Best Fleece-Lined Leggings for Cold Weather

Updated March 2023

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 here in our Canadian winters.

I’ve curated this list as my top recommendations when it comes to the best pairs. I recommend any pair on this list but have broken it down into categories based on features you want or 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 properly 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.

Overall Top 3 Best Fleece-Lined Leggings

Hands down the top three leggings I’m loving this season are:

1. High Quality: Lululemon Fast and Free High Rise Fleece Tight
   Soft, thin and the perfect amount of stretch to compression – these lululemon tights aren’t cheap but they’re worth every penny. Especially if you wear them while being active. They’re great in shoulder season and perfect for running or simply wearing out on errands. And pockets – they have pockets.
   
   
2. Warmest: Kyodan Sherpa Fleece Lined Leggings
   You won’t find a thicker or warmer fleece-lined legging 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. They come in three colours and fit true to size.
   
   Use code ASHLYN20 to get 20% off your order.
   
   
3. Budget Friendly: CRZ Fleece-Lined Leggings
   A soft legging goes a long way. The CRZ fleece-lined legging provides a comfortable thickness-to-compression ratio and has pockets on both legs. They also come in 14 different colours and patterns. They are a favourite of mine because they’re great multi-activity leggings.
   
   

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 warm 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 (they sometimes go on sale for up to half off) or check out Amazon as some sizes are cheaper than full price.

Note – the fit on the model 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.)

Tip: Here’s my favourite fitted ear warmer for cross-country skiing or winter running. I prefer to wear a headband as it lets the top of my head breathe while I’m working up a sweat.

Comfiest Fleece-Lined Leggings

Would it surprise you if I told you I own these leggings in six different colours? Because I do.

Mondetta’s Core Cold Gear legging have been a go-to for me for years. They have a high banded waist and come with pockets on both legs. They’re affordable and comfortable and are what I spend most of my time in whether it’s snowboarding, running or just around the house.

Buy them here.

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. Use ASHLYN20 for 20% off your order.

Most Affordable Fleece-Lined Leggings

The Willit fleece-lined leggings are an Amazon find and are the most affordable at $37 per pair. They have deep drop-in side pockets, a front waistband pocket and are a perfect multi-purpose legging. They fit much like my go-to Mondetta pair and are about $10 cheaper.

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 about 42$ a pair.

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

Best Fleece-Lined Leggings for Winter Running

Lululemon leggings are sooo soft and buttery smooth. They also offer great compression in flattering cuts. They have two leggings with a brushed interior which makes them thinner than standard fleece-lined leggings but perfect for running (which they’re engineered for).

The Fast and Free Brushed tights have two pockets and come in several different colours. I wear these during the autumn months as well as throughout the winter when out running. They’re even great for colder summer days which makes them truly versatile.

The Base Pace High-Rise Fleece Running Tight currently comes in numerous colours and has a small back pocket at the waist. The Base Pace are water repellant and a little thicker as they’re made of a tech fleece fabric so they hold up well on cooler days.

Because they’re specifically engineered for running, lululemon tights are great investment pieces that will stick around in your closet for years.

Tip: If you find the air is too cold air in your lungs when running, here’s an excellent fitted face mask that is breathable and won’t fall down. This has become my favourite face covering when outdoors – I wish it came in more colours and patterns than black.

Fleece-Lined Leggings with Pockets

While all the leggings in this post have pockets (except the Base Pace lululemon and Kyodan sherpa lined leggings), the Baleaf fleece-lined leggings have double pockets on both sides. They come in five different colours and also have a waist pocket in the back to slip in keys or a card. So if having pockets is important, I recommend these ones.

Buy them here.

Fleece-Lined Leggings for Tall Women

While I’m only 5’4 and usually go with a 28″ inseam, I know many women are taller than me and 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.

Fleece-Lined Leggings for Plus-Size Women

lululemon creates tights for plus-sized women. The Fast and Free Nulux tights with side pockets go up to a size 20. The Base Pace High Rise Fleece tights are made of a tech fleece and water repellant also go up to a size 20.

Eddie Bauer offers plus sizes in 2X and 3X for their Cross-Over Winter Trail High Rise leggings which are moisture-wicking with a side pocket and zippered coin pocket.

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. You can now 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 weights – 85g (no fleece), 220g and 300g. 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. They’re also only $30.

But them here.

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