Best Women’s Winter Hiking Pants: Keep Warm This Winter [2024 Edition]

When the mercury drops, the durable Outdoor Research Cirque II are some of the best winter hiking pants to have with you in the mountains.

Engineered out of an abrasion-resistant 90D nylon with a DWR finish, these water-resistant pants are thick enough to keep you toasty in cold weather. At the same time, however, they’re still stretchy and breathable, which makes them about as versatile as pairs of pin-protectors come.

In addition to their zippered hand and thigh pockets, which are great for stashing gear, the Outdoor Research Cirque II women’s winter pants have articulated knees and a gusseted crotch for extra range of movement. They also have reinforced lower legs to decrease the risk of damage when wearing snowshoes or crampons.

Of course, the Cirque II’s thicker fabric means it’s not as ideal for balmy winter days. However, it does also come with moisture-wicking Active Temp technology, which is perfect for more high-octane pursuits.

For go-getters on a budget, the REI Co-op Activator V2 Soft-Shell Women’s Hiking Pants are hard to beat. 

Featuring a super stretchy fabric that’s bluesign approved for sustainability, the Activator V2 can breathe well and dry quickly in any mountain environment. Plus, this soft-shell material is even treated with a durable water repellent (DWR) finish for increased weather-resistance while winter hiking.

REI also designed this model to be wind-resistant in foul conditions for added comfort. Meanwhile, articulated knees, an adjustable waist, and a center gusset help make sure that these pants provide the comfortable fit and full range of motion you need on the trail. 

There are also non-zippered hand pockets and zippered cargo pockets on these warm wintery weather hiking pants for added gear storage.

That being said, it’s worth pointing out that the relatively thin fabric on the Activator V-2 isn’t ideal for very cold weather. So, you may find that you need to wear a base layer in frigid temps.

Our go-to choice if a comfortable fit is your top priority, the KUHL Frost Soft-Shell Pants are a solid option for wintery conditions

Boasting a polyester and spandex fabric, these winter hiking pants are designed to stretch with you for exceptional range of motion when you’re on the move. Their mid-rise elastic waist allows for added comfort in the mountains while a rib-knit inner liner helps provide some much-needed moisture wicking on the trail.

Furthermore, the KUHL Frost’s active fit couples well with its included bottom hem gusset, which allows each pant leg to comfortably fit over the bulkiest of winter boots. Oh, and this model even comes with a layer of microfiber fleece on the inside, so you can wear them in nearly any weather conditions without the need for an extra base layer.

Nevertheless, one feature that doesn’t quite impress with the KUHL Frost is its lack of a reinforced lower leg. Therefore, care is needed when trekking with crampons or snowshoes to ensure you don’t rip your hiking pant legs.

Snagging the top spot in our review and our Editor’s Choice award, the Arc’teryx Gamma LT is our pick for the best winter hiking pants for women on the market today.

These lightweight pants feature Arc’teryx’s proprietary DWR-treated Fortius DW fabric, which is crafted for stretch, water-resistance, and comfort on winter hiking adventures. Plus, they even have zippered hand and front pockets throughout for gear storage.

Thanks to their articulated knees, gusseted crotch, and straight leg construction, the Gamma LT are as comfortable as it gets on the trail. They also come with a number of belt loops and an included webbing belt for an improved fit in any weather conditions.

Like anything with the Arc’teryx name, however, the Gamma LT isn’t exactly the most affordable option out there, nor are they insulated, so you’ll want to pair them with a base layer for cold weather. But, if you’re on the lookout for some superb, performance-oriented winter hiking pants for women, these pants are a serious contender.

If your ideal winter hiking trip is an ultralight mission into the mountains, you need a set of pants that can keep up with your fast pace. Enter: the Patagonia Calcite.

Decidedly lightweight at just 10.1oz (286g), the Calcite is built out of 75D recycled polyester for maximum weight savings and eco-friendliness. They also boast a layer of Gore-Tex Paclite Plus with a DWR finish to make them waterproof and wind-resistant enough to keep you dry in even the most heinous conditions.

Taking things a step further, these Fair Trade Certified winter hiking pants have a whole host of performance-centric features. For example, they have water-tight 2-way zippers on each pant leg for ventilation in light rain as well as scuff guards on the lower leg for added durability.

If we had to pick something that doesn’t quite impress about the Calcite, it’d be that they don’t come with pockets and that you’ll certainly want to wear base layers with them to keep you warm. However, if you want a truly water-repellent and lightweight pant, you don’t have to look further than this fantastic creation from Patagonia.

When snow is in the forecast, you need a solid pair of winter hiking pants, like the Mountain Hardwear Exposure/2, to keep you dry and warm in inclement winter weather.

Crafted out of industry-leading Gore-Tex Paclite and treated with an eco-friendly PFC-free DWR coating, the Exposure/2 are some of the best hiking pants for staying dry in snowy conditions. Plus, they even come with full-length side zippers on each pant leg for easy ventilation in light rain or snow flurries.

Meanwhile, the Exposure/2 features articulated knees and a relaxed fit for increased mobility as you cruise over tricky terrain. There are also adjustable tabs on the elasticized waistband of these winter hiking pants to help you get a better fit during your adventures.

It’s worth noting, however, that many hikers find that these trousers have inconsistent sizing, so you may want to size up when you order. They also don’t come with pockets, but if weight savings are more of a priority for you, a lack of front pockets is a small trade-off. 

For folks who want one set of winter hiking pants that can do it all, the Columbia Women’s Saturday Trail II is a must-have.

When designing this great pair of pants, Columbia pulled out all the stops. They crafted this model out of their proprietary comfort-focused Omni-Shield Summiteer Lite nylon fabric that also features their Omni-Shade UPF 50 sun protection technology.

Moreover, as some of the best women-specific convertible hiking pants for year-round use, this model also converts into 10” inseam shorts for summer conditions. If foul weather is more of your concern during the winter months, these trousers also come with a DWR finish to keep water at bay as you hike.

Since these are all-season hiking pants, though, they are a bit on the thin side. As such, they’re best paired with a base layer when heading out in particularly frigid conditions.