With snow making an appearance already in January, I've started to consider some of the best thermal leggings to add to my winter wardrobe in order to keep me warm. Now might not be the best time to do so, but I've been experimenting with wearing the best leggings across some of my outfits because of just how comfortable they are to wear.
Yes, they might be a comfortable outfit solution, but, leggings aren't necessarily the warmest article of clothing to wear on their own - let's be honest. But, if you still can't go without wearing your favourite pair no matter the season, why not consider a pair of thick, warm winter leggings? Thermals truly are the way to go for 2025, and we're here for it.
As someone whose immune system takes a hit with the slightest gust of wind, I've suddenly become grateful for the introduction of thermals in my life. Not only does a pair of women's thick winter leggings eliminate the problem of buying a see-through pair because you know exactly what you're getting, but you'll also be kept enviably cosy during colder seasons and still be able to remain comfortable, stylish and fashion-forward. Pair your leggings with UGG Tasman dupes and you have a winning outfit.
Closer's best thermal leggings for women at a glance:
Best thermal leggings overall: CRZ YOGA Women's Thermal Fleece Lined Leggings, £23.20 was £29 on Amazon
Best recommended thermal leggings: Heatgen™ Medium Thermal Brushed Leggings, £16 on Marks & Spencer
Best budget thermal leggings: SINOPHANT Fleece Lined Leggings, £9.99 on Amazon
Best thermal leggings for petite women: Lovall Petite Winter Flare Leggings, £34 on Lovall
Best thermal leggings for plus-size women: Curve Extreme Fleece Lined Leggings, £36 on Lovall
There's a range of thermal leggings on the market, from fleece-lined designs to high-waisted pairs that'll see you through some of the coldest months of the year. Some of our favourite tried and tested brands, CRZ Yoga and Sinophant even have their own range of fleece-lined leggings that we're eager to read all about...
So, as shopping writers at Closer, we've selected some of the best thermal leggings for women based on real tried and tested reviews, quality, warmth, style and price. We took to some of our favourite and most trusted brands across the internet in order to bring you the best thermal leggings of 2025.
Shop our all-time favourite pairs of the best thermal leggings, below.
SHOP: 12 best thermal leggings for women 2025
Best thermal leggings overall
According to Closer writer, Aimee Jakes, the CRZ Yoga Leggings feel really stretchy, comfortable and figure-sculpting and we can only imagine the same for the brand's thermal fleece-lined leggings. In fact, reviewers have said they're the comfiest leggings that they've ever owned. The smooth, soft brushed fabric comes with a warm inner lining, making them the best leggings for winter walks.
Pros
- The highest rated on Amazon that we could find
- Comes in 17 different colours and designs
- Reviews love the useful hidden pocket in the waistband
Cons
- Hard to get the right fit in terms of length for some
Best recommended thermal leggings
www.marksandspencer.com
M&S is our go-to for all of our wardrobe basics, and the brand's leggings are certainly no exception. These trending thermal pairs come highly recommended by reviewers for their quality, fit and level of warmth. They're even made with a super-soft brushed inner layer and Heatgen™ fabric, and feature added stretch for ease of movement and ultimate comfort.
Pros
- We love that there's an inclusive range of sizes available
- Made from Japanese Heatgen™ fabric for extra warmth
- Reviews say they're warm, comfortable and fit well
Cons
- Some said the material had a slight sheen and this may not suit all
Best budget thermal leggings
Closer writer, Jade Moscrop, recommends the Sinophant Leggings for being ultra-dark, buttery soft, never losing their shape or rolling down - and 'holding everything in nicely'. Can the same thing be said for the fleece-lined version? Well, according to reviews, these affordable leggings are a repeat purchase and keep you warm without feeling too bulky. Result.
Pros
- Come in a variety of shades, with multi-pack options available
- Are completely opaque, with no see-through moments here
- Reviews say they're a flattering high-waisted fit and they don't roll down
Cons
- May not wash as well as the non-fleece leegings, according to a reviewer
Best thermal leggings for petite women
lovall.com
As someone who is petite, finding flares that are the right length is a real challenge. As well as the Winter Flare Leggings, there's also the Winter Everyday High Waisted Leggings (which are a bestseller with thousands of reviews). However, the flared leggings have my heart. Reviewers love how well they fit their petite frame, as well as how versatile they are to wear. I have to say, I may just be buying a pair of these myself.
Pros
- We love that there's an inclusive range of sizes available
- Come in a flattering flared fit as well as standard legging
- Reviews say they're highly versatile to wear across a number of settings
Cons
- May start to bobble after a few wears
Best thermal leggings for plus-size women
lovall.com
Looking for the best thermal leggings for plus-size women? Look no further. Lovall also has a curve range and, in it? These extremely cosy fleece-lined leggings. Also available to shop in petite and tall, the extra thick fleece lining and ribbed exterior work to insulate your body heat and prevent the cold. Brrr. Fans of the product loved how effective they were at keeping the chill at bay.
Pros
- We love that there's an inclusive range of sizes available
- Includes a deep controlling high-rise waistband for support
- Reviewers loved that the leggings were thick with plush lining
Cons
- Some reviewers mentioned that it was difficult to get the right fit
Best popular thermal leggings
www.johnlewis.com
Due to the latest cold snap, these John Lewis leggings have quickly become a popular pick, naturally. Using a heat-retaining and body-hugging fit, these leggings are also quick-drying, moisture-wicking and anti-static. Customers said they're like a second skin. It might be worth mentioning though, that these thermal leggings might be best worn as a base layer as opposed to on their own.
Pros
- A bestseller and one of the most popular thermal leggings on-site
- The leggings are quick-drying, have moisture-wicking properties and are anti-static
- Reviews say they stay up all day and are comfortable to wear
Cons
- Some reviewers said they were thinner than expected
Best thermal leggings for loungewear
www.calzedonia.com
We love the idea of wearing this pair of leggings with a matching sweatshirt to lounge around the house in. Or, as the base layer under a camel coat on a day trip out to the park. It's giving 'expensive' without the price tag - there's just something about an all-cream outfit that looks so put together. Either way, these thermal leggings will keep you cosy no matter what you're up to.
Pros
- Comes in three different wearable shades
- Made from breathable cotton with thermal effect inside
- 'Super-opaque' according to the site, so totally squat-proof
Cons
- The front seam may not be as flattering to some
Best thermal leggings for everyday
www.uniqlo.com
UNIQLO's HEATTECH thermal clothing technology absorbs and retains body heat to keep you warm. How does it work, we hear you ask? Well, fibres one-tenth the width of a human hair trap air to prevent warmth from escaping, all using a special knitting technique to create more air pockets for increased heat retention. Sound fancy? In short, fans of the product reckon they keep you warm without restricting your movement. Good enough for us.
Pros
- Uses HEATTECH technology to insulate body heat
- Supposedly retain shape after washing according to site
- Reviewers loved the thickness for both warmth and movement
Cons
- Some reviewers mentioned that it was difficult to get the right fit
Best thermal leggings for running
www.marksandspencer.com
Ideal for workouts on cold days, Marks & Spencer has your cardio covered with these Ultraheat™ thermal high waisted leggings. Selling fast over on the site, fans of these leggings are raving about how they notice a big difference in the level of warmth while wearing them on a run. The Ultraheat™ brushed fabric traps warmth, while Cool Comfort™ technology keeps you cool while working out.
Pros
- Keeps your body temperature regulated with fabric technology
- Comes with a handy back pocket and one at the side for essentials
- Reviews love the difference they've made to running outside
Cons
- May start to bobble after a few wears
Best thermal leggings with pockets
Whether you're using these leggings as your everyday pair for running errands, or you need somewhere to stash your phone as you go for your daily winter run, these Amazon leggings are a total lifesaver. Reviewers loved the useful pockets for storing essentials, as well as the fantastic value for money. The soft inner lining made from fleece material also keeps your legs warm on winter walks.
Pros
- Comes in five different wearable shades
- Are completely opaque - no see-through moments!
- Reviewers loved the useful pockets and stretchy fit
Cons
- Reviewers have differing views on thickness of the fleece lining
Best leather-look thermal leggings
www.calzedonia.com
If leather-look leggings are your thing, did you know they also come in the thermal version, too? We have Calzedonia to thank for this. These leggings come in a range of high-shine shades that are perfect for elevating any look, complete with thermal material inside to keep you effortlessly cosy and chic. Reviewers say they sculpt your bum, can be dressed up or down and are comfy to wear.
Pros
- Come in six neutral shades that are highly versatile
- Has a leather-effect look without being the real deal
- Reviews say they're a go-to, fashionable winter legging
Cons
- The front seam may not be as flattering to some
Best 'nude' thermal leggings
direct.asda.com
To follow the trend of wearing nude-coloured thermal leggings with a skirt to keep your legs warm, this pair of Asda leggings might just do the trick. They come with an elasticated waistband, soft-touch lining and are made with thermal knit fabric to make your outfits look seamlessly put together while keeping you toasty.
We wish more nude skin tones were available, however, brands such as Melanin Fleece Tights offer an inclusive range of nude sheer-look tights that are fleece-lined, so, may be one to look at if you're looking for more of a variety of nude-toned hosiery.
Pros
- We love that there's an inclusive range of sizes available
- An elasticated waistband for total comfort
- Features lining that's soft to the touch against the skin
Cons
- We wish there were more inclusive shades of nude available
Thermal leggings FAQs
What are thermal leggings?
Thermal leggings tend to be made up of a blend of insulated, layered fabric to keep your body heat in and to keep you warm during cold weather. Such materials can consist of fleece-lined fabrics, like wool, to retain heat and keep you warm as much as possible. While you'll want to avoid thermal leggings in the summer at all costs, they're a lifesaver come winter.
They differ from a standard pair of leggings because they're designed to keep you warm as their main function. Your average high-street leggings generally serve as a pair of comfortable loungewear or as a low-maintenance yet fashion-forward pair of bottoms for the everyday. And, while these leggings may be on the cheaper side, you can't necessarily guarantee a pair of budget leggings will be squat-proof. However, you can almost certainly guarantee a pair of thick, thermal leggings will - and they'll keep you warm while being so.
Where to buy thermal clothing?
Some of our favourite fashion brands for thermal clothing are Amazon, Marks & Spencer, UNIQLO, Calzedonia and Lovall. Outdoor brands such as Mountain Warehouse, Go Outdoors and Decathalon also supply thermal clothing, especially for those who go hiking or running in colder climates.
Are thermal leggings warm?
Yes, and they're designed especially for this purpose. Thermal leggings are much warmer than your standard pair of leggings and aren't to be confused with normal gym leggings, for example. While gym leggings are designed to be breathable and sweat-wicking with plenty of movement for workouts, thermal leggings keep the heat in with insulated interlocking materials, so, perfect for cold climates and winter weather.
Can you wear thermal leggings on their own?
Depending on the level of thickness, yes, you can wear thermal leggings on their own. Most thermal leggings should be thick enough to wear as a regular pair of bottoms, whereas thermal tights may be slightly thinner to wear as a base layer. Some people may prefer wearing their thermal leggings under jeans, whereas others may want to wear them as a standard pair of leggings alongside the rest of their wardrobe. It tends to be down to what they look like when you put them on.
How to style thermal leggings?
Personally, we'd wear a pair of thermal leggings with a statement coat (think a wool camel coat or a scarf coat), a matching coloured thermal top and a pair of UGG boots for some cosy style. If you're going sporty with it, thermal running leggings styled with a puffer jacket or gilet, a baseball cap and trainers wouldn't go amiss either. Finally, if you're thinking of wearing a skirt, we've seen plenty of influencers on social media wearing nude thermal leggings and layering underneath socks and chunky boots.
At the end of the day, it's completely down to your own personal style, but thankfully there are so many ways to wear thermal leggings. During winter, you're going to want to layer, layer, layer. The main thing, after all - is keeping warm!
Samantha Price is a Senior Commercial Content Writer for Closer. During her time at Bauer, she has worked on several projects, from championing the Closer newsletters to writing expertly crafted buying guides on beauty, fashion and lifestyle.