When it comes to travel outfits, few pieces work harder than a well-designed pair of pants. Whether you’re navigating long flights, full travel days, or back-to-back connections, the right pair will keep you comfortable without compromising on structure or style. The best travel pants resist wrinkles, are made from breathable, stretchy fabrics that move with you, and dry quickly in case of unexpected weather or a splash at the sink.
Over the years, our editors have tested dozens of styles from brands like Everlane, Anthropologie, and Levi’s, and the pairs below are ones that have earned a permanent spot in our airport rotations and carry-ons. They range from slim joggers and breathable denim to wide-leg trousers and sleek, stretchy cargos, all designed to handle multiple climates, long wear times, and spontaneous travel itinerary shifts. Keep reading for 13 editor-favorite travel pants you’ll want for every leg of your journey.
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Dress pants
These Ponte pants feature a high-rise waistband with comfortable, built-in compression, offering a flattering silhouette. Associate commerce director Madison Flager recommends this pair for work trips, and loves how the wide-leg design balances structure and roominess. Available in petite, regular, and tall inseams, they accommodate a range of heights, enhancing fit and ease. The fabric is stretchy yet firm and resistant to wrinkles, making these pants a functional choice for all kinds of elevated travel outfits.
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Wide press-crease trousers
Crafted from a fabric blend designed to hold a sharp crease and wide-leg silhouette, these trousers combine structure with breathability—a key for polished travel looks, according to associate articles director Megan Spurrell. The high-rise waist elongates the legs, and the design is roomy, allowing for freedom of movement. Spurrell loves the pair’s versatility for wear in the office or during travel. Another plus? The fabric resists wrinkles, making the pants low-maintenance and perfect for packing.
Abercrombie & Fitch
Curve Love A&F Sloane low-rise wide-leg pant
Thanks to their soft, menswear-inspired fabric and a partially elastic waistband, transportation and travel news editor Hannah Towey says this pair of pants from Abercrombie feels “basically like sweatpants.” The pleating details and low-rise, tailored cut flatter curves, while the wide leg design ensures breathability. The pockets add utility for holding onto travel essentials, and their ability to retain their shape and resist wrinkles makes them suitable for all sorts of run and play.
The tweed-patterned fabric on these pants offers a tailored look with just enough stretch and softness for long wear. Associate editor Matt Ortile is a huge fan: “They’re very smart-looking and still somehow feel like sweats.” The wide leg provides unrestricted movement and breathability, perfect for travel days with varying activities, and the fabric is wrinkle-resistant and durable, making these pants an excellent choice for chic yet comfy travel wear.
Utility pants
Everlane The Utility Barrell pant
In almost all of senior destinations editor Shannon McMahon’s travel pictures from last summer, she is wearing the same pair of pants: Everlane’s semi-oversized Utility Barrel pant. Made of surprisingly soft organic cotton and the perfect dimensions for a relaxed waist, wide legs, and tapered ankle opening, they look cool with anything while also being comfortable enough for plane rides. Her favorite way to wear them, though, is to dinner with a pair of block heels. According to McMahon, they are the rare unicorn that can go from in-flight nap to dinner date in a pinch.
Anthropologie
The Colette Magic Fabric wide-leg pants
Towey bought these bad boys for a safari trip, and they quickly became her new favorite plane pants. Standing out for their adaptability, they feature an adjustable hidden elastic on the back of the waistband and side-seam zippers that allow for fit customization. The cropped length and wide-leg design promote airflow and freedom of movement, crucial for long flights. Made of a stretchy fabric that resists wrinkles, these pants offer functional details like patch pockets and a decorative fly that balance utility with polish.
Pull-on pants
Apiece Apart
Rene pull-on pant
Made from a viscose and recycled nylon blend, these pants combine structure with stretch, offering a flattering kick flare and pull-on elastic waistband for comfort and ease. Senior features editor Rebecca Misner calls them indestructible: “I think you can basically set them on fire and then still wear them,” she says. Their durability is key for frequent travelers—and despite the elevated price, they’re a reliable investment thanks to the softness, stretch, and structure of the fabric. The tailored silhouette can also be dressed up or down, making the pants ideal for transitioning between travel, work, or play.
Soft and stretchy, these pants are ideal for travel or casual office wear. Mercedes Bleth, global associate director of social, calls these pants her “new go-to,” noting that they’re super stylish but feel like pajamas. Their relaxed yet tailored fit balances polish with ease of movement, while the durable fabric resists wrinkles and holds shape. They’re perfect for travelers who want a chic, multipurpose pant that can transition effortlessly from plane to destination.
Jeans
These soft, stretchy jeans from Halara offer high-waist support and a flattering fit without waistband pinching or digging, crucial for extended wear during flights or road trips. Loved and recommended by commerce editor Meaghan Kenny, she says the pants are basically pajamas masked in a dark-wash denim design complete with a stylish cuffed hem. Kenny has worn them extensively without any loss in quality, and mentions that she always receives compliments on them.
Associate editor Charlie Hobbs describes these jeans as “immaculately comfortable for flying,” with a voluminous, leg room-friendly fit that doesn’t sacrifice style. “I acquired these jeans secondhand, when my friend and roommate Natalie forwarded me an Instagram story from the (epic) account @y2kbags, who was selling a pair for $95,” says Hobbs. The high-quality denim retains softness and shape, resisting wrinkles and sagging after extended wear. Their chic, roomy cut allows movement during long-haul flights or busy travel days, while the polished silhouette is suitable for diverse travel occasions. “If it were possible to be armed with the knowledge that these jeans are worth their price tag, new, without having already bought them secondhand, I would absolutely buy a pair straight from the source,” says Hobbs.
Just Black Denim
The Relaxed Waist straight leg jean
This pair features a true-waist fit with a relaxed, straight-leg cut, allowing airflow and ease for travel comfort. Made from stretch denim, they don’t feel restrictive, ideal for long days of walking or sitting. I have them in the washed black colorway, which provides a versatile, polished look that works for casual and more formal settings. The breathable, slightly loose fit is comfortable without sacrificing style, while the durable denim fabric resists wear and tear and maintains shape during extended trips (I love them for road trips!).
Bleth praises these jeans for being “so comfortable,” likening them to sweatpants but with denim durability. The low-rise, baggy fit allows for unrestricted movement, making them ideal for airport navigation or long drives. The medium wash is versatile, pairing easily with multiple travel outfits, reducing packing needs. Levi’s signature craftsmanship ensures longevity and fabric resilience, essential for frequent travelers who want classic, reliable denim that doesn’t sacrifice comfort.
Yoga pants
Sisterly Tribe
Soft cotton yoga pants
Condé Nast Traveller UK commerce writer Charley Ward praises these soft cotton yoga pants for their flattering fit and comfort, noting they “don’t look like you’re slumming it in loungewear.” The breathable cotton blend with stretch supports mobility and comfort, essential for travel days involving long stretches of sitting or walking. Their sleek design elevates the traditional yoga pant to a look suitable for office or casual settings. “Every time I wear them to the office, I receive the highest regard of compliments,” Ward says.
