Leggings are often considered a year-round staple for women. While it’s true that these pants can be worn in all weather, not all leggings are ideal for the coldest months of the year.
If you want to wear leggings during the winter, you may need to go shopping.
Are Leggings Warm in the Winter?
Leggings can be warm in the winter, but only if you pick up the right pants. Do not wear the cheap, thin leggings that you use to stay cool and flexible in summer. If you want to wear leggings in winter, they should be thermal or fleece lined. Thick cotton or polyester alone will not protect you from the cold.
Are Leggings Good for Cold Weather?
If you choose the right leggings, they can be worn in all weathers. Standard, thin leggings will leave you shivering in the cold. If you plan to wear leggings outside during a cold snap, you’ll need to invest in the appropriate clothing.
Thermal or fleece-lined leggings can be great in cold weather. They’ll be just as flexible as the leggings that you know and love but offer a measure of temperature regulation. Paring these leggings with suitable layers will ensure that you remain stylish as well as snug.
The 5 Best Leggings That are Warm Enough for Winter
Every girl about town needs an appropriate selection of leggings in her closet. Those that you’d wear in winter are very different from when the sun is shining, though. Here are five recommended pairs of leggings to add to your winter wardrobe.
- Best for Warmth in Winter: CakCton Fleece Lined Thermal Warm Winter Leggings
- Best for Exercising in Winter: Under Armor Women’s ColdGear Compression Leggings
- Best for Comfort in Winter: 90 Degree By Reflex High Waist Leggings
- Best for Pairing with Winter Outfits: Romastory Winter Velvet Leggings
- Best for Winter Fashion: Plush Women’s Fleece Lined Liquid Leggings
Best for Warmth in Winter: CakCton Fleece Lined Winter Leggings
These leggings are our overall pick for winter warmers.
They feature all the advantages that you’d expect from year-round leggings – they are high-waisted, with tummy control to keep you looking svelte. They’re fleece-lined without being bulky too, so they can be comfortably worn outdoors. Great all-rounders, especially for the price.
Why We Love These Leggings
- Affordable price point
- Perfectly warm outside in winter
- Feature slimming tummy control
Things to Consider
- Likely to be too warm to wear inside
- Cut could be better, especially around the ankles
Best for Exercising in Winter: Under Armor Women’s Leggings
These leggings, made from 87% polyester and 13% elastane, are ideal for runners that won’t allow cold weather to derail their regime.
They dry rapidly in rain, while the compression tech massages muscles and eliminates the risk of chafing prevalent in some leggings. If you’re keen to keep up an exercise regime in winter, these pants are ideal.
Why We Love These Leggings
- Perfect for outdoor exercise in winter
- Stretchy and comfortable
- Typically true to sizing
Things to Consider
- Only available in dark, block colors
- Very expensive
Best for Comfort in Winter: 90 Degree By Reflex Leggings
In the cold weather, you’re likely to already be uncomfortable. You won’t want your clothing to add to your misery.
These leggings, like most yoga pants, fit like a second skin. Thankfully they are also fleece-lined, so you’ll be protected from at least some measure of winter chill – though other leggings are admittedly a little warmer.
Why We Love These Leggings
- Extremely soft and comfortable fit
- Available in a wide range of colors
- Handy pocket for storage without impacting fit or style
Things to Consider
- Not the warmest leggings in the world – you will need extra layers
- Sometimes come up short – consider sizing up
Best for Pairing with Winter Outfits: Romastory Winter Velvet Leggings
One of the great things about leggings is that they can be paired with an array of outfits.
These pants, in particular, are perfect for matching with skirts, dresses and long sweaters – they’re certainly warm enough to be worn outside. Be aware though, they may be considered too thick for a mild winter.
Why We Love These Leggings
- Warm and cozy
- Figure-hugging fit means they can be paired with most layers
- Appealing price
Things to Consider
- Look a littlecasual, so unsuitable for more formal outfits
- Too insulated for anything but very cold weather
Best for Winter Fashion: Plush Women’s Fleece Lined Liquid Leggings
Leggings can be a powerful fashion statement. These pants, in particular, have a timeless and stylish wet leather look that pairs with anything.
If looking great while staying warm is your priority, and your budget can stretch to these pants, they are well worth your time.
Why We Love These Leggings
- Timeless leather look in block colors
- Variety of patterns and designs available
- Fleece-lined for additional warmth
Things to Consider
- Definitely at the costlier end of the market
- Can be a little baggy around the waist
Final Verdict
There are many things to consider when choosing leggings for the winter. In addition to cost and aesthetical appeal, you’ll need pants that are warm enough to keep cold snaps at bay without causing overheating.
We consider the CakCton winter leggings profiled above the best of all possible worlds. As always, though, the choice is yours!
How Do You Wear Winter Leggings?
The secret to making the most leggings in winter is pairing them with appropriate layers. If leggings are not warm enough alone, they can be paired with torn jeans. You may be just as warm simply wearing appropriateleggings, though.
If you’re venturing outside in the winter wearing leggings, be sure to pair the look with an appropriate coat. In particularly cold climates, a chunky sweater and wool coat are the ideal accompaniments. If the chill is not too severe, opt for a stylish leather jacket or even a wool blazer.
Ankle or calf boots are the ideal footwear to pair with leggings in the winter. Unlike sneakers, these will prevent any breeze from reaching the skin on your ankles. This means that your leggings are likely to keep you toasty.
Do Lululemon Leggings Keep You Warm?
Lululemon is among the leading range of women’s fashion leggings. This brand has a specialist range of winter leggings, designed to be worn during the coldest months of the year. They also have handy pockets, ensuring they’re practical.
If this is the case, why have we not recommended anything from Lululemon in our guide to leggings above? The short answer is that they tend to be extremely costly.
Yes, you get what you pay for – Lululemon leggings look great and keep your temperature high. All the same, we try to tailor our recommendations to suit everybody, not just those with the deepest pockets.
Do Fleece Lined Leggings Keep You Warm?
Fleece-lined leggings look like conventional yoga pants or workout leggings that you may choose to relax in. The additional lining of fleece inside the leg keeps you cozy in all weathers, though.
Fleece-lined leggings are only really suitable for wearing outdoors. Inside, you’ll likely start to feel uncomfortably hot.Fleece-lined leggings trap heat within the pants, which can feel oppressive if you have the central heating on.
If you’re spending a day shopping in the wind and snow, however, fleece-lined leggings are a great solution. They will ensure the cold is kept at bay without sacrificing freedom of movement.
Are Thermal Leggings Warm?
If you wear leggings outdoors in the cold – especially when working up a sweat – thermal leggings can be a dream. These materials provide natural warmth and protection from cold temperatures, but also cool you down if you start to overheat.
Thermal leggings are also less likely to lead to injury in cold climates. When the muscles grow fatigued, sprains and tears become likelier when you exercise in winter. Thermal leggings are like having a personal masseuse built into your clothing.
Do Leggings Keep You Warmer Than Jeans?
This depends on your choice of leggings and jeans. It’s true that the figure-hugging shape of leggings typically keeps any breeze or cold wind at bay. All the same, thin leggings can be chillier than well-made jeans.
Most high-quality leggings are as warm as skinny fit jeans – with the additional benefit of stretchy material that makes them feel less restrictive. Just ensure you choose leggings with appropriate lining and accessorizethem with additional layers.
As you’ll see, leggings can be warm enough for winter – if you choose the right material. Like all clothing, not all leggings offer the same protection from the elements. If you want to wear these pants in winter, pick up thick leggings that are fit for purpose.