After Wearing Sloppy Travel Pants for Years, I'm Switching to These 10 Comfy, Flattering Pairs—From $34

Travel + Leisure

4 days ago

As a late-30s millennial who prioritizes comfort over fashion, I refuse to wear uncomfortable clothing when I travel. Never have I set foot on a plane while wearing jeans with an actual button fly, and 99 percent of my favorite travel pants feature wide elastic waistbands. This used to mean slumping around in a baggy sweatsuit as I waited for Boarding Group 8. Now, thanks to the emerging athleisure trend, lots of pants have elastic waistbands—and they're way more stylish than your average sweatpants; my options for comfortable-yet-cute bottoms expanded greatly.
After much searching, travel, and wear-testing, I have accumulated an impressive collection of 'grown-up' alternatives to classic sweatpants. My go-to travel pants range from sleek, fitted joggers to wide-legged linen pants, and they're all perfect for a long flight or road trip. Keep scrolling to shop the elevated but still extremely comfy styles that you can always find in my suitcase.
I've been on the hunt for wide-legged linen pants for the past year, and Athleta's Retreat Linen High-rise pair was exactly what I was looking for. They sit comfortably on my waist without bunching, and feel tailored and stylish despite the wide design. The two zippered pockets were perfect for stashing my hotel room key on a recent trip, and they pair nicely with chunky-heeled boots thanks to the floor-skimming length. I love the neutral colorways, and they give off an elevated look that puts them a few rungs above sweatpants without losing the comfort of my classic faves.
They're light and breezy and don't cling in humidity, and the colors pair well with a range of tops and shoes. They also dried quickly after getting caught in a rainstorm, and any wrinkles shook out quickly after being packed in a suitcase. $108 at Vuoriclothing.com
I've been hearing nothing but rave reviews about Vuori's incredibly soft DreamKnit material, and it has not disappointed. I'm loving wide-legged looks lately, and these low-slung Halo Essential pants are relaxed without looking sloppy, and pair well with a slightly taller pair of shoes thanks to their 31-inch inseam. If I wear them with flat shoes, I just double the waistband over so they don't drag on the floor. I wore these with a matching Halo Performance Hoodie for comfort during my recent cross-country travel day, but if that breaks your big-pants-little-top rule, you can switch it up with a more form-fitting long-sleeve top.
I quite literally said, ' Oh my God, yes, ' when I opened this matching set from Rhone. The material feels luxuriously soft without snagging, and it has a slightly heavier, more premium feel than similar sets. The pants are long, though, so I'd recommend wearing them with a slightly taller shoe, or rolling and cuffing them to avoid dragging on the ground. These manage to be extremely soft without pilling, and have sleek, tailored lines on the trouser legs to maintain a nice shape. The waistband is a wide elastic built into the material, and the side taping is embossed with a subtle logo. These feel high-end and have the best combination of comfort and elevated style out of all the pants I tested.
When it comes to joggers, I'm all about Centerline Athletics' retro-cool Courtside joggers, which are perfect for taking a short hike, jog, or hitting the pickleball court. The material is a little stiffer than some others on this list, which is why I'd also like to point in the direction of the Baleaf Woven Joggers, $39. They have the same breathable, sweat-wicking benefits but with more stretch (check out that wide, high-rise waistband).
Skida's slightly cropped pants are the closest things to sweatpants I've found with their breezy, lightweight feel. The ruched waistband, flowy silhouette, and gorgeous patterns give them an elevated look when compared to traditional yoga pants, and the pants are great for warm-weather travel where I want to keep my legs covered without sacrificing breathability.
Over at Amazon, the Angerella High-waisted Palazzo Pants are winning over shoppers for the same reasons. The high, wide waistband is comfortable for walking around as well as sleeping on a plane. Finally, they pack down to save luggage space—great news for travelers like me who make a valiant attempt to never bring more than a carry-on. $108 at REI $108 at Beyondyoga.com
With a similar look to my favorite wide-legged Vuori Halo pants, these Beyond Yoga Stretch Woven Pants fit slim through the hips but have a wide leg that creates a flattering silhouette without losing essential sweatpants comfort. The two oversized hand pockets on the front fit my phone and a small wallet, though they lack a zipper, so I usually carry a small bag if my top doesn't have a zipper pocket.
The 31-inch inseam is the same length as the Vuoris, which means they brush the ground in low-profile shoes unless I double the waistband over. Overall, these are airy, breathable pants that pair well with a fitted tank top or crop top, look good in a variety of settings, and have a barely-there comfort for full travel days, or overnight flights, or train rides.
The only pants with a button fly to make the cut, the cropped Kuhl Seaboard Pants snuck onto my list thanks to the loose fit and high percentage of elastic. These pants took me by surprise with their stretchy, lightweight feel, and I can sit cross-legged without any tightness or bunching. They have a casual-chic vibe that pairs as well with Blundstones as they do with dressier sandals, and I wear these with both short and long-sleeve tops depending on the weather.
Out of all the comfortable travel pants on this list, these are both the least like sweatpants and the most appropriate for a variety of situations. While I wouldn't love sleeping in them, I can wear them on a full-day train ride and then out to a concert in the evening without feeling suffocated or out of place in either situation.
I always pack a jumpsuit for its versatility, breathability, and range of styling that can be dressed down for a casual walk and dressed up for a nice evening dinner. Currently, I can't stop reaching for Imbodhi's Mari Jumpsuit, which has light compression through the top that is both flattering and supportive. It's truly a one-and-done travel outfit, and I never complain about putting on one item of clothing and being fully dressed.
Similarly, Spanx AirEssentials Sleeveless Jumpsuit (yup, it's from the Oprah-loved AirEssentials collection) comes with a waist-snatching drawstring to create the perfect fit, plus plenty of thoughtful details to accentuate and flatter your shape without sacrificing comfort. The lightweight, fine-knit fabric promotes airflow and ensures you have enough flexibility to smoothly navigate busy airports, town squares, concert venues, and more.
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