If you’re worried about wool tights feeling itchy, put your fears to rest. Merino wool is one of the finest and softest wools around, so you can expect these tights to feel comfortable rather than scratchy. Though the tights are the most expensive on our list, we think they’re worth the investment—and stylist Liz Teich agrees. “These tights are so luxe,” she says. “Wolford is a brand I tend to recommend to clients, because while the tights are a splurge, they [outlast cheaper options].” Woven from a blend of polyester and spandex, the tights feel like a stretchy sweater for your legs. We also like that they’re designed with a tagless waistband to cut down on itch and irritation. Since the tights come in three versatile colors, they’re super easy to pair with your favorite winter outfits. And to top things off, they’re remarkably budget-friendly, too. A traveler reports, “Amazing when traveling to or living in cold places. Used them for my winter tour of Europe. Saved me a lot of shivering in Sweden particularly.” Available in standard and plus sizes ranging from XS-3XL . If you’re in a position where you can splurge on high-quality materials, Wolford’s Merino Tights are some of the best tights money can buy. Many other warm tights are made of a nylon-elastane blend and occasionally lined with fleece for added warmth—but these are made of equal parts merino wool and nylon, with a little elastane thrown in. This hard-to-find material blend makes the tights extra warm and cozy, though they’re still sturdy and stretchy enough to wear every day. Silk thermals, such as these, are popular for their incredibly lightweight, breathable insulation, and deliciously soft feel.

The L.L. Bean Cresta are merino wool thermal leggings women adore for their versatility and ability to be comfortably worn in a wide range of temperatures, so they’re ideal for a trip to multiple destinations with different climates. They sit right at the waist and feel high enough, so they don’t roll down, and offer plenty of stretch so you can move freely. Great quality and low maintenance, this pair is travel ready! Warm without the bulk, and very comfortable and soft, with a good fit. They’re form-fitting but not tight- which is how I prefer them to fit.” They are so comfortable, I sometimes just use them for sleeping. Buy a pair with a matching top. You will not regret it.”For an even more budget-friendly option, we recommend the G&Y Fleece-Lined Tights. Available in sets of two, these cozy tights are super opaque with a 100 denier, and have a polyester fleece lining for extra warmth. One wearer reports, “I wore these to Europe on overnight flights and found them to be stylish and comfortable. ” Another one adds,”These leggings are super comfortable and fit according to size. I’m using them for 3 months of travel and really enjoying them.” They come in sizes XS-XL .

Seasons and categories: skiing underwear, thermal underwear, clothes for hunting and fishing, clothes for yoga, for jogging and sports, cotton underwear for any season, wool nightwear, basics. These leggings are super comfortable and fit according to size. I’m using them for 3 months of travel and really enjoying them." They’re amazing for layering under pants when out in the freezing cold but can be worn on their own (if not meant for only base layers) for flights, workouts, lounging, or even sleeping! They’re perfect for sightseeing in chilly weather because they’ll keep your temperature regulated as you go in and out of warm spaces. No matter what you have planned, these versatile pants will keep things fresh all day long. These high-performing 100% merino wool leggings from Minus33 are perfect for every kind of traveler, as they can handle hard-core hikes, ski trips, or a day of walking. They’re perfect for layering under pants in freezing weather, but because they’re mid-weight, they can be worn alone as leggings in all kinds of weather! This versatile pair has UPF 50+ sun protection, too!If you want a pair of shapewear tights that will also keep you warm, look no further than Hue’s Super Opaque Tights With Control Top. These ultra-cozy tights are made of a blend of nylon and spandex, and they’re designed with a control top, which makes the top of the tights feel snug and slimming—but not uncomfortably tight. By far the biggest selling point of these tights, though, is how budget-friendly they are. They come in sets of two, so you can get two pairs of warm tights for less than the price of a single pair of other options. And this way you can set aside one pair for layering when you're exercising outside in the cold. If you’re looking for ultra-cozy ribbed tights, Teich recommends the Uniqlo HeatTech Ribbed Knitted Tights. The tights are thin, lightweight, and stretchy. And while they’d make a great layering piece, they’re also incredibly warm on their own, thanks to the thermal performance fabric that insulates you and helps retain heat. “There are plenty of tights with a fleece lining to keep you warmer,” Teich says. “[But] there are also warmer tights, like Uniqlo’s HeatTech tights, that do the job with one thin layer.” If you’re looking for a pair (or two) of budget-friendly tights, we recommend G&Y’s Fleece-Lined Tights for a few reasons. For starters, the tights are made of plush microfiber and lined with polyester fleece, so they offer twice as much warmth as some of the other pairs on our list. One reader says, “I used them last year on a Christmas tour of Central Europe as leggings and base layers, and they are amazing. I didn’t have to wash them for two weeks wearing them! Highly recommend them.” They come in sizes XS-XL .

For wearing under skirts or dresses you can afford to go for a slightly weightier pair, or opt for a cashmere pair of leggings for a really soft and warm finish. If your skirt is midi length, add a pair of knee-high boots to your look and no one will ever know that you have a pair of loungewear style leggings underneath. The tights contain 52% merino wool, which is more than many other merino-blend tights. And that wool is blended with polyamide and elastane to cut down on static, itch, and wear. The tights are ribbed in two directions, which helps them stay put rather than rolling down, and they can be machine-washed and air dried, so they’re also easy to clean. One note: To cut down on dye transfer, you should wash the tights before wearing them—and you should only wash them with similar colors. They felt super soft, kept me warm and dry, and still felt fresh after multiple days of wear. The quality is fantastic.” A user gives a rave review, “I live in these leggings. I sleep in them, travel in them; they are everything. In 110 degree Egypt heat they were perfect and they never smelled. I wear them in winter as much as summer. I have field tested them for over a year and bottom line: there are no better leggings on the face of the earth.” They come in sizes XS-3X , and in long sizes S-XXL . For top womens merino wool leggings , Woolies 2 by ibex is awesome for every kind of traveler! These feel great layered under all kinds of pants, keeping your legs comfortably warm. Wearers love how versatile they are, saying they work just as well for cross-country skiing, warm weather hikes, and everything in between.To stay warm while wearing tights, buy the warmest tights you can—and layer other warm clothing on top of them. While you can wear tights to keep your legs covered with dresses and skirts on cool days, López recommends sliding warm tights under pants, jeans, leggings, or maxi dresses to add an extra layer of warmth on very cold days. A reader says, “ibex was the perfect base layer for me during a January Scotland trip. Highly recommend this brand!” Sizes range from XS-XL .

In warm temperatures, wool's breathable qualities draw in air removing excess heat and moisture from the body, helping the wearer stay cool. Merino wool particularly is naturally water-resistant and expels moisture vapour through its fibres naturally, keeping bacteria and bad odours at bay. There are plenty of chilly months ahead, so there's no better time to begin planning your seasonal legging outfits. Although winter throws up countless joyous elements - think roast dinners, log fires, and cosy nights in - it can also make getting dressed a bit of a mission. Comfort is a major factor when putting together our wardrobe for chilly days, so a pair of reliable and stylish leggings is a non-negotiable in any winter capsule wardrobe.Leuwenhaupt also recommends waiting a while between washes. “To help your tights last longer, wash them only when necessary,” he says. “Between washes, you can air your tights outside and give them a spritz of fabric spray to remove unwanted odors.”