The best fleece-lined leggings to help you beat the winter chill

Ahem, fluffy blanket trousers is the scientific term.

best fleece-lined leggings - heatworld

by Ruby Barry |
Updated on

It doesn't take long for British weather to become, well... bl**dy freezing - meaning your best leggings collection needs a new addition: fleece-lined leggings. Such are the joys of living in the UK. Grumbling aside, this means it's time to stock up on warm-weather clothing, and fleece-lined leggings are sure to be your favourite thing to wear this cold season. Let us explain...

Fleece-lined leggings are just like regular leggings but they have a thin fleece layer inside. Fleece is a fantastic insulator, so all that warm kinetic energy produced is retained within your leggings. AKA no more freezing thighs! Hurrah. TikTok leggings, eat your heart out - there's a new type of leggings on the block that the internet is ready to obsess over.

Any Brit knows the worst thing about getting up for work on a freezing winter morning is bracing for the minus temperatures on the way there. With your fleece-lined leggings, you will be kept warm on your journey as well as in the office (because no one ever turns the heating on in the office). It can also save your heating bill at home, as wrapping up in these will keep your body toasty and you'll feel less inclined to wack that thermostat up. All in all, they are amazing.

heat's best fleece-lined leggings at a glance:

Best fleece-lined leggings: M&S Collection Heatgen™ Medium Fleece Thermal Leggings, £16 on M&S

Best fleece-lined leggings for layering: UNIQLO HEATTECH Ultra Warm Thermal Leggings, £19.90 on UNIQLO

Best fleece-lined leggings for hiking: QUECHUA Women's Hiking Fleece Tights MH100, £12.99 on Decathlon

Best budget fleece-lined leggings: ACTINPUT Thermal Leggings for Women, from £12.99 on Amazon

Our comprehensive list is the best guide to finding the best fleece-lined leggings for you - whether it's the best Amazon pair, the best plus-sized fleece-lined leggings, or the best designed with fancy thermal technology. Starting from just £12.99, you don't have to spend much to grab these leggings that'll drastically improve your winter blues.

SHOP: The best fleece-lined leggings to keep you as snug as a bug:

Best fleece-lined leggings

You'll love M&S' take on the 'heat tech' trend with its Heatgen Plus™ Medium Fleece Thermal Leggings. Lightweight and stretchy, they're created with Japanese Heatgen™ fabric which has a super-soft fleece inner layer. They come in black, grey and navy. Add to that its responsibly sourced viscose material, and you've got a winner.

Our review "These keep me snug and warm, even on long winter walks. They're lovely and soft, wash well and are great for layering under ski gear or wearing around the house when the heating's off."

Best fleece-lined leggings for layering

UNIQLO Heattech Ultra Warm Thermal LeggingsUNIQLO
Price: £19.90 (was £24.90)

www.uniqlo.com

TikTok-viral brand, UNIQLO, is going the extra mile with its 'Ultra Warm' leggings, which are 2.25 times warmer than its regular offering. Stretchy, perfect for layering, and available in three colours, they have a fluffy, brushed lining for extra comfort.

UNIQLO review: "Bought these very recently and have worn them a lot since, mostly for dog walking. They are very comfortable stretchy and a good length, flattering too I think, I bought the navy in medium, I am a size 12. They keep my legs warm too without feeling too thick or heavy. I haven’t washed them yet but am sure they’ll wash well and last as with all my Uniqlo clothes. Am considering buying another pair."

Best fleece-lined leggings for hiking

Women's Hiking Fleece Tights MH100decathlon

If you want a classic pair of fleece-lined black leggings, begin with Decathlon's Hiking Fleece Tights MH100. Ideal for hiking in even the harshest of weather, these lightweight leggings are made of recycled polyester and recycled microfleece, brushed inside and out. Managing moisture, these leggings allow the vapour produced by the body to escape effectively.

Decathlon review: "Bought these in a size L based on the sizing guide however, the sizing runs small. I am between a size 12-14UK and found these to be a bit tight on - snug fit. I would definitely buy a size XL for room space or even a 2XL. On the positive side though, the tights are very cosy and warm! Great for the autumn, winter and spring season. Would recommend buying a size bigger!"

Best budget fleece-lined leggings

We love a good Amazon pair of leggings (honeycomb leggings anyone?). Therefore, we were over the moon to discover these ACTINPUT leggings from Amazon, lined with fleece, starting from just £12.99. Made from soft, comfortable four-way stretch material, reviews rave about the quality, warmth, and high waist.

Our review: "These leggings are quite stretchy, so I'd recommend either ordering a size down or popping them in a washer and dryer cycle to shrink them a bit. They're not super thick but they do keep you much warmer than regular leggings and could be worn under jeans or trousers. They're a good length, I'm 5"7 and they fit perfectly."

Best fleece-lined leggings for everyday wear

H&M Fleece LeggingsH&M
Price: £12.99

www2.hm.com

This option from H&M is a sort of hybrid version - footless tights. Cheap and cheerful, they’re great for wearing around the house, working from home, or underneath jeans or a dress when you’re out and about as they're slightly see-through.

H&M review: "Wanted some cosy leggings to wear under trousers in the winter and these are perfect for that. They do go see-through where stretched though so probably not great to wear as ordinary leggings. Very soft on the inside and they’ve kept me toasty warm during this cold spell. True to size - I’m a size 8 on the bottom, 5’6”, and XS fits great."

Best plus-sized fleece-lined leggings

Plus-sized fleece-lined leggings are a pain to find, but Roman is your saving grace. It stocks immaculate leggings from sizes 18 to 28, and its Black Curve Fleece Lined Stretch Leggings do not disappoint. They are flattering, full-length, and are completely fully lined with a cosy fleece fabric. Bliss.

Roman review: "These are truly the most comfortable leggings I've ever bought, lovely soft material. True to size, and a great fit."

Best fleece-lined leggings for running

Fast and Free High-Rise Fleece Tight 28"lululemon

A pair of good running leggings is key for a stress-free workout, but doing morning runs in the winter can put a person off exercise forever. Cold legs are the worst. Never fear - there are fleece-lined leggings specifically made for running or designed to substitute gym leggings. Lululemon's Fast and Free High-Rise Fleece Tight is fitted with hella pockets, and the material is water-repellent with a four-way stretch. If you're interested in more affordable pricing, read our Lululeon dupes guide.

Lululemon review: "They are amazing! Was expecting them to be heavy, or indeed make me look heavier - but they don’t Comfortable to run, walk the dog, wear with wellies, running shoes, etc. Possibly a new winter live-in for me!"

Best fleece-lined trousers

Arctic II Fleece Lined Stretch Womens Trousersmountain warehouse
Price: £32.99 (was £69.99)

www.mountainwarehouse.com

Not a fan of the leggings look, and want a full-on trouser version with fleece? We've got you covered. These smart tailored trousers look hella classy on the outside but hide a cosy secret on the inside. AKA, a microfleece lining for effective insulation. Perfect if your work has strict office attire rules. They're currently on sale, so grab 'em whilst you can.

Mountain Warehouse review: "Lovely and warm/comfy to wear in the really cold weather. Good fit, size 14, and nice long legs - I’m 5’9”."

Best fleece-lined leggings for under-trouser wear

Black Fleece Lined Tightsnew look

So, you want some fleece-lined tights instead of leggings. Need a pair to go under a dress or a pair of trousers? Because we should never stop wearing dresses, even in the dead of winter. Fashion prevails. New Look's Black Fleece Lined Tights are under £10 which makes them a total bargain. Plus, you'll be super cosy.

New Look review: "I bought these for a trip to Paris in February. They’re so warm and comfortable for minus temperatures but still stylish."

Best sheer-illusion fleece-lined tights

We love a pair of nude illusion tights because they do all the work of showing a sexy leg without showing the details of half-grown-out hair stubble you can't be bothered to shave yet. Well, fleece-lined tights exist, with a thickness and colour that look just like sheer tights. This pair comes with lots of positive reviews, but make sure to check the size guide before ordering.

Amazon review: "Looks fab, super warm, great with short dresses and skirts. Size is as expected. Washes well."

How to style your fleece-lined leggings this winter

The ultimate comfort champs in our closet, we'd happily rock leggings all day, every day. But how do you style a pair of leggings for maximum fashion points? If we're being completely honest (this is a safe space), leggings have been low-key guilty of causing some major fashion blunders. Guilty as charged! Let's discuss how can we turn those fresh-out-the-bag fleece-lined leggings into something seriously chic. Here's the 411.

Bodysuit and tailored coat

Running out for a few errands and want a comfy yet classy winter outfit? You can never go wrong with a long tailored trench coat, a long-sleeved bodysuit and a pair of fleece-lined leggings. Complete the look by throwing on your favourite chunky boots, and you've got yourself an outfit. Not keen on the cosy look? Dress up your outfit for the after-work drinks with a pair of scrunch bum leggings.

Logo jumper and leather jacket

Nail the casual look with an oversized logo jumper and a stylish leather jacket on top (faux, of course). Extra points for draping said leather jacket over your shoulders ever-so-effortlessly.

Blazer and white trainers

Yep, believe it or not, leggings CAN look formal - as long as you choose the right pair. Throw on your fav oversized blazer and some white trainers, and step out the door feeling as comfy and stylish as ever.

Ruby Barry is a Product Writer for heat, specialising in fashion and beauty. The team has nicknamed her "dupe queen", as there's not a product in the world she can't find a cheaper alternative for.

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