The Best Men’s Travel Pants of 2021
We’ve tested the best wrinkle-resistant, quick-drying, and comfortable travel pants for men this year. Pack your bags and get ready for an adventure.
Have your flights booked? We’ve got your backside covered with the best men’s travel pants on the market for 2022.
From the Andean cloud forests to deep desert canyons, to long backcountry road trips and everyday tasks like punching the keyboard at work, these pants have been tested to tackle any adventure and do it all in style.
Scroll through to see all of our recommended buys or jump to the category you’re looking for. At the end of our list, be sure to check out our comprehensive buyer’s guide. Curious just what makes a pant fit for the rigors of travel? Take a peek at our FAQ section. And if you’re still weighing scales (or trying to sneak in under a carry-on weight limit), consult our comparison chart.
- Best Overall Pants
- Best Budget Pants
- Best Chino-Style Pants
- Best Denim-Style Pants
- Best Five-Pocket-Style Pants
- Best of the Rest
The Best Travel Pants of 2022
Best Overall Travel Pants: LIVSN Ecotrek Trail Pants
One of our all-time favorite pants for any activity are the LIVSN Flex Canvas Pants. The trousers are durable, slightly stretchy, and have pockets in all the right places.
LIVSN nailed the design of an every day, outdoor-capable pant with its Flex Canvas line, but they were always a bit heavy (270 gsm). This made them bulky to pack, and in need of extra dry time when washed or exposed to wet conditions.
So when LIVSN shared that it was releasing a new, lighter-weight style pant, we couldn’t wait to get our hands on it. We are happy to report that LIVSN’s Ecotrek Trail Pant ($129) is the travel pant we’ve all been waiting for.
The Ecotrek brings more stretch, lighter weight, and a more athletic design to a tried-and-true model. And while this new pant is great for climbing, hiking, or other fast-paced activities in warmer climates, we find it hits all the marks for what we love in a travel pant.
Let’s start with the many pockets, most of which are zippered. Both rear pockets close with a zipper, offering some much-needed peace of mind. Angling off the back of the left thigh is an additional, horizontal zippered pocket, which is great for gadgets or a small wallet.
Both of the mesh hand pockets have coin sleeves to prevent loose currency or keys from shifting around, and the left front hand pocket has a hidden zippered pocket large enough to protect your phone.
Rounding out the seven pockets is a reinforced multitool pocket sitting on the right thigh. With so many pocket options, there’s a place for everything, but they maintain a minimalist, streamlined feel, unlike their over-engineered cargo counterparts.
The pocket configuration is dialed, but what sells these pants are the little details. The fabric’s synthetic blend doesn’t feel stiff, and the smartly tailored material walks quietly, fitting our testers with an ergonomic, yet surprisingly athletic fit.
A metal button closes the front and is backed with a leather pledget to prevent busting out. The Ecotrek Trail pants have belt loops, but if you forget your belt, they include a lace closure that hides inside the waistband. The cuffs are reinforced around the heel and so is the utility tool pocket.
While they don’t have a robust DWR, the material breathes very well. When things heat up, the pant legs roll up and hold under a buttoned strap that’s been sewn with reflective tape. These little details add up pretty quickly to make the Ecotrek a stellar pant.
Sustainability is core to LIVSN’s line of clothes, and the Ecotrek Trail pant walks the talk. The material is woven from Oceanflex fabric (70% recycled fishing buoys recovered from the ocean), and the YKK zipper taping is made from recycled ocean plastic. The rest is 25% nylon and 5% spandex for stretch.
If you are looking for lightweight, stretchy, durable pants, the LIVSN Ecotrek Trail Pant stands out as one of the best men’s travel pants on the market.
The Ecotrek Trail pants are available in olive, caramel, and charcoal colors, and they come in a range of sizes up to a 40-inch waist and a 34-inch inseam. For a deeper look, read our review.
Specs:
- Fabric: 70% Blue Ocean nylon, 25% nylon. 5% spandex
- Fabric weight: 173 gsm
- Fit: True to size
- Weight: 13 oz
- DWR: Yes
Pros:
- Form and function meet the apex pant
- Bomber hardware
- Tons of pockets with versatile security options
Cons:
- DWR is negligible
- Styling is less formal
Bottom line: Incredible attention to detail makes this a fantastic option for active travelers.
Best Budget Travel Pants: UNIONBAY Rainier Travel Chinos
Travel should never be about the gear. It should be about the experience. At $42 a pair, UNIONBAY’s Rainier Travel Pants are a steal, leaving more cash in the wallet for traveling.
True to size, the nylon-spandex blend offers just enough stretch for a full range of motion. The pants keep around the waist with a button and have traditional belt loops if you want to class them up with a belt.
Three nylon zipper pockets pair with deep hand pockets. With two in the back and one on the upper right leg, they’re big enough to secure a passport, the latest iPhone, a notepad, or all at once.
The Rainiers are rated to 50 UPF and offer a durable feel, making them acceptable for activities like hiking. The outermost layer is lightly brushed and tends to collect lint and show stains quicker than other pants on the list, but they wash up easily and the 170 gsm fabric is quick to dry.
While a fairly simple pant when compared to the Ecotrek’s attention to detail, these chino-style pants hit the core elements we looked for when evaluating the best men’s travel pants. If you’re looking for a budget pair of travel pants that pack up tight and breeze from the tarmac to restaurants (and maybe a light hike in between), these are it.
The Rainiers are available in four colors: charcoal, navy, black, and khaki.
Specs:
- Fabric: 94% nylon, 6% spandex
- Fabric weight: 173 gsm
- Fit: True to size
- Weight: 13 oz
- DWR: Yes
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Security options
- Well priced
Cons:
- Pants run long
- Material tends to collect lint
Bottom line: The least expensive pant on this list doesn’t feel cheap. The Rainiers are a light, stretchy, quick-drying bargain.
Check Price at AmazonCheck Price at UNIONBAY
Best Chino: Bluffworks Ascender Chinos
After 2 years of road-tripping, hiking, foraging for morels, and even skiing in them, the Bluffworks’ Ascender Chino ($125) continues to prove its worth as one of the most versatile travel pants available. They’re light, wrinkle-proof, classy, and comfortable, and the abundance of pockets kind of blew our minds.
You won’t find the Ascenders through big retailers. You’ll have to buy these direct from Bluffworks, but you can take comfort in knowing you’re buying an incredibly thoughtful design. Extensive experience and attention to detail have gone into making the Ascender Chino a top choice for savvy travelers.
Our pants arrived in nice packaging and with speedy delivery. Out of the box, the attention to detail is spectacular, particularly with regard to pockets — all 10 of them.
Multiple hidden pockets cache your EDC, including a hidden money pocket that’s accessed through the concealed left front zipper pocket. That’s right, they have pockets inside pockets. This inside pocket also has a second sleeve that you can access from inside the pant.
On the back, a zip pocket sits on the left. Behind the right pocket rides a third sleeve to sheath a device.
The Ascenders are available in straight-leg or a tailored slim fit. The material is stretchy, but there are no rubber fibers woven in, so the stretch comes from the weave of the material. In our opinion, this makes the pants more durable over the long haul, as there’s no elastic to break down.
The panels are stitched together to create an incredibly comfortable pant. They’re light enough to wash and hang dry overnight, and ready to rinse and repeat for another day of exploring.
In Idaho’s backcountry, we tested these pants hiking through scrub, backpacking, and even gave them a chance to pinch-hit as a ski pant. After 2 years of hard use, the Ascenders still look new, including all the zippers — they’ve all hung in there well.
The pocket number simply amazed us (and is questionably over-engineered). We initially struggled to find them all. Once we did, we stood in awe, scratching our heads, asking ourselves, “What would we put in all of these?”
But at the end of the day, their function is to ward off sticky fingers, and it does this well without compromising the look or feel of the traditionally styled chino. The Ascenders have a classy, timeless chino style that continues to look pressed after repeated wash and wear.
The ability to secure your essentials makes these some of the best men’s travel pants available. The only real downside of the Ascender pants is that they’re highly sought after, and popular colors in slim sizes can be hard to get. But they’re worth the wait!
Still worried about buying online? Bluffworks offers free shipping and returns.
Specs:
- Fabric: 100% polyester
- Fabric weight: 150 gsm
- Fit: Runs large
- DWR: Yes
Pros:
- Great looking
- Durable
- Plenty of hidden pocket options
Cons:
- Some styles and color options may be hard to find in stock
- Some hidden pockets are hard to access when wearing
Bottom line: For type-A travelers who want to keep their everyday carry game tight.
Best Denim: Aviator The Best Travel Jeans in the World
It’s a bold statement to name your pant “The Best Travel Jeans in the World” ($145), but Aviator walks the talk and the name speaks for itself.
Offered in a variety of fades in both slim and straight cut, these Aviators were born out of the soul for denim and a passion for travel. The pant has a whopping eight pockets, but you wouldn’t immediately know it.
Three zipper pockets hide inside the traditional pockets — two concealed in the back and one inside the left thigh pocket — each large enough to hold a passport. All pocket zippers use a nylon YKK zipper. And the coin pocket on the right is large enough to hold even the largest iPhone.
The pant is primarily made from a summer-weight cotton blend that is soft to the touch but with a little give, thanks to the spandex. It has a DWR finish, but it won’t dry as fast as fully synthetic pants. Bottom line, these are supremely comfortable and can help you sleep comfortably on the plane and still walk into your port of entry in style.
Specs:
- Fabric: 77% cotton, 16% polyester, 5% rayon, 2% spandex
- Fit: True to size, offered in slim and straight
- Weight: 22 oz (on our scales)
- DWR: Yes
Pros:
- Fit is great
- Pocket options are dialed
Cons:
- Denim takes longer to dry
Bottom line: For denim-heads who can’t leave home without a pair of jeans.
Best Five-Pocket Style: Western Rise Evolution 2 Pants
The first iteration of the Evolution was a GearJunkie staple around the office. Simple, functional, durable — it’s what we recommended to all our friends who ask us, “What’s a good looking pant for the road?” This year Western Rise updated the Evolution 2.0 ($128) with more stretch.
More elastane gives the Evolution 2.0 significant 4-way stretch and increased durability without sacrificing durability.
The jean-like five-pocket design wears more like denim but has the durability of a hiking pant. In fact, one of our editors wore their pair to the top of the Grand Teton last summer.
At the core of the pant is the nylon-elastane blend with a trim jean cut. The nylon fibers are softened by running them through an air-texturized process and then weaving them into a dynamic yarn.
The material has a durable weave that mimics denim (and feels less “khaki”). The DWR coating – or maybe DBR (Durable Beer Resistance). It’s outstanding. We wore these pants to Oktoberfest this year where it took the brunt of the fickle Bavarian weather and a rowdy beer hall.
Reach around back, and you’ll find a double pocket on the right, with a hidden zipper pocket that’s large enough to swallow your passport. Western Rise expanded the front coin pocket and made it big enough to holster even the largest iPhone.
Since its Kickstarter launch a few years ago, the Evolution has received overwhelmingly positive ratings from buyers and, well, we’d have to agree with them. The styling is top-notch, and the durability paired with breathability and now added mobility hits the perfect sweet spot.
After your trip, roll them up and watch them disappear in your luggage. They tick all the boxes for traveling and were the envy of our photographer while cycling through Colombia.
There aren’t many reasons to ding the Evolutions; the material on the new pant feels stiff out of the box but that softens up over time. To help differentiate their pant models (which all have a similar cut and color), Western Rise screened a patch on the inner left pocket. It can feel a little sweaty against the legs.
Aware of this issue, Western Rise is changing that label to a print going forward. One thing that hasn’t changed is the pocket configuration. Some will find the additional zipper pocket just the right added security. Others will prefer more pockets to keep their EDCs.
If you want that Western Rise styling but with a wrinkle-resistant fabric, their Diversion pant ($168) is also a great pick. The double-knit canvas weighs 286 gsm, which makes it more durable overall, but it sacrifices packability.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This fantastic five-pocket jean-style pant has been on our list of the best men’s travel pants for four years now. For two of those years, they were our top pick, and we still recommend them to friends looking for a do-everything pant that flies fashionably under the radar.
Specs:
- Fabric: 90% nylon, 10% elastane, woven in Sweden, cut and sewn in the USA
- Fabric weight: 107 gsm
- Fit: True to size
- Weight: 11 oz
- DWR: Yes
Pros:
- Lightweight material breathes just as well as the first
- More durability than first
- Fantastic fit and construction
- Better mobility than the first iteration
Cons:
- New fabric feels slightly stiffer (breaks in over time)
- Patch on the inside pocket can feel sticky against the legs (they are changing it to a print)
- Single security pocket is limiting for some travelers
Bottom line: For travelers who prefer jean styling but don’t want to compromise fabric performance; a fantastic option for warm-weather travel.
Best of the Rest
Kühl Renegade Pants
Some GearJunkie editors lobbied for Kühl’s Renegade pants ($99) to steal LIVSN’s longstanding travel pants crown. Don’t get us wrong; they’re both incredible pants, so excuse us for splitting hairs.
Kühl has a strong reputation throughout the outdoor industry for making bomber, thoughtfully designed pieces. And its sub-$90 Renegade pants exemplify those qualities in spades — and they’re sharp-looking as well.
Kühl’s DURALUX fabric (95% nylon, 5% spandex) is a triple-crown material — stretchy, breathable, and durable. Plus, a DWR treatment bolsters defense against Mother Nature and misfortune.
Like any good pair of travel pants, the Renegade boasts pockets aplenty! Hand pockets are a compromise between straight-cut and the more casual slant pocket. The result is the best of both worlds — easy access even when sitting, but also security so items won’t tumble out.
Two rear pockets flank your posterior — and both have Velcro patches (again, a marriage of security and access). And along each leg is a vertical zippered pocket, big enough for a smartphone. A stealth cellphone pocket graces the left thigh, while a drop-in “3D” pocket on the right thigh is perfect for clip-in multitools, knives, or pens, or for quicker cellphone access than the stealth pocket.
The riveted snap closure on the front can be a little stubborn (trust us, it’s secure), but it won’t fray or come loose as a button could. If there’s any knock versus the other pants on this list, it’s that there’s no adjustability to the fit — no drawstring, Velcro tabs, or adjustable buckle — so size properly, or go a little big and keep a belt handy.
You can choose from a straight-cut “Klassik” fit, or a close-fitting tapered style. Both have a gusseted crotch and articulated knees, so either fit is great for travel and adventure.
Specs:
- Fabric: 95% nylon, 4% spandex
- Fit: True to size
- Weight: 12.8 oz
- DWR: Yes
Pros:
- 8 pockets — zippered, Velcro, and hidden
- Very breathable and abrasion-resistant
- 2-way stretch, gusseted crotch, and articulated knees
Cons:
- Front snap can be tough to release
- No adjustability in waist
- Less stretch than previous Renegade pants
Bottom line: Comfortable, versatile, well-made — some of the best men’s travel pants you can buy.
Check Price at BackcountryCheck Price at Kühl
Royal Robins Alpine Road Pants
At first blush, the Royal Robins Alpine Road pant ($85) flexes a formal vibe. But don’t let that deter you. The Alpine Road is an adventure-ready pant that has a suite of details that transition from city to hiking with uncanny ease.
We loved the small details in this crossover pant. A draw cord is sewn into the ankle hem, allowing you to snug the pant leg over boots like a gaiter, or draw them up around the calves when you need extra ventilation. For extra mobility, the knees are sewn with articulating gussets. The five-pocket styling has an extra zipper pocket that rides off the right thigh – perfect for keeping your passport or device in easy reach. The material is rated to UPF 50+, has a DWR, and the pockets are mesh, allowing increased breathability.
Yes, the twill on the Alpine Road has a fine tooth that comes off more slack than hard-wearing. Its tailored cut gives it a slim fit. If you have athletic quads, you’re going to feel the pants snug around the legs. Thankfully, Royal Robbins wove in some spandex for extra mobility.
We wore these pants to Europe and they comfortably transition from the airport to the Alps to walking the ancient city streets. And not a lot of pants can pull that off.
Specs:
- Fabric: 66% nylon, 31% polyester, 3% spandex
- Fabric weight: 231 gsm
- Fit: True to size
- Weight: 14 oz
- DWR: Yes
Pros:
- Durable
- Stylish
- Good stretch
- Hiking-friendly details
Cons:
- Slim fit might not fit all legs
Bottom line: Comfortable, versatile, well-made — great choice for hiking and city walking.
Roark Layover 2.0 Travel Pants
Deep pockets, slim fit, all tied up with a boardshort styling — Roark’s Layover 2.0 Travel Pant ($95) is unlike any other pant on the list.
Woven into the durable cotton is hearty nylon (for durability), and elastane (for stretch), yielding some side-to-side compliance. The slim fit tapers to the legs, giving off a progressive, durable, jogger vibe.
Two front hand pockets dive deep (12 inches) down the front and swallow all of your valuables. They each close with an 8-inch zipper.
The position and depth allow access to all your necessities, even if you’re pinned down in the smallest center seat in economy. Around back, the two seat pockets close with an offset button, which makes it easier to pull the contents out while seated.
Additionally, a hidden device sleeve hides behind the right rear pocket, keeping your phone accessible. Roark also sewed in a perforated panel to spill heat while stuck in the seat.
Instead of the typical button or snap closure, Roark chose a non-traditional boardshort lace belt. Borrowing from the surf world, the drawstring threads through the waist and zigzags in front to tie the pants over the zipper fly. Lost some weight? Overindulged in the local food scene? It doesn’t matter.
The Layovers are applauded by buyers, and are nearly the perfect travel pant, but a few misses keep them from rising to the top of our list. We love the drawstring, but the pants don’t have belt loops for backup. And while the front pockets can swallow your documents, they are so deep that the contents start to weigh the pants down over the quads.
And those long front pocket zippers? If you don’t keep them zipped shut, they risk spilling the contents while seated. We also find the cotton-blend fabric tends to collect lint.
A lot of these issues were solved in Roark’s Layover shorts ($75), which have a belt loop in addition to the lace closure. The pockets are traditional jean styling and phone pocket rides on the right side, with a knife sleeve on the left. This is a fantastic short and we hope they carry these user-friendly details into their pants.
We have to give the crew at Roark credit, though. The Layovers are a creative reinterpretation of the travel pant and are one of the few pants available for under $100.
Specs:
- Fabric: 70% cotton, 26% nylon, 4% elastane
- Fit: True to size (slim)
- Weight: 15 oz
- DWR: No
Pros:
- Large pockets stow large documents with easy access while seated
- Hidden phone pocket
- Vented yoke
Cons:
- Deep pockets can weigh down the pants
- No belt loops
- Material tends to collect lint
Bottom line: Durable fabric and a stylish look make these an excellent choice for travel and more.
Check Price at AmazonCheck Price at Backcountry
Off The Grid Trailblazer Pro 2.1 Pants
It seems there’s no shortage of marketing agencies tooling trousers over vintage 4x4s. We love a Defender as much as the next guy, and these are the pants we’d choose to wear on that shoot.
Founder Josh Patterson, former Head Men’s Designer at prAna (and creative lead behind the prAna’s iconic Stretch Zion Straight Fit pant), launched out on his own in 2018 to start Off The Grid (OTG). OTG spent months in the field working with search-and-rescue teams to tease out what goes into the perfect adventure pant. It’s no surprise the Trailblazer Pro ($84) has such sharp attention to detail.
The four-way stretch material is reinforced with threads that were originally developed to strengthen parachutes. All major seams are flat-locked and double-stitched. The pockets are lined with durable mesh nylon, and the front closes with a button toggled to the pant with nylon webbing. The overall design marries ripstop durability with functional mobility.
The pants are brandished with eight pockets. Four ride on the backside, including a pair of device pockets that angle up, making them easy to access. Up front, the horizontal hand pockets are deep and have an extra layer of nylon sewn into the collar to reinforce the knife clip.
Both cargo pockets zip shut and tag to the pant leg to prevent flopping when utilized. All zippers feature nylon teeth so you can breeze through TSA.
We’ve spent weeks wearing our OTGs doing hard work on the knees, and have put thousands of miles on them road-tripping around the mountain west. Bryon Dorr, our editor for GearJubkie Motors, almost exclusively wears his Trailblazer Pros while traveling.
Dorr shared, “I’ve sampled many of their pieces for years now and have loved nearly all of them. The Trail Blazer 2.1 is a great evolution of a quality staple in my wardrobe. Comfortable, durable, sharp-looking, and lots of utility define these go-anywhere, do-anything pants.”
What they have in durability, they give up in breathability. They just don’t breathe as well as other pants on the list. And the durable fabric adds some swoosh to the step. But the lightweight fabric styles a balanced compromise of durability and comfort, making them our choice pant for adventurous travel.
If you’re looking for a functional but durable pant designed for adventure, we highly recommend picking up a pair from OTG.
Specs:
- Fabric: 94% nylon, 6% spandex
- Fabric weight: 170 gsm
- Fit: True to size
- Weight: 12 oz
- DWR: Yes
Pros:
- Durable fabric
- Cargo pockets allow you to keep your kit within reach
Cons:
- Styling and material feel synthetic
Bottom line: For adventurous travelers who are rough on their pants, these are some of the best men’s travel pants available.
prAna Stretch Zion Pant II
Anyone planning the ultimate adventure travel getaway should check out prAna’s Zion line. The material can handle climbing, hiking, biking, camping, and city sightseeing with ease and style. It’s no wonder they’re a perennial favorite. Year after year, review after review, the Zion ($95) — like its canyon namesake — stands the test of time.
Last year, prAna mixed it up a bit and released its top-shelf pants in its updated ReZion material. It maintains the great cut and feel we love in the Zion, but it’s now made with Bluesign-approved materials and recycled nylon fabric, boasting a PFC-free DWR coating.
The ReZion gets zinged a lot for its durability. The material is lighter than the original, but we’ve put it through the paces. One tester has used their pair at the climbing gym twice a week, every week for the last 6 months. The material has pilled a bit more than the original material, but it’s been comfortable, flexible, and much more breathable than the original weave.
The pants have a cargo zipper pocket that runs down the right thigh. The pocket can be accessed from both front and top and has enough room to hold a passport. The zipper placement makes it really easy to access while seated without spilling the contents. The Zion stays around the waist with an offset belt that’s sewn into the waistline.
There are buyer comments on the length, which tends to run a touch long. If you are between sizes, we’d size on the shorter side.
For summer travels, the Zion IIs are also available as shorts ($75).
Specs:
- Fabric: 95% recycled nylon, 5% elastane
- Fabric weight: 172 gsm
- Fit: True to size
- Weight: 14 oz (on our scales)
- DWR: Yes
Pros:
- Environmentally friendly material
- Great stretch
- Lightweight, breathable
Cons:
- Pants run long
- We wish prAna continued to use its first-generation material
Bottom line: Eco-friendly pants ready for adventure.
Check Price at REICheck Price at Amazon
Lululemon ABC Warpstreme Pants
Borrowing the classic five-pocket style, our reviewers described Lululemon’s ABC Warpstreme Pant ($128) as “absolutely spectacular. VERY comfortable, and a great knicker profile for cycling and climbing.”
Quick-drying and wrinkle-resistant, the material feels similar to prAna’s ReZion fabric, but is more durable (and stylish) than the Zion pant. For travel, these pants have a zippered security pocket in back, and the cuffs flip up to show a reflective strip to make you easily visible at night.
Out only pause in recommending comes from some tester feedback we received relaying that the durability wasn’t quite what we wanted – not uncommon for pants with a soft hand that utilize a higher percentage of elastane in the weave.
Offered in skinny, slim, classic, and jogger, and 13 color schemes, there is a pant for everyone. Because these are so comfortable and stylish, you might find yourself stacking up on ABC pants for work and travel.
Specs:
- Fabric: 53% elastomultiester, 47% recycled polyester
- Fabric weight: 180 gsm
- Fit: True to size
- Weight: 12.5 oz
- DWR: Yes
Pros:
- Very comfortable pant
- Great knicker profile for cycling and climbing
Cons:
- Waist lacks flexibility
- Some negative feedback on durability and consistent sizing
Bottom line: For stylish travelers who want a comfortable pant from the athleisure market.
VRST Limitless Athletic Fit 5 Pocket Pants
Coming in at $80, VRST offers a less expensive version of Lululemon’s ABC pant with its own sharp-looking, five-pocket pant.
The Limitless Athletic Fit 5 Pocket Pants offer a bit of stretch and plenty of room to move. The athletic fit accommodates larger legs and adds mobility to an otherwise classic-looking straight-leg pant.
With the slick poly material, these pants can feel a little “golfy,” but the five-pocket design takes the edge off the 18-hole appearance. For extra durability, the front pockets are reinforced with small metal rivets.
We also liked that these pants have a hidden sixth pocket that zips under the right rear pocket. Overall, the stylishly modern fit looks equally good at the office or after hours, bridging into the hip, functional realm of workleisure apparel.
Specs:
- Fabric: 100% polyester
- Fit: True to size, snugged our calves
- Weight: 12 oz
- DWR: No
Pros:
- Good fit and styling
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- 100% polyester — synthetic feel
- Occasionally ride up the lower leg when seated
Bottom line: A smooth-faced, five-pocket pant that packs light and dresses up for any occasion.
Patagonia Skyline Traveler Pants
Walk into any airport and you’ll see a lot jogger style pants hustling through the terminal. The pajama-like comfort is tough to beat (especially on long flights), but not a lot rise to the durability we want to see in a travel pant.
Stout, stretchy, and with a robust DWR, Patagonia’s Skyline pant ($129) functions well as at 40,000 feet in coach as it does hiking to basecamp at 12,000 feet.
Deep hand pockets angle off the hips, dropping in with a nylon mesh liner. This allows hot air to vent without sacrificing durability. Nicknacks won’t wear a hole through these candy bins, and jetted rear pockets hang inside the pant without external seams.
The right rear pocket has a tab that folds over the top while the left zips shut. A smaller zippered pocket rides off the right leg, with the actual pocket sitting over the top of the leg. It is just large enough to holster the iPhone 13 Pro or passport.
Many will probably ding the pants on the small thigh pocket size. It’s small to be sure. The upside is contents don’t flap around like in larger thigh pockets that offset to the side, which is annoying while hiking and makes it harder to access the contents when seated in tight spaces.
Keeping it simple, a drawcord closes around the Skyline’s waist over the front fly and snap. It’s tacked in the back so it won’t pull out while traveling. Business in front, party in back, the legs taper down the ankles and close with a semi-elastic band on the back half of the leg, giving them a semiformal presentation from the front view.
In our experience, the Skyline walks louder than the other pants. You can hear them swish through each step. While extremely stretchy, the nylon-poly-spandex blend doesn’t breathe as much as we’d like. But they are durable enough to transition from gate to via ferrata.
Specs:
- Fabric: 64% recycled nylon, 25% polyester, 11% spandex double weave with four-way stretch
- Fabric weight: 184 gsm
- Fit: True to size (offered in sizes S through XXL)
- Weight: 13 oz
- DWR: Yes
Pros:
- Two security pockets
- Abrasion-resistant
- 4-way stretch
Cons:
- Loud material
- Not as breathable as other pants
- Limited lengths
- Small thigh pocket
Bottom line: Comfortable, versatile, well-made jogger-style pant.
Check Price at BackcountryCheck Price at REI
Chubbies Everywear Pants
Punching well above its claimed fabric weight of 230 gsm, the Chubbies Everywear pant ($95) feels light and breezy on the legs and is a fun choice for travelers looking to add some color to their adventures.
While most pants are available in muted earthy tones or black, Chubbies offers a mix of cheery blues and greens as opposed to the traditional palette of grays and blacks. Plenty of spandex keeps that spring vibe moving in the legs. Whether at the office or sniffing out adventure, they feel weightless on the legs.
We appreciated the extra measure of security in the Everywear. The right back pocket buttons shut while the left rear pocket zips contents closed. A deep stealth zippered pocket hides cleanly down the right side seam.
Lined with a fun tropical print, we wished the hand pockets were a little deeper. With the near vertical access, half the pocket feels exposed. Fortunately, there are multiple pocket options to keep items secured.
Closing with a button and a zippered fly, the pants taper quickly to the ankles. Offered in only one length (30 inches), the fit can feel off for taller or shorter buyers. We also felt the pants snug a touch around the calves when seated.
Chubbies tacked the waist drawcord in the back so you don’t have to worry about it pulling out in the wash. Kudos to Chubbies for adding belt loops. These pants wear equally well dressed up with a button-down or casually with a Tee. Wrinkle resistant, the Everywear is ready for action every day.
Specs:
- Fabric: 90% polyester, 10% spandex
- Fabric weight: 230 gsm
- Fit: True to size (offered in sizes S through XXL. Offered only in 30″ inseam)
- Weight: 13 oz
- DWR: Yes
Pros:
- Two security pockets
- Four-way stretch feels weightless on the legs
- DWR
Cons:
- Only offered in one length (30 inches)
- Hand pockets are shallow
Bottom line: Breezy, fun travel pant that wears effortlessly and packs up tight.
Check Price at Chubbies Shorts
Chrome Brannan Pants
Perfect stretch without binding the legs? A tall order but it’s what makes the perfect bike commuter pant.
Chrome Industries, who ushered seatbelt clasps into functional fashion with their iconic messenger bags, has a dedicated courier trouser with a semi-relaxed fit and loads of flex.
The mobility in the Brannan pant ($130) is yielded by the 94% nylon, 6% elastic fabric blend. The fit is roomier than a lot of commuter pants we see, wearing comfortably casual off the bike. The pockets are deep and the belt loops are stout. A fifth stealth pocket zips shut on the right hip seam.
The Brannans are water-resistant and have reflective tape sewn into the cuff. Turn them up and the pants are ready to roll.
Only offered in black, the pant gets dings for pilling in high wear. Our commutes haven’t racked up enough road miles to see this happen. But their loss is your gain. We love the fit and feel of the Brannans for travel and feel great on the bike.
Specs:
- Fabric: 94% nylon, 6% elastic blend four-way stretch
- Fabric weight: 272 gsm
- Fit: True to size (offered in even sizes; 32 and 34 lengths)
- Weight: 13 oz
- DWR: Yes
Pros:
- Great flexibility
- Abrasion-resistant
- Four-way stretch
Cons:
- Buyers note pilling in high-wear regions
- Only offered in black color
Bottom line: A casual fitting bike pant for travelers on the go
Check Price at Chrome Industries
686 Everywhere 2 Pants
If you’re looking for a progressive take on the traditional chino, the Everywhere 2 ($120) is a cleanly styled pant with ample storage and lots of freedom to move.
Another GearJunkie favorite, we wear these at work, play, and while traveling. This year, 686 rebooted the Everyday, adding a zippered rear pocket, addressing a flaw/issue in the previous version, which occasionally spit out a heavy wallet. They’ve also updated the material with recycled nylon. It feels a little thicker in the hand and is a little less stretchy.
The Everywhere Slim has plenty of room up top without feeling baggy. Off the shelf, they taper somewhat aggressively around the calves, still managing to leave room around the ankle.
Tied up with the drawcord (which we loved), the Everywhere Slim pants fall closer to a jogger than a chino. The material forms to your body after a few days of wear, relaxing into a comfortable fit.
The pants list 10 pockets, which is true, but we feel that’s a little ambitious. Five of them are small sleeves inside pockets to keep cards, coins, or cash. The front right coin pocket is an RFID-blocking security pocket, and it’s where you’ll want to put your credit card.
A large thigh pocket rides on the left and can swallow the pants when turned inside out. It easily holds a phone and passport.
686 offers the Everywhere in five color schemes.
Specs:
- Fabric: 92% nylon, 8% spandex
- Fabric weight: 160 gsm
- Fit: Spot on
- Weight: 13 oz (on our scales)
- DWR: Yes
Pros:
- Durable pant
- Updated zippers for better security
Cons:
- Pockets are over-engineered
Bottom line: Muted skater styling for fashion-forward travelers.
Stio Pinedale Pants
More stretch, more pockets, Stio’s Pinedale Pant ($169) is a winterized mountain town pant that’s aimed at cold-weather active lifestyles.
When you first step into the pants, you immediately notice the compression-like feeling around the legs. It’s a lightweight, soft-shell material with a hearty percentage of spandex. Stretchy and robust with an athletic fit, they are purpose-built for fat biking and like-minded cool-weather sports that grows on you as you break them in.
This five-pocket design pant has a zippered coin pocket and two zippered rear pockets in the back. The rear pockets trend small, and are just large enough to keep a wallet or passport. A welted pocket drops into the right thigh and is nearly perfect for the phone. The stretchy number 6 Nylon double weave tacks the contents to the leg, yielding zero bounce.
Sport a ring of belt loops, you really don’t need them. The fit is spot on and an offset webbed belt integrates into the waistline, helping dial in the fit around the waist.
We found the Pinedale heats up quickly on warm solar days, pushing it to the fringe of fall travel. The hand and thigh pockets are backed with nylon mesh, but as soon as the sun ducks south for the winter, it finds a strong rotation in our daily wardrobe.
Specs:
- Fabric: 63% nylon, 26% polyester, 11% spandex
- Fabric weight: 227 gsm
- Fit: Spot on
- Weight: 15 oz
- DWR: Yes
Pros:
- Fantastic construction and fit
- Great integrated zipper pockets cleanly integrate with traditional horizontal pockets
Cons:
- ‘Softshell-like’ pants don’t breathe as well as other pants. You’ll sweat in them on hotter days.
- You can feel the thigh pocket seams on the inside of the right-hand pocket.
Bottom line: Fantastic fit for more athletic travel in cooler weather.
Mission Workshop Signal LT Pants
If you are looking for a similar stretch and fit to Stio’s Pinedale, but in a lighter-weight fabric, Mission Workshop brings the heat relief with their Signal LT pant ($235).
Made from the same military-spec 518C material used in their mountain bike shorts, the Signal LT is a highly breathable yet durable pant that excels in hot climates and active travels.
The stretchy 5-pocket style pant has a deep coin pocket that can hide your EDC or pocket a room fob. The back pockets run shallow, just covering the wallet or passport. To keep your documents in check, a stealth pocket is sewn into the right leg seam, dropping back around the thigh. It’s plenty big and is easy to access while seated, but we found contents ride under the leg when seated. To be fair, it’s more comfortable than sitting on a wallet zipped in back.
We’ve taken our Mission Workshops to Europe, sitting through long flights, train rides, and transfers. The style is always tops and they are incredibly comfortable. The Signals are very breathable – right up there with Western Rise.
What the pants gives in breathability, it takes from your wallet. Made in the USA, the Signal’s list for a whopping $235.
Specs:
- Fabric: 84% nylon, 16% spandex
- Fabric weight: 153 gsm
- Fit: True to size
- Weight: 9 oz (on our scales)
- DWR: Yes
Pros:
- Stretchy
- Great stretch
- Lightweight, breathable
- Super packable
Cons:
- Expensive
- Thigh pocket puts contents under the leg when seated
Bottom line: Pack these for travels south. They are the most breathable and fastest-drying pant on our list.
Comparison Chart
| Travel Pant | Price | Fabric | Fabric Weight | Fit | Weight |
| LIVSN Ecotrek Trail Pant | $129 | 70% Blue Ocean nylon, 25% nylon, 5% spandex | 173 gsm | True to size | 13 oz |
| UNIONBAY Rainier Travel Pants | $70 | 94% nylon, 6% spandex | 173 gsm | True to size | 13 oz |
| Bluffworks Ascender Chino | $125 | 100% polyester | 150 gsm | Runs large | NA |
| Aviator The Best Travel Jeans in the World | $145 | 77% cotton, 16% polyester, 5% rayon, 2% spandex | NA | True to size, offered in slim and straight | 22 oz |
| Western Rise Evolution 2.0 Pants | $128 | 90% nylon, 10% elastane | 107 gsm | True to size | 11 oz |
| Kühl Renegade Pants | $99 | 95% nylon, 5% spandex | NA | True to size | 12.8 oz |
| Royal Robins Alpine Road Pants | $85 | 66% nylon, 31% polyester, 3% spandex | 231 gsm | True to size | 14 oz |
| Roark Layover 2.0 Travel Pants | $95 | 70% cotton, 26% nylon, 4% elastane | NA | True to size (slim) | 15 oz |
| Off The Grid Trailblazer Pro 2.1 Pants | $84 | 94% nylon, 6% spandex | 170 gsm | True to size | 12 oz |
| prAna Stretch Zion Pant II | $95 | 95% recycled nylon, 5% elastane | 172 gsm | True to size | 14 oz |
| Lululemon ABC Warpstreme Pants | $128 | 53% elastomultiester, 47% recycled polyester | 180 gsm | True to size | 12.5 oz |
| VRST Limitless Athletic Fit 5 Pocket Pants | $80 | 100% polyester | NA | True to size, snugged our calves | 12 oz |
| Patagonia Skyline Pants | $129 | 64% recycled nylon, 25% polyester, 11% spandex | 184 gsm | True to size | 13 oz |
| Chubbies Everywear Pants | $95 | 90% polyester, 10% spandex | 230 gsm | True to size | 13 oz |
| Chrome Industries Brannan Pants | $130 | 94% nylon, 6% elastic blend | 272 gsm | True to size | 13 oz |
| 686 Everywhere 2 Pants | $120 | 92% nylon, 8% spandex | 160 gsm | True to size | 13 oz |
| Stio Pinedale Pants | $169 | 63% nylon, 26% polyester, 11% spandex | 227 gsm | True to size | 15 oz |
| Mission Workshop Signal LT Pants | $235 | 84% nylon, 16% spandex | 153 gsm | True to size | 9 oz |
Why You Should Trust Us
Steve Graepel, the author of this piece, is a consummate traveler, racking up passport stamps from Nicaragua, Belize, Guatemala, Peru, Colombia, Italy, Slovenia, Germany, Kazakhstan, and beyond. He recently put his wardrobe through the paces in the stairwell of a train headed from South Tyrol to Oktoberfest.
Behind Graepel is a staff of GearJunkie writers who are regularly traveling and testing pants from everyday wear to ambitious adventures. Often heading straight from the airport to reconnaissance missions in the hills, we’ve put each option on this list to the test.
How We Tested the Pants
To find the best men’s travel pants this season, we started with pockets and materials. To even be considered on our list, pants need at least one pocket that can be zipped shut to safely hold a passport or wallet.
The hand pockets should be deep enough to keep keys and change from accidentally spilling out, or have zippers that prevent mishaps. No joke, one pair of pants we tested (not on this list) spit a wallet out at work without us even knowing it.
Hand pockets are either horizontal (like a pair of jeans), or vertical (like chinos). If you prefer to travel with an EDC, you’ll want a horizontal pocket to clip the knife.
If pockets are your priority, you don’t need to look past Bluffwork’s Ascender Chino. With 10 pockets discreetly hidden in and around the pants, there’s a place for everything.
We then evaluated each pant’s fit, breathability, durability, packability, and ability to bounce back from repeated wash and wears, and unpacking. Our testing focused primarily on comfort, versatility, and functionality when in transit, so if you’re looking for something more durable for active pursuits, check out our picks for the best hiking pants.
We also have a guide for the best women’s travel pants to get your travel companion ready for the long haul.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose Travel Pants
Fit
Regardless of whether the pant is straight leg or slim, a good pant is one that follows the human form and doesn’t bag out after repeated washings, or bloat when packed with your phone and keys. The length should fit your inseam or run longer so you can roll them up or get them tailored.
Almost every pant on our list has a great fit. If they didn’t, we’ve shared the cons. Both the Zion and Union Bay ran a little long, Chubbies only offers one length (30″), but the rest were spot on for length.
VRST and Chubbie’s Everywear fit wonderfully around the waist but tightened around the calves, causing them to ride up the legs while seated. These are small dings on otherwise fantastic pants.
Style Matters
While comfort is key, we also need to be able to show ourselves in public (no washed-out gray sweatpants on this list). The most versatile travel clothes should be able to tackle a hike without getting roughed up, a walk into town looking sharp enough to peruse a museum, and even some fine dining afterward.
We scored each pant for both its ability to adventure and hit the streets. Some pants, like Off The Grid’s Trailblazer Pro 2.1 have a bias for stout use. It’s our choice for adventure trips where you can’t sacrifice durability.
Unfortunately, the cargo pockets take away style points while out on the town. OTG probably doesn’t care about style as much as function and designed the pant around utility.
On the other hand, Western Rise’s Evolution 2 is a fantastically styled everyday pant, but drops extra pockets to maintain that sleek look. It’s our go-to choice for travels to Europe where we want to kick up the look and feel at home while traveling abroad.
Clean lines, darker colors, and traditional styling help you blend into crowds and stay off the would-be pickpocket’s radar. The best men’s travel pants should look as good as they feel without shouting “tourist.”
The material should be lightweight and, in our preference, darker to minimize showing the dirt collected along the way. That said, we were astounded by how well a fresh DWR can resist stains on the lightest pants.
Fabric Weight
Lightweight performance fabrics can withstand repeated washings in a sink, line dry overnight, and stay wrinkle-free after weeks on the go. Today’s fabrics offer advanced sun protection and moisture-wicking properties and are often water-resistant or water-repellent.
Fabric weight is measured in grams per square meter (gsm). A heavier gsm will take up more room in your bag and take longer to dry. We find a 170-ish gsm fabric weight, like on our top pick from LIVSN, light and breezy, and dries out quickly.
A welterweight fabric will disappear in the bag and dry out insanely fast, but going too light sacrifices durability. All the pants we tested are durable enough to venture off pavement.
If you want the lightest pant you can find, you’ll have to ante up for Mission Workshops Signal LT. They disappear in the bag and breathe exceptionally well without sacrificing too much durability. The Western Rise use a lighter fabric, but weigh more overall.
Fabric Type
A cotton blend fabric adds breathability and a cooling effect, which is great for warmer climates, but can also sacrifice durability. And, unless treated with a DWR, cotton can wet out more easily and hold water longer.
Both the Aviator’s and Roark’s Layover weave some cotton into their blend. To beef up the durability, the natural fiber is woven with a synthetic like polyester or nylon and an elastic component for stretch.
If you choose to go with denim or cotton, look for stretchy fabric with a bit of spandex or elastane for comfort and flexibility while on the road. It will resist wear longer, dry faster, and feel much more comfortable. The Aviator The Best Travel Jeans in the World are very comfortable and weave in some stretch, but they weigh nearly twice as much as every other pant on the list.
Most of the pants on this list are woven from synthetic fibers. Synthetics tend to stand up to more abuse than their natural counterparts. For example, OTG’s pant is incredibly durable and built for men who may need to get under their truck to wrench.
Weaving in spandex or elastic adds mobility, but can also give the pant a polished, slick finish. The Bluffworks, Union Bay, and VRST feel progressively more formal with their smooth-faced fabric finishes. Material finishes are more of a personal preference and don’t affect their water resistance, which is added with a DWR wash.
Our favorite pants come from LIVSN. The fit is fantastic, but they don’t have a robust DWR. This makes them less desirable if you are traveling to places that rain a lot. However, they excel in so many other ways that they still stand out as our top choice. On the flip side, Western Rise’s DWR not only deflects dirt and grime on the road, but liters of beer simply rolled off them at Oktoberfest. We really took one for the team while testing.
Performance fabrics are standing up to heavy use like never before. Shelling out a few more bucks for quality generally gets you into a more durable pant that should hold up to more extensive use. We’ve put in countless hours testing the pants on this list, so you’re starting in the right place.
FAQ
What Are the Most Comfortable Travel Pants?
We like a pant that doesn’t ride up or bind when seated, and moves with you when active. LIVSN and Kühl are very close, for pure comfort, you can’t beat Lululemon’s ABC Warpstreme Pant. Beyond the fantastic material, the pant is available in skinny, slim, classic, and jogger style, so there’s truly a comfortable pant for everyone’s preference.
Which Pants Have the Best DWR?
We’ve tested Western Rise’s Evolution lineup standing outside in Bogota monsoon season, climbing snow and ice on the Grand, and prosting over beers at Oktoberfest. The DWR not only sheds spills, it deflects dirt and grime too. After a week of wearing them across the Alps, including a day sitting in the stairwell of an overbooked train to Munich, we were shocked how clean our light khaki Evolution 2.0’s walked off the return flight.
What Are the Fastest Drying Pants?
If you’re bringing one pair of pants, you’ll eventually have to wash them while on the road. A lightweight synthetic pant is your best bet for a comfortable morning. Western Rise’s Evolutions are lightweight, durable, and dry out quicker than most. They also remain cool and breezy in hot climates and wear supremely well.
For an even lighter pant, Mission Workshop’s Signal LT are welterweight and dry quickly. Though, we didn’t find them as comfortable as our Western Rise Evolutions and they cost twice as much.
What are the Best Cargo-Style Pants?
With eight pockets and modern cargo styling, the Off The Grid Trailblazer Pro has plenty of pockets to hold your kit and do it without looking like Urkel. For an equally impressive pocket game, but a more polished look, we recommend looking at Bluffworks’ Ascender Chino, which stealthily hides 10 pockets in the otherwise casual-looking chino. LIVSNs are close, with seven practical and accessible pockets.
What Are the Most Durable Pants for Travel?
While prAna is one of the few hiking pants on this list, we find the new ReZion material pills more easily than the prior version. For better durability, we like Off The Grid Trailblazer Pro. The stout synthetic material is all utility and can withstand crawling around on the ground and backcountry hikes.
What Are the Best Pants to Wear on the Plane?
For long flights on the plane, we like breathability and easy pocket access. We give the nod to Roark’s Layover 2.0 Travel Pant. The deep horizontal pockets are easy to access while seated and the vented panel in seat keeps the backside aired out. It’s worth noting that we did find if left unzipped, the entire contents of the pockets are at risk of falling out. Keep the pockets zipped and the contents are safe.
What are the Most Flexible Travel Pants?
While Patagonia’s Skyline Traveler has the highest spandex of the pants (11%), we find it feels heavier than other pants with less stretch. Chubbies Everywear’s are lightweight and supremely flexible and feel in our opinion the most flexible. They aren’t as durable as Western Rise’s Evolution 2, which offers a touch less stretch (though more than their Evolution 1) with more durability than Chubbies.
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