Building a versatile and reliable travel wardrobe starts from the bottom up, and finding the perfect Travel Pants is key to both comfort and style on any journey. With so many options available, choosing the right pair can feel overwhelming. That’s why we embarked on a comprehensive testing mission, putting over 50 pairs of women’s travel pants through rigorous real-world trials, so you don’t have to. From enduring long-haul flights to navigating bustling city streets and everything in between, we meticulously evaluated each pair based on essential criteria: comfort, durability, fit, and design. Our goal? To bring you a curated selection of the very best travel pants, ensuring you’re perfectly outfitted for every adventure that comes your way.
To ensure our recommendations catered to diverse preferences and travel scenarios, Travel + Leisure editors explored a wide spectrum of styles. We tested everything from classic trousers and flexible leggings to relaxed joggers, practical cargo pants, breezy wide-leg designs, and versatile straight-leg cuts. This broad approach guaranteed we covered all stylistic bases. We sourced travel pants from leading and trusted brands in the market, including Lululemon, Spanx, and Everlane, among others. During an extensive multi-week testing period, we wore these pants as frequently as possible, simulating various travel conditions and daily activities. Based on our detailed testing results and collective experiences, we’ve narrowed down the selection to 12 exceptional travel pants that stand out for their style, comfort, and overall performance. These are the pieces poised to become indispensable additions to your travel wardrobe.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Spanx Ponte Slim Straight Pant at Spanx
Best Wide-leg: Aritzia The Effortless Pant at Aritzia.com
Best Slim-leg: Aday Turn It Up Pants at Thisisaday.com
Best Wrinkle-resistant: Everlane Pant at Everlane $88
Best Leggings: lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Tight at Lululemon $128
Best Joggers: Calia Truelight Cargo Pocket Jogger at Dicks Sporting Goods $78 $16
Best Linen: Quince 100 Percent European Linen Pants at Quince.com
Best Cargo: Beyond Yoga City Chic Cargo Pant at Amazon $118
Best Lightweight: Z Supply Farah Pant at Amazon $118 $83
Best Jeans: Aviator Best Travel Jeans Relaxed at Aviatorusa.com
Best Overall
Spanx Ponte Slim Straight Pant
Why We Love It: The Spanx Ponte Slim Straight Pant effortlessly blends professional polish with the relaxed comfort of sweatpants. These travel pants are incredibly versatile, suitable for everything from business meetings to airport lounges. Their sleek and stylish design elevates any outfit, while the soft, cozy fabric ensures all-day wearability.
What to Consider: These pants lean towards a dressier aesthetic compared to more casual travel pant styles. While incredibly adaptable, they might be slightly formal for very laid-back travel scenarios.
For travelers seeking refined yet comfortable attire, the Spanx Ponte Slim Straight Pant is an exceptional choice. These comfortable slacks bridge the gap between professional attire and relaxed wear, making them ideal for a more polished travel ensemble. The standout feature of these travel pants is the remarkable comfort they provide, rivaling your favorite leggings, thanks to the soft and stretchy rayon blend fabric. However, the straight-leg design and tailored silhouette ensure they remain incredibly versatile and appropriate for a range of settings. The material boasts a substantial thickness, making them well-suited for moderate climates and shoulder seasons. In hotter, more humid conditions, they might feel a touch too warm. Designed with a flattering high-waisted fit, the waistband is both stretchy and supportive, offering gentle compression and a smooth silhouette due to the thicker fabric trim. During our testing, we noted that the sizing chart could be a little tricky to navigate. If you find yourself between sizes, we recommend ordering both your usual size and the next size up to ensure the perfect fit. Fortunately, Spanx provides a generous 90-day return policy, making exchanges and returns hassle-free.
The Details: XS-3XL (regular, petite, tall) | Material: Rayon, Elastane, Polyester | Pockets: No
Best Wide-leg
Aritzia The Effortless Pant
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Why We Love It: The Aritzia Effortless Pant is the epitome of sleek sophistication and flattering design, making them perfect travel pants that transition seamlessly from day explorations to evening dinners. These trousers are a wardrobe staple for travelers who value both style and comfort.
What to Consider: The waistband of these wide-leg travel pants offers minimal stretch or flexibility. This lack of give can become noticeable and slightly uncomfortable when sitting for extended periods, such as during long flights or train rides.
As a devoted fan of Aritzia for travel wardrobe essentials, the Effortless Pant holds a special place. Initially hesitant about the “trousers-for-travel” trend, these pants completely won me over and are now the only trousers I consider packing for trips. The fabric exudes a premium look and feel, instantly elevating my confidence whether I pair them with a simple T-shirt for daytime sightseeing or a chic top for evening outings. My personal collection now includes these travel pants in four distinct colors, and I’m already planning to expand my wardrobe with more pieces from Aritzia’s Effortless collection. My only minor critique is the waistband, which offers virtually no stretch. This can feel somewhat restrictive, particularly during long periods of sitting. However, the exceptional quality, luxurious feel, and remarkable durability of these pants make them a worthwhile investment for creating effortlessly stylish outfits. I prefer to dry-clean these trousers to maintain their pristine condition, and after five months of regular wear, they continue to look and feel fantastic.
The Details: Sizes: 00-16 | Material: Recycled Polyester, Viscose, Cotton, Elastane | Pockets: Yes
Best Slim-leg
Aday Turn It Up Pants
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Why We Love It: The Aday Turn It Up Pants offer a tapered leg that’s both professional and flattering, making them excellent slim-leg travel pants. The fabric’s exceptional wrinkle resistance is a standout feature, ensuring a polished look straight from your suitcase.
What to Consider: While comfortable overall, the waistband could benefit from a bit more stretch for enhanced flexibility and comfort, especially during long periods of sitting or movement during travel.
These tapered travel pants from Aday are thoughtfully designed with the modern traveler in mind, providing a flattering and refined fit. Lightweight, breathable, and impressively wrinkle-resistant, they encompass all the desirable features in travel pants suitable for diverse occasions. To rigorously test the wrinkle-free claim, T+L’s associate editorial director Morgan Ashley Parker put these pants to the ultimate test. She intentionally crumpled them up and packed them deep within her suitcase. Upon unpacking, she was amazed to find the pants emerged looking impeccably smooth, completely unwrinkled. The sizing and length are true to standard measurements, ensuring a reliable fit. Parker’s only minor wish was for a more flexible waistband to provide a stretchier feel and greater freedom of movement. The pleats and tapered leg contribute to an elevated and elongating silhouette, making these travel pants equally appropriate for professional settings and business travel. After five months of regular wear and dry-cleaning, these pants maintain a brand-new appearance and feel, highlighting their exceptional durability and quality.
The Details: Sizes: XS-XL | Fabric: Tailored Stretch fabric | Special Feature: Wrinkle-resistant | Pockets: Yes
Best Wrinkle-resistant
Everlane Pant
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Why We Love It: The Everlane Pant is a champion of wrinkle resistance. Its fabric is specifically designed to withstand being packed in a suitcase for extended periods, making it the ideal travel pant for looking fresh upon arrival.
What to Consider: These travel pants feature a cropped leg length. While stylish for many, this cropped style might not be ideal for colder climates or personal preferences for full-length pants.
Packing wrinkle-prone clothing can be a major travel hassle. That’s why we highly appreciate the Everlane Pant and its cotton blend fabric, which is remarkably resistant to wrinkles. This feature alone makes them stand out as exceptional travel pants. The fabric strikes a perfect balance – soft and breathable for comfort, yet substantial enough to provide warmth in cooler temperatures, making them a versatile choice for year-round travel. While the sizing is true to standard measurements, the waistband incorporates a subtle stretch, ensuring comfort even during long travel days exceeding 12 hours. After five months of consistent wear, the fabric and stitching quality remained impeccable, showing no signs of pilling or fading. Adding to their practicality, these travel pants are machine washable and can be hung to dry for effortless cleaning. The only consideration is the cropped length, which might fit as extra cropped on taller individuals. Despite this, their wrinkle-resistant nature and overall comfort solidify their place as top-tier travel pants.
The Details: Sizes: XXS-4XL | Material: Cotton, Modal, Elastane | Special Feature: Wrinkle-resistant | Pockets: Yes
Best Leggings
lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Tight
Why We Love It: The lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Tight leggings are crafted from a material that is incredibly stretchy, providing all-day comfort without feeling restrictive. These are the ideal leggings for travel, offering both flexibility and support for long journeys.
What to Consider: These leggings, while excellent for many conditions, might not provide sufficient warmth for very cold weather travel. For extremely cold climates, you may need to consider layering or opting for warmer travel pants.
These exceptionally smooth leggings from Lululemon are constructed from a stretchy and cooling nylon fabric. This material provides enough warmth for airplane cabins while remaining highly breathable for long days of walking and exploration. They are also an excellent choice if you’re seeking hiking leggings suitable for warmer weather adventures. The Wunder Train High-Rise Tight leggings are available in an extensive range of sizes and color options, ensuring a great fit for diverse body types and style preferences. The high-rise waistband offers ample give without digging into or squeezing the waist, enhancing comfort for extended wear. Given the material’s breathability, these leggings might not be the warmest option for very cold-weather travel. However, they provide sufficient warmth in moderate temperatures or against airplane drafts. A major highlight of these travel leggings is the inclusion of discreet side pockets. These pockets are perfectly sized for stashing earbuds, a phone, a passport, or even an airplane ticket, offering convenient access while on the go. For added security, there’s also a hidden pocket within the back of the waistband, ideal for storing cash or a credit card. These thoughtful features make them exceptionally practical travel pants for any journey.
The Details: Sizes: 0-20 | Material: Nylon, Lycra | Lengths: 23, 25, and 28-inch lengths | Rise: High-rise | Pockets: Side pockets
Best Joggers
Calia Truelight Cargo Pocket Jogger
Why We Love It: The Calia Truelight Cargo Pocket Jogger impressed us with its long-lasting, durable material that feels remarkably light. These joggers are comfortable, stylish, and practical, making them excellent travel pants for various activities.
What to Consider: The back pockets on these cargo joggers can appear slightly awkward depending on fit and body type. It’s worth considering the pocket placement and fit when choosing your size to ensure the most flattering look.
We were particularly impressed by these joggers’ comfortable fit, appealing style, and exceptionally lightweight material. The blend of polyester and spandex creates a fabric that feels incredibly light and stretchy, almost like wearing nothing at all. It’s also worth noting that the high-rise cut and thicker waistband provided a flattering, smoothing effect in the stomach area without feeling overly tight or restrictive. We appreciated the wide color selection, with more than 10 different neutral colorways available.
“These feel like a more put-together and stylish upgrade from my usual leggings that I typically wear to the airport,” notes Travel + Leisure testing editor Jackie Cucco. “They’re also light enough to keep you cool and versatile enough that you don’t need to change when heading straight to your hotel restaurant for a quick bite after checking in.” She advises sizing up if you’re between sizes, as this can prevent the back pockets from appearing stretched or strained. Overall, these joggers are a fantastic blend of comfort and style, perfect as travel pants for various occasions.
The Details: Sizes: XS-3XL (short, regular, and long) | Rise: High-rise | Material: 90 percent Polyester, 10 percent Spandex | Special Feature: Sweat-wicking
Best Linen
Quince 100 Percent European Linen Pants
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Why We Love It: The Quince 100 Percent European Linen Pants fit true to size and offer a comfortable, non-clingy fit. These linen travel pants are an excellent choice for warm climates and stylish comfort.
What to Consider: We noted that the waistband lacks a drawstring for adjustability. While the fit is generally true to size, a drawstring would enhance versatility and ensure a snug fit for varying body shapes or preferences.
These 100 percent linen pants are an ideal choice for early morning flights or long days of sightseeing in warm destinations. Surprisingly, the linen resists wrinkling far better than expected, allowing you to wear them comfortably during extended periods of sitting or pack them in your suitcase without significant worry. The material is substantial enough to prevent undergarments from being visible, even in lighter colorways, yet remains light and airy for breathability. They also feature practical elements including two side pockets and one back pocket, providing ample storage for essential travel items you want to keep readily accessible.
Throughout our months of testing, these linen travel pants showed no signs of fading or pilling, even after numerous washes. Remarkably, they even survived machine drying without any shrinkage. The straight-leg cut falls just above the ankle, making them a versatile style to pair with sneakers, sandals, or even heels, depending on your daily itinerary. While we appreciate the true-to-size fit, the absence of a drawstring at the waistband means they tend to stretch out slightly throughout the day. If you’re between sizes, we recommend opting for the smaller size to ensure a more secure fit.
The Details: Sizes: XS-XL | Material: Flax Linen | Pockets: Two side pockets and one back pocket
Best Cargo
Beyond Yoga City Chic Cargo Pant
Why We Love It: The Beyond Yoga City Chic Cargo Pant stands out for its numerous pockets, providing ample storage for essentials like phones, wallets, and keys. These cargo travel pants are both fashionable and highly functional for travel.
What to Consider: We found that these pants tend to run a bit on the larger side. Consider sizing down, especially if you prefer a more fitted silhouette, to achieve the best fit with these cargo pants.
These cargo pants from Beyond Yoga masterfully blend fashion and practicality, making them exceptionally well-suited for travel. The wide-leg silhouette and fluid drape of the fabric give these travel pants a sophisticated, trouser-like appearance. However, the elastic waistband and plush polyester material deliver the level of comfort that T+L editor Taylor Fox seeks in perfect airport attire. “These are genuinely some of the most comfortable yet stylish pants I now own,” Fox shares, emphasizing that they are an ideal upgrade from standard yoga pants, offering the same level of comfort with enhanced style.
Featuring a total of four pockets, these cargo pants provide all the storage you could need for travel essentials. Easily carry your phone, wallet, passport, earbuds, keys, and more. The side hand pockets are equipped with zippers, adding an extra layer of security to safeguard your valuables and prevent loss or theft while traveling. Fox noted that the waistband is slightly oversized (although it includes a tie belt to adjust the fit). If you prefer a tighter fit, consider ordering a size down. After five months of wear and testing, these travel pants have maintained their shape, color, and soft texture without stretching, fading, or pilling, confirming their long-lasting quality and chic appeal.
The Details: Sizes: XS-XL | Material: Polyester | Pockets: Zipper pockets
Best Lightweight
Z Supply Farah Pant
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Why We Love It: The Z Supply Farah Pant is exceptionally lightweight and flowy. Made from a rayon and linen blend, these pants are ideal for warm-weather travel, offering breathability and comfort in hot climates.
What to Consider: During our testing, we observed several loose threads and minor snags in the fabric. While these didn’t worsen over time, it’s something to be aware of in terms of initial fabric quality and potential long-term wear.
“These pants are so incredibly lightweight and flowy, I could genuinely wear them all day and night, whether lounging on the couch or sitting on a plane for hours,” says T+L editor Jackie Cucco after testing the Z Supply Farah Pants. The rayon and linen fabric blend is exceptionally breathable and soft against the skin. The flowy drape of the wide-leg design creates an effortlessly chic and stylish look that pairs well with virtually any top. These are perfect lightweight travel pants for warm climates.
Whether walking, sitting, or commuting, Cucco found these pants to be consistently comfortable and breathable for any activity and duration. The sizing is true to standard measurements, and the elastic waistband at the back provides ample stretch in the high-waisted upper portion. Belt loops are also included, offering styling versatility and the option for a tighter, more secure fit. While the fabric generally feels high-quality, Cucco did notice some loose threads and minor snags. However, these issues did not worsen after five months of regular wear and multiple washes, indicating impressive overall durability.
The Details: Sizes: XS-XL | Material: Rayon, Linen | Pockets: Yes
Best Jeans
Aviator Best Travel Jeans Relaxed
Why We Love It: The Aviator Best Travel Jeans Relaxed are designed to look like standard jeans but feel incredibly soft and comfortable, similar to leggings. These are the travel jeans that redefine comfort without sacrificing style.
What to Consider: The standard inseam is 34 inches, which may be long for some. However, Aviator offers custom hemming services. Consider utilizing their hemming service to achieve the perfect length for these travel jeans.
You might not believe that jeans comfortable enough for travel actually exist, but the Aviator Best Travel Jeans Relaxed will change your perspective. While they maintain the appearance of typical straight-leg jeans, they are crafted from a remarkably stretchy and soft cotton and Lycra blend that feels akin to wearing sweatpants. After extensive testing, including wearing them to the office, during long car rides, and while lounging at home, it became clear that these jeans are perfectly suited for virtually any activity. The quality has also proven to be exceptionally durable throughout our five-month real-world testing period. Beyond the incredibly comfortable material, we appreciate the abundance of pockets – seven in total, significantly more than standard jeans. This includes two zippered pockets for secure storage of items like IDs or cash, adding practicality for travel. The only point to note is the standard 34-inch inseam. However, Aviator provides complimentary hemming services, so we highly recommend taking advantage of this to have the pants tailored to your precise inseam for an ideal fit. These are truly exceptional travel jeans.
The Details: Sizes: 24-36 | Material: Cotton, Lycra | Pockets: Slip and zipper pockets
Best Splurge
Frank & Eileen Murphy Billion Dollar Pant
Why We Love It: The Frank & Eileen Murphy Billion Dollar Pant justifies its higher price with high-quality materials and an effortlessly stylish design. These splurge-worthy travel pants are an investment in both comfort and enduring style.
What to Consider: The back pockets on these pants are purely decorative and non-functional. If back pockets are a priority for you, this is a point to consider when choosing travel pants.
Frequent travelers who appreciate luxury and effortless style will find the Frank & Eileen Murphy Billion Dollar Pant exceptionally appealing. While these pants represent a significant investment due to their higher price point, they truly surpassed our high expectations in terms of quality and performance. The sizing is accurate, and they are incredibly easy to slip on thanks to the silky-smooth fabric, which also offers sufficient stretch to ensure unrestricted movement. The tapered legs, cropped at the ankles, make them versatile for pairing with sneakers for a casual look or heels for more formal occasions during your travels. We appreciate the front pockets, which are generously sized to discreetly hold a phone. However, it’s worth noting that the back pockets are purely for aesthetic purposes. Beyond their stylish silhouette, these travel pants are conveniently machine washable and can be air-dried for hassle-free maintenance. We are confident that the high-quality materials will ensure they hold up beautifully over time, making them a worthwhile investment.
The Details: Sizes: XS-XL | Material: Cotton, Spandex | Rise: Mid-rise | Pockets: Front pockets | Faux back pockets
Best Flare
Ripley Rader Black Ponte Knit Wide Leg Pant
Why We Love It: The Ripley Rader Black Ponte Knit Wide Leg Pant offers a legging-like feel with a more stylish cropped flare bottom. These flare travel pants combine comfort with a fashionable silhouette.
What to Consider: We observed slight pilling after washing. To maintain their best condition, hand washing or dry cleaning is recommended for these travel pants.
If you’re searching for flare pants that provide the comfort of leggings but with a more refined and elevated appearance, the Ripley Rader Black Ponte Knit Wide Leg Pant is an excellent choice. T+L associate director Morgan Ashley Parker, an expert in comfortable and stylish travel attire, found these pants exceeded her high standards for clothing suitable for long-haul flights, office commutes, and everything in between. The high-waisted fit is both supportive and flexible, similar to leggings, while the cropped flare style proved to be the perfect length for Parker’s petite frame (a longer version is also available). Thanks to the midweight fabric, these travel pants resist wrinkles effectively and are fully opaque, eliminating any concerns about wardrobe mishaps while on the go. The fabric is somewhat delicate, so hand washing or dry cleaning is advised to keep them in optimal condition. Despite some minor pilling in the inner thigh area, these travel pants continue to look great and feel comfortable after five months of regular use.
The Details: Sizes: XS-4XL | Material: Viscose, Nylon | Pockets: No pockets
Other Travel Pants We Liked
While the following pants received high scores, minor issues during testing slightly reduced their overall rankings in terms of quality and fit. However, we still consider them worthy of honorable mentions as solid travel pant options:
Quince Ultra-stretch Ponte Straight Leg Pant: The material is thick and cozy, providing a comfortable feel. However, we felt the waistband could offer more compression for a more secure and enhanced fit. Despite this, they remain good ponte travel pants.
SweatyRocks Women’s Casual Wide Leg Trousers: These budget-friendly trousers are versatile enough to transition from airport to office settings. However, we weren’t fans of the non-functional, fake pockets. Despite this design detail, they are still decent, affordable travel pants.
Our Testing Process
To identify the best travel pants, we tested 50 pairs from well-known clothing brands like Vuori, Lululemon, Athleta, and more, encompassing various styles from leggings to trousers. We tested a range of styles, colors, and sizes to gain comprehensive insights into each pair’s performance.
During travel by plane, train, and car, we wore the pants for extended periods to assess their overall fit, quality, and comfort in real-world conditions. Over a five-month period, we wore these travel pants on long-haul flights, in office environments, and on lengthy road trips, noting factors such as true-to-size fit, sustained comfort, and durability after multiple washes. Ultimately, our preferred travel pants struck an optimal balance between breathability and warmth, softness and resilience, and offered exceptional versatility for diverse travel scenarios.
Tips for Buying Travel Pants
Opt for wrinkle-resistant materials
Given that travel clothing is often packed in luggage, choosing wrinkle-resistant pants is highly beneficial. Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and elastane naturally resist wrinkles, making them excellent choices for travel pants. Materials such as cotton, linen, and hemp are more prone to wrinkling unless blended with synthetic fibers. When shopping, always check the fabric composition to determine wrinkle-resistant properties. A portable travel steamer can also be a valuable tool for quick wrinkle removal on the go.
Look for pockets
While not essential, pockets significantly enhance the practicality of travel pants. They offer convenient access to items and secure storage for valuables like credit cards, passports, and cash, especially zippered pockets in discreet locations. Pocket quantity and type vary, so consider your needs before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the comfiest style of pants?
Comfort preference is subjective, and our testing covered numerous styles for diverse options. Commonly favored comfy travel pants styles include soft joggers, stretchy leggings, and sweatpants. However, trousers and straight-leg pants also offer comfortable yet more polished travel looks.
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What are travel pants made of?
Travel pants are made from various synthetic and natural fibers. Common materials include polyester, cotton, nylon, spandex, elastane, and linen. Synthetic fabrics excel in wrinkle resistance, while natural fibers often provide better breathability and moisture-wicking properties.
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How should I fold pants for travel?
To maximize luggage space, lay pants flat, folding one leg over the other, or roll them tightly from the waistband in a military style. Rolling can also help minimize wrinkles.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
T+L associate editor Anna Popp specializes in travel products, from luggage to comfortable footwear. A dedicated travel pant enthusiast, Anna prioritizes style and comfort, with a wardrobe featuring numerous pairs of stylish yet comfortable pants, including several highlighted in this guide.
Edited by Jackie Cucco, a testing editor at Travel + Leisure with extensive experience in product testing and travel-related reviews.
Updated by Asia London Palomba, a trilingual writer focusing on travel, food, and history, contributing to Travel + Leisure.
