Finding the perfect pair of women’s travel pants is no easy feat. But finding a pair of travel pants that are both technical AND cute? How about technical, cute, AND sized to fit on my tall, curvy Amazonian body? HA! Forget about it. How dare I have such unreasonable expectations?!
But guess what? After trying on, returning, trying on again, and field-testing like crazy, I’ve found 6 absolutely amazing pairs of travel pants for women. They’ve changed my packing game, and I’m about to change yours!
Psst: Looking for more tips on what to pack for your next trip? I’ve got some other posts that might help! Take a look below or browse all of our packing guides.
Oh, and if you have a dude to dress, Jeremy wrote up a guide to the best travel pants for men.
Is it me, or do women’s travel pants generally suck?
Browse the womens’ travel pants section in your local outdoor outfitter and you’ll find roughly 4 main categories of terrible travel trousers (TTT for short, trademark pending):
✔ There are the quick dry pants that convert to the most hideous shorts you’ve ever seen.
✔ There are the hiking pants that look like they’re still storing the 90’s in their massive cargo pockets.
✔ There are the ladies’ travel pants that are actually just mens’ pants but with the word “ladies’” in the title, as if that’s supposed to fool me enough to overlook my cameltoe and that uncomfortable pull across my hips.
✔ And then there are the women’s’ travel jeans, which are exactly like regular womens’ jeans: thin and stretchy, with teeny tiny pockets that hold roughly ½ of a chapstick and 3 dimes, and end up shredded to pieces after a good 5 minutes of inner thigh rub/walking.
Needless to say, shopping for travel pants is right down on the bottom on my list of favorite things to do alongside root canal and being rescued off of waterfalls while having a panic attack (I speak from experience, unfortunately).
In the past, my solution has been DIY: I sewed in pockets (even hidden pockets!), I added chub-rub patch protection, I hemmed, I repaired. It’s a great way to actually use that fashion design degree I paid a zillion dollars for, but it’s frustrating. I don’t want to have to sew my own pairs of pants just to have good pants.
But! There is a light at the end of the tunnel. After literally years of searching, trying on, She-Hulking my way out of inaccurately labeled jeans, and field-testing, I’ve found 5 pairs of the best travel pants for women, which serve 5 completely distinct purposes.
With these 5 travel pants, you can actually have your pant situation covered. Like, you’re good. This is it. Packing is done. Like maybe throw in a dress or whatever, but pants? Check.
I know, I know: it’s too good to be true, right? But y’all, I’m on my soapbox and I am speaking from EXPERIENCE.
As a full time travel blogger, I’ve logged a LOT of hours in these miracle pants, including a year-long honeymoon, city breaks, jungle treks, mountain hikes, and even the aforementioned waterfall repelling disaster (I was wearing pant #2).
These 5 ladies’ travel pants have proved themselves. They fit on my 5’10″, size 12-14ish size body, they function as promised, and they feel amazing. With these 5 pants in my pack, I can go anywhere (cue Reading Rainbow soundtrack).
With these 5 pairs of pants, I don’t even have that oh-god-get-me-out-of-these-leg-prisons feeling you get when you arrive home from work and disrobe .5 steps into your door.
I even wore JEANS ON A PLANE once. You guys. Jeans on a plane. Not yoga pants. Not leggings. JEANS. It was a lot like snakes on a plane, except with less Samuel L. Jackson and more me drooling onto my husband’s shoulder in a comfy jean-induced nap.
So, are you ready to have your world turned upside down and your legs encased in travel-ready, pocketed fabric heaven? Without further rambling, here are the 5 best travel pants for women.
The Best Women’s Travel Jeans
I recently discovered these travel jeans from Aviator USA, and my one great regret in life is that it took 28 years for us to become acquainted. Because I am full-on OBSESSED with them.
Love can come in the form of a good pair of jeans, and for me, these are The Ones.
What makes these travel jeans so incredibly wonderful? Let me count the ways…
✔ They’re incredibly stretchy and soft.
The fabric of my black Aviator USA jeans is buttery soft and super stretchy, in a way that makes them insanely comfy and perfectly fitted, but not in the kind of way that makes my cheap stretchy jeans fall down when I walk too fast or do something athletic, like crossing my legs.
The fabric is so stretchy and comfortable that I’ve actually started wearing my Aviator jeans on travel days.
Yes, y’all: these are jeans you can actually wear on a plane. I literally never thought I would utter those words, but here we are.
✔ Lightweight jean fabric, the better for stuffing in your suitcase.
My normal jeans are heavy and thick, and roll up into massive jean balls that are impossible to stuff in my suitcase.
But my Aviators? They’re wonderfully lightweight and pack down into a nice, neat, travel-friendly roll. Which means I can fit more clothing in my suitcase because I am a serial overpacker!
Plus, the lightweight fabric makes these the perfect jeans for warm weather days.
As a huge bonus, the Boyfriend Fit jeans are also made with Tencel, one of my favorite sustainable travel-friendly textiles!
✔ Surprisingly quick-drying.
The first week I owned my black Aviator USA jeans, I wore them 5 days in a row on a weekend trip. I wore them on a plane, and I wore them all day as we explored freezing cold, rainy Seattle.
And to my delight, not only did they keep my legs cozy and warm, but they dried quickly after getting wet, too!
I’ve since taken to wearing my Aviator jeans on rainy days and even in the snow. I took a pair of Comfort Slim Straight Aviator jeans with me on a trip to the Arctic Tundra in Norway. The Slim Straights are a little roomier than a regular skinny jean, and with the extra space, I was able to fit a pair of wool leggings underneath, making these the perfect cold-weather jeans. And when they did get wet from the snow, they dried off quickly!
✔ Front pockets that are actual human-sized.
None of that BS “this pocket will fit 1 key and 4 tic-tacs” crap. I have a LOT of angry feelings about the lack of pockets in women’s clothing and how it’s a sexist, patriarchal conspiracy designed to sell more purses, but I won’t get into that here.
What I will say is this: I can fit my giant phone in the front (FRONT) pocket of my Aviator USA jeans. I can fit my whole hand, up to my cute travel watch-covered wrist.
I can sit down with my phone in my pocket, and it doesn’t pop out and fall on the floor like I’ve just given birth to a phone from my hip. My giant Samsung phone even fits fully in the “coin pocket,” which is the size of most jean pockets on inferior jeans.
My Aviator USA travel jean pockets are as big as the pockets on all of my husband’s jeans, and I’m angry that I even HAVE to celebrate that, but I’m celebrating it anyway.
✔ Roomy AF back pockets, and a hidden zippered back pocket!
As a result of living my life deprived of functional front pockets, I’ve developed a back pocket habit. And the back pockets on my Aviator USA jeans are fantastically large.
Plus, one of them has a cool hidden zippered pocket that is ALSO fantastically large. That’s 2 pockets in 1 pocket. Pocket-ception!
- Pocket Note: The Boyfriend Fit actually has TWO hidden back zippered pockets!
Also, the hidden pocket is actually hidden: the zipper is tucked underneath the back pocket flap, so you can’t see it even when I sit down, bend over, or twerk.
Meaning pick-pockets can eff off forever, and also that I can twerk/use the bathroom without worrying that my credit card, license, or transit card is going to fall out of my back pocket, never to be seen again.
✔ 6 (or 7) pockets that are all actually useful.
I know, I know, I’m obsessed with pockets. But can you blame me?! There are 6 of them in these jeans, and they’re all big enough to actually hold stuff!!!!!!!! (Ahem: the Boyfriend Fit, which is an overachiever, has 7.)
This is life-changing. Screw you, Patriarchy!
✔ They come long, but are easily tailored.
The 2 colors of Aviator USA jeans only come in 1 length (because it’s a small company making each pair of. jeansto order from a factory in Los Angeles) and I’m happy to report that it’s long enough for my 5’10″ height.
For shorter ladies, the jeans are hemmed in a way that makes them easily tailored. Aviator offers FREE custom hemming for all their jeans. You’ll just need to check the box below the “Add to Cart” button on this page, then select your desired inseam from the dropdown. The only downside is that you won’t be able to return your jeans once they’ve been hemmed.
If the commission makes you nervous, you can order them full-length and get them tailored when you’ve decided to keep your jeans. Tailoring costs about $10, which Aviator Jeans is happen to refund (just email them a copy of your receipt. They’re super nice!)
And you don’t even need to find a ~tailor: you can literally just walk into a Men’s Wearhouse and use their in-house tailor, which is super fast. Yes, ladies, The Men’s Wearhouse tailors women’s jeans too. Full disclosure: I am a former employee. RIP, my sweet employee tailoring discount!
At this point, I’ve tried just about every pair of Aviator jeans, each color, and every fit. I’ve found that Black is typically stretchier than Indigo, so you might want to size up if you’re buying a pair of Indigo pants. White is pretty see-through and does not pass the squat test, so you’ll want to wear a thong. And the Boyfriend fit is my current favorite!
In terms of sizing, 32 is about a 14, 24 is about a 16, and 36 is about an 18. (And I’ve got a few pairs in all 3 of those sizes from the past few years…)
And if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Aviator directly with questions. They are a small company and will respond to you directly, and their customer service is fantastic!
You can browse all available colors and styles on the Aviator USA website.
The Best Hiking Pants for Women
I’m not strictly a city traveler. I’m also an outdoorsy traveler, who loves nature and the occasional adrenaline rush (in moderation).
For all of my adventure/hiking/outdoorsy travel needs, I wear my prAna Halle Pants.
They’re designed for hiking, climbing, exploring, running, jumping, butt-scooting, knee-hitting, and white-water rafting. I know this because I’ve done all of the above in my Halle pants, and other than a popped button that I quickly sewed back on with my trusty travel sewing kit, they’ve survived completely intact.
Let me gush about these pants a lil’ bit and tell you why I love them so much.
✔ They’re highly technical: super stretchy, quick-dry, moisture-wicking, breathable, reinforced, and water repellent.
Hiking & trekking pants are about function first and foremost, and the prAna Halle pant nails function.
When we were hiking the Quilotoa Loop in the Andes in Ecuador, we got lost a zillion times and I ended up crawling up a mountain on my hands and knees. I’d made the mistake of wearing leggings, which ended up full of tiny holes and tiny itchy things stuck in the fabric for the rest of my 10-hour long hike.
But the next day, I wore my Halle pants: no holes, no irritating stickers, no problems.
In addition to a reinforced knee and technically designed fabric that lets your skin breathe even when you’re sweating, the pants are water-repellent. Now, they aren’t water proof – then they wouldn’t be very breathable, so that’s a good thing – but I’ve worn these in the rain, under a waterfall, and during a white-water rafting trip and even after getting soaking wet, they dry within an hour.
Quick dry pants? Check!
Oh, and they’re also super stretchy and incredibly comfortable.
✔ They are actually cute. Like, for real.
Most women’s hiking pants are hideous and make me want to hide in the wilderness while I’m wearing them.
But my Halle pants are legit cute. Like, I’ve actually worn them to work in a corporate office setting, as business-casual pants. I was so comfortable all day!
The legs are fully flared at the bottom, not that weird sort-of-skinny-but-kinda-straight mom jeans look that I absolutely cannot pull off. prAna does have a slim fit hiking pant, but the flare on the Halle pant is actually functional, becauusseeee….
✔ They can be converted from long pants to short pants.
NO, they’re not zip-offs. And NO, they don’t look hideous after you convert them.
The flared bottom rolls up easily into a cuff that ends above or below your knee, for a cute cuffed capri length pant.
Personally, I have massive calves, as do most hikers and bikers and athletic folks, and I cannot imagine rolling a skinny pant all the way up to my knee. But the flare makes it so that these roll up perfectly.
And the cuff doesn’t fall down, either: there are 2 little tabbed snaps to hold it in place all day long.
✔ There’s a hidden zip pocket.
The front pockets on these pants aren’t huge, but the back pockets are fine – and snap closed – and there’s a conveniently placed hidden zip pocket… It’s a few inches above the knee, sewn into the side seam.
It’s just big enough for an ID or some emergency cash – put anything too bulky in there and it stops being hidden. But I like that it’s in an unusual spot, because most pick-pockets would never think to look around my knees.
✔ They come in 3 inseams and 18 waist sizes, with a waist tie.
I love that these pants come in short, regular, and tall, as well as sizes 0-18 for all heights and sizes of badass female travelers!
I also love there is a waist tie, because some days I’m a 12 and some days I’m a 16, depending on the amount of water I’ve drank and my cycle and a whole bunch of other random things.
Plus, having a waist tie helps keep my pants up even on days where my weight is fluctuating.
The prAna Halle pant comes in several colors, which is news to me because I got mine several years ago. I really, REALLY want a pair in black and grey now. Anyway, you can pick a pair up here.
The Best Winter Pants for Women
I spent years looking for a pair of snow pants that fits my wide hips and doesn’t make me feel like I’m wearing two giant, heavy trashbags duct-taped to my thighs. Eventually, I gave up.
So, while these are not technically snow pants, what I have found instead is a workaround.
Who SAYS you need a big, chunky snowsuit to play in the snow? Nobody, that’s who.
Well, OK, actually a lot of people said that I needed to wear a snowsuit while riding snowmobiles in the Arctic Tundra and they were absolutely right.
But if you’re not going to literally the Arctic, though, you don’t need snow pants. You just need water-resistant pants that can be layered over something warm and insulating, like a warm wool baselayer (I wear these wool leggings under mine).
And these quick-drying winter pants are the best solution I’ve found for skiing, snowboarding, snow-shoeing, and other winter adventure!
Enter the prAna Briann pant. Much like the Halle, my beloved hiking pants, the Briann pants are made from stretchy, water-repellent, rugged technical fabric. Let me tell you why these are my favorite winter pants.
✔ They’re super stretchy.
Every time I try on a pair of uncomfortable, bulky snow pants or snow overalls or whatever else, I can never get the freakin’ things to fit over my damn hips. They’re never stretchy and they’re either not wide enough, or way too wide to actually walk in without tripping.
Not these pants, though! They’re stretchy enough to run, jump, leap, hike, stretch, do yoga, or whatever else you feel like- with room to spare.
✔ They’re super lightweight.
You wouldn’t normally think of “snow” and “lightweight clothing” in the same sentence, right?
But these pants change the game! Instead of packing my suitcase or backpack with a bunch of bulky snow gear, these pants take up almost no room at all and don’t weigh very much. That’s just the magic of technical fabric, y’all.
Take note, though: for very cold destinations when the weather hovers around zero, you’ll need to layer up! While they’re great for protecting your legs against chilly winds and snow, they don’t provide much actual warmth.
So, I always layer the Briann pants over top of a merino base layer or pair of fleece-lined leggings – I actually wear both of them when the temperature is hovering around 0.
The Briann pants are stretchy enough to accommodate the extra layer, and the combination is perfectly warm and dry.
✔ They’re designed with a tapered leg.
Although they’re made with the same high-tech material as my hiking pants, instead of a convertible flared leg, they’re designed with a skinny taper that’s perfect for tucking into snow boots or snowshoes.
I layer a pair of wool socks over the legs, stick ’em into some boots, and my feet stay toasty dry even when I’m walking through deep snow!
✔ They dry incredibly quickly.
I’ve personally tested these pants on everything from rainy day hikes to sledding in thigh-deep snowdrifts, and I can report that they will be totally dry by the time you get back to your cabin from the slopes.
✔ They’re cute outside of the snow, too.
Even though I typically wear them as winter pants, they’re also incredibly cute as just like, regular pants. These are one of the most multifunctional pair of travel pants I’ve EVER owned.
If I had to pick something to complain about, my ONE irritation with these pants is that the pockets are teeny tiny. Like, there are 5 functional pockets, but they’re irritatingly small. I’d also like a zippered pocket somewhere, please?
Still – compared to heavy, bulky snow pants, I’ll take these every time!
The Briann pants come up in short, regular and tall inseams and are available up to size 18, and I’m wearing size 16 in Coal in my pics.
Psst: do a lot of winter travel? Us too! You can check out more of my favorite outdoor apparel and gear for cold destinations in this winter packing list post!
The Best Travel Leggings for Women
Raise your hand if you wish it was socially acceptable to LIVE in leggings. Anyone else?
I freakin’ love leggings, but I usually can’t justify wearing them every day on a trip. For starters, I don’t want to look like I’m going to work out – the overly athletic look isn’t what I want out of a legging. I don’t want to look like I’m going to the gym, but I do want to feel like my legs are firmly wrapped in stretchy goodness.
Secondly, most leggings have no pockets, which is an automatic disqualifier for travel-friendly pants in my book. (I used to recommend these leggings, which actually have two ZIPPERED pockets, but sadly they are no longer being made. My search continues.)
So, does a magical pair of leggings actually exist that will make me feel like I’m lounging at home all day, but not make it look like I’m on my way to the gym while out exploring? Y’all, YES.
Here’s why I’m a big fan of these budget-friendly, $25 leggings from Amazon:
✔ There are TWO roomy pockets.
These aren’t your BS teeny-tiny women’s pants pockets, and they’re also not your athletic mesh pockets, either.
They’re legit pockets – big enough to fit my gigantic Samsung s7 smartphone, with room to spare. And they zip closed to help with that horrifying “oh god is my phone going to fall out of my pocket into the toilet” feeling (I can’t be the only one who’s done that, right?) as well as help safeguard against theft.
✔ They’re insanely stretchy and super cozy.
I mean, hello, they’re leggings. But let’s be real, not all leggings are comfortable. These are very much NOT your typical highly athletic compression leggings – you know, the ones that are difficult to put you on, suck everything so you kind of get a weird muffin-top effect, and make a swishing noise when you walk.
But they’re also not soft cotton, either (which is good, because I love cotton blend leggings but they tend to rip between the legs when I walk too much in them #chubrublife)
The fabric perfectly toes the line between buttery-soft and cozy, and high-tech athletic wear. It’s the perfect leggings fabric!
✔ There’s a nice, thick waistband.
You know that feeling when you’re running your a** off through the airport trying to make your flight before they close the doors and they’re like, PAGING you (AHH!) and then you realize with growing horror that your leggings have slipped down past your tummy and are rapidly making a beeline for the floor?
Cue that awkward “I’m running as fast as I can but also I have to hold my pants up” move. I know that move so, so well.
Good news: these leggings won’t betray you when you most need them to stay the f**k up on your hips. There’s a hefty waistband that both sucks you in a lil’ bit and keeps everything where it belongs… even while you’re booking it through 3 terminals.
Also, yes, I’ve tested, and they’re fantastic for hiking!
✔ They’re an Athleta dupe!
Ok, so this is a 100% true story, and I promise I’m not bullsh*tting you. I was in Athleta shopping for travel pants (as I do, because this is my job and I am in a constant state of trying to find good travel pants.)
I happen to be wearing my cheap, Amazon Colorfulkoala leggings. And a store associate looks at my legs, looks at the stack of leggings in my arms, and says, “oh, those are a pair of ours, right?” Y’all. I’m not kidding.
It was actually really awkward because then I had to be like “no these are actually $25 knock-offs I got from Amazon” but whatever, the point is that she was right: they’re a perfect dupe for Athleta’s Salutation Stash Pocket leggings in both look and fabric feel (the fabric feels just like Athleta’s soft, brushed Powervita).
Except those are $89, and these are $25.
Although, I have to say: ethically speaking, I much prefer to support Athleta rather than Amazon. Athleta’s clothing is ethically and sustainably made and incredibly high quality. So if you’re able to swing a pricier pair of leggings, definitely pick up a pair of Salutation leggings instead.
✔ They pass the squat test.
I’m happy to report that these leggings fully pass the squat test, as well as the “bend over and look at yourself between your legs in the mirror” test and the twerk test (is anyone else incapable of doing the squat test without also incorporating these 2 highly scientific bonus moves?).
You can pick up a pair of these budget-friendly leggings on Amazon, or pick up a pair of Athleta Salutation leggings if you are able to pay more to support a more ethical, sustainable company instead.
FYI I wear a size XL in the cheaper Colorfulkoala leggings, which is the largest size available, but Athleta’s sizing goes up to 3X!
The Best Women’s Travel Lounge Pants
So, I wasn’t even looking for these pants when I walked into the Outdoor Voices store in San Francisco earlier this year.
I was actually looking for ethically made athletic wear. But to my surprise, I walked out of the store with a new pair of travel pants that I am totally OBSESSED with: the Outdoor Voices CloudKnit Sweatpants.
These have quickly become my favorite pants to travel in, especially on long haul flights. Here’s the rundown:
✔ They’re like if a pair of sweatpants had a baby with a pair of leggings.
Y’all, these are not your mama’s sweatpants. They are CUTE!
From the knee down, these pants fit like a pair of leggings. But from the thigh up, they fit like sweatpants: comfy, slouchy, and with a thick tie waistband (bless you, tie waistbands, for protecting my muffin top’s modesty).
What that means is that you never have to worry about them falling down while you’re running across the airport to catch a flight, and you can push the legs up if you want to do, like, a cool athleisure look or whatever (I assume if you can pull that off you’re already more trendy than I am).
And like, I’ve never felt cute in a pair of sweatpants before, but in these I totally do.
✔ They’re super lightweight and insanely soft.
Don’t let the word “sweatpants” fool you – these aren’t your typical bulky lounge pants.
They’re super soft and incredibly lightweight, perfect for stuffing in your suitcase or wearing in warm weather destinations. But they’re also insulating enough to keep your leg hairs from freezing on a flight with the A/C cranked up to a zillion for no reason (why do airplanes do that?! Why??).
✔ They have THREE pockets!
There are two deep, roomy, giant-cell-phone friendly pockets in the front and one deep, roomy hidden pocket tucked inside one of the front pockets.
They’re not zippered – that would be my one wish for an upgrade on these – but thanks to the super stretchy fabric, I’ve yet to have anything fall out of my pocket while wearing these.
✔ They’re ethically made.
Outdoor Voices is an eco-conscious company that uses recycled polyester in many of its products and thoroughly vets its factories to ensure that workers are paid a fair living wage and receive ethical treatment. Heck yea!
✔ They actually make decent hiking pants, in a pinch.
I actually didn’t mean to test these pants as hiking pants, but sometimes you gotta roll with the punches.
What had happened was, I didn’t realize that you have to wear long, dark pants in the jungle, because of animals and insects – my usual green hiking pants would attract flies like, well, flies.
So I found myself in Chitwan National Park in Nepal with nothing but linen pants, swooshy skirts, useless green hiking pants, and shorts. …and these. I figured “what the heck” and put them on.
And y’all: that was such a comfortable hike. Like, I thought I was going to be so overheated wearing sweats covered with socks tramping through a hot, humid jungle (and also sweating with fear because the jungle is full of tigers and rhinoceroses) but they were fantastic!
I credit their surprising resilience to the fact that Outdoor Voices is an athletic company at heart – they make a mean pair of leggings, so no surprise that their “sweatpants” are actually low-key athletic pants in disguise!
Jeremy and I both have a pair of these (in the exact same color, so yes, we constantly wear each other’s on accident) and we’re totally obsessed. I’ll never wear anything else on long plane rides again!
I’m wearing size XL in Navy. XL is the largest size available, but I’m a size 18/20, and there’s still plenty of room in these stretchy pants to accommodate extra curves!
The Best Women’s Travel Pants for Hot Weather
So, listen. I’m not sure how long these pants are going to be in stock at Old Navy, but if they are, YOU NEED TO GET A PAIR. (If they’re not in stock, try any of the pants and joggers made with the “Stretch Tech” fabric – it’s the same blend and there are a few similiar styles.)
Here’s why these budget-friendly pants, which I now own in several colors, are at the top of my hot weather travel list:
✔ Stretchy waistband with a tie.
At this point in my life, I love a stretchy waistband + tie combination. Nothing is more comfortable or soothing than pulling on a pair of stretchy pants and knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that I will be comfortable all day long, no matter what I eat (lookin’ at you, cheese bloat).
That also means that you can adjust the pants to fit you perfectly. For reference, I’m wearing a size XL in these photos, and I’m currently a size 16/18 in Old Navy’s sizing (sometimes an 18/20 elsewhere, but as we all know, sizes are irrelevant and entirely made up).
✔ Technically, they’re activewear!
These are actually part of Old Navy’s activewear line, which means they’re fantastic for travel activities!
They’re so stretchy you could do yoga in them and durable enough to wear hiking without worrying about rips and tears.
But … they don’t LOOK like activewear. (When I wore mine hiking, Jeremy was like, “… you sure?”) They literally just look like really cute casual pants.
And friends, that kind of adaptability is EXACTLY what I look for in a good pair of travel pants!
✔ Lightweight and super quick drying.
These are my FAVORITE quick-dry pants in hot weather! They dry in no time, and don’t feel sticky or gross while they’re damp, either.
They’re the perfect pair of pants to wear on a jungle hike to a nice cool spring, dive in for a swim, and then put them on to hike back out again. Which I did in Costa Rica, so I speak from experience. (I also wore these pants horseback riding, which I do NOT recommend because they are cropped. My ankles were very upset with me.)
✔ Ridiculously comfortable.
Oh my god, you can literally sleep in these pants they’re so comfortrable. They’re so lightweight and breezy and feel like nothing. I love them so much!
✔ Cute colors and prints!
For some reason, pants in this style are always some variation of khaki green and black. Which is great if that’s your style (and, tbh, better for jungle hiking anyway), but I tend to lean towards bright, colorful pants!
Luckily, these pants come in a range of cute prints and fun seasonal colors, so you can mix and match them with the one black t-shirt you packed for vacation and feel like you’re still expressing your style.
Also, if you’re anything like me, you can stock up on the same pants in several colors and nobody will be able to tell, probably.
✔ There are a few different styles in the same fabric blend.
If these pants go out of stock (which I fear they might soon), look for anything in Old Navy’s “Stretch Tech” line. It’s the same stretchy, poly/spandex fabric blend that’s super stretchy, comfortable, and quick-drying.
This year they came out with a range of similar pants in the StretchTech fabric, including a plus-sized version, a crop version (which is the one shown in these photos), a version with zippered pockets, and a full-length cargo jogger version.
I’ve created a custom link below that will take you to browse all of the current StretchTech styles. I recommend buying a few pairs of these pants in a variety of styles and colors! They’ve quickly become my favorite lightweight, warm-weather travel pants, and I bet they’ll be yours too.
Sizes are available up to 4X. I’m wearing an XL (I’m usually a size 16 in Old Navy), and they fit me comfortably with some extra room.
Hopefully, I haven’t scared you off by now with my rabid pocket obsession. But like, it’s not just me, right?! Is anyone else BEYOND fed up with the lack of pockets in women’s clothing?
If you’ve struggled finding travel pants, vent to me in the comments! What are your frustrations? What are your concerns? What questions can I answer for you about the best travel pants for women?
FOLLOW US!
Hey, if you found this post useful, save it for later on Pinterest!
Disclosure: Our Aviator jeans and prAna Brianne pants were gifted to us, but we are genuinely obsessed. All comments, raves, pocket obsessions, and decades-out-of-date pop culture references are completely my own. I legit love and wear every single one of these pants.
Our Top Travel Tips & Resources
- Booking Flights: To score flight deals, search on Google Flights or Kayak. Money-saving tips: fly mid-week or on the weekend; fly carry-on only on a budget airline; and take red-eyes or early morning flights.
- Accommodations: We usually stay in budget-friendly vacation rentals, boutique hotels or private rooms in hostels. We use Booking.com to book hotels (we love their flexible cancellation policy) and Hostelworld to book hostels (low deposit, easy change/cancellation, and excellent reviews). For vacation rentals, we prefer to book using VRBO because they've got lower fees and better support than Airbnb, and we're not fans of Airbnb's unethical track record. You can also book vacation rentals on Expedia and Hotels.com. We also use TrustedHousesitters as both hosts (for our home and our fur-child) and travelers!
- Travel Insurance: We always, always, ALWAYS buy travel insurance for international trips, and we STRONGLY suggest it - visit our Travel Insurance Guide to find out why. We recommend either World Nomads or SafetyWing for international travel insurance. SafetyWing is one of the few policies that covers Covid-19, and they have excellent monthly policies that are perfect for Digital Nomads and long term travelers!
- Travel Credit Card: We book all of our trips on our favorite travel credit card. Not only do we earn cash back that we can spend on more travel, but the card offers fantastic travel perks like travel insurance, trip delay and cancellation coverage, lost baggage reimbursement, and rental car coverage, which helps protect us on our travels. Learn more here.
- Vaccines & Meds: We use the travel guides on the CDC website to research recommended medications and vaccines for international trips. We always recommend getting every vaccine recommended by the CDC! You can get them at your primary care doctor's office or a walk-in pharmacy.
- Tours: We love booking guided tours, especially food tours and walking tours, to get a local's perspective and a history lesson while sight-seeing! We book our tours using Viator and GetYourGuide.
- Transportation: We use Rome2Rio to figure out how to get from place to place, and book local transportation online using Bookaway wherever we can. When we book a rental car, we use DiscoverCars to compare rental companies and find the best deal.
- Luggage Storage: Whenever we're checking out early or taking advantage of a long layover, we use LuggageHero to safely store our luggage while we're running around. Use the code PRACTICALW for 2 hours of free luggage storage on us.
- VPN Service: A VPN keeps your digital information (like website login details, bank info, etc) safe, even when you're connected to an unsecured network while traveling. Plus, it lets you use Netflix & other streaming sites abroad! We use NordVPN. Use the code WANDERLUSTPROMO when you sign up!
- What to Pack: Here are the travel essentials that we bring on every trip. We also have packing lists for hot weather, cold weather, and many more. Take a look at all of our packing guides!
Brooke H says
Hi there! Just found this post in a frantic Google search to prep for an upcoming 6-week trip to the Middle East (in June/July where it’ll be a) hot as hell and b) still necessitating me to wear things below the knee). I was wondering if you had any additional updates in 2023, especially for anything that might come in tall/long inseams? I am 6’0″! Looking especially for quick-dry, lightweight fabrics that are versatile and not *too* expensive (balling on a teacher’s budget). Thank you in advance! Looking forward to checking out some of your other posts.
Lia Garcia says
Hey! This post is entirely up to date for 2023 – these are all still my favorite travel pants. I’d recommend starting with several pairs of the Old Navy joggers (https://practicalwanderlust.com/recommends/old-navy-stretch-tech-pants/). They’ve also got a fantastic line of lightweight linen joggers which are ideal for hot weather (https://fave.co/3AHqD4v) and they sell out around the beginning of summer each year!
If you want something a little more rugged for hiking/outdoorsy activities, my fave hiking pants also roll up to just below the knee: https://practicalwanderlust.com/recommends/halle-hiking-pants-womens
Lia Garcia says
Interesting! We had ours custom built – maybe we used the same designer?
Rossy says
Great posts and information. A great piece of content about travel pants.
Joanie says
Would have really enjoyed this article if I could have seen it. Too many ads
Lia Garcia says
Unfortunately, the ads are how we pay our bills and compensate our team. They’re not our favorite either but they’re what makes it possible for us to write, research, and publish articles like this one online for you to read for free 🙂
Marianne says
Tall girl here, I have found BetaBrand pants (dress yoga pants) and can’t wait to actually travel with them!
Lia Garcia says
Yessss, I got a pair of those back when I started my first Big Girl desk job! They’re super comfy and they really do look work-appropriate, but I don’t travel with them because I can’t stand that they don’t have POCKETS. But they’re great for work travel!
LeAnne says
I love the prana Halle, too. They look great, and I feel like they’re my best pant for being comfy and feeling stylish when I walk around a European city. But I also love the Columbia Saturday pant for hiking adventures because they have a little bit higher rise and still fit my hippy dimensions very well.
I need to try the lounge pants. But I do love the aphrodite pants by the North Face. Not the most durable, but so comfortable and light. They’re perfect pants for long flights.
ANN P-C says
Great tips on pants for traveling but apparently I am more rubenesque than you are and many don’t have my size. Any more suggestions? Thanks.
Lia Garcia says
I have really good luck at Old Navy with pants! Their pants go up to 4X/Size 30. Every summer they have a few linen styles which are fantastic for hot-weather destinations, and their jeans and activewear are great.
Here are a few links to get you started:
– Old Navy Plus Size Bottoms: https://fave.co/32ErKkt
– My fave linen drawstring cropped pants, I have these in like 5 different colors and wear them on hot-weather trips: https://fave.co/2QMFeIq
– These stretchy joggers make a pretty decent dupe of the joggers I recommend in this post: https://fave.co/3erwTlh and I also love this color: https://fave.co/3tLBXHL
– These lightweight black pants look like an all-around good choice for a pair of travel pants based on their fit, pockets, and textile blend: https://fave.co/3xbGllD
I hope that’s helpful!
Kelsey says
Thanks so much for the suggestions, and the detailed rundown! Finding pants that fit my curves is always a challenge. Hoping that the Prana Halle pants will work for me.
Lia Garcia says
I hope so! I love mine!
Alexa says
Thanks so much for this article, believe it or not I found it while looking for pants for my new job, haha. I clicked the link for the Lucerne leggings that aren’t leggings and unfortunately the Amazon site doesn’t have a size chart at all, would you mind telling me what size you wear? I’m 5’8 and usually wear a size 14 but I wasn’t sure if I should go with large or XL… Gotta love sizing on women’s clothing, haha
Practical Wanderlust says
Glad you liked it Alexa! I wear size 14/16 and I went for the XL
Becky says
Aviator black skinny jeans and Outdoor Voices pants…I’m in love and I don’t care who knows about it!
Lia Garcia says
Me toooooo!! Pant twinsies 🙂 We’re so glad you’re as into them as I am!
Shopper says
Hi Lia, I loved your article. But when I checked out some of the pants, I was disappointed that they were only offered in smaller sizes. I thought they had larger sizes; my tummy is just too large right now and cannot squeeze into the Prana XXL waist 35-37. I clicked on a few of the links, but I didn’t find anything that would remotely fit.
Lia Garcia says
I’m sorry to hear that! Many prAna pants are available up to size 18 or 20, including the Halle pants. The Aviator jeans go up to size 16/36, which is what I wear.
Janey says
Great posts and information. Thanks for keeping it real!
Allena Rissa says
Well for me, I always bring leggings with me when I go traveling. It’s the best! Easy to wear and very comfy. 🙂
Lia Garcia says
I do too! Love a legging. Doesn’t solve the pockets problem though 😛
Shelly says
Thanks, awesome review on pants to fit us ladies with curves. Cheers from Australia. Shelly
Jen says
Hi, can you tell me where the vest/scarf are from in the Boston bakery photo? I really love that combo!
Lia Garcia says
I wish I had a helpful answer for you but I picked them up in random places! The vest was from some boutique in the Finger Lakes region of NY and I don’t have a clue where the scarf is from, I sort of collect scarves 😛
Sreeva Shah says
This is great! I’m always looking for new comfy but stylish pants to wear while traveling! I’ll have to check out each of these brands. Thank you for sharing!!
Kay says
I’m going to order the jeans and leggings ASAP! But I wondered about the super cute tunic cardigan you’re wearing in the first picture. Who makes that?
Lia Garcia says
I wish I had a better answer for you, but I found it at a random little boutique in Corning, New York :-/ it’s like, my favorite fall vest, though!
Jacki says
Your website is the most delightful thing I’ve found on the internet all week and this incredibly thoughtful and thorough review has helped solidify my decision to splurge on a pair of Halle pants for my birthday! Yay, and thank you!
Lia Garcia says
Yay! Happy birthday to youuuu!
Linda Castile says
I was excited about your post, like everyone else. I chose the Royal Robbins leggings, because POCKETS, and I like buying on Amazon where I know the return policy. I do love the leggings feel, fit, look, but really, the pockets??? Your Samsung must be smaller than my old iPhone, because it won’t zip shut. I’m still searching for the perfect pants. These aren’t – – – –
Lia Garcia says
I’m so sorry to hear that they didn’t work for you, Linda! For anyone else wondering, I have a Samsung Galaxy S7 which is pretty big, and it fits into the pockets and zips shut thanks to the stretch in the pants. Sure, you can pretty clearly see there’s something in there (and you can even tell in the photo above) but it definitely fits!
Renee says
Hi — do you have any suggestions for an alternative to the quietude lounge pants? They no longer seem to be available. 🙁
Lia Garcia says
Ahhhhhh I’m so glad you told me this, THANK YOU! I’ve begun my hunt for the perfect replacement pair and I WILL find something that’s as good as the quietude pants (RIP). I’ve added a couple of links for alternatives that I’m currently exploring and I’ll keep this post updated with my findings and research! (I mean, I say research but let’s be honest, all I need to know is how hard can I flomp in these pants and also where do I put my snacks.)
Rose says
I just found your site while searching for the best travel pants, and I’m delighted that not only did I find some excellent trouser recommendations (for REAL women who do REAL things! Imagine that?!), but discovered an awesome and hilarious blog and IG account to follow!
Lia Garcia says
You’re so sweet, Rose! I’m so glad you found us too 🙂
Cay says
Hi Lia: Thanks for all the useful info on women’s travel pants! I completely agree with you that the pockets are so important (and of course fit/style, as well as quality) but yet most clothing brands ignore women customers! I’ll have to wait and see if Aviator gets the size 16 back in stock. Or maybe I should lose weight…
Anyways, my favorite travel pants to wear are the Royal Robbins Cardiff or Cardigan pants for a more dressier look; the fit and waist is comfortable (stretch/adjustable) and it does have a lower thigh zipper pocket that is large enough for a US passport or most smartphones and it’s easy wash and fast drying.
My other travel pants with the front thigh pockets are: EX Officio Nomads, Royal Robbins Discovery, REI Sahara rollups, Columbia Cascades, Columbia Aruba (runs waay small/tight!), Kuhl Durango, and the Costco/Kirkland Ladies travel pants. I still have but haven’t worn for several years, some older cargo style hiking pants with the zip legs because they just look, ugh! I’ll probably donate them this year.
And now that we’re older, we don’t do major hiking excursions but do the day outings and come back to the nice hotels, so we prefer to wear the nicer looking pants! We’ll usually travel for at least 3-4 weeks and each bring one personal backpack/purse and pack one carry on each. Used to pack 4 pairs of pants but now we usually travel with only two pairs of long pants, so they have to be easy wash, fast drying, not bulky and look decent. And of course good, functional pockets overall and the zippered thigh cell phone/passport pocket!
But the Costco ones, while comfortable have useless shallow pockets for stuff to fall out and their zip thigh pocket is kind of a joke – it isn’t even large enough for a passport! But I guess the Costco buyers and designers didn’t read my and some other customer’s comments to design the next ones to make the thigh/cell front pocket bigger/usable and the other pockets to be deeper and also secure to really call them travel pants and to also make them regular length and not the choppy ankle length since they have them again this year with the same shortcomings!
I read Sara’s comments above that she likes the men’s pants because they are designed better (more secure & functional pockets!) and agree that men have better choices in travel pants! Costco (and Amazon) carry the UB (Unionbay) Tech Rainier men’s travel pants so my husband likes those for travel and regular wear because it has the nice cell phone zip pocket on the front thigh and it doesn’t have the large cargo flaps or zip legs, so these UB tech pants look dressier and don’t scream hiking pants!
I actually emailed Union Bay and Costco asking them to make a women’s version, but no response. Even Sam’s Club carries several decent men’s travel shirts, pants and shorts of course, with great/functional zipper secured pockets, wicking and quick dry. The brand is ZeroExposur. But nothing for women. There’s some other brands of shorts or capri length pants that would probably take the whole day to dry!
Another company that Costco carries and that makes decent outdoor clothes is 32 Degrees. Once in a closeout outlet store, I saw a pair of women’s pants that I never saw at Costco and it actually looked pretty decent for travel pants. Fabric looked like it would dry quickly too Of course, they didn’t have my size and of course picky me still saw some things that could be improved, like making the zip pocket larger/functional. Costco sells this pants version as shorts and I have and like the shorts but of course, the current pocket design isn’t functional-too shallow and small. Of course I emailed 32 Degrees with the compliments on the current design and suggestions to make their travel pants and shorts better, but never heard back.
I think these clothing companies are missing out on a big market! Of course my other pet peeve is trying to find the best personal sized carry on purse/backpack. I have a collection of Pacsafe totes, Travelon tote/backpack, Sherpani tote/backpack and several others! Need it to be large enough to carry my personal stuff, but not overwhelming and heavy. Enough room to put anything we might buy or if hubby’s pack is too heavy (always!), I’ll transfer some of his electronics into mine.
Have you heard of the “Clothing Arts” company that markets as “pick pocket proof”clothing? On their website, it shows that they use a series of pockets, zippers, hidden zippers to make it more difficult for a pickpocket but it seems to work. Slows them down enough, so you “feel” them trying to open the zippers and realize what’s happening so they give up. They have men’s “dressier” pants but of course only the casual style with the cargo flaps for women! I’m tempted to try it though, as the pockets do seem practical and functional and their pants seem to hit all the checkboxes for travel pants.
But meanwhile, I’ll wait for the Aviator jeans to come back in stock!
Thanks again for all the great travel info and entertaining stories!
Lia Garcia says
Thanks for all this insanely useful information, Cay! I’m so glad I’m not the only one with A LOT OF FEELINGS about women’s pants. Why, why, WHY is it so hard to find decent travel pants for women? Especially plus sized women!? Especially women who want pockets?!!?!?!?! WHY!?! It is absolutely a gaping hole in the market, you’re 100% right, and how frustrating that these companies aren’t listening to their consumers – like you! I’m beyond thrilled that Aviator is extending their sizes thanks to input from my readers and from women like you – we need to keep asking for what we need. Like, HELLO, there is money to be made here! Don’t you people like money?!
It’s something I spend a lot of time being frustrated about and I’d really like to get involved in changing this. I’d love to have like, a line of awesome travel clothing that runs in extended sizes and actually looks as amazing as it is functional. Now THAT would be a great melding of my 2 passions, fashion design and travel. Hmmm ….
Danielle says
Thank you for this article and for being a REAL HUMAN BEING! I swear, I can’t find a freaking guide for good pants because instagram has told all women they have to wear a red dress to hike machu picchu!
Lia Garcia says
Hey, I mean, I’m def not gonna judge you if you want to bring a dress along on your hike and throw it on for your photos 😉 but no, I wouldn’t recommend hiking in it 😛
Lori says
I was excited to try the Aviator jeans but they don’t carry plus sizes – that I could find. Maybe they’ll add them eventually. Thanks for all the great travel tips, though!
Lia Garcia says
Hey, Lori! We’ve actually been informed that Aviator is working on adding extended sizes (thanks in no small part to my incredible readers!). They’ll be rolling out a few additional sizes later this year. So please check back!
Jessica says
Hi! I did a search for best travel pants and landed here. I cannot thank you enough for pointing me to these jeans and hiking pants! I ordered both and prepared for disappointment but they both fit perfectly! The sizing tips at the Aviator and Prana sites were spot on too.
You are so right about the general hideousness of hiking pants. My old ones are going in the give away bag. Because they are hideous.
Thanks again!
Jess
Lia Garcia says
I’m so happy to hear that, Jess! And YAY, we’re pant twins now 🙂
Sara says
I am totally with you on the patriarchy of the pockets! I usually wear men’s pants because, you know, pockets, and I can’t be arsed to be fashionable. So, aviator jeans sounded like they might be worth a try but their pants sizes don’t exactly get large, a 32 inch waist/14 being the max.
Lia Garcia says
I hear you, Sara! I actually have some *~*~*~insider knowledge*~*~* that Aviator is planning to release a few larger sizes for women soon, thanks to demand coming from my readers, like you! Which I’m SO thrilled about, because like, how often does a pant company actually make an effort to meet the needs of fat, adventurous, awesome women like us?! So stay tuned – I’m not sure when the release is of the bigger sizes but I know they’re working on it now, and I will be shouting from the rooftops the minute they’re in stock!
Jennifer Willis says
Thanks for this round-up! I’m a short (5’3″), curvy-ish woman who’s had real difficulty finding hiking/active/travel pants that fit me properly, and your article gave me hope that manufacturers are finally paying attention.
I headed to my local REI earlier today and was surprised to find that I now have real options. Unfortunately, the prAna Halle pants are too low-rise to fit me comfortably, but I found a very similar style in the Kuhl Spire Roll-up pants which offer a mid-rise as well as the added drawstring (with the button and zipper closure) for a more secure fit around my waist. I was also happy to find a decent fit in the Columbia Saturday Trail pants; they’re a little loose in the waist but can still be comfortably worn without a belt.
I nearly ended up with a pair of REI Taereen pants, too, if not for color considerations.
Note: I normally wear a 6 but came away with size 8s—8 short in Columbia and 8 regular in Kuhl. I could’ve used a short in the Kuhls, but those won’t be available until August 2018 (according to the Kuhl website).
Lia Garcia says
This is such great information, thank you! I’ll have to head to REI and do a little research (aka trying on pants and dancing around in the mirror. For “research.”) I did pick up a pair of the prAna Meme pants recently and they’re pleasantly high-waisted and very cute, although a big snug compared to the Halle pants, so I think they’re going to be better for city travel than hiking and outdoorsy adventures.
Rose Moe says
I really really appreciate you guys!! Your sincerity & honesty shine through, and for those of us planning our own multi-month adventures, this blog is a very valuable resource!!!
That being said, I’d love some more help. I couldn’t find any post on which bags/packs you guys used, and I’d love to know what did & didn’t work for you!!!
Keep being awesome, we’ll be following along!
Lia Garcia says
That’s a really great idea for a post, Rose! I’ll get working on that right away. For your reference though, I brought this Gregory Jade 53L and Jeremy brought along this Deuter 50+ 10L. Finding a backpack took me a LOT of trial and error, and my Gregory Jade was the only one that didn’t squish either my boobs or my armpits 😉
Michelle says
I’ve just discovered your blog and I LOVE it. Your writing style and content really appeal to me and you are honest and hilarious! Enough gushing…
…apart from this post deserves so much more gushing!! Yes yes and yes! Ugly bastard travel pants are an irritance at best.
I found some random berghouse ones once which just looked like normal slightly bootlegged trousers with one relatively inconspicuous zip mid thigh. They were indestructable on hikes/ in caves despite being pretty lightweight. Unfortunately I’m now too big for them..
I’ve also had some success with a company called Rohan in the UK who make a jeans ish product with a genuinely hidden pocket and really big other pockets. I took one to South America and lived in it. My whole passport and my phone disappear easily in the front pockets… it was the dream!
I must have these Aviator jeans ASAP. I feel like they will make my life!!
Thanks for writing – Am excited to have a new blog to follow!
Lia Garcia says
Hey Michelle! I’m so flattered, you’re the sweetest!! I totally tried on some Rohan pants before we left but they did NOT fit me at all … they fit like men’s pants labelled as women’s. IDK what was going on there. But the jeans you’re describing sound just like the Aviator jeans that I’m totally obsessed with so YES! You’re gonna love them! 🙂
Deb says
Thanks for introducing me to world of “I don’t have to look ugly to love the outdoors”. Hubby and I are planning a combo trip to Europe in August. The first half of the trip is full of hiking adventures in Switzerland while the second half is about exploring Paris/MSM. Needless to say trying to fit the right clothes and not look out place, in a carry-on is a challenge. BUT, you might have saved the day. The Aviator jeans just went to the top of my “must buy” list and I’m officially checking out the ExOfficio pants for flight days and long train ride days. I own the Prana Halle in black and tan from our trip to Alaska! Yay for the budget. Thank you again and I love reading your blog!
Lia Garcia says
YES I’m so glad I helped, Deb! The Aviator jeans are AMAZINGGGGG and I love the ExOfficio pants for travel days. Love that you’ve already got a pair of Halle pants 😛 you’re gonna have the trifecta!
Susan B. says
I bought the Prana Halle pants in size 10, short. The length was too long (easily fixed) but the rise is miniature. I usually can wear low-rise pants and the waistband is at my waist. It is so short that there’s no way to hold them up, unless with a too-tight drawstring. By the time I realized that was true, I had washed and hemmed them, so they are unreturnable. If you don’t like low-rise, you won’t like these. Also, the buttons (yes, two, arranged vertically) are very hard to both do up and open. If I were to keep them, I’d find another way to fasten them. The fabric seems good: just order them in the right size!
Lia Garcia says
Hi Susan, I’m so sorry to hear that! Hmm, my size 12’s aren’t low-rise … they hit me right around my belly button. I do have to use the drawstring to keep them there, though. I reallllly hope they haven’t changed the fit since I bought mine! Think I’ll go to REI and try a few on just to make sure.
Susan says
Yes, I have ordered the Prana pants, but there are a lot of complaints about the small pockets. What gives?
Lia Garcia says
Hmmm that’s a good point – the Prana pant has LOTS of pockets, but they aren’t very BIG (at least not like the Aviator jeans, which are luscious and huge). The front pockets are your typical too-small lady-pocket size, the back pockets are big enough for a phone or wallet, and the hidden zip pocket is just the right size for a credit card. It’s definitely not those cargo-pant style hiking pants that you can put everything in. I still recommend them, though. I typically have a hydration pack or daybag when I hike for snacks etc, but the Prana Halle pant pockets are big enough for pocket things like a point and shoot camera, phone, lip balm, etc.
Unless of course, they’ve changed the design and made the pockets smaller since I bought these a couple years back – please report back!
Mom of 2 boys says
I had to laugh all through this post about your pocket obsession. I totally agree- traditional women’s pants are terrible with pockets! I have two small boys and constantly need to hold rocks, pinecones (ouch), matchbox cars and other “essentials” not to mention a phone, Kleenex, etc. I have a 10 year old pair of Eddie Bauer cargo shorts. Absolutely unattractive but oh so functional with yes! a zippered pocket!! They are threadbare but I will keep wearing them until I find a “suitable” replacement….and you may have done that. Love the post— I’ll be a follower now!
Lia Garcia says
LOL you totally get me! I definitely have a few pairs of pants that were threadbare … several years ago, but I love them so much that they’re just held together entirely with sewed-on patches and hope at this point. Good pants are hard to find!
Leigh says
Great tip on Mens’ Wearhouse – I’m 5’2″ and even petite pants sometimes require hemming! Definitely going to check out the Aviator jeans, already a big fan of Prana and ExOfficio!
Emily Fata says
This is great! I’m always looking for new comfy but stylish pants to wear while travelling! I’ll have to check out each of these brands. Thank you for sharing!! 🙂
Emily Hines says
I seriously talk shit about how bad womens outdoor/travel pants are. Why are they so narrow? Does no one else have an ass? I do like the Halle pant from prana but need to check out the jeans you mentioned. I had no idea about these ex officio pants! I’m getting these immediately.
Lia Garcia says
RIGHT?! Like, y’all know that not all outdoorsy/travel loving women are tiny, right? Hiking gives you leg muscles for DAYSSSSS, including that poppin’ booty! I mean, that’s not why *I* happen to have such a curvaceous lower half, but whatever. Hope you like the pants as much as I do!
Teresa says
Not only did your post make me chuckle, these trousers sound amazing! Why is it so hard to find trousers that fit well, look good and are super comfy? Thanks for sharing your finds! Making a note! 🙂
Carrie says
This post is amazing! I cant wait to try out all these pants. I have just been thinking I need a day to go around on try on travel pants. I run into the tummy issue and inseam issue. In also 5’10 170. Fingers crossed one of these will work.
I also love your pocket obsession. We went to Germany last year for 2 week. My husband said I would need to be able to hold my passport and one of the boys passports in a zippered pocket on travel days. He just couldnt believe they didnt make real pockets for women. I ended up wearing skinny jeans (nice when it was 45 degrees but the next week was 80 and they were so hot!).
Amy Alton says
The prAna pair is going on my wishlist!
Jen Ambrose says
These all look great! My husband has Bluffworks pants and they’re so perfect for travel (and hiking, work, going out, and everything else), and I’m super jealous they don’t make a women’s version. Will have to look into one of these!
Lia Garcia says
That’s exactly how I feel about Outliers! My husband has their shorts and they function as both cute/active shorts AND swimwear. I’m so jealous!