June 15, 2021 | Steve Greppel
We tested this year's best wrinkle-resistant, quick-drying and comfortable men's travel pants. Pack your bags and prepare for adventure.
We can't wait to go back there and travel. As planes start to line up on the tarmac, we provide you with the best travel pants on the market.
From Andean cloud forests to deep desert canyons, to long-distance wild road trips (and daily tasks such as typing on the keyboard at work), these pants have been tested to handle any adventure and complete all tasks in a stylish way.
If you are looking for something more active, check out our selection of the best trekking pants for 2021.
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Last year, we listed Bluffworks' Ascender Chino ($125) as runner-up on our list of best travel pants. They almost get the highest scores across the board. They are lightweight, wrinkle-resistant and comfortable, and Ascender pocket games go beyond packaging. But we did not allow them to pass through the wringer enough to grant them long-term durability.
After a year of road trips, hiking, foraging for morels, and even skiing in it, we confidently elevated Bluffworks to the top of our list.
You will not find Ascenders through large retailers. You must purchase these directly from Bluffworks. But you can rest assured, because you have purchased a large number of thoughtful designs and experiences that make Ascender Chino the first choice for travelers.
Our trousers are beautifully packaged and delivered quickly. Out of the box, the attention to detail is amazing, especially when it comes to pockets-all 10 of them.
Multiple hidden pockets are located in the front pocket, including a hidden money pocket that can be accessed through the hidden left front zippered pocket. Yes, they have pockets in their pockets. This inner pocket also has a second sleeve, which you can get from the inside of the pants.
On the back, there is a zippered pocket on the left. There is a third sleeve behind the right pocket, which is used to wrap a device.
Ascenders are available in straight or slim-fit models. This material is elastic, but there is no woven rubber fiber. The material itself is woven. In our opinion, this makes the pants more durable in the long run. There is no elasticity to decompose.
The panels are stitched together to create incredibly comfortable pants. They are light enough to wash and dry overnight, and then rinse for another day.
This year, we have done a lot of these things in remote areas of Idaho. Hiking through the bushes, backpacking with kids, flanking like ski pants. After a year of arduous use, Ascenders still look very new, including all the zippers-they all hang well there.
The pocket number just surprised us (and the result may be over-engineered). It was difficult for us to find all of them at first. Once we did this, we stood up in awe, scratched our heads, and asked ourselves, "What will we put in them?"
But in the final analysis, their function is to prevent sticky fingers, and the effect is very good, and will not affect the look or feel of the pants. Ascenders has an elegant and timeless style that looks firm after repeated washing and wearing.
It can protect your necessities, which makes it a real travel pants that we will use in any foreign travel. The disadvantage of Ascender pants is that they are very popular, and it is difficult to buy popular slim colors. But they are worth the wait.
Still worrying about online shopping? Bluffworks provides free shipping and return services.
Bottom line: For Type A travelers who want to keep the daily carrying game nervous.
These lightweight pants only cost $30 (or less, depending on the size and color combination). These Chino pants are available in four colors: charcoal, navy, black and khaki.
Because they are so cheap, they work surprisingly well. Nylon-spandex blended fabrics provide enough flexibility for all-round sports, and we like their quick-drying properties.
With DWR coating and 50 UPF, you can even wear these for hiking. They may not be as durable as the other high-quality pants on our list, but if you are looking for an affordable pair of travel pants, this is it.
Bottom line: The cheapest pants on this list; a slightly stretchy, quick-drying bargain.
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The Evolution (US$149) has become a must-have for GearJunkie employees in the office. Simple, practical and durable-this is the product we recommend to all our friends who ask us "what will you bring on the road?" The five-pocket design resembling jeans looks more like denim, but has the durability of hiking pants.
The core of the trousers is a nylon-elastic fiber blended fabric, which is cut in traditional denim. Nylon fibers are softened by an air texturing process, and then they are woven into dynamic yarns.
This material has a durable weave that mimics denim (and feels less "khaki"). The DWR coating is excellent, allowing us to walk through the historic Ljubljana before the pandemic to stay dry.
Reach back and you will find a double pocket on the right side with a hidden zipper pocket inside, big enough to swallow your passport. Western Rise expanded the front coin pocket to make it large enough to hold even the largest iPhone.
Since its launch on Kickstarter a few years ago, Evolution has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from buyers. We must agree with them. The style is a top, durability and breathability complement each other.
After the trip, roll them up and watch them disappear into your luggage. They ticked all the boxes of the trip and made our photographer envy when they rode through Colombia.
We rank all pants on a 60-point scale. Only three pairs of pants scored 50 points. Evolution has ranked first in the past 2 years and is still an excellent choice, scoring a total of 51 points. It is lower than Bluffworks simply because the material is more prone to wrinkles.
If you want the Western Rise style with anti-wrinkle fabrics, their Diversion pants ($138) are also a good choice. The double-knit canvas weighs 286 gsm, making it more durable overall, but at the expense of storeability.
Bottom line: Suitable for travelers who like jeans styles but don't want to sacrifice performance fabrics; a great choice for travel in warm weather.
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The style and function that Huckberry brings is always trustworthy. Their in-house studio made some of our favorite costumes. When we are on the road, they always make us look good.
Their Proof Nomad (priced at $60) uses classic twill fabrics and uses breathable Japanese Toray twill to bring it into the 21st century. The polyester fabric is woven by two-way mechanical stretching. It is soft to the touch and deforms slightly when the material is pulled horizontally. This makes the pants fit very well around the legs, without bagging.
In order to increase durability, this pair of pants has undergone DWR treatment. The liquid quickly beaded and rolled off the fabric. To protect your essentials, a large hidden zipper pocket is sewn into the right front pocket. The deep back pocket is closed with a matte black metal hardware snap closure, creating a concealed look.
Nomad is available in straight-leg and slim-fit models. We found that the slim fit is the best-fitting tapered chinos we tested this year. There are no awkward restraints around the quadriceps or calves. This material cleverly wraps the shape of the body. You will get trousers that look clean, have enough fluidity and wrinkle resistance.
In our overall ranking, Nomads and Western Rise Evolution pants are tied for a total score of 51 points (out of 60 points). They dress slightly more, but weigh 16 ounces, one of the heavier pants on the list. This has an impact on the storage of the pants, but it does not seem to affect the ability of the pants to dry overnight.
If prices help drive purchases, nomads are now selling for $60, putting some pocket money back in those big pockets.
Bottom line: For travelers who like chinos that are worth the risk.
There seems to be no shortage of marketing agencies making pants on the old 4x4. We like the defenders as much as the next person, but these are the pants we chose to wear during that shoot.
The founder, Josh Patterson, is the former menswear chief designer of prAna (and the creative behind the idea of prAna's iconic Stretch Zion Straight Fit pants). He launched and founded Off The Grid (OTG) in 2018. OTG spent several months working with the search and rescue team on the spot to sort out the components of the perfect adventure pants. Therefore, it is not surprising that Trailblazer Pros ($84) pays attention to detail.
The four-way stretch material is reinforced with a wire originally developed to reinforce the parachute. All main seams are flat-lock double stitches. The pockets are lined with durable mesh nylon. The front is closed by a button that switches to pants with nylon webbing. The overall design combines tear-resistant durability with functional mobility.
There are eight pockets on the pants. Four are located on the back, including a pair of upward-slanted equipment pockets for easy access. At the front, the horizontal handbag is deep, and the collar is sewn with an extra layer of nylon to strengthen the knife holder.
Both tooling pockets are closed with a zipper and attached to the trouser legs to prevent shaking. All zippers use nylon teeth, so you can easily pass TSA.
We spent weeks wearing our OTG doing hard work on our knees and doing thousands of miles of road trips in the western mountains. Our editor Bryon Dorr at AutoWise wears his Trailblazer Pro almost exclusively when traveling.
Dorr shared: "Over the years, I have sampled many of their works, and almost like them. Trail Blazer 2.0 is a great evolution of the quality items in my wardrobe. Comfortable, durable, sharp and practical. Strong, these define this omnipotent pants anytime, anywhere."
Their advantage in durability, they gave up breathability. We found that their breathability is not as good as the other pants on the list. The durable fabric adds some whirlwind in the steps. But the lightweight fabric style strikes a compromise between durability and comfort, making it our first choice for adventurous travel.
If you are looking for a practical and durable pants designed for adventure, we strongly recommend that you buy one from OTG.
Bottom line: For adventurous travelers, their pants are rough.
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Anyone planning the ultimate adventure trip should check out prAna's Zion series. This material can easily and stylishly cope with mountain climbing, hiking, biking, camping and city sightseeing. No wonder they are favorites all year round. Year after year, looking back again and again, Zion-like its canyon-has withstood the test of time.
This year, we have been looking for ReZion Chino from prAna. It uses all the exquisite tailoring and feel of Zion, but is now made of Bluesign approved materials and recycled nylon fabric with no PFC DWR coating.
As the name suggests, Alameda ($79) is the best urban pants in prAna's Zion collection. It is not as durable as their Stretch Zion series, but you can get comfort, flexibility, and enough protection from occasional rain.
The four-pocket chinos has a hidden fifth zippered pocket, which extends down the right thigh. Out of sight, away from the buttocks, the pocket has enough space to hold the passport. The location of the zipper makes it very easy to access when sitting down without spilling items.
This pair of trousers scored 49 points out of 60 points, making it almost a top cut. They are the most breathable and possibly the most comfortable pants we have tested. Although Zion ran a bit big last year, this round of ReZion nailed the width.
There are buyers’ comments on length, and these comments are indeed a bit long. If your size is between the two, we will choose the shorter size. We found that ReZion material tends to wrinkle after washing, and its limited pockets make it impossible to get the highest price.
For summer travel, Alamedas also has shorts to choose from (US$69).
Bottom line: eco-friendly pants designed for the city.
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Naming your pants "the best travel jeans in the world" ($125) is a bold statement, but Aviator does what it says, and the name speaks for itself.
These Aviators provide a variety of gradients of slim cut and straight cut, derived from the soul of denim and the passion for travel. This pair of pants has as many as eight pockets, but you won't know it right away.
Three zippered pockets are hidden in traditional pockets-two hidden behind and one in the left pocket-each is enough to hold a passport. All pocket zippers use nylon YKK zippers. The coin pocket on the right is large enough to fit even the largest iPhone.
These trousers are mainly made of summer-weight cotton blends, which are soft to the touch, but they are slightly elastic due to the use of spandex. It has a DWR, but it will not dry as fast as fully synthetic pants. But it is very comfortable, you can get out of the coach and enter your port of entry in a stylish way.
Aviator is selling running pants at a 25% discount during the spring sale, with custom hemming. It is guaranteed that you can buy fitting pants at a preferential price.
Bottom line: For cowboy heads who can't leave home without jeans.
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Chrome knows a thing or two about comfort. A specialized bicycle commuter brand, its iconic seat belt buckle messenger bag is proudly slung to the courier on the city street. Faithful to the brand's roots, Chrome's Brannan ($112) is a slim tailored pants that fits every step of the way.
These durable chinos have vertical pockets, and the horizontal angle is just enough to hold a knife. The fifth zippered pocket is located on the left hip. It is large enough to cache passport or iPhone X.
Cycling pants are durable. The pockets are higher to prevent your kit from bouncing on every pedal stroke. The hand pockets are deep, but one of our sophistry about Brannan-and not many in number-is the zipper pocket. When sitting, leaning forward can tie the contents to the hips.
Like most high-end pants, Braannans is only available in one length. Unless you have longer legs, you need to cut these pants.
But the heavy material is super durable and fits perfectly, providing space to move without sacrificing style or comfort. Durability weakens the breathability of the material. As a compensation, Chrome added some hidden vents to help dissipate heat on a hot summer night. But they are more suitable for cool weather.
Like all Chrome pants, their straight-leg cut is more tapered, from work to cycling to brewing. Of course, if you decide to ride a Green Bike or Bird Scooter back to the dormitory, Chrome will add a reflective tape on the inside of the two legs. Open the cuffs and someone will see you at night.
Bottom line: Brannan is not only suitable for cyclists, it is a good choice for any traveler who values the form, function and durability of comfortable pants.
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Rapha has taken cycling to an ideal level. The brand exudes a two-wheeled lifestyle.
Technical pants ($150) are part of the Rapha lifestyle collection, designed for commuters who want to wear pants to work but can swagger behind their desks.
On the outside, the durable fabric lays the foundation for the smallest details. The subtle pink contrast pays tribute to the Rapha lineage, and the reflective logo on the inner right leg shouts in bold. For drivers in the UK, the high display on the right is meaningful, but we would love to see it being taken to the left leg of customers "the rest of the world".
For all commuter pants, the pockets are not deep. This prevents the contents from hitting your leg when stepping on it. In order to prevent essential items from popping out, both the front pocket and the right back pocket are closed with a zipper. The left rear pocket button is closed and there is a short Rapha Pink label that can be pulled out to increase visibility on the road.
With the popularity of commuter pants, these pants are a little baggy and have been criticized in customer reviews. Their loss is your victory. You will get a more casual and slim fit pair of trousers, perfect for travel.
Of the two commuter pants Chrome and Rapha in this list, technical pants are lighter, but they don't have DWR. This makes them more suitable for summer travel, and you don't have to worry about them getting wet. They are also the fastest drying pants we tested this year.
Bottom line: For those who want to increase the safety of full zipper pockets.
This year, Orvis caught us off guard with its incredibly comfortable OOOO (office pants). These five-pocket trousers are made from a blend of cotton, nylon and Lycra. However, the fifth pocket on OOOO ($109) does not add a small, useless coin pocket, but instead has a zipper inside the right back pocket. It is big enough to fit in a wallet.
Like many pants on the list, these pants have been DWR processed. This is enough to spill a slight splash. This lightweight material is as distinctive as jeans.
The closest pair of pants on the list are the Evolution pants from Western Rise. Both breathe very well, making them a great choice for warm weather. The cut of OOOO is straighter and the price is 40 dollars cheaper.
Another surprise is the reflective strips sewn on the cuffs. Orvis is not as fashionable as Rapha, but it is a great addition for those who leave work early and walk around at sunset. We did not expect the fishing brand to provide such details.
Although the lightweight cotton blend has good air permeability, we found that it takes longer to dry and tends to keep wrinkles longer. However, after wearing it for a day, the wrinkles will disappear.
We wear these pants all spring. They are strong enough to deal with the quarrel by the river, but elegant enough to sway on board the plane-our perfect idea for summer vacation.
Bottom line: For adventurous travelers, their pants are rough.
Working day pants ($98) are our casual travel clutches where we occasionally need pants. They disappear when folded, and they always open the package without wrinkles.
Of all the pants we tested, this material has the highest percentage of elasticity. As expected, this provides them with an excellent range of motion. Polyester fiber is durable enough to solve heavy housework. They rebounded strongly and never looked tired.
Public Rec claims that the incision is tapered to the knee and then straight down. We found that the waist and thighs fit very well, but they are suitable for sports calves and tend to step on the socks. They still lack DWR, and we appreciate it in travel pants.
The five-pocket design has a hidden sixth pocket, and the zipper is under the back pocket. The stylish and modern fit looks equally good in the office or after get off work. Public Rec has always been a leader in the field of sports and leisure, but their Workday Pants has entered the emerging field of work and leisure in another way.
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If you are looking for a progressive style of traditional chinos, Everywhere Slim ($95) is a slim pants with plenty of storage space and freedom of movement.
There is enough space at the top of Everywhere Slim, so it won't feel loose. Ready-made, they taper around the calf and still manage to make room around the ankle.
Bundled with drawstrings (which we like), Everywhere Slim pants are closer to jogger than chinos. This material will become comfortable after a few days of wear and tear.
The pants list 10 pockets, which is true, but we think this is a bit ambitious. Five of them are small sleeves in the pockets for storing cards, coins or cash. The coin bag on the front right is an RFID-blocking security bag. You can put your credit card here.
There is a large thigh pocket on the left, which can be swallowed by turning it over. It can easily accommodate mobile phones and passports.
In addition, 686 offers Everywhere in eight colors and regular styles except slim.
Bottom line: create soft skate shapes for fashion-forward travelers.
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Every year we ask Bikerumor’s friend Tyler Benedict what his favorite travel pants are. Every year he fights back with Eddie Bauer's Guide Pro Pant ($80).
Benedict spends nearly 50% of his time traveling, and he reaches out for his Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants every time he travels. He estimates that they have recorded more than four trips around the sun, and they have become his preferred travel pants.
Benedict shared: "They are lightweight, breathable, comfortable, and pockets are well positioned, and they stretch with my exercise. Their two-way stretch Flexion material has enough athletic ability to withstand everything from parkour on the ruins to hard travel on foot."
Two zippered tooling pockets are flush with the trousers, avoiding the militarized appearance of gusseted external pockets. Their angles are easy to access, and can match the largest iPhone with the case, which is a nice bonus (not all overalls and shorts can use this feature anymore).
They have a durable DWR treatment, are available in 10 colors, and all cost about $80. But like the weather they said, if you don’t like the price, please wait 5 minutes. Eddie Bauer runs the entire website at a discount of 40-50% almost every other month. And the brand provides a lifetime warranty, which makes this pair of pants incredibly valuable.
Bottom line: durable travel pants for adventure seekers.
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Although COVID kept us in the United States this year, we still managed to get out and wore our pants for a few miles. In order to find the most suitable pants for travel this season, we started with pockets and materials. Even to be included in our list, pants need at least one zippered pocket to safely store our passport or wallet.
The hand pocket should be deep enough to prevent accidental spilling of keys and change, or have a zipper to prevent accidents. No kidding, the pair of pants we tested (not on this list) spit out the wallet at work without even knowing it.
The hand pockets are either horizontal (like a pair of jeans) or vertical (like chinos). If you like to travel with EDC, you need a horizontal pocket to hold the knife.
If pockets are your top priority, you don't need to look at Ascender Chino by Bluffwork. The 10 pockets are carefully hidden inside and around the pants, and everything can be placed here.
Then, we evaluated the fit, breathability, durability, packability, and ability of each pair of pants to recover from repeated washing, abrasion, and unpacking.
We score each category on a scale of 1-5, and then fully calculate the pants score. The highest total score won the GearJunkie gold medal. If a pair of partners do a particularly good job at something, we will call for a strong focus.
Whether it's straight-leg pants or slim-fitting pants, a good pair of pants is a pair of pants that fits the human shape, and will not bulge after repeated washing, and will not bloat even with a mobile phone and a key. The length should fit your inseam or longer so that you can roll them up or tailor them.
Almost every pair of pants on our list meets 5 points. If they did not, we have shared the shortcomings. Both Brannan and Alameda ran a little longer, and Brannan only had one length.
Public Rec's Workday pants fit very well at the waist, but are tightened around our calves so that they ride on the legs. These are the little jingle bells on other great pants.
Although comfort is key, we also need to be able to show ourselves in public. The most flexible travel clothes should be able to cope with hiking without becoming rude, and look smart enough when walking into town to stroll through museums or enjoy an occasional meal.
We rated each pair of pants for their adventurous ability and street ability. Some pants, such as Off The Grid's Trailblazer Pro 2, tend to be thicker. This is the only pair of pants that has the highest score of 5 in terms of adventure.
But when going out of the city, the cargo pocket will take away the points. It is safe to say that OTG may not care much about style and function, but design pants around practicality.
On the other hand, Orvis's OOOO pants are a cotton-polyester blend, which looks like sharp five-pocket denim, but it sacrifices durability and takes longer to dry. Of all the pants we tested, they dry out the longest overnight.
Clean lines, darker colors and traditional shapes can help you blend in with the crowd and stay away from the sight of potential pickpockets. The pants above look as good as they feel, don't shout "tourists". The material should be lightweight, and in our preference, the color should be darker to minimize the dirt collected along the way.
Lightweight, high-performance fabrics can withstand repeated washing in the sink, dry overnight, and won’t wrinkle after weeks of travel. Today's fabrics have advanced sun protection and moisture wicking properties, and are usually waterproof or waterproof.
Most of the fabrics used are polyester or polyester blends. Synthetic materials tend to withstand abuse better than natural materials. Spandex weave increases fluidity. Cotton blends increase breathability, but usually at the expense of durability. Moreover, unless treated with DWR, it can be wetted more easily and kept for longer.
The fabrics on travel pants tend to be smoother and look smooth. Some, such as Orvis and Western Rise, are more like denim in texture. Between these there is a dull smooth finish such as Bluffworks, Chrome and OTG. Material finishes are more of personal preference and will not affect its water resistance. This is added through DWR cleaning.
Our favorite pair of pants comes from LIVSN. The fit is great, but they do not have DWR, and after repeated work on the ground, the cotton fibers show some slight abrasion on the knees. It was also a heavier pair of pants, so we deleted it from the official list.
If you choose to match denim or cotton, look for stretch fabrics with a little spandex to ensure comfort and flexibility during the journey. It will last longer, dry faster, and feel more comfortable.
High-performance fabrics are durable in an unprecedented way. Spend a few dollars more to buy better quality trousers and you can wear them longer. The pants on this list are a good start.
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Contributing editor (and Director of the Gear Junkie Idaho Bureau) Steve Graepel is alleged to be a liar and thief. He tricked his friends into stealing time from his family in pursuit of premeditated leisure, usually including biking, rafting, and skiing. , Running shoes, climbing frame or all of the above items.
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