I grew up in a mountain town where we skied nine months out of the year and then hiked the other three months. The weather in the Pacific Northwest is famously unreliable, so fleece-lined leggings have become my favorite hack for both leisurely and rigorous activities.

Fleece-lined leggings have a soft interior for insulation and a stretchy outer layer for breathability so you don’t overheat, which makes them the ultimate pair of pants for cold-weather travel. We tested 31 pairs of leggings while hiking, lounging, and sightseeing and evaluated them based on quality, performance, fit, and value.

I own more than 20 pairs of leggings myself, and have worn them in countless occasions, including while hiking in rural Iceland and enjoying après ski in the French Alps.…