Under Armour ColdGear Leggings for Hiking and Trail Running

The Under Armour ColdGear Leggings are insulated tights that wick moisture, made for outdoor and athletic activities, and are often used by many athletes.

I use them myself for hiking and trail running. I’ll wear them alone or as a base layer during colder outings.

This is my review of the Under Armour ColdGear Leggings, used mainly for hiking and trail running conditions.

What Are Under Armour ColdGear Leggings?

The Under Armour ColdGear Leggings are athletic tights worn during colder weather by athletes.

The leggings use a dual-layer design that keeps you warm on the inside with its soft material and quickly dries on the outside.

The leggings wick moisture from your skin and keep you dry. They provide a basic amount of compression. These leggings are insulated and can be worn alone or as a layer.

There are different color variations available for these leggings.

Why They Work Well for Hiking

The Under Armour ColdGear Leggings are a very good choice for hiking and backpacking trips.

They’re warm without a lot of bulk. You could wear them alone for temperatures around 25 to 40 degrees. Anything under 20 degrees, and I would use them as a base layer under other layers for extra warmth.

These leggings are not transparent, so they can be worn alone, under shorts, or under hiking pants based on your needs.

The fabric is very stretchy. This makes it great for hiking in rugged terrain and conditions. The leggings move well when scrambling over rocks and technical portions of the trail.

There is very good moisture management with these leggings as they wick sweat from your skin and keep you dry on short and longer hikes.

The leggings are a little wind and waterproof but not fully. If it’s raining or really windy, you may need to wear them under a shell layer. Rain pants would go well with these, especially on days that aren’t as cold, and too many layers might make you sweat more.

Why They Work for Trail Running

The Under Armour ColdGear Leggings are also a great choice for trail running and fast packing activities.

These leggings will keep you warm at high speeds. They’ll warm your muscles up enough to have a comfortable start to your run. When running downhill, they’ll keep your legs and muscles warm for ultimate performance.

The leggings breath very well, and they’re quick drying, which is important when you’re doing harder trail running efforts.

The leggings don’t sag or shift while you’re running. The waistband is elastic and fits comfortably on your waist. There are no drawstrings, but there really isn’t any need for them, as these tights will stay on you the whole time.

These leggings do not chafe your skin as you run in them, even when paired with additional layers.

Performance in Real Conditions (My Experience)

I’ve used the Under Armour ColdGear Leggings for both hiking and trail running.

I run with them at Dixon Springs State Park. I’ll run moderate to rugged technical single-track mountain bike trails with plenty of snags. The leggings hold up well and provide me with the comfort and performance I need from them.

I also hike in these leggings. I usually wear them alone, but on colder days, I’ll wear them as my base layer to wick moisture under my thicker hiking pants. They perform well and are always very comfortable on my hikes.

When comparing to other leggings I wear (Janji, Baleaf, CompressionZ, and REI), I have found these to be at about the same level, minus a few features that could make them better.

Fit, Sizing, and Comfort

The Under Armour ColdGear Leggings are true-to-size, fit well, and are very comfortable.

The compression level is basic. It isn’t high compression, but it will still assist in warming up your muscles.

The length of the tights works for me. I’m 6’5” tall, and I have long legs. The tights stop right above my ankles, but I can cover the exposed skin with socks if needed.

The waistband is very comfortable and fits me perfectly. It doesn’t fold down or move around. There are no drawstrings, but I really feel that they’re not needed for these leggings.

The seams are comfortable and unnoticeable. The waist area feels look when I wear my backpack or a waist belt.

I am comfortable in wearing these alone, not fearing anything that is see-through. However, these also make for a great base layer under hiking pants when it’s really cold outside.

Durability and Long-Term Use

The Under Armour ColdGear Leggings seem very durable for long-term use so far.

The material seems to be tough in terms of abrasion resistance. I’ve worn them alone while bushwhacking, and snags have hit them. The material and seams haven’t been damaged in the process.

The stitching seems good on these leggings. I have read in the reviews that the seam stitching is the first to go. However, after multiple uses and multiple wash cycles, I’ve not noticed any stitching issues.

Pockets

This, in my opinion, is where these leggings lack the most.

There is one pocket on the right side of the tights. It’s made from a mesh material, making it very breathable. It’s a durable pocket that can fit by big phone with its big case,

I say these leggings lack in this area because they only have one pocket. My other leggings come with either two pockets or three. I think the Under Armour ColdGear Leggings need to have at least one other pocket on the other side of the tights.

Pros and Cons of the Under Armour ColdGear Leggings

Here are the pros and cons of these leggings based on my own experience in using them.

Pros

• They’re very warm, lightweight, and comfortable.
• The wick absorbs moisture well and keeps my skin very dry.
• They offer great mobility, no matter what kind of trail I’m using.
• They’re great for hiking, trail running, and I’d even use them when I go wild caving.

Cons

• They’re not that windproof, and they’re definitely not waterproof.
• There is only one pocket, and one is not enough.
• The compression is basic. A higher compression would be better.
• They cost quite a bit of money for very few features.

Who Are the Under Armour ColdGear Leggings For?

• Day hikers
• Trail runners
• Backpackers
• Ultralight hikers

Pricing and Value

The MSRP of the Under Armour ColdGear Leggings stands at about $55.

I think they’re a bit expensive, but they are worth buying. I can easily compare them with other insulated leggings I own. They have never let me down, and I’ve used them for a while in pretty rugged conditions.

If you’re interested in buying them, I suggest getting them from REI. Using my link will earn me a commission, but it will not impact your price.

Final Thoughts About the Under Armour ColdGear Leggings

Overall, I enjoy having the Under Armour ColdGear Leggings in my collection of hiking and trail running apparel.

I wear them a lot for hiking and trail running. I usually like wearing them alone, but I’ve also used them for layering, as well. I recommend getting the black ones if you want to wear them alone, as black tends to be less see-through than other colors.

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And until next time, I’ll see you on the trail!