The 11 Down Pants for Cold Weather Adventures

Field magazine

A handful of years back, while browsing the impossibly huge (and since shuttered, RIP) flagship shop of Japanese outdoor brand Montbell in downtown Portland, Oregon, I came across a rack of down pants. I’d never seen such a thing before. I mean, a down jacket, sure. But a puffy jacket for your legs? On a whim I purchased a pair, and in the years since they’ve become an essential part of my packlist for backpacking, bikepacking, ski touring, backcountry hiking, car camping, hiking, and other types of trips around the world. I even wear down pants around the house with such frequency I’ve begun to wear through the seat insulation from too much desk chair time.

While I love a good pair of fleece pants, down pants deliver a substantial upgrade in warmth, while often weighing less and packing down smaller. With the added insulation loft, most down pants feature sturdy, windproof, and often water-resistant fabrics to protect you against the elements, whether while around the campfire, in the backcountry, or just running errands around town.

In recent years many North American and European brands have caught on, offering more diversity in the field of down pants—and even shorts and skirts—than ever before. From American-made and PFC-free to partial length variations, the following 11 pairs are our top picks for the best down pants and insulated pants for keeping cozy this winter, both at home and in the elements.