Building a travel wardrobe that is both practical and stylish can be tricky, especially when it comes to pants. Heavy, bulky pants can weigh you down and take up precious suitcase space. That’s why lightweight women’s pants are a traveler’s best friend. We’ve put in the work to find the best options for you. We tested over 50 pairs of women’s travel pants, focusing on those that are lightweight without sacrificing comfort, durability, style, and packability. From navigating bustling airports to exploring new cities in warm climates, we evaluated each pair to recommend the very best lightweight pants for every type of travel adventure.
To ensure we covered all bases, Travel + Leisure editors tested a variety of styles, including lightweight trousers, leggings, joggers, cargo pants, wide-leg pants, and slim-leg pants. We selected pants from reputable brands known for travel-friendly apparel like Spanx, Aritzia, and Lululemon, and wore them extensively over several weeks of testing. Based on our rigorous testing, we’ve narrowed it down to 12 top picks that are not only incredibly lightweight but also stylish and comfortable, making them essential additions to your travel wardrobe.
Our Top Picks for Lightweight Travel Pants
Best Overall Lightweight Pants:
Spanx Ponte Slim Straight Pant at Spanx
Best Lightweight Wide-leg Pants:
Aritzia The Effortless Pant at Aritzia.com
Best Lightweight Slim-leg Pants:
Aday Turn It Up Pants at Thisisaday.com
Best Lightweight Wrinkle-resistant Pants:
Best Lightweight Leggings:
lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Tight at Lululemon $128
Best Lightweight Joggers:
SALE
Calia Truelight Cargo Pocket Jogger at Dicks Sporting Goods $78 $16
Best Lightweight Linen Pants:
Quince 100 Percent European Linen Pants at Quince.com
Best Lightweight Cargo Pants:
Beyond Yoga City Chic Cargo Pant at Amazon $118
Best Ultra-Lightweight Pants:
SALE
Z Supply Farah Pant at Amazon $118 $83
Best Lightweight Travel Jeans:
Aviator Best Travel Jeans Relaxed at Aviatorusa.com
Best Overall Lightweight Pants
Spanx Ponte Slim Straight Pant
PHOTO: Spanx
View on Spanx $148 $60 at Shopbop.com $148 at Revolve
Why We Love It: Professional, sleek, and stylish, these lightweight pants offer an elevated look while feeling as soft and comfortable as sweatpants, making them ideal lightweight travel pants.
What to Consider: They are slightly dressier than some other casual lightweight travel pants.
For a travel look that’s both refined and relaxed, the Spanx Ponte Slim Straight Pant stands out. These comfortable slacks are perfect for transitioning from business meetings to airport lounges. The magic lies in their fabric: a stretchy and soft rayon blend that feels incredibly lightweight, like leggings, yet the straight-leg design ensures versatility. While the material is substantial enough for moderate temperatures, its breathability keeps them from feeling too heavy, even when you’re on the move. The high-waisted fit is both comfortable and flattering, thanks to a stretchy yet subtly compressive waistband. Sizing can be a bit tricky, so if you’re between sizes, consider ordering both to find your perfect fit – Spanx offers a generous 90-day return policy.
The Details: XS-3XL (regular, petite, tall) | Rayon, elastane, polyester | No pockets
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Best Lightweight Wide-leg Pants
Aritzia The Effortless Pant
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PHOTO: Aritzia
Why We Love It: Sleek and flattering, these lightweight trousers are the perfect day-to-night pants, offering both style and comfort for travel.
What to Consider: The waistband has minimal stretch, which may feel less comfortable for extended periods of sitting.
The Aritzia Effortless Pant has become a travel wardrobe staple for many, including our editors. Initially hesitant about trousers for travel, these lightweight wide-leg pants are a game-changer. The fabric has a premium look and feel, elevating any outfit, whether paired with a casual T-shirt or a dressier top. The lightweight material is breathable, making them comfortable for various climates. While the waistband lacks stretch, the overall high-quality feel and durability make them a worthwhile investment for stylish, low-effort travel outfits. Dry cleaning is recommended to maintain their pristine condition, and after months of wear, they still look and feel fantastic.
The Details: 00-16 | Recycled polyester, viscose, cotton, elastane | Pockets
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Best Lightweight Slim-leg Pants
Aday Turn It Up Pants
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PHOTO: Aday
Why We Love It: The tapered leg offers a professional and flattering fit, and the lightweight fabric is completely wrinkle-resistant, perfect for travel.
What to Consider: A bit more stretch in the waistband would enhance comfort.
For travelers seeking a polished yet practical option, the Aday Turn It Up Pants are an excellent choice. These tapered travel pants are designed with the traveler in mind. Lightweight, breathable, and wrinkle-resistant, they check all the boxes for versatile bottoms. To test their wrinkle-free claim, our associate editorial director crumpled and packed them, only to find them perfectly smooth upon unpacking. The fit is true to size, though a stretchier waistband would be a welcome addition. The pleats and tapered leg provide an elevated, elongating silhouette, making them suitable for both business travel and office wear. After months of regular wear and dry cleaning, they maintain a brand-new look and feel.
The Details: XS-XL | Tailored Stretch fabric | Wrinkle-resistant | Pockets
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The Best Women’s Travel Clothing, Tested and Reviewed
Best Lightweight Wrinkle-resistant Pants
Everlane Pant
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PHOTO: Everlane
Why We Love It: The wrinkle-resistant fabric holds up even after being packed in a suitcase for extended periods, making these perfect lightweight travel pants.
What to Consider: These pants have a cropped leg length.
Wrinkled clothing is a traveler’s nemesis. Thankfully, the Everlane Pant solves this problem with its wrinkle-resistant cotton blend fabric. These lightweight pants are soft and breathable yet substantial enough for cooler climates, making them ideal for year-round travel. The waistband offers a slight stretch, ensuring comfort during long travel days. After months of testing, the fabric and stitching quality remained excellent, showing no pilling or fading. Easy care is another plus – they’re machine washable and quick to hang dry. The cropped length is the only caveat, which might be more pronounced for taller individuals.
The Details: XXS-4XL | Cotton, modal, elastane | Wrinkle-resistant | Pockets
Best Lightweight Leggings
lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Tight
PHOTO: lululemon
Why We Love It: The stretchy material provides all-day comfort without feeling restrictive, perfect for lightweight travel leggings.
What to Consider: They may not be warm enough for very cold weather.
For ultimate comfort and flexibility during travel, the lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Tight leggings are unmatched. Made from a buttery-smooth, stretchy, and cooling nylon material, these lightweight leggings are warm enough for flights yet breathable for active days. They are also a great option for hiking leggings in warmer climates. Available in a wide range of sizes and colors, the high-rise waistband is comfortably supportive without digging in. While breathable, they might not be sufficient for very cold weather, but are perfect for moderate temperatures or airplane drafts. A standout feature is the discreet side pockets, ideal for stashing earbuds, phones, passports, or tickets for easy access on the go, plus a hidden waistband pocket for cards or cash.
The Details: 0-20 | Nylon, lycra| 23, 25, and 28-inch lengths | High-rise | Side pockets
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Best Lightweight Joggers
Calia Truelight Cargo Pocket Jogger
PHOTO: Dick’s Sporting Goods
$78 $16 at Dicks Sporting Goods View on Publiclands.com $78 $32 at Golfgalaxy.com
Why We Love It: These joggers are crafted from a remarkably lightweight yet durable material, offering exceptional comfort for travel.
What to Consider: The back pockets can appear slightly stretched if the fit is too snug.
The Calia Truelight Cargo Pocket Jogger impresses with its comfortable fit, stylish design, and incredibly lightweight material. The polyester and spandex blend feels weightless and stretchy, almost like wearing nothing at all. The high-rise cut and thicker waistband offer gentle stomach flattening without feeling restrictive. Available in over 10 neutral colors, these joggers are versatile and stylish.
“These feel like a more refined upgrade from my usual airport leggings,” notes our testing editor. “They are lightweight enough to keep you cool and versatile enough for a quick transition to a hotel restaurant after arrival.” Sizing up is recommended if you’re between sizes to avoid stretching the back pockets.
The Details: XS-3XL (short, regular, and long) | High-rise | 90 percent polyester, 10 percent spandex | Sweat-wicking
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Our Favorite Athleisure Brands for Travel, Personally Owned by T+L Editors
Best Lightweight Linen Pants
Quince 100 Percent European Linen Pants
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PHOTO: Quince
Why We Love It: They offer a true-to-size fit and drape beautifully without feeling clingy, ideal for lightweight linen travel pants.
What to Consider: An adjustable drawstring waistband would be a beneficial addition.
For warm weather travel, the Quince 100 Percent European Linen Pants are an excellent choice. These 100 percent linen pants are perfect for early morning flights or long days of sightseeing in hotter climates. The linen is surprisingly wrinkle-resistant for the fabric, allowing for comfortable wear during long periods of sitting or when packed in luggage. Despite being lightweight and breezy, the material is thick enough to prevent see-through issues even in lighter colors. Practical features include two side pockets and one back pocket for essentials.
Throughout testing, these pants showed no signs of fading or pilling, even after multiple washes, and they even survived the dryer without shrinking. The straight-leg cut and ankle-length hem make them versatile for pairing with sneakers, sandals, or heels. While the fit is generally true to size, they tend to stretch slightly throughout the day, so sizing down is recommended for those between sizes, especially as they lack a drawstring waistband.
The Details: XS-XL | Flax linen| Two side pockets and one back pocket
Best Lightweight Cargo Pants
Beyond Yoga City Chic Cargo Pant
PHOTO: Beyond Yoga
$118 at Amazon $118 at Nordstrom $118 at Zappos
Why We Love It: Ample pockets provide plenty of storage for phones, wallets, and keys, perfect for lightweight cargo travel pants.
What to Consider: They tend to run slightly large in size.
The Beyond Yoga City Chic Cargo Pant combines fashion and function, making them ideal lightweight travel pants. The wide-leg silhouette and fabric drape give them a trouser-like appearance, while the elastic waistband and soft polyester provide the comfort of yoga pants.
“These are some of the most comfortable yet stylish pants I own,” shares our editor, noting they are a comfortable and more stylish alternative to yoga pants. With four pockets, including zippered side pockets, these pants offer secure storage for essentials. They are slightly oversized in the waist (adjustable with a tie belt), and sizing down is recommended for a tighter fit. After months of wear, they have maintained their shape, color, and cozy feel.
The Details: XS-XL | Polyester | Zipper pockets
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Best Ultra-Lightweight Pants
Z Supply Farah Pant
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PHOTO: Z Supply
$118 $83 at Amazon $118 $83 at Shopbop.com
Why We Love It: Featherlight and flowy, these rayon and linen blend pants are perfect for travel in warm climates, offering ultimate lightweight comfort.
What to Consider: Minor loose threads and snags were noted in the fabric during testing.
For travelers prioritizing minimal weight and maximum breathability, the Z Supply Farah Pant is ideal. “These pants are so lightweight and flowy, I could wear them all day and night, whether lounging at home or flying for hours,” says our editor after testing. The rayon and linen fabric is exceptionally breathable and soft, and the wide-leg drape is effortlessly stylish.
Comfortable for walking, sitting, or commuting, these pants are true to size with a stretchy elastic waistband in the back and belt loops for optional styling. While the fabric is generally high-quality, some loose threads and minor snags were observed, but these did not worsen with wear and washing over five months, proving good overall durability.
The Details: XS-XL | Rayon, linen | Pockets
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The 10 Most Comfortable Women’s Sandals, Tested and Reviewed
Best Lightweight Travel Jeans
Aviator Best Travel Jeans Relaxed
PHOTO: Aviator
Why We Love It: They look like classic jeans but feel buttery soft like leggings, offering the best of both worlds in lightweight travel jeans.
What to Consider: The standard inseam is 34 inches, but custom hemming is available.
Comfortable jeans for travel might seem like an oxymoron, but the Aviator Best Travel Jeans Relaxed are changing perceptions. While appearing to be typical straight-leg jeans, they are made from a stretchy, soft cotton and Lycra blend that feels like sweatpants, providing exceptional lightweight comfort. Perfect for office wear, long car rides, or lounging, these jeans are versatile for any activity. The quality has proven durable over months of testing. In addition to comfort, they offer seven pockets—more than typical jeans—including two zippered security pockets. The standard 34-inch inseam may require hemming for some, but Aviator provides free hemming services for a perfect fit.
The Details: 24-36 | Cotton, Lycra | Slip and zipper pockets
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Other Lightweight Travel Pants We Liked
While the pants below scored highly in our tests, slight drawbacks in quality and fit prevented them from being top picks. However, they deserve an honorable mention for lightweight travel options.
Quince Ultra-stretch Ponte Straight Leg Pant: The material is thick and cozy, but a more compressive waistband would improve the fit. Still a good lightweight option.
SweatyRocks Women’s Casual Wide Leg Trousers: These budget-friendly trousers are versatile for travel and office, but the fake pockets were a downside. A lightweight and affordable choice.
Our Testing Process for Lightweight Travel Pants
To identify the best lightweight travel pants, we tested 50 pairs from top brands like Vuori, Lululemon, and Athleta. Our focus was on finding pants that are lightweight without compromising on key travel features. We evaluated various styles, colors, and sizes to get comprehensive insights on each pair.
We wore these pants extensively during travel—on planes, trains, and in cars—to assess their overall fit, quality, and comfort over extended periods. After wearing them on long journeys, in office settings, and on road trips over five months, we noted size accuracy, sustained comfort, and durability after multiple washes. Our top picks for lightweight travel pants achieved an ideal balance of breathability, warmth, softness, and versatility for any travel scenario.
Tips for Buying Lightweight Travel Pants
Prioritize Lightweight Materials
When choosing travel pants, especially lightweight ones, material is key. Look for fabrics known for being lightweight yet durable. Rayon, linen blends, lightweight polyester blends, and certain knits are excellent choices. These materials offer breathability and comfort without adding bulk to your luggage.
Look for Breathability
Lightweight travel pants are often needed for warmer climates or active travel. Breathable fabrics are crucial to keep you comfortable and prevent overheating. Linen, cotton blends, and performance fabrics with moisture-wicking properties enhance breathability in lightweight pants.
Consider Packability
Lightweight pants are inherently more packable, but consider how small they can fold down. Choose thin, flexible fabrics that compress easily to maximize space in your luggage. Wrinkle-resistant lightweight fabrics also minimize the need for ironing after unpacking.
Opt for wrinkle-resistant materials
Wrinkle-resistance is a major benefit for travel clothing. Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and elastane are naturally wrinkle-resistant, making them ideal for lightweight travel pants. Cotton, linen, and hemp tend to wrinkle more unless blended with synthetics. Check fabric specifications for wrinkle-resistant treatments. A travel steamer is also a useful tool for on-the-go wrinkle removal.
Look for pockets
Pockets are incredibly useful for travel. While not essential, they add convenience for keeping essentials handy. Zippered or discreet pockets are particularly valuable for securing valuables like cards, passports, and cash, especially in lightweight travel pants designed for security and practicality.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lightweight Women’s Travel Pants
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What is the best style of lightweight pants for travel?
The best style depends on personal preference and destination. Lightweight joggers, leggings, and sweatpants are popular for comfort, while lightweight trousers and straight-leg pants offer a more polished travel look. Consider the climate and activities planned when choosing. -
What are lightweight travel pants typically made of?
Lightweight travel pants are made from various synthetic and natural fibers. Common materials include polyester, rayon, nylon, spandex, elastane, linen, and lightweight cotton blends. Synthetics offer wrinkle resistance, while natural fibers provide breathability, both important in lightweight travel pants. -
How do I pack lightweight pants for travel?
To save space, lay lightweight pants flat, folding one leg over the other, or roll them tightly starting from the waistband. Rolling is particularly effective for wrinkle prevention with lightweight fabrics.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
T+L associate editor Anna Popp specializes in travel products, from luggage to comfortable footwear. Anna is a dedicated travel pant enthusiast, prioritizing both style and comfort. Her extensive collection of comfortable and stylish pants, many featured here, fills four drawers in her wardrobe. Her expertise ensures reliable recommendations for lightweight women’s travel pants.
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Edited by Jackie Cucco
Jackie Cucco is a testing editor at Travel + Leisure, overseeing product testing and writing/editing travel product reviews based on thorough testing. With a journalism degree and travel agent background, she has extensive experience in product reviews, and has appeared on TV over 100 times to discuss consumer products and shopping trends.
Updated by Asia London Palomba :max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Screenshot2024-03-27at8.41.45AM-d2c20db7b82947f79a863625c7c42018.png)
Asia London Palomba, a trilingual Italian writer based in Boston, focuses on food, travel, and history. Her work ranges from travel product guides to historical topics, bringing a diverse perspective to travel content.
