Revolution Race Alaska Fleece Lined Leggings Review

Bottom Line

The Revolution Race Alaska Fleece-Lined Pants are a must-have for anyone living in a high-altitude mountain town where snow lingers for half the year. The fit is downright impressive—comfortable and stretchy, while also hugging curves and staying in place! On first wear, we braced for the usual stiffness and muffin-top effect that some competitors bring, but these pants defy expectations. They’re made from a thick, warm material that still offers plenty of stretch and flexibility. What really stands out is the wide waistband that sits just right against the belly—not too tight and not too loose, a true Goldilocks of waistbands. The pockets are cleverly designed, positioned further back toward the rear than most, making them so unnoticeable that we thought the pants didn’t have any pockets. This keeps items secure and out of our way while huffing uphill. For those quick hikes when you’re not carrying a backpack, there’s even a hidden third pocket at the lower back, big enough for essentials like an ID or keys. Another win: they come in sizes up to 4XL in select colors.

We wore these leggings so many times during our month-long, daily side-by-side testing that it’s hard to remember when and where we were. Since they are fleece-lined, we wore them mostly on snowy and cold days, from South Lake Tahoe (6,200 ft) to Kirkwood Mountain Resort (7,800 ft). We wore them on chilly hikes, walks with the dog, and while working outside. We wore them on hikes with greater ascent on an exposed trail in early winter, and on flatter hikes along a lake on a windy day.

Every hiker needs pants like the Revolution Race Alaska Fleece-Lined Pants. If you’re looking for more options, check out our guide to the best hiking leggings to find a pair that suits your style.

Comfort

The feel of the fabric is somewhat stiff and more sturdy. We wouldn’t describe these as soft. However, once we put them on, we realize they are actually quite comfortable. They strike the perfect balance between stretch and stiffness.

We never felt uncomfortable in them or restricted in our movement. They are slightly stiffer to put on and take off in the bathroom compared to other fleece-lined pants, but not as stiff as other options on the market. They slip back into place on our bodies fairly quickly after pulling them back up.

Fit

This is where the magic really happens—they sit at the perfect part of the waist. They are snug enough to stay up but don’t cut in. It’s almost like putting on the perfect pair of jeans that fit just right. Like most people who prefer women’s clothing, we’ve experienced this elusive “perfect fit” very few times in our lives. The waist didn’t roll down, and we didn’t have a muffin top at any time. We’d definitely wear these for multiple days in a row.

Features

The pockets on these are unique—they are open but positioned further back, between where side hip pockets typically are and where back pockets would be. We almost thought there weren’t any pockets at first! However, we love using them. They feel out of the way. They sit a little higher, so if our pack sinks low, they might get in the way, but that could be more about our pack fit than the pockets themselves. 

The drawstring is also an essential feature, great to have in case of any slippage during active periods. Additionally, there is a small “hidden” pocket at the back of the waistband for items like IDs or a key. While we wouldn’t expect to use this regularly while hiking, as we typically go out with a backpack, others might find it very useful, especially for shorter hikes.

Breathability & Warmth

These leggings are very warm without feeling bulky. We ended up wearing them outside at Kirkwood Mountain Resort for about three hours and felt very comfortable. We weren’t even expecting to be outside for that long on a cold morning, but thankfully, these leggings provided the insulation we needed.

Durability

These are made from significantly higher-quality material than other fleece-lined leggings. We would trust these in any environment and expect them to last for many years. We did some heavy lifting in these leggings, unafraid of metal, dirt, or any other objects that might rub against them. After many days, hours, and miles of testing, we didn’t notice any piling. They still look brand new.

Should You Buy the Revolution Race Alaska Fleece Lined Leggings?

These leggings are designed for anyone living in a cold mountain town for any part of the year. They are suitable for those who enjoy casual hikes in the winter (without working up too much of a sweat) or for individuals who feel cold easily.

These leggings are essential for anyone who loves being active outdoors in leggings. They also represent a worthwhile investment for visitors to higher elevations or colder climates who may not be accustomed to chilly weather but wish to remain comfortable while in town.

If you have difficulty finding leggings that stay up (and don’t sag) or have experienced other fleece-lined leggings that feel stiff and constricting, these should offer a refreshing change from past experiences.

Finally, if you prefer your pockets to be discreet and find a phone in a thigh pocket to be cumbersome while climbing a hill, you will appreciate these thoughtfully designed pockets.

What Other Hiking Leggings Should You Consider?

If the Revolution Race Alaska Fleece Lined Leggings sound intriguing but aren’t the right legging for your needs and body, we invite you to review our full list of the Best Hiking Leggings for Women, which include these two comparable products:

IUGA HeatLab® Fleece-Lined Leggings with Pockets: If you still want a fleece-lined legging but the cost of the RR Alaska is out of your budget, the IUGA HeatLab is one of our Budget Buys. These leggings are high-performing for our Comfort, Fit, and Warmth metrics but at a more accessible price point.

Athleta Headlands Hybrid High Rise Cargo Legging: If you’re excited about the fit of the RR Alaska, but don’t need the fleece-lined option, the Athleta Headlands Hybrid is the choice to try. Although they are very different styles, with the RR Alaska being more traditional legging style and the Athleta a unique hybrid option (between pants and leggings), the fit is similar in that the legs are snug, but the waist is slightly relaxed, but also stays up amazingly on its own, plus there is a drawstring with both.