8 Best Winter Leggings, Tested and Reviewed by Editors

This budget-friendly Amazon pair doesn’t skimp on warmth and delivers a similar fit and feel to more expensive pairs I’ve tested. It’s made with a fleece lining to trap heat next to the skin in even the coldest temps. Plus, it has a water-resistant finish on the exterior to help repel rain and snow if you’re planning to wear these anywhere with unpredictable weather.

It also offers a really flattering and comfortable fit thanks to the high-rise waistband with a built-in drawstring that allows you to cinch in the waist and keep the elements out. The seam-free design on the inner leg is also a huge bonus for keeping things comfy and flexible. It means less chafing, more stretch, and none of that sagging around the crotch area—IYKYK. Even during high-friction workouts like running, there’s zero discomfort.

Multiple stretchy pockets are also perfect for stashing small essentials like your phone, keys, and a slim wallet. The pair also comes in a whopping 36 colors, so you can grab a few to keep on hand all season long.

Two trainers I spoke to—Milica McDowell, a doctor of physical therapy and certified exercise physiologist and Kristen Hislop, a certified triathlon coach and personal trainer—count this pair among their favorites for running in cold weather.

“While lightweight in feel, this is a cozy and warm tight,” says Hislop. That’s because the soft, brushed fabric is sweat-wicking and quick-drying while retaining warmth in cold temps. This pair is made from 87% recycled polyester for durability and 13% elastane for excellent stretch and shape retention. In other words, you won’t be constantly yanking these up.

Like the Baleaf pair, there aren’t any inside seams for better comfort and less chafing. Hislop also loves the two side pockets on the legs for small essentials like your phone. There are also three pockets in the continuous drawcord waistband.

If you like to run outdoors (even as the days get shorter), the reflective details are a nice touch for helping you stay safe and visible. Take note: This pair does run on the small side.

This winter legging is perfect on its own for hanging around the house or running errands, but it’s also a great base layer for when the weather gets serious. It’s thin and lightweight enough to layer under snow/ski pants, shell pants, or jeans and does a bang-up job of keeping you warm. It’s made with the brand’s proprietary Heattech thermal technology: an insulating blend of synthetic fabrics that help convert body moisture into heat.

I’ve worn this legging on a winter vacation in Finnish Lapland (above the Arctic Circle!) as a base layer, and the freezing temps never bothered me. It was also a good casual legging for wearing around the Airbnb or pairing with a warm sweater for grocery runs.

Fitness contributor Nicolette Accardi raves about how soft and comfortable this legging feels, too. “It literally feels like pajamas!” She loves that it doesn’t feel restrictive or tight at the waist and that they keep her legs super warm, even while wearing them with skirts during the winter as an alternative to fashion tights.

The only con? This legging isn’t quite squat-proof, so it's not the ideal pair for workouts.

This ultra-warm legging is already in my suitcase ahead of my weeklong trip to Iceland. It’s made with an extremely plush fleece lining that feels almost like fur. The legging itself is also thick enough to wear on its own during car rides and quick trips outside without being too bulky for layering underneath a shell pant when it comes time to chase waterfalls.

It’s made from a smooth polyamide—a synthetic fabric similar to nylon that holds its shape well, wicks moisture quickly, and dries faster than cotton. It also contains a good bit of elastane for tons of stretch, which is great for layering without feeling restricted. Combined with the warm fleece lining, this legging is sleek, comfortable, and seriously warm, which is exactly what I need when temps dip.

While I do find that this legging runs true to size, I do wish there were a larger size range available. Right now, sizes are available from XS to XL, which isn’t super inclusive for petite and plus-size gals.

Vuori makes some of the best workout clothes for women, whether you’re popping into a yoga class or hitting the track in the dead of winter. For the latter, Elizabeth Kaplanis, co-founder of RTA Triathlon and a two-time IRONMAN World Championship finisher, calls the brand’s Chilled Out style “a game-changer for when you're running around—inside and out—and you can't let the cold weather stop you.”

It’s a high-waisted, full-length legging, which is essential when you’re moving around outside and want to stay warm. “I find the thicker ‘brushed’ stretch knit is what really separates them from my summertime leggings,” Kaplanis says, adding that it feels like velvet to the touch.

Still, the pair is versatile enough to wear in studios. “I find the thicker knit doesn't wear any warmer when exercising inside,” says Kaplanis. “It still breathes great and hugs my body with the same support as my thinner leggings.” Our only complaint? With a 27-inch inseam, it may be a bit short on taller individuals.

If you’re working out in below-freezing temperatures, you need a warm yet lightweight legging, and this tight is about as good as it gets. “I'm super sensitive to the cold, and the softer interior fabric locks in the warmth while wicking away sweat so I don't freeze,” says Accardi.

This legging isn’t fleece-lined, but Accardi says the thin brushed fabric on the inside of the pant feels way warmer than you might expect. At the same time, the legging isn’t thick or heavy enough to worry about overheating during a more intense workout. "The high waist also offers extra warmth in the midsection," Accardi says. Meanwhile, the form-fitting design and smooth seams don’t take away any range of motion.

We also like that this pair has both back and side pockets for storing your phone, keys, and headphones for outdoor workouts. Just be aware: It is quite long—great for covering those ankles, but not ideal for the more petite runners, since they may experience bunching.

I’m very easily bothered by seams in my leggings, particularly when running. Chafing is the last thing I want to be thinking about while trying to crush my workout goals. But this pair of nearly seamless, compressive leggings from Adanola is one of the most comfortable I’ve ever worn. The only seams on this legging are on the inside of the legs and are barely noticeable by both look and feel.

I also love a seamless pair of leggings for when I want to get a little more dressed up or simply don’t want to look like I’m wearing gym clothes. The lack of seams creates a much more sleek, smooth silhouette that pairs well with “nicer” items in my closet. Fashion contributor Kristen Saladino is a fan, too. “I love this legging because it’s thicker than my other pairs, making it great for the colder months,” she says.

It has a super high waistband that prevents any skin from peeking out between your top and bottom layers. It stays squarely in place during workouts, too—no sliding down. And because of that seamless construction? “You never have to worry about them riding up in uncomfortable places (IYKYK),” says Saladino. Importantly, they’re sweat-wicking, antibacterial, and anti-odor, too. However, they do run a size small, so go up a size if you want them to be a bit roomier.