No matter what type of travel you are doing, having a comfortable pair of the best travel pants (or a few) could be a lifesaver.
The problem is, there are a lot of options out there, so choosing the right one may seem impossible.
Luckily, it is not! In fact, we have put together this guide to help you make this very important decision.
We have curated a list of a few of the best pairs for women and men that may cut your search short.
So, if you are on the market for some comfortable and well-made travel pants, keep reading.
Best Travel Pants for Women Reviews
1. Columbia Saturday Trail Pants
The first pair that made our list is these women’s stretch pants from Columbia.
It is made for active women to use all year long and offers amazing features that optimize comfort.
Product Highlights
Here are the main features of these pants:
- 96% nylon / 4% elastane
- Button closure
- Machine-washable
- 2 side hook-and-loop closure pockets
- 2 back pockets
- Partially elastic waist
- Convertible design
- Classic mid-rise waist
- Omni-Shade sun protection
- Water-resistant
The Good
Columbia is a name that many people are familiar with, and that is because it has delivered quality clothing for decades.
These pants are no exception. They are designed with durable, rugged fabric that is also lightweight and breathable.
On top of that, you can wear them as full-length pants or transform them into capris for more versatility.
More than anything, this design choice is why they ended up on this list.
The Bad
Now, even though these pants come from a pretty reputable company, they are by no means perfect.
For one, that name recognition is why the price tag is so high, which can be a major problem for some.
Another issue is that while the pants do come in many sizes, there is no selection for those who are petite.
Pros
- Available in many sizes, including plus sizes
- Offers a heightened comfortability
- Made of durable and rugged materials
- Comes in a wide range of colors
- Can be transformed into capris
Cons
- Some may find the price a little steep
- Sizes do not include petite
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2. Kirkland Ankle Travel Pants
The next pair of travel pants is another woman’s option perfect for the spring and summer months.
These ankle pants feature a four-way stretch fabric and a slimming design that most women will love.
Product Highlights
Here are the main features of these pants:
- 91% nylon / 9% elastane
- 4-way stretch
- Partial elastic waist
- 2 back pockets with mesh lining
- 2 front pockets with mesh lining
- 1 side cargo pocket with zipper closure
- Hook-and-bar closure
The Good
For those who are looking for an easy-to-care-for pair, these Kirkland travel pants are a good choice.
Because these are ankle pants, they are perfect for when you are going someplace warm.
When it comes to travel, you’ll find that these pants are relatively wrinkle-free and designed to be durable and comfortable. If you’d like to know how to pack your pants perfectly then check out our guide on how to pack pants for travel.
Along with that, the tapered leg is very flattering for almost everyone.
The Bad
There are some issues that we would be remiss without mentioning.
Of the two issues, the feel of the pants is probably the one that is the least important, as it is a preference thing.
Still, there are some who don’t like the polyester feel of the pants.
Besides the feel, the bigger concern is the fact that the sizing is off. They tend to run bigger, so you may want to consider going down a size.
Pros
- Crafted with lightweight material
- More comfortable than other pairs
- Excellent stitching to improve durability
- Made with a wrinkle-free material
- Makes the wearer look slimmer
- Very low maintenance
Cons
- Some issues with the sizing
- Issues with the feel of the pants
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3. prAna Halle Pants
The next option for women travelers is these Halle pants from prAna.
It uses quick-dry Stretch Zion fabric and is designed with plenty of amazing features that give it a lot of versatility.
Product Highlights
Here are the main features of these pants:
- 97% nylon / 3% spandex
- Water repellent
- 4-way stretch fabric
- UPF 50+
- Quick-drying
- Button fly
- Hidden zip stash pocket
- Roll-up leg
The Good
prAna is one of the best-known travel clothing brands on the market today, offering designs that are both stylish and functional.
These Halle pants are crafted with a proprietary Zion stretch fabric, which brings with it plenty of great benefits.
The use of this fabric means you’d be able to move freely because of the stretch. What’s more, it gives these pants their quick-drying capability.
Another great feature of these pants is their protection from UV rays.
As such, you can rest assured they won’t fade even with constant exposure to the elements.
The Bad
There are some things that we think could be improved with these travel pants.
The first is that while it is lighter than other options, some feel that they are still a little too heavy.
On top of that, the durability of the buttons has been called into question.
Pros
- Dries quickly
- Designed with stretchy fabric and articulated knees
- Very flattering and feminine fit
- Full of adjustment options
- Very easy to move in
Cons
- Not as lightweight as other pairs
- Issues with the durability of the buttons
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Best Travel Pants for Men Reviews
1. prAna Brion Pants
The next pair of men’s travel pants comes from prAna, and it utilizes the brand’s Zion stretch fabric.
Along with that, you’ll find tons of other features in these travel pants despite their simple aesthetic.
Product Highlights
Here are the main features of these pants:
- Wide range of color selection
- Straight leg 5-pocket style
- Fixed waist
- Water-repellent
- 4-way stretch
- UPF 50+
- Quick-drying
- Mesh pockets
- Wrinkle resistant
The Good
Sometimes, travel pants have a more sporty look, which doesn’t lend themselves to the versatility of use.
Thankfully, you won’t find that a problem in these pants from prAna.
The overall aesthetic of these jeans is that of a nice pair of casual pants.
However, when you look at its features, such as the roll-up legs and others, you will soon see why it’s good for traveling.
All of these combined give these pants a lot of value, making them a good investment.
The Bad
Even though we feel that these pants are some of the best pairs out there, they do have a few issues.
Firstly, they don’t have a lot of stand-out features, especially compared to their competition. In fact, the only real extra is the roll-up legs.
Secondly, the pants are also a bit heavier, making them a poor choice for hotter climates.
Pros
- Simple but still aesthetically pleasing
- Price versus value outshines most of their competition
- Offers a comfortable slim fit
- Easy to dress up
- Crafted with roll-up legs for more wearability
Cons
- A discernible lack of extra features
- Too hot for warmer climates
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2. Unionbay Rainier Travel Chinos
Okay, so now let’s turn to the gentleman travelers out there.
These Unionbay travel chino pants are lightweight and protect the traveler from the elements.
Besides that, you can’t deny that they look nice too.
Product Highlights
Here are the main features of these pants:
- 94% nylon / 6% spandex
- Button closure
- Machine-washable
- Quick-drying two-way stretch fabric
- Water-resistant
- UPF 50
- Mesh-lined pockets
- Velcro waist adjustment
The Good
Your style of travel will depend on what type you think is the best thing about these pants.
Are you an adventure traveler? If so, you will love the range of motion and UV protection that the stretch fabric gives these pants.
If you are a traditional traveler, you may find the wrinkle-free aspect very appealing. After all, this means you can wear them straight from the suitcase.
Basically, these pants have something to offer every type of traveler.
The Bad
That being said, there are still issues that may cause some to reconsider choosing these pants.
For instance, you may find that they run a little large when it comes to size, which could be annoying.
Also, the side pockets are very shallow.
Pros
- Offers a very good range of motion
- Pockets all come with mesh lining
- Designed with protection from UV rays
- Dries very quickly
- Always look crisp
Cons
- Side pockets are a little shallow
- The fit tends to run a little large
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3. Lee Slim Pants
This final pair is another option for the guys out there.
It is a trendy pair of Lee travel pants crafted with a slim-fit silhouette and stretchy fabric for more comfort.
Product Highlights
Here are the main features of these pants:
- 97% cotton / 3% spandex
- Button closure
- Machine-washable
- Slim, mid-rise fit
- 4 mesh pockets
- Flex waistband
- Active comfort fabric
- Wrinkle resistant
- Hidden gussets
The Good
Comfort and fashion are what you get when you choose these pants as your travel buddy.
They are designed to be relatively wrinkle-free and provide a soft feel that elevates your overall comfort.
Plus, you get a wide color selection and a trendy fit that isn’t too slim.
The Bad
If you choose these pants, you should be aware of a few problems.
For one, they tend to become baggy during the day, which may be a problem if you are traveling from a business event and want to look your sharpest.
Also, the inseam fold is not flush with the leg, causing some rubbing and irritations on some wearers.
Pros
- Nice fabric feels like wearing sweatpants
- Comes out of the dryer ready to wear
- Versatile wearability
- Available in a lot of great colors
- Slim fit but not as slim as other options
Cons
- The waist can loosen during the day
- The inseam fold is not flush and rubs a little
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Buyer’s Guide
After looking at these awesome pairs of the best travel pants, you are probably wondering how we picked them out from the crowd.
To find the right pair for you, we carefully considered a list of features.
These features include the following and may be helpful to you in making your final decision:
1. Size
When looking at any pants, the first thing you need to really pay attention to is the sizes available.
Some will only come in standard sizes, leaving plus-size, petite, and taller people out in the cold.
In that case, you will want to look at the sizes are available and see if they carry your size.
2. Fabric
You will have to consider several aspects when looking at the fabric.
First off is the range of motion. When choosing a pair of pants for travel, you want one with a little stretch so that it is comfortable to move around in.
You also want a pair of pants that are breathable to help you stay cool and fresh.
There are other aspects like quick-drying, water resistance, and even protection from UV rays that you may want to take a look at.
3. Fit
Just like with size, you have to pay attention to the fit. Of course, this is a preferential choice; some like a slim fit, others a classic fit.
Then, there are those travelers who like tapered legs, and some who like them lose.
Choose the travel pants you want by the fit and style you typically prefer in your everyday pants, and you will be fine.
4. Lightweight
Another factor that deserves to be looked at all on its own is the weight of the fabric.
When you travel, you most likely will want a lightweight fabric. More than anything, it will make traveling much more comfortable and allow for less sweating, which is always good.
5. Style
The last factor may not seem like an important one, but those travel pants may be one of two bottoms you can bring on your trip.
Basically, this means you may need to dress them up or down depending on the activities you plan to do on a given day.
For this reason, you will want to choose travel pants that come in multiple color choices and, more importantly, fit your stylistic preferences.
Traveling Pants FAQs
With all of the knowledge we laid out for you, there are probably a few questions that have come up or ones that we failed to answer.
To ensure you are prepared to find the best travel pants for you, we pulled together some of the most commonly asked questions and answered them below.
1. What color to choose for travel pants?
The color you pick is really up to you. If you have a bolder style, feel free to go with brighter and more fashion-forward colors.
However, the best option would be to go with neutral colors so that you can mix and match them with your tops easier.
Save the bold, bright colors for your tops and accessories if you really want to make a statement.
2. How many pants to travel with?
This is another one of those questions that only you can answer.
Still, the best rule of thumb is to go with two to three pairs depending on how long the trip is.
3. What fabric material is the best for pants to travel in?
This will largely depend on what the climate is in the location you’re traveling to.
If you are headed to someplace cold, then you will want a heavier fabric.
You will still want to look for a fabric that doesn’t take up much room in your luggage, though.
Materials like merino wool, polyester, and Thinsulate may be ones to consider.
On the other hand, if you are going somewhere warm, the fabric choice will change.
Some fabrics that might work are cotton, linen, or even silk. Then, there are quick-drying fabrics like nylon and polyester, which are also great choices.
4. What type of shirt to wear with travel pants?
Honestly, this is dependent on where you are wearing them to.
You can pair most travel pants with casual tee shirts on a travel day and then dress it up with a button-up for a dinner out.
Choose your top according to your style and where you are planning to wear them.
5. What are the best brands for travel clothing?
There are tons of great brands that specialize in travel clothing. Here are a few that we really like:
- Uniqlo
- Prana
- Columbia
- Nau Clothing
- Encircled
- Anatomie
- Ice Breaker
- Toad and Co.
- Vacay Style
Which Are the Best Pants for Travel?
Earlier, we took an in-depth look at some of the best travel pants for women and men.
For ladies who like traveling, we recommend the Columbia Saturday Trail Pants. What we like most about them is that you can wear them as full-length pants or as capris.
On the other hand, we’re confident that men will love the prAna Brion Pants. It has a bit of a stretch to it, so moving around in it won’t be a problem.