Featured in this article
Best Overall
A More Sporty Pant
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Cargo Pants
An Organic Option
Among a certain set of women, finding the perfect pair of travel pants is a Holy Grail. They must be comfortable. They must be easy to wash. They must look relatively sharp, and not schlumpy, when you’re in an environment where you could bump into anyone from a pro athlete to your work colleagues. Most of all, they must not drag on the floor of the airplane bathroom. It is such a quest that I was shocked to discover that editor Adrienne So has, for years, referred to a spreadsheet known as the real-life Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, where women from all over the country that she doesn’t even know contribute their thoughts on pants that are reliable, comfortable, and usually black.
So and I have tested dozens of pairs in airports, on road trips, and in random corners of the world. My favorite travel pants stretch while you run to your gate, breathe while you explore a new city, and are stylish enough to wear out to dinner. They need to be cozy enough for long flights, durable enough to withstand unpredictable weather, and versatile enough to go from airport to boardroom. Here’s our roundup of the best travel pants for women that don’t compromise on style or comfort for functionality.
For more apparel and travel recommendations, check out our shopping guides to the Best Hoodies, Best Leggings, and Best Travel Totes.
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Best Overall
Courtesy of AthletaAthleta
Venice High Rise Wide Leg Pant
I’ve worn the Athleta Venice High-Rise Wide-Leg Pant on long flights, layovers, and sightseeing promenades, and it never lets me down. They’re soft and stretchy, yet still look put-together enough to pass as dress pants if you pair them with an oversized sweater or trench coat. The high-rise, elastic waistband sits comfortably without pinching, and the wide-leg drape gives enough volume to move freely without looking frumpy. They’re breathable, dry quickly, and wick away moisture, so I love to wear them through shifting temperatures. The UPF 40+ protection makes them just as reliable outdoors as they are in transit. I especially appreciate the surplus of pockets (two in front, a teeny side zip, and two zippered pockets in back) to stash my phone, lip balm, and whatever else I’m juggling on the way to my gate.
They come in a bunch of colors and three inseams (petite, regular, and tall).
Specs Materials 75% nylon, 25% Lycra Size Range XXS-3X Colors 11 Washing Instructions Machine wash and line dry -
A More Sporty Pant
Courtesy of REIRoark
Layover Pants
These are my favorite travel pants. I wore these for two weeks traveling to southeast Asia from the United States and for shorter business trips. In the darker black and navy colors, they look more professional and not quite so sporty. The majority cotton blend looks crisp and washes and wears well. The pants still look good after 15 straight hours of flying (and several years) but they still dry quickly after I spilled a full cup of apple juice on my lap (thanks, kids).
The drawcord means that it’s easy to adjust the fit, depending on whether you’re airplane bloating or traveler’s diarrhea. Also, there are a ton of pockets and they all either snap or zip closed, which means your phone or earbuds won’t fall out when you’ve fallen asleep while watching Leap Year for the 400th time. They also come in a men’s version.—Adrienne So
Specs Materials 70% cotton, 26% nylon, 4% elastane Size Range 24-34 Colors 5 Washing Instructions Machine wash and line dry
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Cargo Pants
Courtesy of Alo YogaAlo Yoga
Scholar Knit High-Waist Cargo Pant
These knit cargo pants are the most comfortable pair of sweatpants I own. Very few joggers also look this luxe, which makes sense given the price. The cargo silhouette is practical because of its pockets, but the whole aesthetic screams cool-girl-who-just-got-back-from-Aspen. Super heavyweight, these are only suitable for cold weather and seasons. I love pairing them with the matching Scholar Hooded Sweater for the ultimate travel outfit.
Unfortunately, the ribbed knit is delicate and can easily snag or rip, so if you’re not careful with maintenance, these pants might not last long. Sizing is a bit strange, so if you want a tighter fit, go a size smaller; I sized up for extra length and a looser fit.
Specs Materials 90% Cotton, 9% nylon, 1% elastane Size Range XXS-L (00-14) Colors 4 Washing Instructions Machine wash and tumble dry low -
An Organic Option
Courtesy of PranaPrana
Sancho Boyfriend Pants
I hate wearing synthetic fibers when I’m traveling. (Merino wool FTW!) Lycra and elastane just doesn’t breathe as well, although cotton and wool do take longer to dry, don’t retain their shape as well, and require a little more care. If you, too, prefer a natural option, I love these incredibly soft, almost completely organic cotton, pants from Prana. The pants have hand pockets and back pockets; I wear these on long road trips and they’re durable enough to stand up to camping. They do wrinkle very easily and because they’re almost completely cotton, you can’t wash them in hot water or tumble dry them on high or they’ll shrink.—Adrienne So
Specs Materials 98% organic cotton, 2% Lycra Size Range 0-14 Colors 2 Washing Instructions Machine wash on cold, hang to dry
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