18 Cozy Winter Pants That'll Keep You Warm All Season Long

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DRESSING FOR winter can be tricky, especially when it comes to picking the right pants during freezing temps and heavy snowfall. That is to say, having the right pairs of men’s winter pants in your closet is not just a choice—it’s a necessity. Whether you need something to stay dry and cozy on your commute in the streets of Minnesota or some rugged, insulating slacks for your outdoor activities, the best winter pants for men will keep your legs warm, dry, comfortable, and stylish.

Traditional pants made with materials like cotton are not ideal for winter. In fact, winter pants for men should have insulating materials (either in the lining or the whole fabric) like wool, flannel, fleece, cashmere, and corduroy that will hold your body heat when the temperature plummets—some winter pants like ski pants are even made with synthetic insulation to beat the Baltic cold. Winter pants for men need to be water- and windproof as well to shield your bare skin from sub-zero elements, wicking away—rather than absorbing—moisture.

Winter pants for men will be available in a variety of pants styles too, from sweatpants and joggers made in cashmere or fleece to chinos and jeans with flannel lining to cargo pants for hiking. Below, our editors have found and tested the 18 best winter pants for men that’ll keep you cozy in the biting cold. Peter Millar’s Mountainside Flannel Pant and Bonobos’ Flannel Lined Chino are our favorites as classic everyday winter pants, while Topo Designs’ Fleece Pants and Lululemon’s Merino Wool Pant are the best outdoor winter pants we’ve tested.

Mountainside Flannel Five-Pocket Pant

You know flannel is a reliable material for winter fabric, and Peter Millar happens to churn out a pair of winter pants that are fully made of flannel instead of flannel lined, meaning extra warmth and softness inside and out. Our tester was pleased with how the flannel is heavy enough to provide the insulation your legs need without feeling too hot or too much. We also like the classic fit which leaves some more room in the seat and thigh areas. Style-wise, it’s chino-inspired, meaning these flannel winter pants are super versatile: we’ve worn them to the office, to casual outings, to formal events, and they always managed to look 10/10.

Fleece Pants

These fleece winter pants are the warmest slacks Topo Designs have ever made. Providing insulation through its Polartec® 200 fleece, our tester found that they feel so warm like your fleece jacket for lounging at home, and soft like a blanket for taking a nap, but are burly enough to be worn in the wild because these pants are at heart built for the mountains (just look at those reinforced knee patches and seat). We especially love how thick the fleece is, but the relaxed fit of the pants makes them super easy to move in.

Stretch Wool Trouser

Wills designed wool trousers for modern men on the move. The unique blend of 60% wool, 38% polyester, and 2% elastane provides a classic appearance with enhanced durability and flexibility. Perfect for the morning commute, long nights out, or hoofing it around on vacation. The polyester and viscose lining provides a super soft and warm feel on your legs.

We love these dress pants because they appear to be old-school flannel slacks like you would find on Savile Row. Yet they subtly provide modern performance in feel, flex, and breathability. The tapered fit is spot on, as well.

H2Low Flex Flannel-Lined Jeans

If you're looking for a pair of jeans that will last you through cold days but won't cost you, Eddie Bauer's flannel-lined jeans sport rugged cotton for durability, a spandex blend for mobility, and a flannel interior for warmth. We love that they’re made with robust, abrasion-resistant cotton denim blended with cozy flannel that won't shrink or fade. And the worn-in wash just adds the cherry on top. The added stretch feels awesome, according to our tester who also loves how the flannel won’t get in the way of moving in these jeans.

ColdGear® Infrared Tapered Pants

Under Armour is known for its tech innovations, like the ColdGear® Infrared which traps body heat without adding weight or bulk. These tapered-looking pants are blessed with the ColdGear®, and our tester found that it is a soft lining that uses thermo-conductive materials to hold body heat. The outside is worth mentioning too: the shell is made with another tech called UA Storm to be water-repellent as well as breathable.

Style-wise, these are not just a pair of office pants. Made with four-way stretch, they work as travel pants and even workout pants. That is to say, these winter pants can be worn straight from the office to the gym, no changing needed.

Fireside Flannel Lined Chino

Chino pants are not known to warm—unless you’re Bonobos who happens to make the best flannel-lined chino pants in the market right now. In our testing, we found that they pretty much feel like sweatpants (soft and warm on the inside) but are not thick or bulky at all, and during winter in the city, they are able to completely block the bone-chilling wind. Our athletic tester also loves that these winter pants also have enough stretch to bend down, and squat, and could thus double-duty as golf pants too. And, in a typical Bonobos fashion, these flannel-lined chino pants come in a lot of flattering fits.

365 Corduroy Pant

Corduroy is a super underrated fabric for winter. Because corduroy pants are actually comfortable. The thick fabric with a lush, velvety feel feels softer than denim by a mile and comes with a heat-trapping capacity that makes it a cold-weather staple.

If corduroy is the new denim, then Flint and Tinder's corduroy pants will be your new favorite pair of jeans. It boasts everything that is jeans-y—cut, pockets, dyed, durability, and aging—but stretches like sweatpants, and looks like chinos. The 365 is an all-day, everyday cord that actually moves with you. You can also easily wear them as both dressy bottoms and casual slacks in the winter.

Shearling Fleece Pants

Fleece is warm, we know that. Patagonia’s winter pants are, however, fully made with fleece inside and out to be warm as hell. In a roomy fit, your legs will feel warm without feeling suffocating. We did notice that these fleece winter pants are on the heavy side. Style-wise, they are technically mid-layer sweatpants, and we love that they are a bit baggy in the legs and are very comfortable to lounge around or stretch or run errands in. Lastly, our tester also loves the rib-knit cuffs which keep any chilly wind from accidentally entering inside the pants.

Merino Travel Pants

Let us remind you just how omnipotent Merino wool as a fabric is for winter: naturally thermo-regulating, breathable, moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and anti-odor. This means that Merino wool pants will make the best winter pants for everyday travel that your legs need. Unbound Merino even infuses its Merino wool pants with extra stretch to take any traveler even further. They’re perfect for winter travels on the road or in the sky and are versatile enough to work as your everyday pants for the office or casual outings in cold weather. We also were impressed by how lightweight and easy to pack these travel pants are without sacrificing any warmth.

Mackinaw Wool Field Pants

Not just a pair of winter pants, Filson’s Mackinaw Wool Field Pants are practically winter gear. Made with 100% virgin wool, these pants provide the most and the most comfortable warmth we’ve ever tested. While the 24-oz wool fabric is a bit hefty, it is also super resistant to wear and tear and has natural benefits like insulation, breathability, and water repellence. Our testing also found that these wool pants can retain the heat and warm your legs up even when wet, meaning no snow or winter rain will take the warmth away from your legs in these pants. If you live in states that are Siberian-cold in the winter, Filson’s wool winter pants are worth the investment.

Off-Duty Cashmere Jogger

Our testers ranked the softness of Naadam’s cashmere jogger as “heavenly” and agreed that these are the perfect joggers for winter and cold weather. Unlike other cashmere joggers, this one has a true-to-size waistband that actually stays on your waist and has a fit that flatters a physique. With both side and back pockets, it’s also great for everyday wear. We’d recommend purchasing these joggers in a larger size if you’re looking for a looser fit since our testers find that they fit snugly.

Merino Wool Hiking Cargo Pant

These hiking pants by your favorite athleisure brand are made of a naturally thermo-regulating merino wool blend that is also sweat-wicking and quick-drying in case your legs start to feel too hot in these pants’ insulation. We love that the inside is brushed for extra softness and warmth, and the outside doesn’t scream “hiking!” but instead can be easily styled for everyday casual fits or even as part of your casual office wardrobe. But if you do take these cargo pants to brave the winter elements in the wild, we found that the stretch in the fabric will really keep up with your moves, and the pockets are extra useful for everyday carry.

Snow Pants

Coming highly-rated from Amazon, these pants are an affordable option that can get the job done for you this winter. Featuring insides lined with durable fleece, they're ideal for an early morning snow shovel session, and their reinforced water- and wind-proof knees provide added protection where it matters.

WARMKNIT Pajama Pant

These pajama pants from Mack Weldon are zero-tolerance when it comes to combatting the cold. Made with Thermolite® technology that insulates your body from the cold, these slacks provide warmth while remaining lightweight and soft with the well-designed micro-waffle knit. Better yet, it's made of wool and stretch as well, meaning it'll keep you cozy but also keep you moving if needed.

Freedom Insulated Pant

The Freedom Pants are super light, provide solid value, and offer a great, timeless style with a decent color selection. The pants have a proprietary DryVent membrane shell that provides waterproof, breathable performance, and a Chimney Venting system that cools you down and keeps you dry, even when you’re sweating up a storm, while the 60g Heatseeker™ insulation will keep your legs thoroughly toasty.

These aren't hardcore enough to work for serious technical skiing, but they’re perfect for those casual winter getaways to the resort with the family. At around $200, they're priced fair too.

Hot Rydr™

Thinking of cutting some wood or mining some coals in the backyard this winter? Kuhl’s work pants are built for the toughest outdoor duties while keeping your legs warm with the insulation of flannel lining. In our testing, we found the flannel fabric was able to trap the heat for a whole day long outdoors even in the snow! We also especially love the fit of these work pants that provide more room in the seat and thigh so we can move with ease. And, of course, as work pants, these slacks are extra tough and rugged, and will really last.

Sogn Cargo Ski Pants

Helly Hansen's best-selling Sogn Cargo Ski Pants promise serious protection on the slopes, whether skiing or snowboarding. With a two-ply fabric construction and two-way mechanical stretch, you’ll have extremely solid protection while also having room to move. The fabric features a durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment and is fully seam-sealed so that water and snow don't find their way in. Extra insulation where needed the most like knees and seat helps pad your most important parts on the mountain. And we love the addition of a quick-access beacon pocket for added safety.

One key design note that makes the Sogn Cargo more unique than other ski pants is its baggy cut, which provides more room for moving around.

Gamma AR Pant

The AR in these pants' name stands for "All-Around", and that's the type of protection you can expect. With a wind-resistant and durable water-repellent exterior, these pants are perfect for a snow day in the office or a weekend hike with friends.

What to Look for in Men's Winter Pants

Materials: Look for winter pants made with materials that help trap or retain body heat in the outer shell, such as flannel, cashmere, wool, fleece, or corduroy. Additionally, winter pants in the style of jeans or chinos often come with an inner lining made of soft fleece or flannel to keep your legs warm too. Opt for a water-resistant or waterproof outer fabric in winter pants that will help them repel snow.

Types of pants: Consider the activities you'll be doing in winter pants. If you're into winter sports like skiing or snowboarding, insulated and waterproof pants are necessary. For everyday wear, you might opt for versatile pants styles like jeans and chinos made with an insulating interior lining. Joggers and sweatpants made with the right materials are great for lounging and relaxing in the winter too.

Fit: The best winter pants should come in the right length that doesn’t drag or expose your ankles to the cold air, and many winter pants thus come with adjustable ankle cuffs to help seal out snow and cold air. If you’re looking for winter pants for hiking or winter sports, look for winter pants made with stretch and articulated knees for better mobility and comfort on the go.

How We Selected

To find the best winter pants for men, our editors and writers have personally tried on 50 options since 2020 and tested each of them for at least two weeks, such as traveling abroad in Bonobos’ flannel-lined chinos, attending a formal event or an office work day in Wills’ wool trousers and Peter Millar’s flannel pants, skiing in The North Face’s insulated pants, or sporting Eddie Bauer’s flannel-lined jeans as part of our casual fits for going out.

To get a feel for how these men’s winter pants really felt and how they held up, we vetted our tested options by taking notes of their style, fit, warmth, softness, price point, versatility, durability, and performance such as stretch, moisture-wicking, and insulation. We examined whether they fitted well and true to size, whether their fabric could withstand hours of movement in cold temperatures, whether they were made of heat-retaining properties, and whether they could be worn for more than one occasion.

Why Trust Us

A product review story that doesn’t actually test anything hands-on or in person isn’t worth your precious time. Thankfully, we at Men’s Health don’t produce any of that nonsense. In fact, you can rest assured that our product recommendations derive from first-hand experience.

For instance, at Men’s Health, we have a fashion closet dedicated to calling in, trying out, and selecting the best as well as the newest products in menswear. We put them on stylish, fit guys to hear what their opinions are and see how the items look on them before making our final decision. As style editors, we constantly go into the fashion closet to feel a product’s fabric or materials—even put it on ourselves for a spin—to test it.

Lastly, you can trust our opinions on shopping recommendations, whether it’s the products, styling tips, or trends. Not only do we have Fashion Director Ted Stafford and Deputy Editor, Commerce Christian Gollyan, but we also have a panel of style experts—including stylists, fashion influencers, and designers—whom we regularly seek shopping guides from.

Read More Men's Winter Styles

Best Thermal Shirts | Best Fleece Jackets | Best Thermal Underwear | Warmest Socks | Best Winter Gloves | Best Sweaters | Best Winter Jackets

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