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The 12 Best Travel Pants for Women of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We tested 49 pairs of pants to find the best options for every traveler.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• Others We Liked

Our Testing Process

• Tips for Buying
• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Morgan Ashley Parker

Building up a wardrobe of travel clothing can be a challenging process. Luckily, we tested a whopping 49 pairs of women’s travel pants so you don’t have to. From long-haul flights to commuting to the office , we thoroughly examined each pair of pants for qualities like comfort, durability, fit, and design to recommend the very best styles for every adventure. 

To test out a variety of styles, sizes, and colors, Travel + Leisure editors tried out trousers, leggings, joggers, cargo, wide-leg, and straight-leg pants to make sure we covered all of our bases when it came to style preferences. We researched and chose travel pants from trusted brands like Lululemon, Spanx, and Everlane, and wore them as often as we could during the multiweek testing period. Based on our results, we selected 12 pants that are stylish and comfortable, making them the perfect new addition to any travel wardrobe.

Best Overall

Spanx the perfect pant, slim straight.

Professional, sleek, and stylish, these pants look elevated, but are soft and cozy like sweatpants.

They are a bit dressier than other travel pants.

From the office to the airport, these comfortable slacks are the perfect pair of bottoms for a more elevated travel look. The best part of these pants is that they have the comfort of a pair of leggings thanks to the stretchy and soft rayon blend fabric, but the straight-leg design makes them incredibly versatile. The material is fairly thick, so they’re best suited to moderate temperatures and might be a bit too warm in hotter climates. With a high-waisted fit, the waistband is nice and stretchy while still feeling compressing and flattering thanks to the thicker fabric trim. We had some issues navigating the size chart, so if you’re in between sizes, you may want to order a size up in addition to your regular size and return the one that doesn’t fit (Spanx has a generous 90-day return policy).

The Details: XS-3XL (regular, petite, tall) | Rayon, elastane, polyester | No pockets

Travel + Leisure / Morgan Ashley Parker

Best Wide-leg

Aritzia the effortless pant.

Sleek and flattering, these trousers are the perfect day-to-night pants.

The waistband has zero stretch or flexibility, which wasn't very comfortable for sitting for long periods.

I'm a huge fan of Aritzia when it comes to travel wardrobe staples, which includes the famous Effortless Pants. It took me a while to get on the trousers-for-travel bandwagon, but these pants are the only trousers I'll ever bring traveling. The fabric is premium looking and feeling, which makes me feel like a million bucks whether I wear the pants with a T-shirt or a going-out top. I now own the pants in four different colors, and I'm planning to invest in other bottoms from Aritzia's Effortless collection. My only slight gripe with the pants is that the waistband has next-to-no stretch at all, which can feel a tad restricting. Otherwise, the high-quality feel and durability of the pants make it worth the investment for a stylish outfit that requires minimal effort.

The Details: 00-16 | Recycled polyester, viscose, cotton, elastane | Pockets

Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp

Best Slim-leg

Aday turn it up pants.

The tapered leg is professional and flattering, and the fabric proved to be fully wrinkle-resistant.

The waistband could have a bit more stretch.

These tapered travel pants from Aday offer a flattering and elevated fit designed specifically for travelers. Lightweight, breathable, and wrinkle-resistant, the pants have all the features we love in bottoms for various occasions. To test the wrinkle-free claim, T+L's associate editorial director Morgan Ashley Parker crumpled up the pants and stuffed them into the depths of her suitcase to find that once she pulled them out, the pants looked exactly like they did without a wrinkle in sight. The size and length run true to size. and Parker only wished the pants had a more flexible waistband to get a stretchier fit. The pleats and tapered leg give the pants an elevated and elongating shape, so these are perfect for going into the office or traveling for business.

The Details: XS-XL | Tailored Stretch fabric | Wrinkle-resistant | Pockets

Best Wrinkle-resistant

Everlane pant.

The wrinkle-resistant fabric can withstand being packed in a suitcase for long periods of time. 

The pants have cropped legs. 

Packing clothing that’s prone to wrinkling can be difficult, so we love that the cotton blend fabric used to make these Everlane slacks is resistant to wrinkles. The fabric is soft and breathable but thick enough to wear in cooler temperatures, which is ideal for year-round traveling. While these pants run true to size, the waistband has a slight stretch to it, so we were plenty comfortable while wearing them for a 12-plus-hour day of traveling. After wearing them over a five-month period, the quality of the fabric and stitchwork never faltered or showed signs of pilling or fading. Plus, you can machine wash the pants and hang them to dry for easy cleaning. The only thing to note is that these come in a single cropped length, so if you’re tall, they may be extra cropped.

The Details: XXS-4XL | Cotton, modal, elastane | Wrinkle-resistant | Pockets 

Best Leggings

Lululemon wunder train high-rise tight with pockets.

The material is stretchy enough for all-day comfort without feeling restrictive.

The pants aren’t warm enough for cold weather. 

These buttery smooth leggings from Lululemon are made with a stretchy and cooling nylon material that’s warm enough for the airplane but plenty breathable for long days on your feet. They're also an excellent choice if you want hiking leggings to take on warm-weather adventures. The leggings come in a huge range of sizes and color options to choose from, and the high-rise waistband has enough give that it doesn’t squeeze or dig into the waist. Since the material is quite breathable, these pants might not be the warmest for cold-weather travel, but they will still keep your legs warm in moderate temperatures or if there’s a draft on the plane. The highlight of these leggings is the discreet side pockets that make it super easy to slip earbuds , a phone, passport, or an airplane ticket into the pocket for convenient access while traveling. And when you’re carrying cash or a credit card, there’s even a hidden pocket in the back of the waistband for additional storage.

The Details: 0-20 | Nylon, lycra | 23 and 25-inch lengths | High-rise | Side pockets

Travel + Leisure / Taylor Mcintyre

Best Joggers

Everlane jogger.

These classic joggers have the softest lining of any pants we've tested.

They only come in two colors.

Time and time again, you'll hear T+L editors say comfort is key for traveling, so we recommend these Everlane joggers for maximum comfort level. In fact, these are our all-time favorite women's joggers that we've ever tested. The fabric is so soft and plush, you'd be hard-pressed to find another pair of joggers that feel like you're wearing a cloud. Our favorite part of the pants is the interior lining that is hands-down the softest fabric we've ever touched. Plus, the elastic waistband offers the perfect amount of flexibility for sitting on long-haul flights or in the car for road trips, and the front-tie helps with adjusting the fit as needed. We wish the pants came in more than two colors (black and gray) so we could pick up more than just two pairs of the comfy joggers.

The Details: XXS-XL | Cotton, recycled polyester | Pockets

Travel + Leisure / Alexander Huang

Travel + Leisure / Dera Burreson

Quince 100 Percent European Linen Pants

They fit true to size and hug the body without feeling too clingy.

We wish the waistband had a drawstring for adjustability.

These 100 percent linen pants are the perfect choice for early flights or long days of sightseeing. The linen doesn't wrinkle nearly as much as we would expect so you can wear them while sitting for long periods of time or pack them in your suitcase without worry. The material is thick enough that you can't see undergarments through even the lighter colorways, yet these pants are still light and breezy. They also feature two side pockets and one back pocket so you can store all of the travel essentials you may want on-hand.

Throughout our months of testing, they did not show any signs of fading or piling, even after multiple washes. They even survived coming out of the dryer without shrinking in any way. These straight-leg pants hit just above the ankle, making them a fun choice to pair with sneakers, sandals, or even heels, depending on your day's itinerary. While we love the true-to-size fit of these linen pants, they do not have a drawstring at the waistband and tend to stretch out throughout the day, so we recommend sizing down if you're between sizes.

The Details: XS-XL | Flax linen | Two side pockets and one back pocket

Beyond Yoga City Chic Cargo Pant

There are numerous pockets to store a phone, wallet, or keys.

We found the pants to run a bit on the larger side.

These cargo pants from Beyond Yoga combine fashion and functionality, which makes them particularly great for traveling. The wide-leg shape and drapey lay of the fabric give the pants a trouser-like look, but the elastic waistband and plush polyester provide all the comfort T+L editor Taylor Fox looks for in a pair of pants fit for the airport. "These are some of the most comfortable, yet stylish pants I now have," Fox shares, adding that the pants are perfect for replacing yoga pants for the same level of comfort.

With four pockets in total, these pants have all the spots you could need to place a phone, wallet, passport, earbuds, keys, and more. The side hand pockets have zippers to safeguard your valuables to avoid lost or stolen items while traveling. Fox notes that the pants are slightly oversized in the waist (there is a tie belt to adjust the fit), but if you want a tighter fit, consider sizing down.

The Details: XS-XL | Polyester | Zipper pockets

Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox

Best Lightweight

Z supply farah pant.

Featherlight and flowy, these rayon- and linen-blend pants are ideal for warm-weather travel.

There were several loose threads and small snags in the fabric that we noticed during testing.

"These pants are so lightweight and flowy, I could seriously wear them all day and night, even when laying on the couch or sitting on a plane for hours," T+L editor Jackie Cucco says after testing the Z Supply Farah Pants. The rayon and linen fabric is breathable and soft, and the flowy drape of wide-leg pants looks effortless and chic with any top.

Whether Cucco was walking, sitting, or commuting to the office, the pants were comfortable and breathable for any occasion or length of time. The pants run true to size and thanks to an elastic waistband in the back, there is plenty of stretch in the high-waisted upper part of the pants. There are also belt-loops for when you want to style the pants differently or get a tighter fit. While the fabric feels high-quality for the most part, Cucco noticed some loose threads and minor snags in the fabric.

The Details: XS-XL | Rayon, linen | Pockets

Travel + Leisure / Jackie Cucco

Aviator Best Travel Jeans Relaxed

They look like a standard pair of jeans (with all the features, too), but the fabric is buttery soft like leggings.

The standard inseam is 34 inches, but the brand offers custom hemming.

You may not think that jeans comfortable for travel exist, but trust us when we say these ones from Aviator will change your mind. While they look like a typical pair of straight-leg jeans, they are made with a stretchy, soft cotton and Lycra blend that feels like wearing sweatpants. After wearing these jeans to the office, in a car for long periods, and lounging around the house, it was clear that these jeans are perfect for just about any activity. Besides the comfy material, we love that there are seven pockets throughout the pants — way more than a typical pair of jeans — including two zippered pockets for storing an ID or cash. The only thing to note is that the jeans come in a standard 34-inch inseam, but Aviator offers free hemming, so we recommend having the pants hemmed to your exact inseam for the perfect fit.

The Details: 24-36 | Cotton, Lycra | Slip and zipper pockets

Travel + Leisure / Nicole Oswald

Best Splurge

Frank & eileen murphy billion dollar pant.

The high-quality materials and effortlessly stylish design of these pants make them well worth the higher price point. 

The back pockets are just for show. 

Frequent travelers will appreciate the luxurious feel and effortless style that comes with wearing the Frank & Eileen Murphy Billion Dollar Pant. While the pants are certainly an investment due to the higher price, they exceeded our high expectations for the cost. The pants run true to size and are easy to slip on thanks to the silky-smooth fabric which has enough stretch so that mobility isn’t compromised. The tapered legs that crop at the ankles make it easy to pair these pants with sneakers for a casual look or heels for going out to a nice dinner on vacation. We love that the front pockets are big enough to hold a phone discreetly, but note that the back pockets are just for show. Apart from the stylish silhouette, these pants can be machine washed and air dried for hassle-free upkeep, and we feel confident the quality of the materials will hold up well over time.

The Details: XS-XL | Cotton, spandex | Midrise | Front pockets | Faux back pockets

Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples

• Travel + Leisure/Tamara Staples

Ripley Rader Black Ponte Knit Wide Leg Pant

Similar to leggings, these pants are made with next-to-skin fabric, but they are much more stylish thanks to the cropped flare bottom.

We noticed some slight pilling after washing them, so be sure to wash them by hand or dry clean only.

If you're looking for a pair of flare pants that feel like leggings but look more elevated, then these bottoms from Ripley Rader are the best option. T+L associate director Morgan Ashley Parker is an expert in traveling in comfort and style, and these pants passed her high standards for clothing fit for long-haul flights, walking to the office, and everything in between. The high-waisted fit is equally compressing and flexible as leggings and the cropped flare style was the best length for Parker's shorter stature (there is also a longer version of the pants, too). Thanks to the midweight fabric, these pants don't wrinkle easily and they are fully opaque so you'll never have to worry about accidental wardrobe malfunctions on the go. The fabric is a tad high-maintenance, so be sure to wash the pants by hand or have them dry cleaned to keep them in tip-top shape.

The Details: XS-4XL | Viscose, nylon | No pockets

Other Travel Pants We Liked

While the pants below scored highly, we ran into some slight issues during testing that knocked off a few points for quality and fit. However, we still felt they earned an honorable mention.

Abercrombie & Fitch YPB StudioSoft 7/8 Length Leggings : These leggings feel similar to the famous texture of Lululemon leggings, but we wish they had pockets for practical purposes.

Quince Ultra-stretch Ponte Straight Leg Pant : The material is thick and cozy, but we wish the waistband had a bit more compression to it for a more comfortable fit. 

SweatyRocks Women's Casual Wide Leg Trousers : These budget-friendly trousers are versatile enough to take you from the airport to the office, but we didn’t love the fake pockets.

We got our hands on 49 pairs of travel pants from notable clothing brands like Vuori, Lululemon, Athleta, and more to uncover the best styles for every type of trip. From leggings to trousers, we covered our bases by trying a variety of styles, colors, and sizes to get thorough testing insights on each pair of pants. 

Whether traveling by plane, train, or car, we wore the pants for hours on end to get a feel for their overall fit, quality, and comfort. After wearing them on long-haul flights, in the office, or on lengthy road trips over a five-month period, we noted if the pants ran true to size, remained comfortable for long periods of time, and held up after we washed them multiple times. In the end, our favorite pants for travel had the perfect balance of being breathable and warm, soft and cozy, and offered superior versatility no matter what kind of adventure you may need them for.

Tips for Buying Travel Pants

Opt for wrinkle-resistant materials.

Since your clothing will likely be tucked away in a suitcase at some point while traveling, it helps to get a pair of pants that have wrinkle-resistant qualities. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon, and elastane have anti-wrinkling properties, which make them excellent fabrics for traveling. Generally, materials like cotton, linen, and hemp are prone to wrinkling if they aren’t mixed with other synthetic fabrics. You’ll want to check the specifications while shopping for a pair of pants to see what the materials are and if they are made with any type of wrinkle-resistant treatment. However, a travel steamer can work wonders on the go.

Look for pockets

While not having pockets isn’t a deal-breaker by any means, pockets are helpful for conveniently accessing items on the go. Pockets can also be handy for tucking away valuables like credit cards, passports, and cash, especially if the pants offer zippers in discreet places. Some pants have more pockets than others, so be aware of the pocket situation before purchasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

This is ultimately a personal preference, and we tested dozens of different styles to offer plenty of versatile options. Common comfy pants styles you might see in an airport include joggers, leggings, and sweatpants, but you’ll also see trousers and straight-leg pants for a more elevated (yet still comfortable) travel look. 

Travel pants can be made of all types of both synthetic and natural fibers. The most common materials you’ll see are polyester, cotton, nylon, spandex, elastane, and linen. Synthetic fabrics are better if you’re looking for a pair of wrinkle-resistant pants, and natural fibers are usually better for breathability and moisture-wicking properties. 

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

T+L associate editor Anna Popp covers all the best travel products from carry-ons to comfy shoes. Anna is a travel pant aficionado and only wears pants that look stylish and put together but feel like sweatpants. She has four dresser drawers dedicated to her collection of cute and comfy pants that include several pairs on this list.

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