Cold mornings bite and budgets feel tight, yet a simple switch in your wardrobe could change winter walks.
The latest lined trousers from Uniqlo arrive at under £40 and promise warmth, smart looks and rain resistance for the commute, the school run and weekends outdoors.
What’s new and why this £40 pair matters
Uniqlo has launched a warm lined trouser for autumn that aims to replace heavy denim and thin chinos once the temperature dips. The price comes in at £39.90, making this a mid-range pick for everyday wear. The cut reads relaxed and slightly wide, but the ankle drawcords let you taper the silhouette when wind picks up.
The headline feature is a soft fleece lining that traps heat without turning the trousers into bulky joggers. The outer fabric has a water-repellent finish, so light showers bead and run off rather than soaking in straight away. That means fewer damp legs when the forecast gets it wrong.
£39.90 gets you fleece-lined, water-repellent trousers with adjustable hems in 4 colours and 7 sizes.
Key details at a glance
| Price | £39.90 |
|---|---|
| Lining | Fleece, heat-retention design for consistent warmth |
| Outer | Water-repellent finish for showers and road spray |
| Fit | Relaxed, wide leg with adjustable drawstring hems |
| Waist | Flat, elasticated waistband for comfort under coats and knits |
| Pockets | Two large popper-secured side pockets + one right-side zipped pocket |
| Sizes | XXS to XXL |
| Colours | Olive, black, brown, natural |
Warmth without the bulk
Winter trousers fail when they feel stiff or look like sportswear. This pair avoids both pitfalls. The brushed lining sits close to the skin and traps a thin layer of air that warms quickly. Because the pile is fine, the trousers still drape cleanly and keep a smart line from hip to ankle.
The heat-retention approach works best for stop-start routines like commuting, shopping and school pick-ups. Step outside and the lining takes the initial sting out of the cold. Step into a warm shop and the relaxed cut allows enough air flow to stop you overheating. You get a practical temperature buffer without feeling wrapped in a blanket.
Rain-ready for British weather
Most of us don’t need mountaineering shells to cross town. A water-repellent finish buys time in drizzle and short showers. Raindrops bead and roll, so moisture takes longer to penetrate. You still want a brolly in a downpour, but you can walk the dog or change trains without instantly sodden thighs. On a bike ride, the drawcord at the hem keeps splashes off your socks and helps block wind creeping up the leg.
Water-repellent fabric and cinchable hems make short work of drizzle, gusts and road spray.
Fit, sizes and who it suits
The cut lands in the wide-leg camp, which pairs neatly with winter boots and chunky trainers. The elasticated waistband lies flat, so it layers under longer coats without a bulky line at the waist. If you prefer a tapered look, tighten the hem drawcords; if you want airflow on milder days, leave them loose for a straight drape.
With sizes from XXS to XXL and four neutral colours, most wardrobes can slot in a pair without drama. Olive and brown warm up navy and grey coats; black plays well with everything; natural adds contrast to dark puffer jackets and parkas.
Pockets that pull their weight
The pocket layout solves everyday carry without a bulging silhouette. Each side features a large, popper-secured pocket that keeps gloves and a phone easy to reach. A bonus zipped pocket on the right side keeps keys or a travel card safe when you’re weaving through crowds.
What early buyers report
Shoppers who tried them this autumn point to a smart exterior and a soft interior that feels cosy rather than puffy. Several note that sizing runs true with room for movement, and that rain beads on the surface long enough to find shelter. Comfort scores high on commutes, dog walks and even casual office days where denim feels too stiff or too cold.
How it compares on value
At £39.90, these trousers sit well below technical hiking kit and just above basic cotton chinos. Warmth-for-price looks strong when you factor in the lining and weather protection. If you wear them three days a week from October to March, that’s roughly 75 uses in a single season. Cost per wear drops close to 53p before you even reach next winter.
When to pick them over jeans
- On frosty mornings when denim feels icy against the skin.
- On drizzly days when untreated cotton soaks through fast.
- For commutes where you need pockets that secure valuables.
- For casual-office dress codes that favour clean lines over joggers.
Care, reproofing and longevity
To keep the lining soft, wash on a gentle cycle, turn the trousers inside out and avoid high heat. Line-dry or tumble on low to preserve the handfeel. Water-repellent finishes degrade with wear and washing; if rain starts to soak in, refresh the finish with a suitable spray-on reproofing product. A simple reproof restores beading and helps the fabric shed drizzle again.
Microfibre shedding rises with harsh washes. A cooler cycle and a laundry bag designed to capture fibres can reduce release into wastewater. Shorter spin cycles also help maintain the smooth drape of the outer fabric over time.
How to style it through the cold snap
Use the trousers as the anchor of a winter uniform. Pair olive or brown with cream knitwear and leather trainers for weekends. Choose black with a charcoal overshirt and Chelsea boots for a smarter take. On sub-zero days, add a thin thermal base layer under the lining and cinch the hems over wool socks to seal heat.
For cyclists, keep the ankles tightened and choose a longer waterproof over the top. For pushchair duty, stash spare gloves and snacks in the popper pockets and keep keys in the zipped one to avoid fumbling at the door.
One pair covers commutes, playgrounds and pub lunches without the stiff feel of winter denim.
Buying tips before you add to basket
Check the inseam and hem width if you sit between sizes; the drawcord helps fine-tune the shape, but length still matters with boots. If you plan to layer tights or thermals underneath, consider a half-size up feel. Pick a colour that complements your existing coat and footwear to maximise wear. Olive and black cover most bases; natural lifts dark wardrobes and reads more streetwear than outdoorsy when styled with monochrome layers.
The bottom line for cold-weather wardrobes
A lined trouser that looks like a trouser, not gym kit, fills a gap many notice the minute the mercury slides. This £39.90 option brings three things that count in Britain’s stop-start winter: dependable warmth, quick-shedding shower resistance and a cut that stays presentable at work and at weekends.
If you rotate one pair with your jeans, you’ll likely reach for them on frost-tipped mornings, damp evenings and windy station platforms. The mix of fleece comfort, practical pockets and adjustable hems makes the case for retiring thin chinos until spring.
Take my money.