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Synthetic Insulated Pants

Top Picks

How we choose: The best synthetic insulated pants highlighted here were selected based on 21 reviews of 13 products. Our top picks are those that are readily-available in the United States and have received the highest overall ratings from reviewers.

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If you've used a synthetic insulated pant that you think should be listed here, please share your experience.

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Mountain Hardwear Compressor Pant

user rating: 4 of 5 (3 reviews)

Great winter coverover pants. Easy to put on/off. Would recommend to others.

Reasons to Buy

  • Price
  • Ease of Use
  • Warmth

Reasons to Avoid

  • Pack Size

I purchased the Mt Hardwear Compressor Pants as overpants for use while climbing in Alaska. They performed well and would recommend them to others. I have since used them on multi-day backcounty ski trips where the temps were dipping below 0 at night. These pants have full length zips so it is easy to put them on and take off. They are insulated so the added warmth is great on cold night. No need to take off your climbing or ski boots to put them on. Reinforced knees and seat for added durability.

Read more: Mountain Hardwear Compressor Pant reviews (3)

U.S. Military M65 Trouser Liner

user rating: 5 of 5 (2 reviews)

Reasons to Buy

  • Dirt cheap
  • Warm
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to find
  • Durable

Reasons to Avoid

  • Requires some mods

The M65 pant liner is a sub-$10 hidden gem for cold weather camping or backpacking. The key is using them as an overpant as they're sized large enough and easily unbutton to quickly don or doff without having to remove boots or existing layers. Perfect for those static situations like sitting around at camp or belaying or glassing while hunting. Would be way too warm for active use unless well below 0° IMO while wearing a base layer and hiking pant/shell.   The m65 pant liner was designed to be buttoned into the m65 pant so they don't exactly have a good waist closure system, just a button with 2 slots of adjustment.

Read more: U.S. Military M65 Trouser Liner reviews (2)

Patagonia Nano Puff Pants

user rating: 4 of 5 (1 review)

Warm and comfortable in action or at rest, these pants bring the insulation and packability expected from the Nano Puff line. A well-tailored fit and the ability to breathe well allows for active use in lower temps yet the puffy synthetic insulation protects against wind and cold even at rest. These pants would be a great addition for anyone looking for packable insulation for the lower half. Peakbaggers or thru hikers wanting easy to carry wind pants with insulation or fishermen wanting insulation for their waders will find these pants fit the bill. Also works great as a mid or outer layer for cold weather campers and others spending long hours in frigid temps.

Reasons to Buy

  • Great insulation
  • Good wind protection
  • Breathes very well
  • Light and packs small

Reasons to Avoid

  • Need to remove footwear to put on
  • Bits of insulation poking through seat panel
  • Pricey

The Patagonia Nano Puff Pants take a somewhat minimalist approach, bringing a simple design that performs well while keeping in mind that most of its time will be spent in your pack. When puffed up it keeps you warm; compressed it carries easily doing a more than adequate job at both of its primary tasks.         Plenty of room without a lot of excess materials getting in the way. Construction: The shell is made from 1.45 oz 100% polyester which has been given a durable water repellent finish.

Read more: Patagonia Nano Puff Pants review (1)

Top Fleece Pant / Synthetic Insulated

Duluth Fleece-Lined Dry on the Fly Cargo Pants

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1 review)

Duluth Trading "Dry-on-the-Fly" fleece lined nylon pants for $89.50. They have many nice features that make them a great bargain at their price.

Reasons to Buy

  • Tough 100% nylon twill shell
  • Polyester fleece lining
  • Large crotch gusset
  • HUGE bargain for the $89.50 price

Reasons to Avoid

  • Need a much better DWR treatment (DIY)

I recently got a pair of Duluth Trading nylon twill shell, fleece lined winter pants. For $89.50 they have great quality and easily beat out RailRiders $130 nylon shell, fleece lined nylon pants, even if they were the same price! Features: 100% nylon twill shell, very tightly woven polyester fleece lining (about 100 weight fleece) large crotch gusset for ease of movement front vertical zippered cargo pockets (ease of access when sitting) included web belt W/plastic QR buckle zippered security pocket beside right upper pocket two gusseted rear pockets all pockets use nylon shell material.

Read more: Duluth Fleece-Lined Dry on the Fly Cargo Pants review (1)

Arc'teryx Atom LT Pant

user rating: 5 of 5 (1 review)

Every bit as good as the jacket, packs down even smaller.

Reasons to Buy

  • Lightweight
  • Warm
  • Packable

Reasons to Avoid

  • Expensive

Enough has been said about the Atom LT Jacket and as soon as I became acquainted with how amazing it is, I picked up the pants. The combo went with me on a 4-night survival training course recently (Haley Strategic Partners Summer Mountain Problem Solver). We all slept in pine-bough shelters down to 45 degree rain so pretty much everybody was cold . . . except me.  I don't think my shelter was so far superior to everyone else's, I think it was the Atom LT jacket and pants that I wore under my rain gear as I slept.

Read more: Arc'teryx Atom LT Pant review (1)

Patagonia Micro Puff Pants

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (2 reviews)

Heaters. these are shell pants with synthetic insulation, Primaloft or some equivalent. they have a fairly loose fit. the waist adjusts via velcro tabs at each hip. they zip all the way up and down the side of each leg, so they are very easy to take off and put on. for me, these pants are too warm for any extended/strenuous use unless it's truly arctic outside. they are fabulous for standing still or being around camp when it's cold, or putting on if you have an extended stop. they are lightweight (they weigh 17-20 oz, depending on what size you wear), they stuff well, and they are happily simple.

Read more: Patagonia Micro Puff Pants reviews (2)

Eddie Bauer First Ascent Igniter Pants

user rating: 4 of 5 (4 reviews)

Love the pants.

Reasons to Buy

  • Lightweight, yet warm
  • Excellent thermal properties even when wet
  • Wick extremely well
  • Nice looking pair of pants

Reasons to Avoid

  • Seem to run on the large side

I purchased a pair of these pants last August. I use the pants for undergarments in scuba diving. Why? Because they use Primaloft as their insulation. If you believe the makers of Primaloft, it is as warm as down and maintains its insulator properties when wet. This is extremely import in scuba diving where heat transmission is 24 times greater in water than air, so if your suit floods this is critical. Why not just buy scuba undergarments? Because no scuba company makes a product using Primaloft.

Read more: Eddie Bauer First Ascent Igniter Pants reviews (4)

More Reviews of Synthetic Insulated Pants

Trailspace reviewers have shared 21 reviews of 13 different synthetic insulated pants.

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Other Types of Pants

Find more pants reviewed in these related categories:

Waterproof Pants

Soft Shell Pants

Wind Pants

+7 more types

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