Royal Robbins Billy Goat BC Pant Review

All insulated pants are designed for days when temperatures are expected to stay cold. Wearing baselayers underneath pants is my preferred layering strategy. But sometimes, a pair of pants lined with a soft, warm fabric just hits right on its own. It’s like wearing sweatpants disguised as regular trousers. That’s why I got my hands on a pair of the Royal Robbins Billy Goat BC Pants.

Shoveling snow and dog walks weren’t planned testing metrics for these fleece-lined hiking pants, but that experience made me appreciate their versatility and comfort beyond the trails. Obviously, hiking is the most relevant use for these toasty trousers, yet I found myself wearing them closer to home for chores and walking errands in the cold. 

Don’t worry, I did also hit the trails in these. On long and short hikes, I found that the stretch-canvas flexed when needed and effectively cut down strong wind gusts. Most importantly, though, the insulation kept me warm without cooking my legs when the sun came out. 

In short: The Billy Goat BC Lined Pant ($125) strikes a sweet spot of breathable insulation that keeps legs warm in freezing temperatures without overheating. The standard fit keeps them close in the thighs for an average build, but the stretch canvas flexes when you need it to. They’re great for dry-weather winter hikes, though they’re just as appealing for light-duty work or in chilly environments like a warehouse or an unheated garage.

Check out GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Hiking Pants for Men and the Best Hiking Pants for Women.

Royal Robbins Billy Goat BC Lined Pant Review

Royal Robbins is a heritage outdoor brand with roots in climbing, yet it has grown into one we usually associate with less specialized apparel. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have some true hiking standouts in its lineup, though. 

The Billy Goat line of shorts and pants has been around for years and has undergone several design and material changes to improve durability and sustainability.

First off, there aren’t a ton of insulated hiking pants out there. I’ve worn more casual insulated pants, more reinforced work pants, and winter shell pants. The Billy Goat BC Lined Pant hits a middle ground between these designs and is well-suited to hiking in freezing temperatures.

My very first impression of the Billy Goat Lined Pant was the buttery-soft insulation against the skin. Next-to-skin comfort isn’t something we normally include up high in product summaries, but it’s a notable trait, and a treat.

Just-Right Insulation

The Billy Goat pants are made from mostly cotton canvas, with roughly 30% Tencel. Tencel is often used for its breathability and cooling in summer clothes. In my experience, this blend helped prevent the canvas outer from trapping too much warm air between it and the insulated lining. 

Proper testing of these pants involved working around Denver’s mild winter. Only several days provided cold enough conditions in the morning and evening. Hence, I wore them on dog walks and while snow shovelling on certain days. I also ventured out on several short hikes and more casual (but cold) strolls on such days. 

On cold days, with no threat of temperatures above 40 degrees, I’d go for longer hikes out on nearby hills and mesas to get a feel for the pants in colder, windier conditions. However, hiking in fleece pants in over 40-degree weather got toasty unless it was windy or I was in the shade. Wearing these in temps above 50 degrees would be a sweaty endeavor.

However, in temperatures below 40 degrees, they excelled. Hiking in the 20s and even single digits was comfortable, even with 15-mph wind gusts. 

Overall, I found the insulation to hit a sweet spot of keeping me warm in freezing temperatures without overheating during a post-hike lunch in a café. (Granted, I also live somewhere businesses are less prone to blasting heat during the winter.)  

The Fit

Beyond the insulation, the Billy Goat pants have to fit well and stretch to be considered a solid hiking option, and they did. If I have any knocks, they are mostly on behalf of others. Royal Robbins makes some boxier pants, but some may find the Billy Goat silhouette on the slim side of standard fit.

I noticed a bit of a close fit at the knee and in the thighs, and would assume I’m fairly average there. If you have gym quads, these will likely feel too tight. The pants also fit a tad long (a common issue for me), yet didn’t bunch up too much above mid-height boots or hiking shoes. The seat and upper thigh were roomy, and with the stretch, I never found the pants to be restrictive.

I liked that these pants have a classic five-pocket build as you’d find in jeans, and there’s a tool/knife pocket on the leg as well. Over time, I felt the pants loosen, the same way jeans do between washes.

Also, the Billy Goat pants’ more traditional style means the pants aren’t overly stretchy, so you avoid the saggy or tight pockets that let everyone know what you’re carrying.

Hiking Performance

I expected to have issues with the knees, particularly on ascents, but found the pants’ shape allowed a good range of motion. The overall roominess and stretch didn’t interfere while tackling the rise and run of big timber steps on trails. The same applies to squatting. 

Perhaps the biggest weak spot is that cold temperatures often coincide with wet weather, and the cotton canvas is not waxy or water-shedding (no DWR). On hikes, I’d kick up snow and find the bottom of my pants rather wet by the end. While kneeling in the snow, water quickly took to the canvas, and the cold crept in. 

That said, these aren’t shell pants, but it’s something to remember before walking into wet weather. Anything that prevents water from seeping in would probably boost the overall performance of these pants, though it would likely compromise breathability and style.

Durability

Without reinforced knees or extra-thick panels, they look like casual, albeit sturdy, pants. That makes them a great option for outdoor chores and light-duty work in drafty or cold spaces.

The canvas is rugged and should hold up to heavy wear. It may develop noticeable patina over time. However, I walked through plenty of brush and came away with no noticeable signs of wear on the pants.

I decided to rub a small section on coarse concrete to see how the canvas would hold up. I came away pretty pleased with the result (in the photo above). While the wear was evident, it wasn’t serious. For day-to-day adventures, these stretchy lined pants should hold up for years of action.

Royal Robbins Billy Goat BC Lined Pant: Who They Are For?

The Billy Goat BC Lined Pant is a sturdy, stretchy canvas hiking pant with buttery soft insulation that won’t overheat you indoors. The pants fit close, but not too tightly. Its canvas outer took the bite out of wind gusts while the overall breathability helped prevent sweat buildup during my hiking tests.

These pants aren’t highly technical, and they lack articulated or reinforced knees. For some, they might even seem too lightweight. However, the more casual build and style make them realistic for use beyond the trail.

In terms of value, you may find more techy, lined pants at a lower price, but you may not want to wear those for more casual affairs. If you value getting more use from hiking pants than just hiking, the Billy Goat BC Lined Pant is likely for you. If you often hike in wet, sloppy conditions, you probably want a true shell pant.

Lastly, the warm and comfy feeling I got when I first tried these on never faded. Throughout testing, I looked forward to putting them on first thing in the morning before stepping outside — whether that was to go for a hike or shovel my sidewalk.