Best Overall Travel Pants: SPANX AirEssentials

If I could only choose one pair of all-around travel pants, it would be the SPANX AirEssentials Wide Leg Pants. They strike the perfect balance between casual and polished, and they’re comfortable enough for a long-haul flight yet refined enough to wear straight from the airport into your day.

They’re also incredibly soft and wrinkle-resistant. The fabric is lightweight without being flimsy, making them comfortable to wear year-round. It drapes beautifully, doesn’t bag out after hours of sitting, and still looks great when you arrive at your destination.

SPANX AirEssentials Wide Leg Pants (M) // SPANX AirEssentials Half Zip (S) // AWAY Featherlight Backpack // AWAY Bigger Carry-On Flex

I’ve worn these on several long-haul flights to Europe, so I can confidently say they hold up well on long travel days (and nights). On our trip to Iceland, I paired them with lug sole boots because I didn’t want to pack my heaviest shoes in my suitcase. It wasn’t my favorite look, but it worked fine for the airport. Once we got to our hotel, I changed into jeans before heading out to explore the city.

Also, the Blondo Cammie Waterproof Booties and J.Crew Cashmere Patch-Pocket Cardigan are two more of my travel favorites, and they’re both on sale right now!

SPANX AirEssentials Wide Leg Pants (M) // J.Crew Cashmere Patch-Pocket Cardigan (S) // Blondo Cammie Waterproof Bootie (8) // AWAY Featherlight Backpack // AWAY Bigger Carry-On Flex

On another trip, though, I hit the ground running after we landed in London and ended up wearing my SPANX AirEssentials pants along with the coordinating half zip pullover all day while shopping and sightseeing. They wouldn’t have been my first choice for browsing the luxury shops on Regent Street, but I still felt put together enough for the unexpected excursion.

SPANX AirEssentials Wide Leg Pants (M) // SPANX AirEssentials Half Zip (S) // Paul Green Hadley (8)

One note: If you don’t love traveling in wide-leg pants because you’re worried about the hems dragging on bathroom floors (I get it!), SPANX also makes a straight-leg version that’s just as comfortable and polished. Both come in regular, petite, and tall inseams, so you can find the length that works best for you.

One more note: The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale includes these pants in a few limited-edition colors, if you’re looking for something a little different.

Best Travel Pants for Long Flights: Vuori Halo

When comfort is your top priority, especially for an overnight flight, the Vuori Halo Modern Straight Leg Pant is the pair I’d choose. They’re unbelievably soft and have the most comfortable waistband of any pair in this roundup, which makes a big difference if (like me) you find elastic waistbands start to feel uncomfortable after several hours.

Vuori Halo Modern Straight Leg Pant (also at Nordstrom) (M) // Athleta Getaway Linen Blend Tank (M) // On Cloud 6 (9) // AWAY The Carry-On // AWAY Featherlight Backpack

They’re also one of the most flattering pairs of pull-on pants I own. The straight-leg silhouette creates a long, lean leg line, and the fabric drapes beautifully without clinging.

Vuori Halo Modern Straight Leg Pant (also at Nordstrom) (M) // Vuori Energy Top Long (M) // Xero Shoes (9) // EVEREVE Heritage Sweatshirt (S)

While they have a slightly more athletic look than the SPANX AirEssentials, they still look polished and don’t read like sweatpants. I’ve even worn them with a cozy sweater for a casual day working from my hotel.

Vuori Halo Modern Straight Leg Pant (also at Nordstrom) (M) // Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater (S) // adidas Spezial (8)

Like the SPANX AirEssentials Pants, these also come in short, regular, and long lengths, so it’s easy to find a great fit.

If looking polished is your top priority, I’d probably choose a different pair in this roundup. But for pure comfort on a long travel day, the Vuori Halo Modern Straight Leg Pants are hard to beat.

Best Polished Travel Pants: Aritzia Lodge Pants

When you want to look a little more put together while traveling or be ready to head straight from the airport to lunch or sightseeing, the Aritzia Lodge Pants would be my top pick.

They look more like tailored trousers than lounge pants but are still comfortable enough for a full day of wear. The Crepette™ fabric drapes beautifully, resists wrinkles, and has a refined look that works just as well for sightseeing as it does for dinner.

Aritzia Lodge Pants (M) // Treasure & Bond cap sleeve tee (M) // Aritzia short trench (M) // Toteme Leather Thong Sandals (38) (option)

These are newer to my wardrobe, so I haven’t traveled in them yet, but based on how they’ve worn at home, I look forward to wearing them for shorter trips and anytime I want my travel outfit to feel a little more elevated.

They also come in short, regular, and tall lengths, so it’s easy to find a great fit.

Aritzia Lodge Pants (M) // Treasure & Bond cap sleeve tee (M) // Toteme Leather Thong Sandals (38) (option) // pendant set // silver hoops // bracelet set // rag & bone shoulder bag // YSL sunnies (option)

Another option to consider: If you prefer a more classic silhouette, the Chico’s Travelers™ Knit Wide-Leg Pants are worth a look. They’re soft, stretchy, wrinkle-resistant, and have a beautiful drape. The smooth pull-on waistband has no drawstring or tie, so it lays nice and flat under tops.

Best Lightweight Travel Pants: Ruti On the Loose Work Pants

When I’m traveling somewhere warm, the Ruti On the Loose Work Pants are the pair I’m most likely to wear. (They also happen to be 20% off right now!)

I wore them on our trip to St. Lucia back in March. It was still cold in Philadelphia when we left, but hot by the time we arrived.

Ruti On the Loose Work Pants (8) // Risen Denim Jacket (M) // Faherty Sunwashed Muscle Tank (S) // On Cloud 6 (9) // Quince Expandable Carry-On Suitcase // Quince Transit Quilted Duffle

They were comfortable in both climates, although they’re definitely better suited to the warmth of the Caribbean. Fortunately, it’s only a short walk from the parking garage to the terminal in Philadelphia, so I didn’t need to spend much time outside before checking in.

The soft elastic waistband is comfortable enough for all-day wear, the lightweight fabric is cool and airy with a beautiful drape, and the relaxed barrel-leg silhouette gives them a fun, modern look.

They have a more fashion-forward silhouette than the other pants in this roundup, but they’re still surprisingly versatile. I’ve worn them with everything from a simple tank and sneakers for sightseeing to a sweater and flats for dinner.

Ruti On The Loose Work Pants in Walnut (10) // Free People Jamie Henley (L) // Quince Leather Flip Flops (8) // Tom Ford sunglasses

Like the other pants in this roundup, these come in three inseam lengths, so it’s easy to find the length that works best for you.

Fit note: I have the black pair in a size 8 and the walnut pair in a size 10. Both fit me well—it’s really just a matter of how relaxed you want them to be. The 10 gives me a little more room through the waist and hips, while the 8 has a slightly slimmer look.

Honorable Mention: Athleta Brooklyn Cargo Pants (Discontinued)

If you happen to find the Athleta Brooklyn Cargo Pants on Poshmark or eBay, they’re still one of my all-time favorite travel pants, especially for warm-weather trips.

The featherweight fabric barely wrinkles, they’re incredibly comfortable on travel days, and the cargo pockets are actually useful without looking bulky. I often wear them downstairs to grab coffee in the hotel lobby because they’re comfortable but still look put together, and the cargo pockets are perfect for holding my room key.

Athleta Brooklyn Cargo Pants (6) // Z Supply tank (L) // EVEREVE Camp Jacket (S) // On Cloud 5 (9) // AWAY The Everywhere Bag // AWAY The Medium

I’ve worn these on so many trips over the years, and they’re still one of the first pairs I reach for when the weather is warm.

Unfortunately, Athleta no longer makes this exact style, but they do have tapered and wide-leg options in the Brooklyn collection.

You Might Also Like: AWAY Luggage Review: The Suitcases, Bags & Packing Cubes I Recommend

What About Jeans?

Of course, I can’t write a post without mentioning denim! While I love all of the pants above, I don’t think you need special travel pants for every trip. If I’m taking a shorter flight or a road trip and know I’ll be wearing jeans at my destination anyway, I’ll often travel in denim instead.

MOTHER Weekender (30) // similar Bernardo trench (S) // Jenni Kayne Flynn (S) // Veronica Beard Lada Bootie (8.5) // Goyard Saint Louis GM (option) // AWAY Bigger Carry-On Flex

Jeans can be almost as comfortable as pull-on pants, especially if you choose a pair with a little stretch that you’ve already broken in. (And if you find a pair of the rag & bone Miramar jeans that works for you, they’re probably just as comfortable. I haven’t found the right pair for me yet, so I usually reach for a favorite pair of stretchy jeans instead.)

MOTHER The Mid Rise Dazzler Flood (30) // J.Crew cashmere cardigan (S) // similar tank // Paul Green Hadley (8) // Mulberry Amberley // AWAY Featherlight Backpack // AWAY Bigger Carry-On Flex

I also like wearing jeans on travel days because they take up more space in a suitcase than any of the lightweight travel pants I’ve shared above. If I’m planning to wear them during the trip anyway, I’d rather wear them on the plane and save the room in my luggage.

Another reason I often travel in denim is that it’s a little warmer than most travel pants and transitions well between climates. I wore this outfit when we traveled from snowy Philadelphia to sunny Florida last January.

Citizens Miro Barrel Relaxed Jean (29) // J.Crew Chiara Topcoat in Camel (6) // Quince crewneck in Charcoal c/o (S) // AllSaints Anna (M) // rag & bone belt (M) // adidas Spezial (8) // AWAY Featherlight Backpack // AWAY Bigger Carry-On Flex

The wool-blend coat and cashmere sweater were perfect for the cold weather at home, and once we landed, I carried my coat and draped the sweater over my shoulders, wearing the white tee underneath. As it turned out, Tampa had an unexpected cold snap while we were there, so I was glad I had both layers.

Plus, I just feel a little more like myself in a great pair of jeans. When I travel, I want to feel put together and like the best version of my personal style, and denim almost always does that for me.

One more pair worth mentioning is the PAIGE Ari Drawstring Wide Leg Pants. They’re not traditional travel pants, but they’re not quite jeans either. The lightweight stretch twill fabric is incredibly comfortable and easy to wear all day.

Splendid Lounge Denim Jacket c/o (M) // Splendid Faye (L) // PAIGE Ari Drawstring Pants (29) // Adidas OG Samba (8) // Madewell necklace // ROAM Large Carry-On Expandable c/o // Goyard Saint Louis GM (option) // YSL sunnies

I wore them traveling to and from Maine a few weeks ago, and they held up beautifully through a full day of travel. When we arrived, I wore them straight to dinner that evening without needing to change, wore them again another day during the trip, and then traveled home in them, too.

If you like the look of jeans but want something a little lighter and softer for warm-weather travel, a pair of lightweight stretch chinos like these is another great option.

Final Thoughts

As with most wardrobe staples, there isn’t one perfect pair of travel pants. There’s just the pair that’s right for your trip, your destination, and your personal style.

MOTHER Lil Kick It (30) // Jenni Kayne Fisherman (S) // Aritzia The Only Coat (S) // adidas Spezial (8) // AWAY The Carry-On // AWAY Featherlight Backpack

I hope this roundup gives you a few ideas for finding the pair that’s right for you. And if you have a favorite I should try, let me know in the comments. I always love hearing what’s worked well for you.