Looking for a solution to staying warm in the biting cold ? Check out the latest addition to my winter wardrobe.

One of the most common questions I get right before a Nordic walking class—especially on a cold, blustery winter day—is, “What are you wearing today?”

My answer? A full breakdown of my layers, including brands and where I found them.

I’ve lately been talking up my new flannel-lined Wind River Hyper-Dri Lined Pants purchased at Marks.

After wearing my previous flannel-lined pants (also from Mark’s) for many years, I decided it was time for an upgrade. Their newest version, the Wind River Hyper-Dri Lined Pants, has definitely met my expectations

Designed for cold-weather activities, these cozy pants feature a smooth wind- and water-resistant exterior and a soft, brushed flannel interior lining for added comfort and warmth.

Non-bulky layers are key

Layering is the tried-and-true method for staying warm during winter. However, I find that traditional layering options, like longjohns under pants or wind/rain pants overtop of pants, are too bulky and can hinder mobility.

For activities like Nordic walking, unrestricted arm and leg movement is essential. Lined pants offer comfort, warmth and mobility in one streamlined unit.

A step up from the original design

Here are several upgrades that I appreciate in this latest version of Mark’s lined pants::

1. Improved waistband:
   The waistband now features both a button closure and Velcro tab, ensuring it lies flat. This small change eliminates the rolling over I experienced with my older pair.

2. More and better pockets:
   The new design includes several flat-lying zippered pockets, a big improvement over the basic two non-zippered slash pockets on the original pants.

3. Soft, stretchy fabric:
   The lining is softer and almost fleecy, providing extra coziness. And the outer layer of the pants is now more stretchy, allowing for greater ease of movement.

Fit and sizing tip

I initially tried on my regular size, which fit nicely. However, I chose to size up, as the larger size offered more room in the thighs while still fitting well at the waist.

Get-dressed-faster tip

When getting dressed, put your pants on first, followed by your socks. If you put your socks on first, they will stick to the fuzzy lining making getting dressed more time consuming than it need be.

Many options in this category

I can find no downside to these pants! They are priced at $89.99, which seems reasonable to me given the quality and thoughtful design.

But if these particular pants don’t suit your style or budget, there are plenty of other options to explore. Retailers like Eddie Bauer, Lululemon, Columbia, Mountain Warehouse and Amazon all offer similar styles.

Note: As with all of my Test Drive blog posts, I’m sharing simply because I love this product—no sponsorships or renumeration involved!