best fleece lined pants for hiking
Fleece-lined pants are a great option for hikers who want to stay warm and comfortable on the trail. They’re made from a soft, insulating material that will keep you cozy even in cold weather. Plus, they’re usually moisture-wicking, so you won’t have to worry about getting sweaty and uncomfortable.
Choosing the Right Pants
When choosing fleece-lined pants for hiking, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind⁚
- Fit and Comfort⁚ Make sure the pants fit well and are comfortable to wear. They should be snug but not too tight, and they should allow you to move freely.
- Warmth and Breathability⁚ Consider the climate you’ll be hiking in and choose pants that are appropriate for the conditions. If you’ll be hiking in cold weather, you’ll want pants that are made from a thick, insulating material. If you’ll be hiking in warmer weather, you’ll want pants that are made from a lighter, more breathable material.
Other features to consider include⁚
- Pockets⁚ Make sure the pants have enough pockets to store your essentials, such as your phone, keys, and snacks.
- Gaiters⁚ If you’ll be hiking in snow or rain, consider pants that have built-in gaiters. Gaiters will help to keep your legs dry and protected from the elements.
By following these tips, you can choose the right fleece-lined pants for your next hiking adventure.
a. Fit and Comfort
When choosing fleece-lined pants for hiking, fit and comfort are key. The pants should fit snugly but not too tightly, and they should allow you to move freely. Here are a few tips for finding the right fit⁚
- Try on the pants before you buy them. This is the best way to ensure that they fit well and are comfortable to wear.
- Pay attention to the waist and inseam measurements. The waist measurement should be snug but not too tight, and the inseam measurement should be long enough so that the pants don’t ride up when you’re hiking.
- Consider the type of hiking you’ll be doing. If you’ll be doing a lot of scrambling or climbing, you’ll want pants that are stretchy and allow for a full range of motion.
Once you’ve found a pair of pants that fit well and are comfortable to wear, you’re ready to hit the trail!
b. Warmth and Breathability
Fleece-lined pants are a great option for hikers who want to stay warm on the trail, but it’s important to choose a pair that is also breathable. If your pants are too warm, you’ll start to sweat, and then you’ll get cold when you stop moving.
Here are a few tips for choosing fleece-lined pants that are both warm and breathable⁚
- Look for pants made with a lightweight fleece fabric. Lightweight fleece will provide warmth without being too bulky or restrictive.
- Choose pants with a moisture-wicking lining. This will help to keep you dry and comfortable, even if you start to sweat.
- Consider the climate you’ll be hiking in. If you’ll be hiking in a cold climate, you’ll want pants with a thicker fleece lining. If you’ll be hiking in a warmer climate, you can choose pants with a lighter fleece lining.
By following these tips, you can choose a pair of fleece-lined pants that will keep you warm and comfortable on your next hike.
Features to Consider
When choosing fleece-lined pants for hiking, there are a few features you’ll want to keep in mind⁚
- Pockets⁚ Fleece-lined pants often have multiple pockets, which is great for storing small items like your phone, keys, and snacks. Look for pants with zippered pockets to keep your belongings secure.
- Gaiters⁚ Gaiters are attachments that can be added to the bottom of your pants to keep snow and debris out. If you’ll be hiking in snowy or muddy conditions, gaiters are a good investment.
- Articulated knees⁚ Articulated knees allow for a greater range of motion, which is important for activities like hiking. Look for pants with articulated knees if you want to be able to move freely and comfortably.
- Reinforced seat and knees⁚ The seat and knees of your pants are more likely to experience wear and tear, so it’s important to choose pants with reinforced construction in these areas.
- Water resistance⁚ If you’ll be hiking in wet conditions, you’ll want to choose pants that are water-resistant. Look for pants with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish.
By considering these features, you can choose a pair of fleece-lined pants that are perfect for your hiking needs.
a. Pockets
Pockets are an important feature to consider when choosing fleece-lined pants for hiking. You’ll want to choose pants with multiple pockets, so you have plenty of space to store your essentials. Look for pants with zippered pockets to keep your belongings secure.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when evaluating the pockets on fleece-lined pants⁚
- Number of pockets⁚ The more pockets, the better. You’ll want to have enough space to store your phone, keys, snacks, and other essentials.
- Zippered pockets⁚ Zippered pockets are important for keeping your belongings secure. Look for pants with zippered pockets on the front and back.
- Cargo pockets⁚ Cargo pockets are great for storing larger items, like a map or a water bottle. If you’ll be carrying a lot of gear, look for pants with cargo pockets.
- Placement of pockets⁚ The placement of the pockets is also important. You’ll want to make sure that the pockets are easy to access, even when you’re wearing a backpack.
By considering these factors, you can choose a pair of fleece-lined pants with pockets that are perfect for your hiking needs.
b. Gaiters
Gaiters are an important accessory for hikers who want to keep their legs protected from the elements. They’re especially useful in wet or snowy conditions, as they can help to keep your pants dry and free of debris.
There are two main types of gaiters⁚
- Short gaiters⁚ Short gaiters cover the lower leg and ankle, and they’re typically made from a lightweight material like nylon or polyester.
- Long gaiters⁚ Long gaiters cover the entire leg, from the ankle to the knee. They’re typically made from a more durable material like Gore-Tex or Cordura.
When choosing gaiters, it’s important to consider the following factors⁚
- Material⁚ The material of the gaiters will determine their durability and breathability. Nylon and polyester are lightweight and breathable, while Gore-Tex and Cordura are more durable and waterproof.
- Length⁚ The length of the gaiters will determine how much of your leg they cover. Short gaiters are lighter and more breathable, while long gaiters offer more protection from the elements.
- Fit⁚ The gaiters should fit snugly around your leg, but they shouldn’t be too tight. You should be able to move your leg freely while wearing the gaiters.
By considering these factors, you can choose a pair of gaiters that are perfect for your hiking needs.
Top Picks for Men and Women
Now that you know what to look for in a pair of fleece-lined hiking pants, it’s time to choose a pair that’s right for you; Here are our top picks for men and women⁚
Men’s Picks
- Mountain Hardwear AP Pant⁚ These pants are made from a durable nylon fabric with a fleece lining that will keep you warm and comfortable on the trail. They also have a number of features that make them ideal for hiking, including multiple pockets, articulated knees, and a gusseted crotch.
- The North Face Denali Pant⁚ These pants are made from a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex fabric, making them a great choice for hikers who want to stay dry in wet weather. They also have a fleece lining for added warmth, and they feature a number of pockets and other features that make them perfect for hiking.
- Marmot PreCip Pant⁚ These pants are made from a lightweight and breathable nylon fabric that will keep you cool and comfortable on the trail. They also have a water-resistant finish that will help to keep you dry in light rain or snow. The PreCip Pants are a great value for the price, and they’re a good choice for hikers who are looking for a versatile pair of pants that can be worn in a variety of conditions.
Women’s Picks
- Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants⁚ These pants are made from a durable nylon fabric with a fleece lining that will keep you warm and comfortable on the trail. They also have a number of features that make them ideal for hiking, including multiple pockets, articulated knees, and a gusseted crotch.
- Patagonia Snowbelle Pants⁚ These pants are made from a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex fabric, making them a great choice for hikers who want to stay dry in wet weather. They also have a fleece lining for added warmth, and they feature a number of pockets and other features that make them perfect for hiking.
- Arc’teryx Gamma LT Pant⁚ These pants are made from a lightweight and breathable nylon fabric that will keep you cool and comfortable on the trail. They also have a water-resistant finish that will help to keep you dry in light rain or snow. The Gamma LT Pants are a great value for the price, and they’re a good choice for hikers who are looking for a versatile pair of pants that can be worn in a variety of conditions.
a. Men’s Picks
Here are our top picks for the best fleece-lined hiking pants for men⁚
- Mountain Hardwear AP Pant⁚ These pants are made from a durable nylon fabric with a fleece lining that will keep you warm and comfortable on the trail. They also have a number of features that make them ideal for hiking, including multiple pockets, articulated knees, and a gusseted crotch.
- The North Face Denali Pant⁚ These pants are made from a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex fabric, making them a great choice for hikers who want to stay dry in wet weather. They also have a fleece lining for added warmth, and they feature a number of pockets and other features that make them perfect for hiking.
- Marmot PreCip Pant⁚ These pants are made from a lightweight and breathable nylon fabric that will keep you cool and comfortable on the trail. They also have a water-resistant finish that will help to keep you dry in light rain or snow. The PreCip Pants are a great value for the price, and they’re a good choice for hikers who are looking for a versatile pair of pants that can be worn in a variety of conditions.
When choosing a pair of fleece-lined hiking pants, it’s important to consider the following factors⁚
- Fit⁚ The pants should fit comfortably and allow you to move freely. They should not be too tight or too loose.
- Warmth⁚ The pants should be warm enough to keep you comfortable in the conditions you’ll be hiking in. If you’re hiking in cold weather, you’ll want a pair of pants with a thicker fleece lining.
- Breathability⁚ The pants should be breathable enough to allow sweat to escape. This will help to keep you dry and comfortable on the trail.
- Features⁚ Consider the features that are important to you, such as pockets, gaiters, and belt loops.