Best Softshell Pants for Cold Weather Hiking

Go with a pair of softshell pants to avoid chafing and restricted mobility while benefiting from outdoor pants’ robustness.

When it comes to warmth and comfort, you can’t look far beyond a pair of softshell trousers. The best softshell pants are weather-resistant and durable but still breathable and stretchy enough for hiking.

Here are my top 5 recommendations:

Best Softshell Pants: Arc’Teryx Gamma AR Pants

The Gamma AR pants are both weather-resistant and comfortable. They are noticeably tougher than the average pair of softshell pants and more resistant to tearing on branches and thorns. Overall, I am very pleased with the Gamma AR pants.

The Gamma AR pants have somehow found a way to stay relatively lightweight, considering the weather protection they provide. They were really easy to wear, not only on the trail but also as lounge pants around the camp.

Mobility and Comfort

These pants have an excellent fabric blend. The blend increases the stretchability quite a bit, as it contains a higher-than-typical proportion of elastane. Given how durable the pants are, this is all the more impressive.

The extra thick fabric and the gusseted crotch make the Gamma AR a highly functional and comfortable pair of pants. Thanks to the articulated knees and the straight-leg fit, the pants allow for solid mobility.

I liked the thoughtful features these pants offer. One such feature stands out: the blunted corner of the snap closure at the waist.

Unlike most hiking pants, the Gamma AR pants don’t have a sharp point in the fabric that rubs and pokes the stomach.

The interior of the waist features a soft liner to reduce abrasion. This is especially useful if you are carrying a backpacking pack.

Breathability and Venting

The Gamma AR pants lack breathability due to the tightly woven fabric. However, the pockets are medium gauge mesh, so the pants do have a few notable vent points.

They are lightweight, and I was able to easily roll up the pant legs and secure them using the elastic cord at the ankle—another major venting advantage. Moreover, I didn’t have to stop too often to pull the pants up.

Style and Versatility

The Gamma AR pants are great in both backcountry and “front country” settings, are a comfortable travel option, and excel in windy or wet weather. They shine for their versatility.

Even though they are ideal for cold weather, the roll-up cinch cord makes them comfortable to wear even when the mercury rises.

Despite their somewhat technical aesthetic, the pants are still great for everyday outdoor use. They perform well on the trail and look great in an urban environment.

Weather Resistance

The Gamma LT’s super-effective DWR coating (along with the tight fabric weave) makes them the best softshell pants for cold-weather hiking. During testing, I experienced consistent rain, and these pants held up beautifully.

This would’ve been a problem for many other softshell pants that I’ve tried. And, even though they are not 100% waterproof, the pants beaded water quite well in my controlled spray test.

The Gamma AR also dries out fairly quickly because they don’t absorb much water. I was also impressed with their wind resistance.

I like pairing the Gamma AR pants with high-ankle boots. By securing the pants around the top of your footwear, you can create an almost completely weatherproof seal.

The only downside of these pants is the price. In general, Arc’Teryx is very expensive.

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Mountain Hardwear Chockstone/2

The Mountain Hardwear Chockstone are true high-comfort pants. They are pleasantly weather-resistant and fairly breathable. These softshell pants are great for hiking in cold weather and many other high-stretch activities.

Comfort and Mobility

These pants are highly stretchable and comfortable primarily thanks to the high content of elastane.

Moreover, the way in which the inside-facing material is woven makes the Chockstone pants feel even softer. In terms of reducing abrasion, this makes a huge difference.

The articulated knees and the gusseted crotch allow for great freedom of movement. I also liked the cut. It’s not loose, but it’s not slim, either. Thanks to the included belt, I could dial in the fit of the waist with ease.

Breathability and Venting

To release some heat, you can unzip the mesh-lined front and rear pockets. This is a simple but effective way of venting.

The elastic cord at the ankle secures the pant legs in place if you roll them up. Many softshell pants have this feature, but only a few models execute it well.

Even though these pants are warm, they are light and loose enough to prevent overheating when the temperature rises.

Style and Versatility

The Chockstone pants perform well on chunkier trails, flats, and gradual switchbacks. During my test, scrambling and high-stepping were not a problem.

I highly recommend these pants for water-adjacent or water-based sports (like fishing and canoeing) and climbing.

The pants can double as casual happy hour wear even though they come with a tech look.

Weather Resistance

I was pleased with the Chockstone pants’ initial water resistance. However, consistent, moderate rain eventually penetrated the material, as is usually the case with most highly stretchable fabrics.

However, I didn’t feel that moisture as quickly. I had a bit more time before it reached my skin due to the fact that the inside-facing fabric absorbs water. This also means that the Chockstone pants take more time to dry.

The slightly thicker fabric provides average wind resistance. Overall, I found these pants great for autumn hikes.

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Outdoor Research Cirque

Cirque II is the latest version of one of my all-time favorite soft-shell pants. They are designed for people who like to venture outside in the cold. The pants include everything the Original Cirque model had, plus a bit extra.

Comfort

The 90D softshell fabric provides excellent protection against wind and rain. And, despite being thick and tough, the material allows for great freedom of movement.

The unique fabric blend used in the Cirque pants is quite comfortable. I liked the tricot liner as it feels nice against the skin. On top of feeling soft, the liner offers extra insulation.

I didn’t need to wear a base layer when the temperature was about 20°F. However, the pants are not versatile enough to be worn on hot days with temperatures above 60°F.

Features

This model has one of the most impressive sets of features I have seen on a pair of pants. I particularly liked the adjustable waist. To help keep the wind and snow out, the pants have a draw cord and a bootlace hook on the cuff.

The zippered tight pocket and the avalanche beacon pocket are also nice details. However, I find the lack of back pockets to be a bit surprising.

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Marmot Scree

The Marmot Scree is an extremely breathable, comfortable, and weather-resistant pair of pants. I’ve been using them for over a year now, and they have performed exceptionally well in four-season weather.

Comfort and Fit

Thanks to their thick but soft fabric, the Scree pants are a pleasure to wear and easy to move in. The articulated knees allow for great freedom of movement. I also like the tapered fit. The zippered cuffs at the ankles have always prevented the wind from running up my legs.

Breathability and Weather Resistance

I never felt the wind cutting through the material, which is all the more surprising considering that the Scree pants are among the most breathable softshell pants I’ve ever tried.

Usually, “most breathable” translates to “least water-resistant.” But I don’t think that’s the case here.

The DWR coating won’t protect you from heavy rains, that’s for sure, but you won’t have to worry about mild precipitation penetrating the pants.

The only downside of these pants is the moisture build-up in the pockets. Often, when the temperature was a bit higher, the pockets felt clammy. This isn’t a problem when the pockets are left unzipped.

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REI Co-Op Activator 3.0

The REI Activator pants are made of a unique polyester, nylon, and spandex blend that is weather-resistant on the outside and soft on the inside. I love how comfortable these pants are in cool temperatures.

Comfort and Mobility

The Activator pants allow for wearer mobility despite their weight. Their higher-than-average elastane content makes them extra stretchy and comfortable.

The gusseted crotch isn’t especially roomy, but it also increases mobility. I also appreciated the articulated knees.

The only comfort feature missing is a waistliner. However, the pants are still comfortable enough without them.

I was very pleased with the inner fabric in the seat and legs. It feels very nice against the skin and prevents chafing even on longer adventures.

The waist sits a bit higher than most other softshell pants. But I found this to be a good thing when wearing a backpack over them. They don’t get pushed down.

Breathability and Venting

The REI Activator pants are not especially breathable, as their primary strength is their warmth, but they have a few venting options.

The pockets are lined with mesh, and the cinch cord at the ankle allows you to roll up the pants up to the calf. This feature is useful when the weather is variable.

Weather Resistance

In 30°F temperatures, the Activator pants are super effective and warm. They shine when the sun doesn’t.

I was also impressed by how wind-resistant the Activator pants are. Moreover, the pants didn’t feel cold even when the wind pressed the inner fabric against my body.

The DWR finish offers sufficient protection against moderate to heavy precipitation.

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Buyer’s Guide for Softshell Pants

Material

Softshell pants are made of a tightly woven synthetic fabric, usually a blend of polyester, nylon, and elastane, that provides insulation and blocks light rain and wind.

When shopping for softshell pants, one phrase you will certainly come across is “ripstop.” Ripstop is a type of woven fabric. Ripstop pants are reinforced using a special technique, making them tougher and more durable.

It’s important to pay attention to the density of the softshell fabric, especially if you plan on hiking in cold weather. The denser (thicker) the material, the warmer the pants.

Softshell pants should be super smooth on the outside to better repel rain. On the inside, they should feature a brushed lining (for warmth).

If you want to get more stretchable softshell pants, go with a model with a higher percentage of elastane.

Weather Resistance

Even though they are quick-drying, softshell pants don’t provide the same water and wind resistance level as hardshell pants.

However, some softshell pants are treated with a DWR (durable water repellent) coating, and some models also use a wind-blocking membrane.

Softshell pants that feature a wind-blocking membrane are very different from hardshell pants. They block wind while still offering a certain level of breathability, but they are not as breathable as plain softshell pants.

Keep in mind that the DWR finish will eventually wear off. But you can always reproof the coating by using a DWR spray.

Weight

Naturally, the density of the material affects the weight of the pants. Thicker softshell pants are warmer but also heavier. You don’t want to wear too thick pants when hiking in cold weather.

So, it’s important to find a model that offers a good warmth-to-weight ratio. In my opinion, the pants should weigh between 15 and 25 oz.

Sizing

You definitely want good mobility in the knees, but you should still avoid too baggy pants.

A little bagginess will provide just enough ventilation to prevent overheating. But your pants should still be snug enough to keep you warm. You don’t want a pair of pants that will flake in heavier winds.

Pockets

Of course, almost every pair of hiking pants has pockets. But not all softshell pants have pockets that are easily accessible and secure enough.

What I mean by this is that pockets should be zippered and of the appropriate size and depth. For instance, finding your stuff can be a struggle if the pockets are too deep.

Good organization is a big plus, but I don’t like overloading my pants with excess bulk when hiking. A simple tight pocket in addition to the front or back pockets is enough for me.

Other Features

Finding the right fit can be difficult. Again, you want a pair of pants that doesn’t feel too baggy and offers an agreeable cut.

Only a few brands of softshell hiking pants hit that spot for me. Most Arc’teryx, Outdoor Research, and Prana pants I’ve tested offer an athletic fit that isn’t too tight.

I’ve also noticed that Columbia and REI have changed the fit of a number of their models to catch up with the competition.

If you don’t want to worry about getting the fit right, it’s best to get a pair of pants with an adjustable waistband or integrated belt. An integrated belt adds extra bulk, but it’s more user-friendly than a drawstring closure along the waistband.

Other useful features to look for are gussets built into the crotch and articulated knees. A gusset is a diamond-shaped patch designed to improve general fit, comfort, and range of motion. Articulated knees also improve range of motion by creating a natural bend in the knee area.

If you need to buy more clothing for your next outdoor adventure, not just hiking pants, check out this list of outdoor clothing brands.