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Who said your “hot-girl walks” need to stop once temperatures dip? If you’re on the market for the best leggings that will keep you warm on your daily walks (or if you actually enjoy a frigid morning run), we spoke with avid runners to narrow down which leggings are the best for winter.
A pro tip, NYC-based runner Kate Glavan shared with the Cut Shop when it comes to picking your workout attire no matter the weather? You should always dress for a temperature ten degrees warmer than it actually is since you will sweat and get warm as soon as your heart beat starts increasing.
With that in mind, below are 13 options you can wear on your next run or layered underneath sweatpants.
The Weekend Warrior
These leggings come in an array of colors and most of them feature pockets. While they may not be office appropriate, they’re definitely warm enough for lounging around or running errands on colder days.
Sizes: XS - 2X | Materials: Polyester, spandex | Colors: 15
The Best High Waisted
When it comes to Barry’s instructor Dilan Gomih’s favorite cold-weather leggings, she doesn’t want to trade utility for style. That’s why these leggings from Lululemon are her go-to. Designed for running, they have it all — two deep side pockets, four-way stretch, water-resistant material — all while giving off that sleek look. There are also two colors on sale here.
Sizes: 0 - 20 | Materials: Nylon, Lycra elastane| Colors: 1
An Option for Very Cold Days
Mile High Run Club coach Kimberly Chinn loves these leggings for the coldest of days. Despite not being fleece lined, Chinn insists they provide the same coziness because the fabric is known to provide thermal insulation for your coldest training.
Sizes: XXS - 3X | Materials: Nylon, polyester, spandex| Colors: 3
A High-Tech Budget Option
For under $60, these high-tech leggings from Under Armour are a great option for a cold winter run. They come not only in an array of colors but in short and tall options as well. The dual-layer fabric is the star of this garment with its ultrawarm brushed interior and its smooth, fast-drying exterior, ensuring you’ll never feel it stick uncomfortably to your skin.
Sizes: S - 2X | Materials: Polyester, elastane | Colors: 3
The Best Performance Leggings
These are a favorite of Chinn and runner and writer Karen Iorio Adelson. According to them, these leggings are sturdy enough that you can run in them on brisk days but thin enough to layer under pants when the temperature dips below zero.
Sizes: XXS - 3X | Materials: Recycled nylon, Lycra | Colors: 5
The Best for Layering
The newest leggings from Outdoor Voices are a great replacement for the old core leggings that Glavan (who describes herself as “a big OV girl”) loves. The waistband on these leggings stay put and work for both running or a spin class. During colder months, however, Glavan uses them for layering — which makes sense since they are made from the brand’s signature TechSweat material that’s made to keep you comfortable despite intensity activity and sweating.
Sizes: XXS - XL | Materials: Nylon, Lycra, polyester | Colors: 2
A Cotton Option
While cotton is normally not the best material for working out, you can depend on these from Old Navy since they are fleece lined. Made to hit above your belly button, these seamless leggings are not only soft, stretchy, and warm but beyond flattering.
Sizes: XS - 4X | Materials: Cotton, Polyester, Spandex | Colors: 3
An Ultrawarm Maternity Pick
Pregnancy can be full of things that are impossible to expect, but you can depend on these for comfort and warmth. Featuring a wide elastic waistband made to sit comfortably under your belly, these fleece-lined leggings will keep you warm and toasty. One reviewer wrote that they kept her warm during a winter pregnancy in Wisconsin, which is as glowing a review as it gets.
Sizes: XS - 2X | Materials: Polyester, cotton, spandex | Colors: 1
An Affordable Underlayer
Every winter, people rave about Uniqlo’s Heattech base layers — and for good reason. For under $20, this base layer is insulating, moisture wicking, quick drying, and shape retaining, so you can wear them under your usual leggings if you don’t want to invest in a fleece-lined pair.
Sizes: XS - 2X | Materials: Polyester, acrylic, rayon, spandex | Colors: 2
A Sustainable Option
Girlfriend Collective is known for its cute sets, size-inclusive options, and sustainability. Made from plastic recycled water bottles, these compressive leggings were designed for high-impact workouts. Thanks to their sturdy material, they are also a great pair for coldish weather.
Sizes: XXS - 6X | Materials: Recycled plastic bottles (RPET), spandex | Colors: 8
A Fleece-Lined Option With Pockets
These fleece-lined leggings from Torrid come in up to a 6X and feature a tapered leg and a two-inch waistband that’ll keep you tucked in and cozy.
Sizes: 10 - 30 | Materials: Modal, cotton, spandex | Colors: 1
The Versatile Ones
Behold another one of Adelson’s favorite winter leggings. These MidZero thermal training tights from Sugoi are perfect for versatility. While they don’t have pockets for storage, they do feature a wide waistband and fleece fabric with flat seams for increased comfort. Adelson recommends sizing up because they do run small.
Sizes: XS - 2X | Materials: Polyester, spandex | Colors: 1
The Instructor Favorite
Besides giving the seal of approval to the Lululemon and Athleta picks above, fitness instructor and Alo Yoga run instructor Ceren Kalyon shared that this pair from the brand is also in her rotation when the temperatures start dropping. And it seems everybody considers them a great winter pair because they are mostly out of stock.
Sizes: XXS - L | Materials: Micro waffle fabric | Colors: 2
Our experts:
- Brooke LaMantia, Cut shop contributor
- Ceren Kalyon, fitness instructor
- Kate Glavan, NYC-based runner
