Best Winter Hiking Pants For Snow & Cold [2023 Edition]

Snagging the Editor’s Choice award in our review, the OR Cirque II is a do-anything set of winter hiking trousers that excels in chilly environments.

Built from stretchy 90D double-weave nylon with a reinforced lower leg, the OR Cirque is durable enough for regular use in wintery environments. It also comes with a DWR (durable water repellent) coating, which allows for plentiful wind and water-resistance in damp conditions.

Meanwhile, Outdoor Research crafted this pant with zippered hand and thigh pockets for extra hiking gear storage on the go. One of the pockets even comes with a clip for an avalanche beacon to ensure that you don’t lose your most valuable piece of gear when traveling in avalanche terrain.

When it comes to keeping you warm and comfortable, the Cirque II also features a brushed tricot-lined waistband with moisture-wicking ActiveTemp technology. It also has a gusseted crotch and articulated knees for improved fit and range of motion on the trail.

Although this model is a little too thick for warmer winter conditions, overall, the Cirque II is a solid layer if you need hiking pants for mountain adventures.

If you want one pair of cold-weather hiking pants that can do it all, the Arc’teryx Creston AR just might be what you need.

Featuring Arc’teryx’s abrasion-resistant Wee Burly™ double-weave stretch nylon and polyester fabric, this model is rugged, yet comfortable enough for extended days in the alpine all year long. Arc’teryx even built the Creston AR with a low-profile seam construction to reduce the likelihood of chafing as you charge uphill.

For added comfort, these softshell trousers have a fully articulated patterning and a low-profile stretch waistband. Their slim fit around the lower leg also limits your chances of damaging your gear with a rogue crampon as you hike.

Furthermore, the Creston AR comes with a full set of zippered pockets on the thigh and the back, as well as handwarmer pockets for stashing small bits of gear. Despite all of these extra features, these trousers weigh only 12.9oz (365g), so they’re light enough to take on any trip.

While we’d argue that the Creston AR is a bit pricey for a set of non-waterproof winter pants, it’s a versatile option that’s ideal for year-round excursions.

When balmy winter temps have you eager to hit the trail, the Rab Vector should be at the top of your list. 

Rab engineered these soft shell trousers using their Matrix™ breathable double-weave nylon stretch fabric, which has a textured face on one side for enhanced abrasion-resistance. At the same time, the Vector is still lightweight and cozy enough for everyday use and for adventuring in mild conditions.

As far as features go, the Vector comes complete with a set of 4 zippered pockets (thigh, hand, and rear) as well as a built-in belt to help you get the perfect fit. They also come with articulated knees for ample stretch as you move.

Meanwhile, the Vector also has a set of buttons along the bottom hem so you can adjust the width of the lower pant to match the size and shape of your hiking boots. They also come with a reinforced instep for added durability in the mountains.

Although some folks might find that the Vector’s relatively thin nylon fabric isn’t warm enough for use in chilly temps, for mild conditions, it’s a sure bet.

With the REI Co-op XeroDry GTX, snowy winter hikes don’t have to mean that you spend all day being cold and wet in the great outdoors.

These outer shell pants for men and women are made with a polyester face fabric and waterproof 2 layer Gore-Tex Paclit technology to help keep you dry in foul weather. Plus, they even have a DWR coating on the outer fabric to shed rain, snow, and other mixed precipitation.

Unlike many other outer shell trousers, though, the XeroDry GTX has fully articulated knees and under-leg gussets to ensure freedom of movement as you hike. Moreover, they have an elastic waistband, as well as a set of hiking boot lace hooks to help you get a dialed-in fit and maximum water-resistance on the trail.

For added convenience, REI designed the XeroDry GTX using a set of zippered hand pockets. This pair of pants actually packs into its left-hand pocket should you need to stash them in your pack mid-adventure.

Even though these trousers’ lack of insulation means that they’re not quite as warm as snow pants, they’re still a great choice for wet conditions and cold weather use. This is especially true if you couple them with a base layer to keep you warm.

If alpine pursuits are on the cards for your next winter excursion, the Arc’teryx Beta AR ought to be along for the ride.

These fully waterproof trousers are made with Arc’teryx’s lightweight N80D Most Rugged fabric for increased durability in rough environments without adding weight to your pack. Additionally, they feature Keprotec™ instep patches on each pant leg to protect your gear from damage while trekking with crampons or snowshoes.

For waterproofing, the Beta AR is made with a wind-resistant and fully water-tight 3-layer Gore-Tex Pro membrane. It even comes with tiny GORE seam tape and Nu water repellant to ensure water can’t sneak in during blizzard conditions.

Each pant leg on the Beta AR also comes with side zippers so you can quickly ventilate during high-octane pursuits in alpine environments. Plus, these side zips boast WaterTight zipper construction to keep you dry when not in use.

Like most pieces of Arc’teryx gear, the Beta AR doesn’t come with the most budget-friendly of price tags. But, if you want a set of the best winter hiking pants for a wide range of alpine pursuits, these are truly hard to beat.

Designed specifically with budget-friendliness in mind, the Columbia Snow Gun is a wallet-friendly option for snowy locales.

These snow pants made it onto our list of the top models on the market because they offer a waterproof construction and plenty of insulation for cold temps. In particular, we like that they come with 60g of synthetic insulation, plus Columbia’s Omni-Heat technology to help keep you warm when the mercury drops.

That being said, unlike many other insulated winter hiking pants, the Snow Gun also features Omni-Tech, which allows for ample breathability as you cruise your way to the summit. They also come with vents on each pant leg for added ventilation, as well as internal gaiters to help you stay dry.

Furthermore, you can tell that these trousers are made with comfort in mind because they have an adjustable waist and articulated knees for freedom of movement. Their list of features also includes 2 zip pockets for gear storage on the move.

Although synthetically insulated snow pants do have their limits on the trail during periods of balmy weather, in frigid locales, the waterproof Columbia Snow Gun is a sure bet to keep you toasty warm. 

Functional warmth is the name of the game with the cutting-edge and water-resistant Mountain Hardwear Yumalino.

As far as versatility goes, this pair of pants best meets the needs of cold-weather hikers with its unique mix of warmth and durability-focused features. It boasts a stretchy nylon face fabric with a DWR finish for protection from the snow, as well as UPF 50 protection for those bluebird days.

If that wasn’t enough, the Yumalino comes fully lined with microfleece throughout the inside of each pant leg for increased insulation from the cold. Plus, despite being warm enough for chilly outdoor escapades, these trousers also feature enough stretch and use a full-length inseam gusset to ensure plenty of freedom of movement with each step.

Overall, even though this pair of pants may be a bit too warm and heavy for light and fast missions in the mountain, they’re a nice choice if you want an outer shell and a mid layer all in one set of trousers.