Lightweight Fleece Pants For Backpacking Ultralight 2024
Last Updated: February 29, 2024
By Jaeger Shaw
Ultralight fleece pants for backcountry camp-wear and cold-weather layering
The best lightweight fleece pants for backpacking should keep your legs comfortably warm while camping in cold weather, all without being a chore to carry. As such, this list focuses exclusively on lightweight, and ultralight fleece pants for 3-season use.
Compared to merino base layer tights, backpacking fleece pants have a higher warmth-to-weight ratio, and generally deliver a superior performance. If you are expecting evening temps to drop below freezing, we instead recommend down pants. And while you’re here, don’t miss our guides to merino leggings, lightweight fleece jackets, Alpha Direct hoodies, and hiking pants.
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Quick Picks
Ultralight Fleece Pants
- Best Ultralight Pants: Vado Apparel Alpha Direct Pants
- Best Ultralight Leggings: Outdoor Vitals Highline Thermal Leggings
Lightweight Fleece Pants
- Most Versatile: Patagonia R1 Daily Bottoms
- Best Value: REI Co-op Trailmade Fleece Pants
- Best Lightweight Pants: Mountain Hardwear Microchill Jogger
- Best Lightweight Leggings: Outdoor Research Vigor Bottoms
- Most Cozy: Outdoor Research Trail Mix Jogger
Lightweight Fleece Pants Comparison Table
| Model | Price ($) | Weight (oz) | Material |
| Outdoor Vitals Highline | 80 | 4.0 | Brushed fleece |
| Vado Apparel Alpha Direct | 125 | 5.0 | Alpha Direct |
| Outdoor Research Vigor | 89 | 7.6 | Grid Fleece |
| Mountain Hardwear Microchill | 75 | 8.9 | Microfleece |
| Patagonia R1 Daily | 129 | 9.7 | Brushed Fleece |
| REI Trailmade | 59 | 11.2 | Microfleece |
| Outdoor Research Trail Mix | 99 | 11.3 | Grid Fleece |
Most Versatile Fleece Pants
Patagonia R1 Daily Bottoms
9.7 oz | $129
Patagonia’s R1 line is arguably the most famous fleece of all time, but you may not have worn the R1 Daily version. This is a flat faced exterior version of R1, with a fuzzy, brushed interior. Note, it’s still stretchy, but it’s not grid fleece. That means increased warmth at the expense of decreased breathability. These slim-fit pants are great for wearing around camp, or on cold mornings. Use them as a base-layer when temps drop really low. But they look great too and are perfect athleisure wear for around town or at home.
Best Value Fleece Pants
REI Trailmade Fleece Pants
11.2 oz | $60
Made with 100% post-consumer recycled polyester, you can’t fault the REI Trailmade Fleece Pants which deliver midweight warmth for just $60. The relaxed fit and fuzzy, soft warmth is perfect for hanging out around camp on a crisp fall night. We love the addition of hand pockets, and the minimalist drawcord cinch waist. At 11.2 ounces, they aren’t the lightest, but they’re almost certainly the most affordable.
Best Lightweight Fleece Pants
Mountain Hardwear Microchill Jogger
8.9 oz | $75
We nod to the Mountain Hardwear Microchill Jogger for an exceptional blend of low weight, fuzzy warmth, and an affordable price tag. What’s more, they’re made with 100% recycled polyester! Sure, fancier grid fleeces are more breathable, but if your intent is wear these and camp, then there’s nothing wrong with good old fashioned, classic microfleece. Technical details here include two hand pockets, one rear pocket, and a flat waistband with external drawcord.
Best Lightweight Fleece Leggings
Outdoor Research Vigor Bottoms
7.6 oz | $89
For a versatile pair of grid fleece tights, choose the Outdoor Research Vigor Bottoms. These slim fitting tights are comfy to wear around camp or sleep in. But thanks to their exceptional breathability, they do double duty as running attire, or for layering underneath a shell in nasty weather. Did we mention that they’re super stretchy? That’s thanks to the 14% Spandex makeup. They’re also comprised of 46% recycled nylon for quick drying performance. We appreciate the bonded side pocket, which can store a phone. Nice add on!
Best Ultralight Fleece Pants
Vado Apparel Alpha Direct Pants
5.0 oz | $125
If you haven’t heard of Alpha Direct before, here’s what to know about this wonder-fabric. It’s the most breathable fleece on the market, with the highest warmth-to-weight ratio and the fastest dry time. It’s also the least durable, and has virtually zero wind resistance. While most AD pants are utterly minimalist, the Vado Apparel Alpha Direct Pants have a reasonable feature set. This includes a flat elastic stretch waistband, dual hand pockets, and a zippered back pocket for securing small items like a credit card. These ultralight fleece pants are available at the 60 and 90 gsm weight, and we strongly recommend choosing 90 gsm.
Best Ultralight Fleece Leggings
Outdoor Vitals Highline Thermal Leggings
4.0 oz | $80
Thanks to their exceptionally low total weight and high warmth-to-weight ratio, the four ounce Outdoor Vitals Highline Thermal Leggings have become our preferred summer camp legwear. The brushed interior surface of these ultralight fleece tights makes them soft, cozy and warm. The TORAY fabric is 100% polyester, which has sufficient stretch and zero elastane to slow down dry time. Their only feature is the gusseted mesh crotch, but that’s fine by us! Note, these run small, so size up if in between. Read more in our full length Outdoor Vitals Highline Thermal Leggings Review.
Coziest Fleece Pants For Camping
Outdoor Research Trail Mix Jogger
11.3 oz | $99
At 11.3 oz, the Outdoor Research Trail Mix Joggers aren’t the lightest pair of performance backpacking fleece pants, but they’re certainly the coziest. Constructed with thick, mid-weight grid fleece, these joggers do a very effective job of keeping your legs warm while still offering good breathability and quick dry. The Trail Mix jogger is also versatile in the sense that they do even better for car camping, and generalized winter athleisure wear. Features include two hand pockets, one zippered rear pocket, and drawcord waistband.
Best Lightweight Fleece Pants For Backpacking Conclusion
Thanks for reading our guide to lightweight and ultralight fleece pants for backpacking. We hope you’ve found the pair you’re looking for! Fleece pants are a handy garment to have in your legwear quiver, and we highly recommend picking some up for use in spring and fall. Happy camping!
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