Fashion Clothing The 10 Best Fleece-Lined Pants to Stay Extra Snug This Winter L.L.Bean’s Sherpa-Lined Lounge Pants are basically a blanket in clothing form By Iris Goldsztajn Iris Goldsztajn Iris is a London-based freelance writer and editor, working across celebrity, fashion, wellness, beauty and more. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on January 31, 2023 @ 11:20AM Pin Share Tweet Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews What to Keep in Mind Your Questions, Answered We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. InStyle / Reese Herrington When it’s freezing outside, you may naturally gravitate towards giant coats and winter boots. While these items are great — nay, essential — for staying nice and snug throughout the colder months, it’s easy to overlook a pretty important part of your body that also needs a little extra warmth: your legs. That’s where fleece-lined pants come in. If you’re not familiar, these are pants — usually sweats or leggings, but they can also be jeans or dress pants — that are lined with extra warm fleece so you don’t freeze your butt off, literally. Not to be dramatic, but fleece-lined pants are potentially life-changing, so we thought we’d put together a list of the best to introduce you to them (or help you expand your collection). We did some extensive research and spoke to fashion experts who know what they’re talking about to support the process. Our faves are super soft, come in a ton of different sizes, and don’t cost an arm and a leg. L.L.Bean Women's 1912 Sherpa-Lined Lounge Pants take the cake here, because they come in three lengths and in plus sizes, and are basically iconic Our Top Picks Best Overall: LLBean Sherpa Lined Lounge Pants at L.L.Bean Jump to Review Best Budget: Old Navy Fleece Lined Stirrup Leggings at Gap.com Jump to Review Best Splurge: Eileen Fisher Cozy Brushed Terry Hug Slouchy Pant at Eileenfisher.com Jump to Review Best Plus-Size: Torrid full length comfort waist fleece lined legging at Torrid.com Jump to Review Best Petite: Athleta Altitude Pant in Polartec Power Stretch at Gap.com Jump to Review Best Leggings: Lululemon Fast and Free High-Rise Fleece Tight at Lululemon Jump to Review Best Tights: Jecpuo Winter Tights Fake Fleece Tights at Amazon Jump to Review Best Jeans: Eddie Bauer Voyager Fleece Lined High-Rise Jeans at Eddiebauer.com Jump to Review Best for Hiking: Athleta Fleece Tight at Gap.com Jump to Review Best Sweatpants: UGG Betsey Jogger at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall LLBean Sherpa Lined Lounge Pants LLBean View On L.L.Bean What We Love: These come in an inclusive range of sizes.What We Don’t Love: These are meant more for the comfort of your home. “These L.L.Bean fleece-lined joggers are more for relaxing and lounging than activities, but I love these for snuggling on the couch,” says blogger Alex Stewart, founder of Sassy Confetti. “You won't need an extra blanket draped over them, but I recommend it for ultimate comfort.” We love that these come in regular, petite, tall, and plus sizes to suit many different body types and the fact that, with 4.5 stars and hundreds of reviews, they’re thoroughly vetted. Because of the loungewear style, we wouldn’t recommend wearing them to the office any time soon, but they’ll certainly be cozy for days around the house. Price at time of publish: $60 Size: XS-3X | Colors: 5 | Outer Material: Cotton, polyester | Lining Material: Polyester fleece Best Budget Old Navy Fleece Lined Stirrup Leggings Old Navy View On Gap.com What We Love: The stirrup style is on trend and means your ankles will stay covered.What We Don’t Love: It only comes in gray. “For just dipping your toe in the fleece-lined waters, Old Navy has some cheaper options which are perfect for those chilly work from home days,” says Stewart, who likes the “extra layer of comfort during the winter” she gets from fleece-lined leggings without having to layer. These pants are a great way to jump on the stirrup legging craze for winter, with the added bonus that you won’t get chilly ankles in these. While we appreciate that these go up to a size 4X, giving customers a wide range of sizes to choose from, we wish it came in more colors, like black, because the gray might not be as versatile as we’d like. Price at time of publish: $12 Size: XS-4X | Colors: Gray | Outer Material: Cotton, polyester, spandex | Lining Material: Cotton-Blend Fleece Best Splurge Eileen Fisher Cozy Brushed Terry Hug Slouchy Pant Nordstrom View On Eileenfisher.com What We Love: They’re made from eco-friendly fabrics.What We Don’t Love: Back pockets would make these even more versatile. Finally, a pair of work-appropriate pants you won’t want to tear off the second you walk through your front door. Not only do these Eileen Fisher pants look super elegant, but they’re also insanely cozy, made from a fabric that’s evocatively dubbed “the hug,” so you really know what you’re getting. If that’s not enough to sell you on these, they come in sizes PP to 3X, and in two versatile colorways. And did we mention they’re made from eco-friendly Tencel™ Lyocell and organic cotton? Though they have front pockets, we would have loved to see some back pockets as well to make them appear a little less loungey, but truth be told, we’re only nitpicking here. Overall, they’re as close to perfect as you can get if you ask us. Price at time of publish: $158 Size: PP-3X | Colors: 2 | Outer Material: Tencel lyocell, organic cotton, elastane | Lining Material: Brushed fleece Best Plus-Size Torrid full length comfort waist fleece lined legging Torrid View On Torrid.com What We Love: They’re a super versatile basic.What We Don’t Love: The narrow waistband isn’t for everyone. Black leggings are a staple all year round, but a fleece-lined version comes in handy during chilly temperatures. Whether you’re looking to work out or style a casual day-out look, these leggings from much-loved plus-size label Torrid will quickly become a go-to. That said, the narrow waistband won’t be a selling point for everyone, but this is definitely a matter of preference. Other than that, we love that these leggings are made from breathable modal and cotton, and that, unlike most mainstream brands, they go up to a size 6X. Price at time of publish: $34 Size: M-6X | Colors: Black | Outer Material: Modal, cotton, spandex | Lining Material: Fleece Best Petite Athleta Altitude Pant in Polartec Power Stretch Athleta View On Gap.com What We Love: They’re super warm, but also sweat-wicking if you get a little too warm.What We Don’t Love: They are prone to pilling. You can always count on Athleta to carry petite, tall and plus sizes — and customers with shorter frames particularly love this pair because they fit properly in a size created just for them (just make sure to closely follow the size guide). And as Steward puts it, “they are great for medium and high-impact workouts, but they can also just look like everyday pants.” They also wick away moisture to ensure you don’t get too sweaty. We can see ourselves wearing them for an outdoor workout in chilly weather. Sadly, some reviews found that the fabric wasn’t quite up to Athleta’s usual standard and was prone to pilling. Price at time of publish: $119 Size: XXS-3X | Colors: 3 | Outer Material: Nylon, polyester, spandex | Lining Material: Polartec power stretch Best Leggings Lululemon Fast and Free High-Rise Fleece Tight 4.5 View On Lululemon What We Love: They look great and feel great.What We Don’t Love: The colors are a little boring. If you’re not willing to give up your regular run or hike just because it’s a little nippy out, look no further than these winter-ready leggings. “Being an avid lover of Lululemon, nothing compares to the fit and warmth of the Fast and Free High-Rise Fleece Tight,” says style expert Katya Bychkova. “That fleece pant gives you the exact [same] sexy fit as your typical Lulu legging, but without sacrificing the warmth.” They’re water-repellent, so you won’t be bothered by any rain or snow during your workout, and they feature five pockets for your keys, phone and debit card, too. They also go up to a size 20, which will always score points in our book. We only wish they came in a larger variety of colors. Price at time of publish: $138 Size: 0-20 | Colors: 5 | Outer Material: Nylon, lycra elastane | Lining Material: Brushed fleece Best Tights Jecpuo Winter Tights Fake Fleece Tights Amazon View On Amazon What We Love: They’re thin enough to look like regular tights.What We Don’t Love: The one-size-fits-all tights don’t cater to plus-size folks or people with darker skintones. If you’re mystified by the concept of fleece-lined tights in general, Bychkova can explain. “TikTok-famous fleece-lined tights are more than your typical winter pantyhose,” she says. “Essentially, these fleece-lined pants create the illusion that you are wearing sheer tights. That unique winter pant option keeps you warm and allows you to wear skirts and dresses in wintertime without freezing.” In short, they’re a total game-changer. These specific tights, which are all over TikTok, are super warm and maintain the optical illusion that you’re wearing regular tights since they’re not super thick. There are two problems with them, though: Firstly, they come in “one size fits most,” but actually cater to those with a slimmer frame. Secondly, the beige lining means they’re only suitable for those with a lighter skin tone, which is a shame. We hope they expand soon. Price at time of publish: $19 Size: One-Size | Colors: Black | Outer Material: Polyester, spandex | Lining Material: Fleece Best Jeans Eddie Bauer Voyager Fleece Lined High-Rise Jeans Slightly Curvy Slim Straight Eddie Bauer View On Eddiebauer.com What We Love: They’re a perfect basic.What We Don’t Love: The fleece is a little bulky. As much as we love wearing leggings and joggers, they’re obviously not the best fit for every occasion — however cold it may be. If you’re looking to stay warm but still look a little more put together, fleece-lined jeans are an amazing option, and Eddie Bauer makes some of the best. These ones come in dark gray and dark blue and in a flattering slim straight cut that makes them a perfect basic. As far as we’re concerned, the more size options the better, so we love that these are available in three lengths. You can rest assured they will keep you extra warm, but reviewers find the fleece a little bulky, so bear that in mind. Price at time of publish: $40 Size: 0-16 in Regular, 6-18 in Tall, 0-14 in Petite | Colors: 2 | Outer Material: Cotton, polyester, spandex | Lining Material: Polyester fleece Best for Hiking Athleta Peak Hybrid Fleece Tight Athleta View On Gap.com What We Love: They’re warm, water-resistant, and super cute.What We Don’t Love: They don’t come in plus-sizes. Fleece-lined pants might be a utilitarian item, but we love how these look — and they come highly recommended, too. Bychkova calls these the “best outdoor workout leggings” because as she puts it, “They’re warm and water-resistant and feature zip pockets.” They even come in three colors that are “non-boring.” Like most other products from Athleta, these come in regular, tall, and petite options, though we’re disappointed they’re not available in plus sizes. Still, these will make your winter run or hike a super comfortable experience, and they’re well worth investing in. Price at time of publish: $108 Size: XXS-XL | Colors: 3 | Outer Material: Recycled nylon, spandex | Lining Material: Mid-weight fleece with plush supersonic Best Sweatpants UGG Betsey Jogger Amazon View On Amazon What We Love: These are cozy athleisure at its finest.What We Don’t Love: The size range is just not good enough. Athleisure is not dead, and this pick from UGG takes the comfy-yet-elevated vibe to new levels. “These double-faced fleece pants are so cozy and perfect for NYC winter,” says style influencer Khushboo Chaudhary. “The glossy outer layer is so chic and elevates all my ‘coffee run’ fits. It's also a great option for traveling, winter night-ins, and lazy Sundays.” Chaudhary’s advice? “They look best when styled with an oversized sweatshirt and UGG boots but the classic black piece can truly be styled with a variety of knits and tops.” As well as looking stylish, reviewers say these are soft as a cloud and don’t feel excessively bulky, either. The size range is seriously lacking, though. Price at time of publish: $53 Size: XS-XL | Colors: 3 | Outer Material: Polyester | Lining Material: Polyester What to Keep in Mind Lining Unsurprisingly, the most important factor for a great fleece-lined pant is… the lining. “A typical fleece-lined pant feels like your body is hugged in a soft, warm blanket,” Bychkova says. “It doesn't restrict your movements and feels very soft on the skin.” Fleece lining is most commonly made from polyester, but it can also be made from nylon, or cotton-blend fabric, among other things. Though we’re huge fans of these cozy pants generally, Bychkova cautions that the lining can pose a couple of small problems: “Remember that fleece-lined pants could build up static electricity quickly and, depending on the thickness of the ply, might look bulky,” she says. It’s usually quite easy to tell how thick the lining is based on the product photos, but if in doubt, check the reviews! Fit Fleece naturally makes for a thicker pant, so it will feel the least bulky on pants that are meant to fit a little baggy anyway, such as joggers or wide-legged slacks. Still, many fleece-lined leggings and tighter fitting pants are designed so they feel extra comfortable (hi, Lululemon!). It’s just something to keep in mind so you don’t expect a skin-tight fit. Style This might seem obvious, but fleece-lined pants aren’t all created equal, so it’s important to be clear on what style you’re looking for: leggings? Joggers? Jeans? From there, narrowing down your search will be a whole lot easier, and we have some great picks for you in all those categories. Your Questions, Answered Do fleece-lined pants keep you warm? We’re telling you, fleece-lined pants are a revolutionary invention. “I live in fleece-lined pants in the NYC winter,” Chaudhary says. When it comes to warmth, “they make a huge difference when compared to regular leggings or denim.” If you’re wondering why fleece is so good at keeping you warm, Bychkova got technical. “Even though fleece is essentially polyester, this textile style's unique raised surface traps cold air from the outside,” she says. “Also, the fleece ‘pile’ does feel cozy and soft to the touch, which makes it the ultimate cold-weather favorite.” Which is warmer: flannel lining or fleece lining? If your main goal in purchasing lined pants is to stay extra toasty when temperatures drop, the choice is simple: “Since fleece is typically thicker than flannel, it's the warmer option,” Bychkova says. For the expert, the main difference is that “fleece is made from synthetic fibers, while flannel is all about natural fibers.” That means that if wearing natural, planet-friendly materials is your priority, flannel-lined pants might be the best choice for you. With that in mind, our picks from Eileen Fisher, Athleta and Eddie Bauer all consider the environment throughout the production process, so you can absolutely have the best of both worlds. Why Shop With Us Iris Goldsztajn is a Paris-born, London-based freelance writer with 10 years of experience covering fashion, beauty, wellness and lifestyle for the likes of InStyle, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Bustle, Refinery29 and many more. As the former associate editor for Her Campus, she was responsible for all style and beauty news coverage. In order to write this article, she researched a range of fleece-lined pants to find ones that fit specific performance and style criteria, and spoke to various fashion experts who shared their recommendations: Alex Stewart, founder of Sassy Confetti; style expert Katya Bychkova; and style influencer Khushboo Chaudhary.