Best thermal trousers for women for spring 2024
I really don’t like the cold, but I do like walking and as I have two dogs I’m forced to walk outdoors in all weathers, no matter how I feel about it.
Like many people, I up the warmth factor with more clothes including base layers, jumpers, scarves and hats, but that can feel claustrophobic at times, especially when the sun comes out, so I wondered if there was a better way and it turns out there is: thermal trousers.
These are ideal for walking in cold temperatures so you can continue to reap the benefits of exercise outdoors at any time of year. The best thermal trousers combine warmth with breathability, waterproofing with moisture wicking and they have pockets, ideally with zips, for holding keys, dog treats and poo bags.
They’re not just for winter either; I tested these trousers in February and March in the UK and it’s still freezing! I can see me wearing thermal trousers for a few months yet and I’m sure they’ll be back in use by late September, making them a great investment and addition to my wardrobe.
How we tested the best thermal trousers
I mainly wore these thermal trousers while walking my dogs as that’s my main form of outdoor exercise, so they were put through their paces in cold, spring temperatures, light and heavy rain, and windy weather.
I was primarily concerned with how warm and comfortable the trousers were to wear, but I also noted how they fared in the rain and how well they kept out the wind and if they felt too warm when the sun did show its face.
Trousers were also rated on practical features such as zipped pockets, adjustable waist, adjustable cuffs and how easy they were to move in.
Acai Women’s Thermal Skinny Outdoor Trousers
- Acai Women’s Thermal Skinny Outdoor Trousers, £99 from Blacks –
Pros: fit like leggings, look like jeans, warm, fleece-lined
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
I love these trousers: they’re close-fitting like leggings, but with a zips and a waistband that has belt loops, so they feel more substantial. I wear a lot of skinny jeans and these are the same kind of design.
They’re incredibly comfortable to wear and they feel and look great on. I have worn these on winter walks and now as spring approaches, in slightly warmer temperatures and I’ve found the thermal fleece lining keeps me warm, but not too hot.
As well as being ideal for hiking and dog walking, I think these would work for going into town or meeting friends for coffee thanks to their casual design. The pockets on the front are riveted, like jeans pockets, and there’s also a patch pocket and a zipped pocket on the back.
The fabric is water resistant with lots of stretch, thanks to the spandex content, so the trousers move with you. Because they’re so fitted they also slip easily into wellies for muddy dog walks.
Material: 91% polyester and 9% spandex, Size: 10 – 16, Colours: Purple and black
Helly Hansen Women’s Verglas Tur Pants
- Helly Hansen Women’s Verglas Tur Pants, £126, from Helly Hansen –
Pros: Adjustable fit, ventilation zips on each leg, lots of pockets
Cons: Price
Rating: 4.5/5
Wearing these for dog walking, I almost feel like I’m doing the trousers a disservice as they’re made for so much more; they’re high-tech walking gear, incorporating RECCO technology to help locate you if you’re lost in an avalanche.
Everything else about them is equally impressive. The waist is adjustable, with a Velcro fastening at each side to pull in or let out the fabric, while the bottom of the legs is similarly adjustable, this time an elastic strap with hook fastening allows you to tighten the bottom of the leg in increments to suit. This is a great idea for stopping mud, grit and small stones from getting into your boots (which always seems to happen!) making for a more comfortable walking experience.
They’re ideal for winter days or cool spring hikes, and if you do get too warm there’s a two-way zip at the side of each leg so you can open them as much or as little as you want for optimum ventilation. I feel the cold so I didn’t use that feature, but I did make use of the practical pockets – four of them on the front – which are great for dog walking, with all the bits and pieces I end up carrying.
Material: 67% cotton and 33% polyester, 94% polyamide and 6% elastane, Size: XS, S, M, L and XL, Colours: Trooper (grey), lav green and ebony
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TOG24 Silsden Women’s Waterproof Trousers
- TOG24 Silsden Women’s Waterproof Trousers, £49 from TOG24 –
Pros: Warm, waterproof, zipped pockets, shaped at knees for easy movement
Cons: Not close fitting at ankle
Rating: 4.5/5
These are great trousers for walking in the rain as the water seems to just roll off them. The thermal lining means they’re warm and the woven polyester outer fabric, keeps the wind out.
I love that the two deep front pockets are zipped, as is the smaller pocket on the back, so the contents are secure and not going to fall out somewhere in the middle of a muddy field. Darts at the knees seem to create more room for movement and overall the trousers are easy to wear and comfortable, while looking quite smart.
The bottoms of the legs are not adjustable, so they do not fit closely, but they’re lightweight, so it's easy enough to tuck into your boots and wellies.
I’ve worn these in heavy rain, winter cold and the slightly warmer spring weather we’re currently having, and they’ve kept me warm in all of these conditions. They’re great for walking with or without your dog and they’re designed for wearing year-round.
Material: 100% polyester Size: UK 8 – 18, Colours: Black
Acai Thermal Casual Stroll Pants
- Acai Thermal Casual Stroll Pants, £99 from Acai –
Pros: Warm, gathered cuff keeps rain and wind out, shower resistant, pockets
Cons: Price, fleecy lining pills on your legs
Rating: 4/5
These trousers are great for hiking in colder weather thanks to their warm, thermal lining, yet they’re lightweight and easy to wear.
The stretch waist is forgiving and I found them really comfortable on long walks, not restricting my movement at all. The deep elasticated cuffs keep the fabric close to my ankles and stops the rain from getting in. It also means they’re easy to tuck into hiking boots or wellies.
The outer shell is shower-proof and dries quickly, while the fleece lining stops rain from reaching your legs. The design has clearly been well thought out as there are two practical deep pockets on the front, and two pockets on the back; one zipped and one with a stud fastening. There’s even a fabric hook on the back of the waistband so you can hang the trousers up to dry if you’re caught in a downpour.
I really like these trousers except for one thing: when I took them off after wearing them for the first time, the fleecy lining was stuck in bobbles all over my legs. I had been caught in heavy rain while walking my dogs, so perhaps this had something to do with it.
The second time of wearing them the fleece shedding was less and I’m happy to say it has stopped altogether now, so these trousers will continue to be among my favourites for long walks this spring.
Material: 91% polyester and 9% elastane, Size: UK 6 – UK 16, Colours: Pine and black
TLC Thermal Loose Side Pocket Pants
- TLC Thermal Loose Side Pocket Pants, £36 from TLC –
Pros: comfortable, loose-fitting, large range of sizes, high-waisted
Cons: Not warm enough for outdoor walks
Rating: 3.5/5
These trousers are great for wearing to cold fitness studios, the gym, or a weekly yoga class in the village hall because they add warmth, but I didn’t find them warm enough for walking outdoors.
The wide-leg design is stylish and the high-waist adds a little tummy control; they’re comfortable to wear and the side pockets are deep enough to hold my iPhone, but the pockets aren’t zipped and the fabric doesn’t fit tightly so I didn’t carry my keys in them as I was concerned they would fall out.
Inside, the brushed fabric is suede-soft on your skin, which is lovely and I’ve worn them for yoga. I didn’t like them for dog walking though; the wide legs let in draughts and the fabric overall is not wind-resistant. However, they may suit me better when the weather warms up.
Material: 90% polyester and 10% elastane, Size: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, Colours: Black