Whether you’re embarking on a weeks-long vacation or simply getting away for the weekend, a pair of reliable travel pants is an essential wardrobe staple. I spent hours researching brands, analyzing fabrics and comparing fits to land on the best travel pants for men. My top pick overall is the Lululemon ABC Relaxed-Fit Pant, a best-selling style that’s smooth, stretchy and easy to dress up or down. If you prefer to travel in sweatpants, I recommend the Duer No Sweat Jogger, an ultra-comfortable option that’s elevated by the addition of back pockets.
We rounded up the best travel pants for men that are comfortable, versatile and stylish.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers
This list includes a range of styles to accommodate a variety of scenarios: There’s laid-back joggers for long flights as well as sophisticated dress pants for work trips. To gain more insight into what makes a great pair of travel pants, I tapped Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta. In addition to sharing two personal recommendations, Vigliotta broke down what you should be looking for in terms of material, style and fit. Below, find the seven best men’s travel pants to pack for your next trip.
Waist sizes: 28 to 40 | Inseam lengths: 30 to 32 | Colors: 4 total, including Sheer Oak and Obsidian | Materials: 53% elastomultiester, 47% recycled polyester
The Lululemon ABC Relaxed-Fit Pant is one of the athlesiure giant’s most popular styles, and it’s a favorite of Vigliotta’s, as well. “I like Lululemon’s ABC Pant for the same reasons everyone likes it—it’s simple, a little stretchy and easy to dress up or down,” he says. Made of a wrinkle-resistant blend of elastomultiester and recycled polyester, these smooth, semi-sophisticated pants offer just enough room throughout the seat and thigh. There’s an ergonomic gusset in the crotch of the pants that ensures your comfort, even when you’re sitting for several hours at a time.
Waist sizes: 30 to 40 | Inseam lengths: 30 to 34 | Colors: 3 total, including Charcoal and Khaki | Materials: 94% nylon, 6% spandex
While Unionbay isn’t as established of a brand as the others featured on this list, its thousands of positive customer reviews speak for themselves. The Rainier is a stretchy, quick-drying pair that’s made of UPF 50 nylon blended with spandex. In addition to the pairs of pockets located at the waist and on the seat, you’ll also find a single side pocket lower on the right leg, perfect for stashing smaller travel essentials. Customers note that these pants are comfortable enough for long-haul flights, and their resistance to moisture makes them a smart choice for inclement weather.
Waist sizes: 28 to 40 | Inseam lengths: 30 to 32 | Colors: 2 total, including Black and Light Fern | Materials: 62% cotton, 34% Tencel lyocell, 4% Lycra
Joggers are a no-brainer for travel, if your main priority is comfort. The Duer No Sweat Jogger is made from a breathable, soft blend of cotton and Tencel; these are pants you’ll find yourself reaching for at home, too—not just before a flight. They have a slim, streamlined fit throughout the leg and are secured at the waist with a drawstring closure, which keeps them from looking too relaxed. In addition to side and back pockets, a zippered leg pocket provides another spot to stash a wallet or keys. “My husband wears joggers all the time, since they’re comfortable enough for lounging but put-together enough for leaving the house,” says senior updates editor Karen Tietjen. “He’s also incredibly picky, and these are hands-down his favorite pair—they’re comfy, lightweight and have the slim fit he prefers.”
Waist sizes: 30 to 36 | Inseam lengths: 30 to 34 | Colors: 2 total, including Black and Navy | Materials: 65% recycled polyester, 30% rayon, 5% spandex
Whether you’re traveling for work or a wedding, there are some instances in which you’ll need to pack dress pants. Quince’s Performance Stretch Dress Pants—which are the best pick for travel on our list of the best men’s dress pants—are even comfy enough to wear on the plane. They’re made of a stretchy blend of recycled polyester and rayon, which resists wrinkles and retains its shape in transit. At just under $50, they’re also a wallet-friendly addition to your business travel wardrobe.
Waist sizes: 28 to 42 | Inseam lengths: 28 to 36 | Colors: 9 total, including Mud and Shadow | Materials: 97% nylon, 3% elastane
For outdoor trips—think backpacking, camping and the like—Vigliotta recommends the Prana Stretch Zion Pant. “This is technically a hiking pant, but it’s really comfortable and versatile because it’s loose through the leg, a little stretchy, UPF 50+ rated and outfitted with handy pockets for travel essentials,” he says. They’re equipped with back pockets, side pockets and a roomy zipper cargo pocket on the left thigh, providing plenty of storage space. You can also shorten the length of the pants, thanks to a clever snap roll up feature at the hem.
Waist sizes: 28 to 38 | Inseam lengths: 32 to 34 | Colors: 4 total, including Black and Olive | Materials: 47% merino wool, 33% nylon, 14% polyester, 6% elastane
Huckberry’s 72-Hour collection (which includes these pants) was designed with endurance in mind—each piece can be worn for three days straight, without any signs of wear or odor. (This is super helpful if you don’t have the chance to do laundry on your trip.) This style features an innovative blend of merino wool, nylon, polyester and elastane. The result is a moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating pant that can be worn all year long. In addition to side pockets, these pants have zippered back pockets that keep small items secure.
Waist sizes: 28 to 46 | Inseam lengths: 28 to 36 | Colors: 12 total, including Altoona Blue and Salem Jet Black | Materials: 94% cotton, 4% PBT, 2% elastane
While jeans typically aren’t the most comfortable pants to wear on hours-long plane or car rides, Bonobos’ Travel Jeans will make you rethink that notion. Blending cotton with PBT (a type of polyester) and elastane, these jeans are lightweight, stretchy and flexible. Paired with a T-shirt, they’re perfect for a day of sightseeing, and they can be dressed up with a button-down for dinner at the hotel. They’re available in a dozen hues, so you’re bound to find a shade that suits your style.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, we’re dedicated to making informed recommendations on a variety of fashion topics, with dozens of stories dedicated to menswear, specifically.
Claire Epting, the author of this story, has five years’ experience covering lifestyle topics, including both men’s and women’s apparel. For Forbes Vetted, she has previously reported on the best shorts for men and the best jeans for men.
For this article, Epting tapped Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta to get his insights on what makes a pair of men’s pants well-suited for travel. He broke down materials, closure style and overall fit, based on his own experience as an avid adventurer.
We regularly revisit our fashion roundups to ensure that each pick is in stock and continues to meet our standards for inclusion on this list.
How I Chose the Best Travel Pants for Men
To assemble this list of the best men’s travel pants, I tapped into my extensive industry knowledge, assembling a shortlist of trusted menswear brands with excellent reputations.
I sought out options from well-known brands with a reputation for quality. Several are proven favorites among Forbes Vetted staff and readers.
Vigliotta gave two personal recommendations based on his own experience while traveling: the Lululemon ABC and the Prana Stretch Zion.
Senior updates editor Karen Tietjen shared that her husband is a fan of the Duer No Sweat Jogger.
I considered pants for a wide range of scenarios; there’s relaxed options for long-haul trips as well as more sophisticated styles for quick business trips.
Customer reviews were also taken into account; I only included styles that have an average rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars.
What To Consider About The Best Travel Pants For Men
When shopping for men’s travel pants, first consider the nature of your trip. “Your top priorities for travel pants should be based on what you’re doing and where you’re going,” says Vigliotta. Here’s what to keep in mind:
Material
Comfort is paramount when it comes to travel clothes, as is wrinkle resistance. “If you’re looking for travel clothing that’s breathable, durable and downright versatile, I would prioritize nylon and polyester fabric blends,” says Vigliotta. “As synthetic fabrics, they do a great job of repelling moisture, protecting your skin from the sun and adapting to the environment.” He also recommends merino wool blends, since they naturally control temperature—and they also resist odor-causing bacteria. “Merino just stays more fresh and comfortable between washes than synthetics, in my experience.”
Closure Type
Most travel pants have either a zipper fly closure or a drawstring closure. “I prefer a drawstring on flights because it’s more comfortable when I’m seated for hours,” says Vigliotta. However, drawstring pants skew more casual than pants with a zipper fly—if you want to look a bit more put-together or plan on dressing up during your trip, go with the latter.
Fit
In terms of fit, we generally recommend pants with a straight to relaxed leg—these offer enough room so you don’t end up feeling constricted during long stretches of travel. “If you’re packing for a backpacking-style trip with lots of walking, sightseeing, and so on, look for breathable synthetic pants that fit a bit looser through the leg,” advises Vigliotta.
Style
Ideally, travel pants should be equipped with multiple pockets, and bonus points if they’re zippered for extra security. And while travel pants should be practical first and foremost, it may also be important to pay attention to style, if you’re traveling to a fashion-conscious destination. “If you’re heading somewhere nice, like Monaco or the Italian Riviera, you’ll probably want to wear something with a bit more style, so look for fitted, wrinkle-resistant options that won’t crease in your suitcase,” says Vigliotta.
