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Hiking Pants For Winter – What Features Do You Want?
Do you want to be warm during your winter hike? Of course you do! Hiking pants are an important part of your winter gear. Choose a pair of these best winter hiking pants to keep you warm.
You should choose synthetic winter hiking pants. There are good reasons for picking synthetic pants. One good reason for choosing a synthetic fabric is for the insulation they give you.
Synthetic Hiking Pants are Warmer for Winter Hikes
(Credit: Dino Reichmuth on Unsplash)
One of the downsides to winter hiking is the cold weather. However, synthetic hiking pants can keep you warm on winter trails.
Synthetic materials are generally popular in outdoor clothing. They make a good choice for pants for winter hiking. Synthetic fabrics keep you warm and dry in wet, cold weather.
Synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon help regulate body temperature by absorbing moisture. The fibers keep the moisture away from the skin. Synthetic fabrics also don’t absorb any animal based substances such as fur or leather.
Synthetic fibers are waterproof, lightweight, and stronger than wool. They keep you warmer than wool. They keep you warmer since they have a better thermal resistance. Thermal resistance is a measure of how well a material keeps you warm.
Another good reason to choose synthetic pants for winter hiking is that they use more recycled fabrics. Using more recycled fibers to make the pants helps reduce pollution levels and conserve natural resources.
What Makes Softshell Hiking Pants Warm?
Synthetic Hiking Pants Have Moisture Wicking Capabilities
(Credit: Wes Hicks on Unsplash)
Softshell pants are typically made of tightly woven synthetic fabrics Fabrics might include a blend of nylon, polyester, or spandex. The blends block wind and light rain.
Blends also provide insulation (warmth). Softshell fabric blends have different densities. The denser (thicker) the fabric, the more warmth the fabric provides.
Moisture wicking materials keep you dryer on your winter hike. Moisture wicking materials are made to pull the sweat and moisture away from your body. This wicking helps keep you dry and warm.
These wicking materials also help to keep you warmer by trapping in heat that escapes as your sweat evaporates.
These pants might not be the least expensive. Still, these pants will keep you comfortable and warm. If you want a great pair of pants for winter hiking, these are your best choices.
Carefully check model/size/color before you order!
Best Winter Hiking Pants
| Brand | Model | MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| Women’s | ||
| 1. Arc’teryx | Gamma LT Softshell | $200 |
| 2. Mountain Hardwear | Chockstone/2 | $120 |
| 3. Outdoor Research | Cirque II Softshell | $150 |
| 4. Outdoor Research | Voodoo Softshell | $89 |
| 5. PrAna | Winter Hallena | $99 |
| Men’s | ||
| 1. Arc’teryx | Gamma LT Softshell | $200 |
| 2. KÜHL | Klash | $139 |
| 3. Marmot | Scree Softshell | $122 |
| 4. Mountain Hardwear | Chockstone | $130 |
| 5. Outdoor Research | Voodoo Softshell | $89 |
Women’s – Best Winter Hiking Pants
Arc’teryx Gamma LT Softshell (Updated)
Description
Arc’teryx updated the Gamma LT pants with:
- A more comfortable, low profile waistbelt; feels better with your backpack’s hip belt.
- Redesigned pockets for more storage and secure storage
The Gamma LT lightweight pants give you a lot of weather protection. The pants allow air to flow to keep you comfortable. The Gamma pant’s stretch allows you to be mobile on the trail.
These pants have a design made just for women. Articulated seams and a crotch gusset allow you to move freely on the trail.
Features & Benefits
- Long lasting; a smart investment
- Lightweight for comfort
- Repels water to help you stay dry
- Cuff draw cord for easy adjustment
- Made to fit women for a better fit
- Built in belt for a custom fit
- Thigh and hand pockets with zippers for secure storage
- Crotch gusset for comfort
- Fabric stretches so you move freely
- Articulated patterns for better movement
- 88% Nylon; 12% Elastane
- MSRP $200
Shop Gamma LT
Mountain Hardwear Chockstone/2
Description
Do you need a pair of pants that “does it all”? Take a look at these pants. They make great hiking pants!
Features & Benefits
- Stretch material for comfort
- Built in belt for a custom fit
- Cuffs adjust for a better fit
- Resists tears for long lasting pants
- Articulated gusset allow full range of motion as you hike
- 3 zippered pockets for secure storage
- Water repellant
- 88% Nylon; 12% Elastane
- MSRP $120
Shop Chockstone/2
Outdoor Research Cirque II Softshell
Description
The multi-use Cirque II pants make great hiking pants. The new look pants keep the old pant’s well liked features.
They still resist water and wind. You also still have stretch pants that let you move easily. In addition, Outdoor Research’s ActiveTemp fabric helps keep you warm.
Features & Benefits
- Zippered pockets for safe storage
- Strong zippers that resist water
- Boot lace hook for a better fit
- Draw cord cuff keeps trail trash out of your boots
- ActiveTemp fabric to stay warm
- Articulated knees let you move freely
- Crotch gusset for added comfort
- 50% nylon; 43% polyester; 7% spandex
- MSRP $150
Shop Cirque II
Outdoor Research Voodoo Softshell
Description
You can wear these pants on the hiking trail or as casual in town pants. The Voodoo pants are tough and made to last a long time.
They wick away moisture to keep you warmer. Outdoor Research added many features for your comfort on the trail.
Features & Benefits
- Easy to close front snap
- Pocket with zipper to keep your stuff safe
- Brush and back pockets for more storage
- Crotch gusset for your comfort
- Stretch fabric for added comfort
- Ankle draw cords so your boots stay clean
- Resist water to keep you dry
- Quick dry for more comfort
- 88% nylon; 12% spandex
- MSRP $89
Shop Voodoo
PrAna Winter Hallena
Description
Made to keep you warm, enjoy the Hallena’s when you hike on cold days. You will love the comfort of an inside the pants draw cord.
Move more freely with the articulated knees. Enjoy the storage the pockets give you.
Features & Benefits
- Trouser styling with button front fly for great styling
- Interior waistband draw cord for a better fit
- Articulated knees for easy movement
- Front pockets invisible zipper for secure storage
- Side welt pocket for storage
- Back pocket flaps that snap to secure your important items
- Repel water so you stay dry
- 85% Nylon; 9% Elastane; 6% Polyester
- MSRP $99.99
Shop Hallena
Men’s – Best Winter Hiking Pants
Arc’teryx Gamma LT Softshell
Description
The Gamma LT lightweight pants give you a lot of weather protection. The pants allow air to flow so you stay comfortable.
The Gamma pant’s stretch allows you to be mobile on the trail. Articulated seams and a crotch gusset allow you to move freely on the trail.
Features & Benefits
- Long lasting for a good decision to buy
- Lightweight for your comfort
- Repels water to help you stay dry
- Cuff draw cord for easy adjustment
- Built in belt for a custom fit
- Thigh and hand pockets with zippers for secure storage
- Crotch gusset for comfort
- Fabric stretches so you move freely
- Articulated patterns for better movement
- 88% Nylon; 12% Elastane
- MSRP $200
Shop Gamma LT
KÜHL Klash
Description
The Klash pants offer both comfort and durability. They use a fabric that resists water and stretches to allow you to move easily.
KÜHL’s pants make ideal winter hiking pants. They can be worn year round too. These hiking pants have many features and benefits you will enjoy on the trail.
Features & Benefits
- Crotch gusset for easy movement
- Thigh pockets for easy access
- Mesh pocket bags reduce pant’s weight and bulk
- Reverse coil, covered zippers to resist water
- Reflective cord zipper pulls help keep you safe
- 72% Nylon; 20% Polyester; 8% Spandex
- MSRP $139
Shop Klash
Marmot Scree Softshell
Description
The Scree’s are all-around pants that excel as hiking pants. They are lightweight pants loaded with features and benefits for your hike.
Features & Benefits
- Belt loops for a custom fit
- Repel water so you stay dry and warm
- Articulated knees for freedom of movement on the trail
- Hand, back, and cargo pockets with zippers for secure storage
- Convenient zipper fly
- Easy to secure snap closure
- Ankle zippers keep trail trash out of your boots
- 90% Nylon; 10% Elastane
- MSRP $122
Shop Scree
Mountain Hardwear Chockstone
Description
These pants were made for climbing. The Chockstone pants make exceptionally good hiking pants too!
Features & Benefits
- Comfort stretch material so you stay comfy
- Longer lasting with tear resistant fabric to resist damage
- Articulated knees allow full range of motion as you hike
- Ankle zippers with gussets for a better fit with your boots
- Built in belt for a custom fit
- 88% Nylon; 12% Elastane
- MSRP $130
Shop Chockstone
Outdoor Research Voodoo Softshell
Description
You can wear these pants on the hiking trail or as casual in town pants. The Voodoo pants are tough and made to last a long time.
They wick away moisture to keep you warmer. Outdoor Research added many features for your comfort on the trail.
Features & Benefits
- Easy to close front snap
- Pocket with zipper to keep your stuff safe
- Brush and back pockets for more storage
- Crotch gusset for your comfort
- Stretch fabric for added comfort
- Ankle draw cords so your boots stay clean
- Resist water to keep you dry
- Quick dry for more comfort
- 88% nylon; 12% spandex
- MSRP $89
Shop Voodoo
Summary – Best Hiking Pants For Winter
The cold winter hiking season is here. Prepare yourself for the chilly weather. Choose a synthetic fabric for your pants for winter hiking.
You want synthetic hiking pants for several reasons. Synthetic fabrics are made to keep you warm and dry in wet, cold weather.
These fabrics are waterproof, lightweight, and stronger than wool. Also, they keep you warmer than wool.
Remember, carefully check model/size/color before you order!
Wear a pair of the best hiking pants for your winter hikes. Stay dry and warm!
Do you need more hiking gear?
If you need more hiking gear, please consider:
Amazon has a very good hiking gear selection. Browse these ideas for winter hiking pants.