We Tested and Loved These Travel Pants for Women (2024)

These Lululemon joggers have all the comfort of sweatpants with a more elevated look, thanks to the tapered leg and silky-soft fabric. Designed for sitting on a plane for hours or sprinting through an airport, the nylon blend fabric will keep you cozy when there’s a draft and plenty cool in humid conditions. We’re big fans of the stretchy waistband that is lined with an incredibly soft fabric so it won’t cause any itching or discomfort. The drawstring waist also makes it easy to adjust the fit, but we found that the 0 to 20 size range runs true to size so adjustment may not be necessary. The pockets are helpful for storing your phone or passport and the sturdy waistband keeps these pants from falling down, even with packed pockets.

We found the material to be a tad baggy and wished the taper around the shins was a bit slimmer, but we didn’t mind the roomier feel in the rest of the legs. After machine washing these pants several times, they look good as new, so we feel confident the high-quality fabric and stitchwork will ensure a long lifespan, making them an excellent choice for frequent fliers.

Price at time of publish: $118

The Details: 0 to 20 | Nylon, lycra, polyester, elastane | High-rise waist | Pockets

If you’re in a pinch for time before a trip, these budget-friendly cargo joggers from Amazon are super comfortable and will arrive in time with a Prime membership. Our favorite thing about these travel pants is the number of useful pockets in the front, back, and down the sides. The front and back pockets have zippers to give you peace of mind that your valuables will be safely tucked away whether you’re on an airplane or walking down the street. The polyester material is extremely lightweight and breathable, so these pants are ideal for traveling in warmer climates but might not be warm enough in the winter. Plus, the UPF 50+ sun protection built into the fabric is a huge benefit for traveling in the summer. We found they run a bit small, so we recommend sizing up to get the best fit.

Price at time of publish: $35

The Details: XS to 3XL | Polyester, spandex | UPF 50+ | Zippered pockets

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 being worn around the clock, the quality of the fabric and stitchwork never faltered or showed signs of diminishing. Plus, the pants can be machine washed and hung up 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.

Price at time of publish: $88

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

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).

Price at time of publish: $148

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

For those who love the look of jeans but the comfort of leggings, these Liverpool travel pants offer the best of both worlds. The cotton blend material is just as soft as any pair of stretchy leggings but they look exactly like a pair of denim skinny jeans. We found the material to be thicker than an average pair of leggings making these perfect for cooler climates, but the fabric is still thinner than jeans so they’re well suited for all seasons. Plus, these pants have functional pockets in the front and back with a faux zipper and button to make them appear identical to a pair of jeans. We noticed these pants stretch out after being worn several times, but putting them through the washer and dryer returns them to their original true-to-size fit.

Price at time of publish: $98

The Details: 0 to 16 | Cotton, rayon, modal | Mid-rise | Faux zipper | Back pockets

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.

Price at time of publish: $228

The Details: XS to XL | Cotton, spandex | Mid-rise | Front pockets | Faux back pockets

These wide-leg pants from Wayre are specially designed for travelers thanks to the stylish silhouette and four-way stretch fabric made of recycled water bottles from landfills in Taiwan. One of our favorite features of the Jetsetter Trousers is that they come with a variety of discreet zippered side pockets that are specifically designed to hold a passport or credit cards. Besides the pockets, we love that these true-to-size pants come in a wide range of size options and the stretchy waistband offers just the right amount of give without feeling too tight or loose. While the recycled material is soft and breathable, it might not be warm enough for colder weather. Finally, we found these pants to be wrinkle-, spill-, and stain-resistant due to antimicrobials built into the fabric, and they have UPF 30+ sun protection, too.

Price at time of publish: $149

The Details: 00 to 20 | Aire-flex fabric | High-rise | Wrinkle resistant | Zipper pockets

Everlane’s The Easy Pant lives up to its name, being one of the most versatile pairs of pants we tested. The simple wide-leg design goes with virtually any top and the elastic waistband makes it a breeze to slip them on and head out the door in a pinch. Made from a cotton blend fabric, the bottoms are airy and breathable without being see-through or thin, but they do wrinkle fairly easily, which is something to note for traveling. The material is thicker than expected which makes these pants functional for fall or spring when the temperatures are a bit cooler. And if you tend to run warm while sitting on a plane or sightseeing in the summer, these pants have a cooling effect so you won’t get sweaty or clammy. The only downside is that they aren’t adjustable, so you’ll want to follow Everlane’s sizing guide to ensure you get the right fit.

Price at time of publish: $88

The Details: XXS to XL | Cotton, elastane | Pockets

These Cozy Earth travel pants are basically a pair of elevated pajamas that can be worn for long-haul flights or while lounging around the hotel. The loose-fitting pants are made with a buttery soft modal fabric blend that is breathable and moisture-wicking while still feeling warm enough for chilly flights or cooler weather. We loved that these pants have a wide-leg fit that made us feel like we were wearing a cozy blanket while still offering a full range of motion while walking or sitting. The elastic waistband has a high-waisted fit and the pants run true to size, but the legs are very long so if you’re shorter, you may need to get them hemmed or they will drag on the ground. Best of all, these pants don’t wrinkle easily and the fabric feels durable enough to be worn time and time again without the quality diminishing.

Price at time of publish: $160

The Details: XS to 4XL | Modal, polyester, spandex | Pocket

The Wondery’s Isabel Outdoor Pants are the ideal pair of pants for rugged adventurers. With pockets upon pockets down the legs, there’s a place for phones, wallets, passports, and any other item you may want convenient access to while road-tripping or hiking. We love that the pants run true to size and come in an inclusive size range: offered in short, regular, and tall lengths to accommodate all body types. While the pants certainly have an outdoorsy look, the high-waisted fit and tapered leg give them a stylish edge. We found the fabric to be incredibly soft and stretchy, which gave us full mobility for activities including hiking, rock climbing, and sitting on an airplane.

Price at time of publish: $96

The Details: XS to 3XL | Modal, polyester, spandex | Moisture wicking | Front pockets

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. 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 winter 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.

Price at time of publish: $128

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

For a pair of comfortable and soft leggings, you can’t go wrong with this pair from Abercrombie’s YPB collection. Rivaling Lululemon leggings, the nylon material feels just as soft and compressing and comes at a fraction of the price. While there aren’t any pockets, we didn’t find this to be a dealbreaker, especially if you often travel with a sling bag or tote bag anyway. One of the best things about these leggings is that they run true to size and come in short, regular, and long sizes for an optimal fit in both the waist and legs. After working out and washing these pants many times, they look good as new without any signs of pilling or stretching. We found these wallet-friendly leggings offer excellent value for the high-quality materials and lower price.

Price at time of publish: $70

The Details: XXS to XXL (short, regular, long) | Nylon, elastane | High-waisted | No pockets

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the comfiest style of pants?

  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 but still comfortable travel look.

• What are travel pants made of?

  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.

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