash in cold [water], I’ll avoid fabric softeners, and hang to dry.” Fabric softener and heat from hot water or a dryer can damage elastane and cause your pants to lose some of their stretch, so if you want to make sure your leggings last for years to come, follow in Flynn’s footsteps.
What temperatures should you wear fleece-lined leggings in?
Flynn recommends reaching for fleece-lined leggings when the temps dip below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. “But it really depends on the intensity of your workout,” she says. “If it’s 35 degrees and you’re going for a more casual hike, totally jump into a fleece-lined pair of leggings and just wear one layer.” If your workout is more intense, like a run, she recommends holding off on wearing them until the temperature is below 30 degrees to avoid overheating.
Also, “during single-digit temperatures and below, having just a fleece-lined layer of leggings is not going to be enough,” Flynn says. “That would really have to become a mid-layer, and you’d have another layer on top of that.”
Best Overall: Lululemon Fast and Free High-Rise Thermal Tight 28″ Pockets
Pros
- Durable
- Comfortable for workouts
- Extensive size range
Cons
- Not warm enough for very low temperatures
One SELF editor calls these Lululemon tights her “go-to” for chilly runs: “This is the pair I reach for when it’s 30 to 40 degrees out,” she says. “The material feels cozy but not too thick, and they still look good after wearing and washing them at least once a week last winter.”
Flynn says many members of her running community swear by these too. She points out that they come in multiple inseam lengths and sizes 0 to 20 (in some colors). Plus, the high-waisted design stays in place during workouts.
It’s the details that help these leggings pull ahead of the pack though: There are two pockets on the legs to hold your phone or some tissues and three waistband pockets for little items like a credit card or a house key. The band also has a hidden drawstring so you can adjust the waist. And if you typically run or walk beside the road when it’s dark (which can be hard to avoid when the sun sets during regular business hours), the reflective details on the legs can help keep you safe from cars.
Materials: Polyester, elastane, nylon | Sizes: 0 to 14
Runner Up: Baleaf Fleece-Lined Leggings
Pros
- Durable
- Budget-friendly
- Available with one or three pockets
- Come in a bunch of colors
Cons
- Reviewers say they run long
These leggings have many of the same great features as the Lululemon pair, like pockets and a high waistband, but they’re a fraction of the price. They also have an impressive 23,000 five-star Amazon reviews (and counting). Shoppers like the snug, supportive fit and say the fleecy inside keeps out the chill.
“I run in other Baleaf products, but I bought these for an Alaskan trip,” one reviewer wrote. “They kept me warm and dry and were comfortable when doing a lot of walking!” Another reviewer called them “the most comfortable pants [they] have ever worn!”
Materials: N/A | Sizes: XS to 3XL
Best Budget: 90 Degree By Reflex Fleece Lined Leggings
Pros
- High-waisted
- Comes in a bunch of colors
Cons
The most affordable option on this list, these 90 Degree By Reflex leggings have a cozy interior that’s “designed to feel like wearing your favorite sweatshirt on your legs”—um, sign us up. If you only get down with high-waisted pants, you’ll be glad to know these hit above your belly button.
“There’s no way I’m ever buying any other brand of legging because these are so perfect it’s almost unbelievable,” one Amazon reviewer said. “They’re tight enough that you feel held in, but not so tight that it’s a struggle to pull them on or uncomfortable in any way. The material is soft, not too thick, flexible, [and] keeps you feeling dry and cool even during intense activity.”
Materials: Polyester, elastane | Sizes: XS to 3XL
Best with Pockets: Outdoor Research Melody 7/8 Leggings
Pros
- Stay in place well
- Deep pockets
- Wide size range
Cons
- Some Outdoor Research reviewers say the seams start to come apart after washing
This pair snagged an Activewear Award for keeping our tester warm and dry during a 40-minute run outside; she said they were so comfortable, she kept them on for hours after her workout. “They really do a great job of blocking out the cold, but they weren’t so thick that you’re sweating when you’re in the house,” she said.
We also love the leggings’ deep side pockets; even if you load them up with your phone, keys, and earbuds, reviewers say the pants won’t slide down from the extra weight. Plus: They’re super stretchy, and they have a UPF 30 rating, which means they’ll block out the sun (because yes, you still need sun protection in the winter!).
Materials: Polyester, elastane | Sizes: XS to 4X
Best for Running: Under Armour ColdGear Authentics Leggings
Pros
- Stay in place well
- Chafe-resistant
Cons
- Some Amazon reviewers wish they were stretchier
Flynn says that these are the first fleece leggings she ever tried and remain one of her favorites. “As a kid [running] cross country and track and field, the fleece lining was a game changer,” she says. “Instead of wearing bulky layers to stay warm, I was able to run or jump and the fabric would move with me.” Other perks: Flat seams make these Under Armour feel like a second skin and help prevent chafing.
“I like [this Under Armour pair] because they offer the perfect warmth on chilly runs,” Hallie Martin, an ultra trail runner in Dubuque, Iowa, previously told SELF. “The leggings are a shiny black color and are the perfect length.”
Materials: Polyester, elastane | Sizes: XS to XXL
Best for Light Workouts: CRZ YOGA Thermal Fleece Lined Leggings
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Has a slight sheen
Cons
- Some Amazon reviewers say they run large
Secret’s out: CRZ Yoga makes some of the best Lululemon dupes on Amazon. These affordable fleece-lined leggings have a secret pocket in the waistband to hold your keys or a credit card—all you really need for a quick coffee run—and reviewers love that they’re thin enough to wear inside for light exercise without overheating. “The leggings are currently my favorite pair that I own,” one Amazon shopper wrote. “They are soft and warm enough to pair with a long sweatshirt to go run errands and stretchy enough to get a good yoga workout in at home or in the gym.”
Materials: Polyamide, spandex | Sizes: XXS to XL
Best for Hiking: Eddie Bauer Crossover Winter Trail Adventure High-Rise Leggings
Pros
- Made with fabric that’s meant to control odors
- Has three pockets
- Available in multiple inseams
Cons
- Some Eddie Bauer reviewers say they run large