Best Fleece-Lined Leggings for Cold Weather for Winter 2026

Updated March 2026

It’s winter and it’s cold. But that doesn’t mean you have to stop wearing leggings. The secret is investing in the best fleece-lined leggings that fit the activity you want – whether running errands or going for a cross-country ski.

I’ve spent years wearing, testing, adventuring, and working out in fleece-lined leggings in temperatures down to -45°C/-49F in the Canadian winter.

I’ve curated this list as my top recommendations when it comes to the best fleece-lined leggings for cold weather. I recommend any pair on this list but have broken it down into categories based on features and activities you might be doing.

READ MORE: How to Layer Properly for Cold Weather Activities

Here are the best fleece-lined leggings for cold weather, depending on the activity you’ll be doing.

Complete Guide to the Best Fleece-Lined Leggings

While still slim and fitted, fleece-lined leggings give more warmth than regular leggings. But it’s important to note that no matter what lining is in a pair of leggings, they won’t replace the warmth proper insulated ski pants provide in the winter months. So please dress according to the weather conditions.

*Some of these links may be affiliated. Purchases through an affiliated link support my small business at no extra cost to you.

READ MORE: Best Winter Coats for Women in the Winter

Overall Top 3 Best Fleece-Lined Leggings

Hands down the top three leggings I love this 2024-2025 winter season are:

1. Best Overall: Baleaf Fleece Lined Leggings
   Best for: 0°C to -15°C / 32°F to 5°F
   Warm, comfortable, and budget-friendly, the Baleaf fleece-lined leggings are one of the best overall winter leggings for everyday outdoor use. The soft fleece interior adds noticeable warmth while still allowing enough stretch and breathability for activities like walking, hiking, or running errands. 20,000 reviews and counting.
   
   Buy them here.
2. Budget Friendly: Willit Fleece-Lined Leggings
   Best for: -1 to -20°C / 32 to -49F
   A soft pair of leggings goes a long way. The Willit fleece-lined legging provides a comfortable thickness-to-compression ratio and has pockets on both legs. This is a standard fleece-lined legging you can’t go wrong with. They are a favourite of mine because they’re great multi-activity leggings. Plus they have more than 2,000 reviews on Amazon.
   
   Buy them here.
3. Warmest: Kyodan Sherpa Fleece Lined Leggings
   Best for: -1 to -45°C/32F to -49F
   You won’t find thicker or warmer fleece-lined leggings anywhere else. These leggings aren’t just lined with standard fleece, they have a thick sherpa lining for maximum warmth. Kyodan is a go-to fitness brand of choice for me and these leggings are some of the best and warmest. There are two colors available and fit true to size. But hurry as they sell out fast!
   
   Buy them here.
   

Best Fleece-Lined Leggings for Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing & Walking

Columbia has nailed it with their high-rise warm winter pants. It’s a thicker material – almost like a soft shelf – with water repellency and UPF protection. This means it’s a good buffer against the wind when cross-country skiing and snowshoeing and when out walking. But it’s also stretchy and fits close against the skin. There’s one zippered side pocket to slip your phone into, which makes it easy to access while on the trails.

You can buy directly from their website or check out Amazon as some sizes are cheaper than full price.

Note: The fit of the fleece-lined pant on the model on Columbia’s website isn’t very flattering. It’s not how these pants fit in real life. They’re a tight fit with a narrow, straight leg at the ankle. They fit more like leggings as seen on me in the photo above (versus how it looks like pants in the product shot.)

Winter Tip: These are my favourite reusable warmers to keep in my gloves and boots when skiing, hiking, or snowshoeing. They’re compact and versatile. Plus, they last season after season, making them a perfect accessory for my winter wardrobe. I tuck them into my mitts, boots or even pockets if I want a thicker lining.

Warmest Fleece-Lined Leggings

Kyodan wins for the warmest fleece-lined leggings due to their Sherpa fleece lining. While leggings don’t replace properly insulated pants, these come close when keeping me warm in the cold weather. While the fleece is thicker, it isn’t bulky. These are exactly what I want when the temperature dips but I want to be warm and comfortable.

Buy them here.

For layering underneath winter gear, I’ve also been loving the Woolx Livi Bra. It’s made from a breathable merino wool blend, making it great for activities like hiking, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing where comfort and temperature regulation matter.

The X-back design is super cute and comfortable under layers. It’s not designed for high-impact activities like running, but it’s perfect for everyday movement or travel days when you want something soft and breathable.

One sizing note: it runs a bit large. I normally wear a medium in sports bras but sized down to a small, which fit much better.

Buy the Livi Bra here.

Most Affordable Fleece-Lined Leggings

1. The Willit Fleece Lined Leggings are an Amazon find and are the most affordable at about $30-50 per pair. They have deep drop-in side pockets, a front waistband pocket, and are a perfect multi-purpose legging. I own these in multiple colours.

2. The next (very closely) affordable leggings are one of my favourites mentioned above, the CRZ leggings, also on Amazon. Depending on the colour (there are a dozen colours available) the price is also about $50 a pair.

Warm Tip: For additional warmth, I like to pair my fleece-lined leggings with reusable hand, foot, and body warmers made of sheared beaver fur. The fur acts as an insulator, helping to retain the body heat I’m naturally generating. These warmers are a great addition to my mitts, shoes, and leggings (I just slip them in pretty much anywhere – gloves, boots and the back waistband of my leggings), keeping me comfortable and warm when I’m out in the cold.

READ MORE: 12 Outdoor Winter Activities to Try if You Live in Saskatchewan

Best Fleece-Lined Leggings for Winter Running

If you’re looking for leggings designed specifically for cold-weather running, the Athleta Rainier High Rise Legging are a great option. They feature a soft brushed interior for warmth while still remaining breathable and moisture-wicking, so you stay comfortable even as you heat up mid-run.

These tights offer supportive stretch and stay in place during movement, plus they include secure pockets and reflective details, making them ideal for early morning or evening winter runs. The result is a pair of leggings that provide warmth without bulk, perfect for running, training, or other cold-weather workouts.

Buy the leggings here.

Gear Tip: My favourite gloves for running let you flip the top back and cool your fingers when things heat up on the trail.

Buy them here.

Another merino piece worth mentioning is the Woolx Liza Crew Neck Tee. A classic merino tee is one of the most useful pieces you can have in a winter layering system.

The Liza tee is made from 85% Australian merino wool, 12% nylon, and 3% spandex, which gives it a flattering fit and comfortable stretch. I can sometimes be sensitive to merino wool, but this blend feels soft and comfortable against the skin.

It works beautifully as a base layer under sweaters, jackets, or ski gear, but it’s also polished enough to wear on its own while travelling.

Buy it here.

Best Fleece-Lined Leggings with Pockets

The Baleaf fleece-lined leggings are a solid choice if you want warm winter leggings that still feel lightweight and flexible. The soft fleece interior traps heat while the stretchy fabric allows comfortable movement for activities like walking, hiking, or travel days.

They feature a high-rise waistband and handy pockets, making them practical for carrying small essentials while you’re on the go. Compared to many premium brands, Baleaf leggings are also much more affordable, which makes them a great option if you want reliable winter leggings without the high price tag.

Buy them here.

Best Fleece-Lined Leggings for Tall Women

While I’m 5’4 and usually go with a 25″ inseam, a 28″ also works. But I know many women are taller than me and are looking for leggings that are longer. Eddie Bauer caters to tall women for leggings, pants and ski pants. The Cross-Over Winter Trail High Rise leggings are an excellent option. With a brushed fleece lining and moisture-wicking, odour control, they also have a side pocket with a zippered pocket on top. The tall option should be 3″ longer than regular for a 31″ inseam.

Buy them here.

Best Fleece-Lined Leggings for Plus-Size Women

Eddie Bauer offers plus sizes in XL and XXL for their Cross-Over Winter Trail High Rise leggings which are moisture-wicking with a side pocket and zippered coin pocket.

Buy them here.

Best Fleece-Lined Pant

If you’re not totally in love with wearing leggings, I get it. Thankfully, there are a variety of fleece-lined pants out there, too. One of my top choices comes from my favourite brand Kyodan. This pant has cuffs at the bottom and the exterior is made of a ultra soft ribbed fleece. They don’t fit as tight as leggings and are the ultimate in loungewear. This means you can still go out and ski, snowshoe, walk and hike in them and still be comfortable. You can also fit a pair of merino wool leggings under them nicely, too.

Buy the fleece lined pant here.

Fleece-Lined Pantyhose for Under a Dress – Yes, Really!

This is amazing. Not only can you buy fleece-lined leggings for all sorts of outdoor activities, but you can also buy fleece-lined leggings that go under your dress and make it look like you’re wearing pantyhose. They come in three different shades.

You can also buy them in different sheerness levels and most options are 220g. This sounds like the most Canadian thing ever – what a great way to stay warm but still look nice in the winter when dressed up. I wore them to my partner’s Christmas Party and they looked excellent. They’re also under $30.

But them here.

Not Fleece-Lined but Merino Wool Leggings

If you love fleece-lined leggings but want a different material that performs just as well in the cold, the Woolx Piper Pocket Leggings are a standout option.

These leggings are designed to be worn as your main pant rather than just a base layer, which makes them incredibly versatile for winter adventures. The fabric blend — 85% merino wool, 12% nylon, and 3% spandex — gives them a comfortable stretch while still maintaining the temperature-regulating benefits merino is known for.

They’re also moisture-wicking, breathable, and naturally antimicrobial, which means you can wear them for multiple days in a row without them getting smelly. That makes them especially useful for travel or backcountry trips where packing light matters

One feature I love is the pockets, something you rarely see on merino wool leggings.

I tested these on a week of winter adventures where temperatures dipped to –30°C. I typically wore them under ski pants, and they performed beautifully. They were warm, breathable, and comfortable enough to wear all day and easy to transition indoors.

Fit-wise, I found they run true to size.

Check out the Piper Pocket Leggings here

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