IMAGE GUIDE — delete this box before publishing
- Cover (1920×1280) — subject: legs of a seated person putting on tight thermal leggings under a pair of jeans, soft natural light on a cold morning; the seamless Risalti fabric looks smooth, without creases · file: pantaloni-termici-calzamaglia-come-sceglierli-00.webp · alt: "Risalti thermal pants worn under jeans"
- Image 1 (1200×800) — position: immediately after the situation/line table, in the "How to choose the line based on the cold?" section · subject: the four thermal leggings (Energy, Extreme, Merino Wool, Tech+) folded and placed side by side, still life on a neutral background · file: pantaloni-termici-calzamaglia-come-sceglierli-01.webp · alt: "Risalti thermal leggings compared: Energy, Extreme, Merino Wool, and Tech+ lines"
- Image 2 (1200×800) — position: in the "Under jeans, at work or while skiing: which one to wear?" section, after the paragraph about the ski suit · subject: person standing in the snow with their ski suit open at the waist, showing the tight thermal leggings on their legs · file: pantaloni-termici-calzamaglia-come-sceglierli-02.webp · alt: "Risalti thermal leggings worn under a ski suit"
Thermal pants, long johns, and thermal leggings are the same garment: tight-fitting leggings to be worn under trousers, or on their own for sports, to keep your legs warm. Choosing the right pair depends on two things: the temperature in which you use them and what you wear over them. From there, you can determine the right line among Energy, Extreme, Merino Wool, and Tech+.
Long johns, thermal pants, or thermal leggings: what's the difference?
None at all; they are just three ways of calling the same pair of pants. For men, the term "long johns" (calzamaglia) is used more often, while for women, "thermal pants" or "thermal leggings" are more common. The garment is always a tight-fitting pair of pants in technical fabric, ankle-length, worn as a first layer for the legs.
They have little to do with dance tights or pantyhose: here, the fabric serves to insulate against the cold and manage sweat. Risalti leggings are seamless and completely Made in Italy: without side seams, they don't mark your legs under pants and don't cause discomfort when you walk or bend over. If you are looking for men's thermal pants or women's thermal long johns, start with the two thermal underwear collections: all the lines described below are available in versions for both him and her.
How to choose the line based on the cold?
The temperature of use determines the line. There are four lines, from the lightest to the warmest, with one peculiarity: Extreme, despite its name, falls halfway.
Energy is the lightest, suitable for +5°C to +20°C. It is made of microfiber with SoftAir+ yarn (70% polyester, 20% polyamide, 10% elastane) and is primarily designed to keep the skin dry while you are moving. For her, there is the Women's Energy Thermal Leggings, and for him, the Energy Leggings Thermal Pants.
Extreme is the intermediate line, for -5°C to +10°C. The fabric is Dryarn polypropylene with polyamide and elastane (58% polyamide, 36% polypropylene, 6% elastane) and is suitable for city cold and winter sports. For him, there are the Men's Extreme Leggings Thermal Pants, and for her, the Women's Extreme Leggings Thermal Pants.
Merino Wool is the warmest, for 0°C to -15°C. The outside features extra-fine merino wool, while the inside has polypropylene to keep the skin dry (46% polypropylene, 28% wool, 22% polyamide, 4% elastane). It provides warmth even when you are standing still, making it the line for intense cold. An example is the Women's Merino Wool Thermal Leggings, which is also available for men.
Merino Wool Tech+ combines merino wool and Dryarn® yarn (52% polypropylene, 44% merino wool, 4% elastane). The Dryarn wicks away moisture, while the wool retains heat. You can find it in the Men's Merino Wool Tech+ Thermal Leggings and the women's version.
| Situation | Recommended line | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Running, gym, hiking | Energy | It's the lightest (+5°C/+20°C) and manages sweat |
| Jeans in the city, cold above +5°C | Energy | A thin layer under your pants is enough |
| Jeans in the city, cold below +5°C | Extreme | Range from -5°C to +10°C |
| Winter cycling, high-intensity skiing | Extreme | Active in the cold: you need warmth with dry skin |
| Outdoor work, long pauses, skiing in intense cold | Merino Wool | It's the warmest (0°C/-15°C) and warms even when standing still |
| Long days outdoors, with the softness of wool | Merino Wool Tech+ | Merino wool with moisture-wicking Dryarn |
The temperature ranges overlap. Between +5°C and +10°C, both Energy and Extreme are suitable; between 0°C and -5°C, Extreme and Merino Wool overlap. In those ranges, your level of activity is the deciding factor: if you walk at a brisk pace or run, choose the lighter line; if you remain in the cold for a long time without moving or work outdoors, choose the warmer one.
Men's and women's thermal pants: what changes?
The specifications change, but the logic of choice remains the same. Each line has a version for men and one for women, each with its own size guide, and the temperature ranges are identical. Therefore, women's thermal pants and men's thermal pants within a line are chosen using the same criteria: first the temperature, then the size.
The available sizes vary slightly: in the Energy line, women find S/M and L/XL, while men also have XXL. For the upper body set, there are guides for the men's thermal shirt and women's thermal shirt.
Under jeans, at work or while skiing: which one to wear?
Under jeans and city pants, thickness and fit matter. On mild days, Energy is sufficient; below +5°C, switch to Extreme. If the size is correct, the leggings remain thin under the fabric and do not bunch up. With skinny jeans or tight pants, choose the thinnest line that can withstand the cold of that day, so your legs can move effortlessly.
For work pants worn outdoors, at a construction site, in a garden, or in an unheated warehouse, the problem is cold while standing still. Here you need Merino Wool, the line with the lowest temperature range.
With a ski suit, it depends on how much you ski and how much you wait. If you ski at a sustained pace and the temperature doesn't drop below -5°C, Extreme keeps the skin dry. In intense cold, slow chairlifts, and during breaks, choose Merino Wool. For running, Energy is best: you generate the heat yourself while moving.
To complete the set, pair your thermal socks with the same line as your leggings.
Which size to choose?
Thermal leggings are tight-fitting by design: the right size is one that follows your leg without squeezing. If you are between two sizes, choose the larger one. Sizes come in double ranges: Energy S/M and L/XL (XXL men only), Extreme XS, M/L and XL, Merino Wool XS/S, M/L and XL/XXL, Tech+ S/M, L/XL and XXL.
Merino Wool fits about one size larger than Energy. If you wear an S/M in Energy, choose an XS/S in Merino Wool.
Which errors to avoid when choosing thermal pants?
- A loose fit. Loose leggings bunch up under jeans and are noticeable when you walk.
- Cotton. Sweat makes it stay damp and cools the skin: thermal leggings are made of microfiber, polypropylene, or merino wool for this reason.
- A wrong line for your activity level. Merino Wool for running will make you sweat; Energy is not enough when standing still at 0°C.
- Tight double layers. If your jeans are already tight, wearing leggings underneath will limit knee movement: choose a thinner line or a more comfortable pair of jeans.
To see all thermal garments together, check out the complete guide to thermal underwear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should thermal pants be worn over or under underwear?
Over. Leggings are pants, so briefs or boxers stay in contact with the skin, and the leggings go on top, under your jeans or trousers.
Can they be worn on their own?
Yes, especially Energy, recommended for +5°C to +20°C for training and outdoor activities. The warmer lines are designed to be worn under another pair of pants.
How should thermal pants be washed?
In the washing machine at 30°C, as indicated on the label of each Risalti model.
Do they provide warmth even when standing still?
It depends on the line. Merino Wool (0°C to -15°C) is made for cold while standing still. Energy works primarily on sweat: if you stop at 0°C, it remains lightweight.
