Fleece Pants

Featured review by Andrew F.

This is a fairly warm synthetic base layer, loose enough to serve as a mid-layer. I recommend wearing alone for cooler weather and beneath a shell or insulated pants in really cold weather. The newer version has two hand pockets rather than a back pocket and is sized even more loosely than past versions—including looser cuffs at the bottom. New ones also have a drawstring, a plus.

The R1 bottom is kind of like a versatile pair of outdoor sweatpants. They are thick enough to wear alone in fairly cool weather if you are active, and they are very warm if you wear them under a shell. On cooler summer nights, I'll often put them on as the temperature drops in camp.     FIT: The fit on these used to be pretty average. They have enough room and plenty of stretchiness to wear over a tight, lightweight base layer or running tights if needed. The current version is sufficiently loose that they wouldn't be a great deep cold base layer, but they now layer better over a base layer bottom.

Read more: Patagonia R1 Pants reviews (2)

Reviewed by KiwiKlimber

A straightforward, no-frills pair of fleece pants that served my daughter well as an outerlayer in the shoulder seasons and a baselayer in the snowy winter.

Conditions:  My 3-year-old adventurer has worn the Patagonia Baby Micro D Bottoms for almost 6 months during the fall and winter. She’s worn them as both an outer layer in fall and as a baselayer in the winter, beneath snow pants.  Front   Rear   Fit and Layering: The pants are listed as a 4T size, and are on the verge of running a little small in length, compared to other 4T pants my daughter wears. They aren’t excessively small, but she’ll be outgrowing them sooner than many of her other 4T pants, based on the length.

Read more: Patagonia Baby Micro D Bottoms review (1)

Reviewed by Andrew F.

A great option for cold weather activity or under a shell pant in colder weather. Polartec Power Stretch moves and wicks well, yet is pretty warm. Sized somewhere between tights and sweat pants. Drawstring took some getting used to.

What do you wear when you are out in cold weather—cold enough that you can no longer wear shorts, or when you are hiking or climbing or Nordic skiing? Patagonia's Crosstrek Bottoms are a good option. FIT The pants are made from Polartec's Power Stretch fleece. It's smooth on the outside and fuzzy on the inside. The fabric has a lot of stretch and 'give, so the fabric is pretty forgiving in the fit department. These pants are true to size in terms of waist and length. Unlike similar pants I have worn in the past, the fit on these is a bit looser than a pair of running tights or a typical cold weather base layer.

Read more: Patagonia Crosstrek Bottoms review (1)

Reviewed by Bigskyrunner

Very lightweight fleece base/mid-layers—dry quickly and a lot of warmth for the weight.

Kuiu is probably a name a lot of folks aren't familiar with. They are a brand that focuses on backcountry hunting, but they make a lot of really good outdoor clothing suitable for any outdoor pursuit. I'm reviewing both the Peloton 97 zip hoody and zip-off bottoms, same material. I've had the Peloton 97 zip hoody for three years now and it has seen a lot of use (read my review of the Peloton 97 Fleece Zip-T Hoodie). When I saw they made bottoms as well, I knew I better pick up a pair. The bottoms in size medium weigh 4.5 ounces (with full length zippers!).

Read more: Kuiu Peloton 97 Fleece Zip-Off Bottom review (1)

Reviewed by 300winmag

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.

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)

Reviewed by Andrew F.

heavyweight fleece pants for sitting around in the cold and damp. not so great for walking around unless it's obscenely cold out. on the positive side, these pants are thick, soft, warm fleece.  each leg zips to the knee, and the legs are wide enough to take on and off over most boots.  the knees are reinforced with nylon, and they have proved to be durable.  3 zippered pockets, one along each side seam and a small back pocket.  without question the warmest fleece pants i have worn. note - these don't stop the wind.  on the downside, the waist needs some kind of better belt or drawstring.  the waist is elastic, which is OK for slow walking or sitting; there is an interior 'belt,' kind of, that clips shut in front, but no way to tighten...

Read more: Cabela's Polartec Classic 300 ECWCS Pants review (1)

Featured review by Wolfman

I've been quite happy with these pants after I special-ordered the pair of suspenders that are an option for them. The pants have pre-sewn velcro attachment points for these suspenders, and I would say that MH should just provide the suspenders with the pants in the package. They don't, so I had to find a way to special order them. Suspenders may not be necessary for everyone, but I really like them. I was psyched that MH provided the option for suspenders with these pants; but I was pissed that I had to jump through hoops to get them.Aside from this issue, the pants are quite nice.

Read more: Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Tech Pant reviews (3)

Featured review by Zoe E. Morosini

I love these pants!!!! I bought 4 pairs in black, and planned to give 3 away, but fell in love with them and kept them all. They are super-comfy, resist wind, wash & dry easily, smooth out your shape and are incredibly warm, but they don't suffocate in case the temperature changes. Coordinate with all casual sweaters, tees, boots, etc. I bought a pair for a cousin for Christmas, and she wanted more too. Try Marshalls, sometimes they have Avalanche stuff. I'd love to get more, and in more colors.

Read more: Avalanche Wear Micro Fiber Flare Pant reviews (3)

Featured review by BobCat

I talked to a Ranger in the Adirondack park one October afternoon. He told me that he often stops hikers entering the trailhead in bad weather - people wearing blue jeans, and strongly suggests that they drive back into a town and outfit themselves with a pair of wool pants. Why? Very simply, because cotton pants will get wet, freeze and possibly put you into hypothermia and kill you. Then the Ranger is called and has to haul your butt to the hospital or morgue. I have worn Woolrich Malone pants forever. They will keep you warm when wet and might just save your life. Get a pair of strong button suspenders to keep them up. Woolrich bibs are better yet.

Read more: Woolrich Malone Wool Pants reviews (2)

Featured review by Steve

Workmanship is excellent, along with attention to detail in the design. Although expensive, the windstoppper fabric really works. The pants are very warm, and can be worn hiking without long underwear on 25 deg F days. If the temp is above 45-50 deg F the pants will be too warm. The jacket is also much warmer than a similar weight non windstopper fabric. There are plenty of pockets on the jacket. Minor complaints and observations:In my opinion, the pant legs are tapered too much, they tend to raise up on your boots when hiking, making gaiters necessary. The jackets are cut somewhat small under the arms, I usually wear a large, but got an XL to wear over fleece pullover and thermal top.

Read more: Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Pant reviews (3)