The Best Men’s Travel Pants of 2026

The Quick & Dirty: A four-way stretch chino hosting nine functional pockets including zippered security compartments. It’s the one-and-done choice for travel, though the rear phone pocket is difficult to access.

Bluffworks’ Ascender Chino has been at or near the top of our travel pants list for four years now. Our main gripe with the Ascender is the heavy lean into the business side of “business casual.” That and the sheer number of pockets sometimes confounded our sleep-deprived travel brains. But now with fewer pockets and less golf-course chino, Bluffworks nailed the perfect travel pants with their Envoy Lightweight Travel Pants iteration ($138).

Trimming the fat started with the pockets. The Envoy drops a pocket to give us nine, but all are functional, and five of them zip shut. Two stealth pockets zip inside the hand pockets, both rear pockets zip shut, and a device pocket zips closed off the thigh and is a great place to store your documents.

Behind the right rear pocket, the Envoy tucks a drop-in style phone pocket below the waistband. This is a brilliant design that is easy to access, yet deep enough to curb sticky fingers. We did find it more comfortable to store the phone on the thigh when seated.  

The Envoys close shut with a zippered fly and metal button sewn into the elastic, belt-friendly waistband. In case you left the belt at home, silicone tabs are welded to the inside of the waistband and help keep the pants from shifting down.

Instead of the 100% durable polyester fabric found in the Ascender Chino, the Envoy is constructed from polyester/recycled polyester spun with 10% spandex, giving the pants a four-way stretch. On the inside, all seams are overlocked and tacked down with a double stitch on the inseam to prevent them from rubbing against the skin and reduce exposure to snags.

The pants are light and supple, and since they don’t have a gusset sewn into the crotch, we found the Envoys very flexible, if not the most comfortable, pants on our list.

And that’s really where the Envoys shine. If nothing else, a travel pant should go unnoticed — both on you and among potential troublemakers. These pants wear effortlessly, yet are capable of storing all your essentials safely away.

If you haven’t tried Bluffworks before, we recommend looking at the Envoy Lightweights over the Ascenders. While the Ascenders have one more pocket (a passport sleeve on the inside of the left front pocket), only three of the 10 pockets zip shut. The styling of the Envoy has five pockets that zip shut and wears more casually without compromising its city chops. 

If you haven’t tried Bluffworks before, we recommend looking at the Envoy Lightweights over the Ascenders. While the Ascenders have one more pocket (a passport sleeve on the inside of the left front pocket), only three of the 10 pockets zip shut. The styling of the Envoy has five pockets that zip shut and wears more casually without compromising its city chops. 

And if you’re looking to complete your travel ensemble, check out Bluffworks’ Threshold Crew Neck T-Shirt ($40). We’re still testing it, but so far, the softness, quick-drying, and odor-resistance are making it one of our favorite travel shirts.

The Quick & Dirty: A budget-friendly pick offering UPF protection and water resistance for under $70. It provides reliable security, but the brushed fabric tends to attract lint more than premium synthetics.

Travel should never be about the gear. It should be about the experience. An Amazon darling, at $70 a pair, UNIONBAY’s Rainier Travel Pants are a steal, leaving more cash in the wallet for traveling.

True to size, the nylon-spandex blend offers just enough stretch for a full range of motion. The pants keep around the waist with a button and have traditional belt loops if you want to class them up with a belt.

Three nylon zipper pockets pair with deep hand pockets. With two in the back and one on the upper right leg, they’re big enough to secure a passport, the latest iPhone, a notepad, or all of them together.

The Rainiers are rated to 50 UPF and feel durable in the hand, making them acceptable for activities like hiking. The outermost layer is lightly brushed and tends to collect lint and show stains quicker than other pants we tested, but they wash up easily, and the 170 gsm fabric is quick to dry.

While a simple pair compared to Bluffworks’ attention to detail, these chino-style pants hit the core elements we looked for when evaluating the best men’s travel pants. If you’re looking for a budget pair of travel pants that pack up tight and breeze from the tarmac to restaurants (and maybe a light hike in between), these are it.

The Rainiers are available in four colors: charcoal, navy, black, and khaki.

Read Review: Darn-Near Perfect Pants, Made With Recycled Plastic: LIVSN EcoTrek Review

The Quick & Dirty: An eco-conscious cut made from recycled ocean plastic tailored for outdoor adventure. With an internal drawstring and roll-up leg ties, it’s the best option for travelers who hike or climb between city stops.

LIVSN’s Ecotrek Trail Pant ($139) brings more stretch, lighter weight, and a more athletic design to the brand’s tried and true Flex Canvas Pants. And while these new pants are great for climbing, hiking, or other fast-paced activities in warmer climates, we find they hit all the marks for what we love in travel pants, too.

Let’s start with the many pockets, most of which are zippered. Both rear pockets close with a zipper, offering some much-needed peace of mind. Angling off the back of the left thigh is an additional, horizontal zippered pocket, which is great for gadgets or a small wallet.

Both of the mesh hand pockets have coin sleeves to prevent loose currency or keys from shifting around, and the left front hand pocket has a hidden zippered pocket large enough to protect your phone. Rounding out the seven pockets is a reinforced multitool pocket sitting on the right thigh. With so many pocket options, there’s a place for everything that feels designed with purpose instead of over-engineered.

The pocket configuration is dialed, but what sells these pants is the little details. The fabric’s synthetic blend doesn’t feel stiff, and the smartly tailored material walks quietly, fitting our testers with an ergonomic, yet surprisingly athletic fit.

A metal button closes the front and is backed with a leather pledget to prevent busting out. The Ecotrek Trail pants have belt loops, but if you forget your belt, they include a drawstring that hides inside the waistband. The cuffs are reinforced around the heel, and so is the utility tool pocket.

While they don’t have a robust DWR, the material breathes very well. When things heat up, the pant legs roll up and keep under a buttoned strap that’s been sewn with reflective tape. These little details add up pretty quickly to make the Ecotrek a stellar pant.

Turn the pants inside out, and you really appreciate the quality and care taken to make them. All seams are overlocked, with the inseam flat-felled. This kind of stitching increases durability where you need it and comfort where you want it.

Sustainability is core to LIVSN’s line of clothes, and the Ecotrek Trail pant walks the talk. The material is woven from Oceanflex fabric (70% recycled fishing buoys recovered from the ocean), and the YKK zipper tape is made from recycled ocean plastic. The rest is 25% nylon and 5% spandex for stretch.

If you are looking for lightweight, stretchy, durable pants, the LIVSN Ecotrek Trail Pant stands out as one of the best men’s travel pants on the market and can tackle a wide range of activities.

The Quick & Dirty: A minimalist five-pocket pant that mimics the look of classic denim but performs like high-end activewear. We found the tapered fit a bit slim for those preferring a traditional straight-leg cut, however.

The first iteration of the Evolution was a GearJunkie staple around the office. Simple, functional, durable — it’s what we recommend to all our friends who ask us, “What’s the best pair of pants for everyday use?” The updated Western Rise Evolution 2.0 ($128) has more stretch, and they are all the better for it.

This new bump in elastane gives the Evolution 2.0 a significant four-way stretch and increased flexibility without sacrificing durability. The jean-like five-pocket design wears more like denim but has the durability of a hiking pant. In fact, one of our editors wore their pair to the top of the Grand Teton.

At the core of the pant is the nylon-elastane blend with a trim jean cut. The nylon fibers are softened by running them through an air-texturized process and then weaving them into a dynamic yarn. The material has a durable weave that mimics denim (and feels less “khaki”).

The DWR coating — or maybe DBR (Durable Beer Resistance) — is outstanding. We wore these pants to Oktoberfest last year, where they took the brunt of the fickle Bavarian weather and a rowdy beer hall.

Reach around back, and you’ll find a double pocket on the right, with a hidden zipper pocket that’s large enough to swallow your passport. Western Rise expanded the front coin pocket and made it big enough to holster the largest phone on the market.

After your trip, roll them up and watch them disappear in your luggage. They tick all the boxes for traveling and were the envy of our photographer while cycling through Colombia.

There aren’t many reasons to ding the Evolutions; the material on the new pants feels stiff out of the box, but that softens up over time. To help differentiate its pant models (which all have a similar cut and color), Western Rise screened a patch on the inner left pocket. It can feel a little sweaty against the legs.

Aware of this issue, Western Rise is changing that label to a print going forward. One thing that hasn’t changed is the pocket configuration. Some will find the additional zipper pocket just the right amount of added security. Others will prefer more pockets to keep their EDCs. And that’s where we find the Evolution falls short. An extra security pocket would send these pants to the top of the list again.

If you want that Western Rise styling but with a wrinkle-resistant fabric, the Diversion pant ($168) is also a great pick. The double-knit canvas weighs 286 gsm, making it more durable overall but sacrificing packability.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. These fantastic five-pocket jean-style pants has been on our list of the best men’s travel pants for 6 years now. For 2 of those years, they were our top pick. We use the Western Rise Evolution 2.0s as a benchmark for fit and comfort, and we recommend them to friends looking for a do-everything pant that flies fashionably under the radar.

The Quick & Dirty: A fashion-forward alternative hosting hidden zippered security. It’s the ideal choice for business travelers transitioning directly from long-haul flights to meetings.

A new player in the travel pant sector, Jack Archer was founded in 2021 with the goal of creating a more comfortable pant that looks sharp day in and day out. Sew in some zippered pockets, give it a progressive taper, and the Jetsetter Tech Pant ($89) is a winning combination for a travel pant. 

Core to the pants is the Japanese-sourced 100% PTT polyester fabric. The aptly named Rebound fabric is a helically spun polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) polyester that is woven to yield four-way mechanical stretch, a process that some of our favorite pants incorporate (like Western Rise). It is strong, stain- and wrinkle-resistant, and retains its shape after being packed in our carry-on. 

The polymerized material stretches and moves with the body, naturally bouncing back without any weaving any Lycra or spandex into the fabric. This is good because these stretchy fibers can break down over time, eventually rendering the pants permanently ‘baggy,’ a quality Jack Archer is working hard to avoid. 

No aftermarket washes here, as the PTT weave naturally works as a DWR, repelling water and stains on par with the best. We wore our pants to a work event where we were hands-on with colored modeling clay. The greasy clay washed out of the lightly colored fabric, coming out of the wash looking crisp. Nothing needs to be reapplied — a bonus for those who don’t like additives in their fabrics. We look forward to testing how this performs over the year.

A diamond-shaped gusset in the crotch and a pair of elastic panels on the sides unlock the legs. We are mixed on the elastic waist. On one hand, the pants are incredibly comfortable and flex without being too loose or too snug. On the other hand, the stretchy panels take away from the clean, fashionable look. If this bugs you, the panels easily hide under a belt, allowing the pants to look sharp and comfortable. We found they suited up great with a tie and wingtips.

For the traveler, these pants have plenty of places to store everyday carries. Two deep hand pockets angle off the sides, and the hidden left pocket works very well as a device sleeve. Both back pockets are welted, drop-in styles that zip shut and hide under a thin overlapping flap. This gives the pants a clean, finished look. But we found the opening feels a little snug with the zipper hidden under the flap.

Minor criticisms aside, we really like the pants and recommend the Jetsetter Tech Pant for more casual traveling, where you might dress up. The polyester fabric is softer than nylon but inherently less durable. Because the poly is woven with a mechanical stretch in mind, it is more durable than the poly-spandex blends. In the end, these pants are styled for more urban travel, supporting Jack Archer’s fabric choice.

Jack Archer sells pants direct to consumer. True to size, they have great stretch and allow comfortable mobility — thanks to the material choice and the diamond gusset sewn into the crotch. If buying pants online makes you break a sweat, Jack Archer offers a 30-day trial period, during which you can trade them in for a different size or get a full refund. The pants are notably comfortable and look sharp. We feel you will like them, too.

The Quick & Dirty: A merino wool trouser that balances long-travel comfort with wedding-ready style. It offers elite odor resistance for week-long stints, and you’ll pay the price for it.

The Unbound Merino Travel Pants ($228) are the rare technical layer capable of navigating a humid jungle trek and a semi-formal wedding in the same week. While most travel pants rely on synthetic blends, we found Unbound’s 95% Italian merino wool construction feels more like premium loungewear than a standard trekking layer. After testing the Unbound from coastal Costa Rica to a ceremony in Mexico, they proved to be some of the most versatile trousers in our kit.

The primary advantage of the high merino content is exceptional thermal regulation. At 255 gsm, these pants are beefy enough to hold their shape, yet remain remarkably airy in high humidity and breathe in a way synthetics simply can’t. Furthermore, the natural lanolin in the wool provided inherent odor resistance, allowing us to wear them for seven straight days without a wash while still looking (and smelling) acceptable for a classy ceremony.

We appreciate the minimalist pocket configuration designed to maintain a sleek silhouette. You won’t find bulky thigh pockets here; Instead, the pants feature two deep hand pockets and two rear patch pockets. Hidden within the right rear pocket, we discovered a clever, side-entry zippered security sleeve that easily swallows a passport and a slim wallet, providing peace of mind during crowded travel.

Available in slim and relaxed cuts, the fit is accommodating to many travellers. The integrated stretch in the waistband made them incredibly comfortable for 10-hour flights, while the drape and ankle opening were refined enough to pair with dress shoes. They pack down significantly smaller than traditional chinos, reclaiming precious space in our carry-ons for those who prefer to travel light.

The trade-off for this luxury is the price and maintenance. At $228, these trousers are a significant investment, and the wool build requires a cold wash and hang-dry to prevent shrinkage. However, for the traveler needing a quiver-killer that handles a five-star dinner as easily as a long-haul flight, we believe these merino travel pants are a permanent addition to the roster.

The Quick & Dirty: An impressively light pant with a hidden pocket layout for discreet security. Its performance in humid climates elevates it, while the thin fabric (and lesser wind protection) dings it.

Threading the needle between style, function, and durability, Teren’s Lightweight Traveler ($130) is our pick for folks who want one pant to do it all.

The Lightweight Traveler is a tapered chino with six pockets; three secure with zippers. The pants are washed in Permethrin to ward off critters and are antimicrobial, stain-resistant, and offer UV protection.

Thru-hiker and international traveller Chris Carter wore these on the Continental Divide Trail, where they withstood miles of intense bushwhacking and deep snow. Carter lauded their ability to stay stench-free for weeks. After adventures, the fabric readily releases dirt in the wash. These chinos easily suit up for a night on the town.

The Travelers ditch classic buttons, using sewn-in magnets to close the waist. While doing chores, the magnetic closure often stuck to metal objects: my grocery cart, truck bed, and tools. The magnet is strong enough to hold a hammer, yet if you lean over, the fasteners slide apart easily before pulling back together.

This magnetic closure takes getting used to. While it could demagnetize mechanical watches, credit cards, or hotel keys, it isn’t an issue for most. Backed by belt loops and an internal drawstring, the pants have plenty of options to stay secure.

The Travelers lack a DWR (a trade-off for bug repellency), but the fabric features stain protection that releases grime after a few washes. If you want a similar pant with DWR, look at the brand’s Daily Driver ($120), a lightly insulated version better for city wear.

With many pros, these are small cons. The spandex weave yields mobility while nylon deflects tears — all at just 11 ounces. It’s a great combination of durability and flexibility in a quick-drying, packable pant.

The Quick & Dirty: An updated classic with a dedicated passport pocket and a drawstring waist for big-mileage comfort. The cotton-nylon blend bridges utility and casual style, though it’s bulkier than ultralight synthetics.

Secure pockets, updated materials, and now with belt loops, Roark listened to the feedback to release a better version of its venerable Layover Travel Pant: the Layover Pro Traveler ($99).

Roark’s previous Layover Pants were good but not great. Our major gripes were that the long, vertical hand pockets spilled their contents all too easily while reaching for them when seated. You could also store too much in the pockets, weighing down the pants and pulling them off the hips.

To solve this, Roark replaced the 12” vertical zipper pockets with traditional slant hand pockets. They still zip shut, which is both good and bad. Your EDC stays put, but guys will be guys and put their hands in their pockets. The zipper grates against the back of the hands. Fortunately, it’s a nylon zipper and doesn’t have an aggressive tooth.

Borrowing from the fantastic Layover Shorts, the pants now back up the drawstring with belt loops. We like this extra measure of security around the waist, and it fits the new sizing guidelines, which shifted from numeric to alpha sizing (S, M, L, XL…). Our testers typically wear a size medium, but can also fit in Roark’s small. The small wears slimmer and a touch snug around the waist, but the elastic waist accommodates. Buy up for a relaxed fit, size down for a slim fit.

Rounding out the front pockets, two drop-in flap pockets are patched to the backside and close with a snap to keep contents safe. A fifth device pocket drops in under the waist and over the right back flap pocket. Wedged in the middle seat, it’s more work to wrestle the phone out of this pocket. It functions better around town. It’s deep enough to fully conceal your phone and ward off sticky fingers. Off the Grid and Bluffworks use a similar backside device pocket.

Roark kept the perforated yoke in the back, which is signature to Roark’s pants. It vents the backside. While the material has changed, it’s still a cotton weave, which elevates the cooling. But the new Dura-Stretch Twill is more durable. In our testing, it’s less prone to pilling, which was also a ding on the last version. All seams are fully flat-felled, adding to the pants’ durability.

All under $100, the Layover Pro Travelers are solid travel pants and a durable option for adventure travel in warmer climates.

The Quick & Dirty: A weather-resistant jogger built with a 95% nylon face for max abrasion resistance. It’s the choice for travelers who prioritize movement and bike-to-hike utility over traditional office-ready aesthetics.

The Flylow Tiller Jogger LT ($100) is a more pedestrian-friendly application of Flylow’s technical bike pants. It sports the same trail-hardened Stretch IQ material found in the brand’s mountain bike kit, but wears casual enough to avoid living a Matt Lyons parody.

Constructed primarily from nylon, the shell is incredibly durable, shunning potential snags in our daily testing. A subtle 5% spandex softens the shell and gives it 4-way stretch comfort. For such a high nylon ratio, the pants wear surprisingly quietly. They don’t swish or feel like wearing a shell. They breathe and move with you. Under the hood, the material has a PFAS-free DWR and is UPF up to 40+.

While the Tiller is listed as a jogger, it steps it up a bit and blurs the lines. It holds around the waist with a broad elastic band and has a floating drawstring that ties the pants for additional security. A free-floating, untethered drawcord can pull out of the pants during washing. That’s a minor ding to an otherwise great pant. But we appreciate how the broad waist distributes pressure around the hips and waist, giving these joggers more comfort and support.

Five pockets adorn the Tillers. In addition to the pair of deep hand pockets, a thigh pocket is inset on the right leg, and a large pocket sits out back on the right, and a stealth seam pocket drops just outside the left hand pocket. All three of these pockets zip shut tightly, giving you lots of options to secure items while traveling. We did find the left seam pocket a little small to reach inside, and the zipper scratches your hand when you reach for the contents. But it holds your phone appropriately, positioned to the side of the hips.

A cohesive taper drops the legs down to the cuffs, which are finished with a hidden elastic draw cord. Paired with an untucked shirt, the Tiller wears inconspicuously like a chino. Pull the hem elastic snug, and the joggers taper tight around the ankle or stay put over the calves. Part jogger, part pants, these are the travel joggers for the jogger-curious.

The Quick & Dirty: A sustainable pant designed with a soft finish that mimics the look of high-end cotton. The tapered leg may feel restrictive for those with larger athletic builds, but it’s balanced with impressive stretch.

Patagonia has been tooling away at mountain apparel for over 50 years now, and the lineup is a staple for all things to and from the mountain. New this year, Patagonia released a chino-style travel pant with its Transit Traveler 5-Pocket Pant ($145).

The Traveler line is available in both a Twill ($129) and the Transit. The Twill is a cotton blend with jean-style pockets. The Transit is 100% polyester and adds a security pocket closed with a zipper, making it the better choice for travel.

Lightweight and breathable, the poly gives the pants a bit of a sheen, which adds a touch of formality over the casual jean-style version. We wear ours on work trips where we need to dress to context but still want a sense of security. But don’t let that keep you from taking them out to play.

The Transit is made of polyester, which makes it durable. Grime washes out easily. With no gussets, the pants have room to breathe and a relaxed fit for mobility. To assist with mobility, the material is warp-knitted, which adds structural integrity with a touch of 4-way stretch.

While Patagonia lists the fit as slim, we found that our regular size 32 had ample room. We recommend sizing down or trying these on before you make the purchase, and the buyer reviews support this.

This is a traditional 5-pocket style pant, but skips the extra pocket in the back. Most travel pants will patch a sixth security pocket inside the right rear pocket. Patagonia simply zips that pocket shut. At nearly $140, it’s a steep price for entry, and there are more affordable options. But Patagonia has an excellent warranty. These pants, or a replacement version of them, will likely outlive the rest of your wardrobe.

The Quick & Dirty: A rugged chino featuring KÜHL’s signature articulated patterning and a high-strength textile blend. It provides superior mobility and durability, yet they have a distinct look that may not blend well in cities.

KÜHL has a deep well of pants to choose from, and picking the right travel pant from the lot can be hard. We like and recommend the brand’s Resistor Lite Chino ($120). Available has a chino or jean, tapered or classic, the Resistor line is constructed from KÜHL’s XKanvas, a lightweight blend of cotton, nylon, and spandex.

Cotton is a unique choice for travel pants. The foundation of denim jeans, it can make a heavy pair of pants that beautifully fades over time and soaks up water like a sponge. This makes cotton often a poor choice for high-output sports in cold climates. But a lightweight cotton fabric in summer? It’s your best bet for comfort. Sweat traps in the fibers, pulling heat away from your body and keeping you cool as it evaporates.

The result is a mix of stretch, durability, and hot-weather cooling capabilities. Applied to the XKanvas blend is a robust DWR. Water literally beads off the surface without impeding the evaporative qualities.

True to form, KÜHL rises to the pocket game with its distinctive seven-pocket design. The chino style (which we reviewed) has diagonal slash hand pockets and drop-in, welt back pockets. The jean style has horizontal hand pockets and patched rear pockets. Which is better for travel? Typically, drop-in pockets are more secure than patch pockets (there’s nothing to pull away from the pants). On the other hand, front jean-style pockets can be more secure. It’s largely a matter of style preference.

Regardless of which you choose, a pair of device pockets sits on the back of each thigh and is available in both styles. These are some of the best device pockets on the market. The contents are easy to access, stay out of the way when seated, and yield very little bounce when walking. While the pockets are fantastic, we do wish at least one could secure its contents with a zipper.

The fit is great, with no issues in length and width. And given that the pants are offered in tapered or straight, jean or chino, there really is a version of these unique cotton pants for everyone.

The Quick & Dirty: A specialized bamboo blend that prioritizes natural temperature regulation and a soft hand feel. It’s the ultimate comfort-first option for tropical travel.

Truly lightweight, at just a fraction over 8 ounces, the Free Fly Latitude Pants ($104) punch well above their class and are a step up in structure over the brand’s bestselling Breeze pants. Constructed from nylon with a relatively high count of spandex weave, the durable fabric yields under 4-way stretch. Of all the nylon pants we test — and we test a lot — these are by far the most airy. While not ‘air blown’ for that soft-to-the-touch feel, the pants drape beautifully and are cut and sewn with a tapered fit, yielding room to move without feeling baggy.

The full gusset sewn through the middle provides a lot of the fit. Running from hem to hem through the crotch, the unique construction unlocks the legs. Elastic bands sewn into the waist further release the legs.

As expected for a beach-worthy pant, the Latitudes sport a UPF 50+ and a robust DWR finish. Chino styling adds to the beach-friendly appeal. The deep hand pockets are lined with mesh and help with ventilation and drainage. A single zipper pocket can secure important items in the back.

This pant is a minimalist’s dream. No filler, all-purpose, the Latitudes are easy to pack on nearly any adventure, but we especially like them for trips down south, where comfort and sun protection are paramount.

The Quick & Dirty: A high-performance fabric provides all-day comfort without bagging out. It looks like a high-end designer jean, though it lacks the security pockets found on technical alternatives.

At GearJunkie, we believe pants are the solution, no matter where you go. If you’re stuck on shorts, you’re probably not looking at the right pants. But options get sticky in summer. The Faherty Movement 5-Pocket Pants ($168), a classic casual jean-cut trouser, has become a summer staple with testers at GearJunkie. It’s all in the materials.

Organic cotton is blended with Coolmax and a touch of elastane, making it ideal for traveling in hot climates. The cotton absorbs sweat and slowly cools the legs as sweat evaporates. Coolmax accelerates the process by wicking moisture away from the body. The elastane adds some stretch to the otherwise rigid cotton fibers.

It’s really a best of both worlds solution for hot weather travel, performing like activewear but keeping the casual look. We tested ours on a trip to Houston, where the summer temperatures reached a subtropical 90˚ with 90% humidity. To be sure, we were sweating. But once we stepped inside, the pants dried out almost immediately.

Rounding out the traditional 5-pocket style is a hidden zipper pocket that hides under the right back patch pocket. This is a standard pocket layout in travel pants. We have tested a similar design for years with Western Rise’s Evolution pants. But Faherty’s pocket is notably smaller, with just enough room for a minimal wallet. We recommend the Evolution for trips that require more durability (the Evolutions are nylon and have a DWR). The Movement does not have a DWR and is our recommendation for hot weather and trips stateside, where you don’t need to secure a passport.

Faherty is a fashion-forward brand whose esprit de corps is upscale materials and traditional and fashionable clothing. We love what the brand has done with its Legend Sweater Shirt and think you will like the Movement 5-Pocket, too. The catch — always a catch — is that the clothing is expensive. But we feel it’s unique enough to warrant consideration in your summer travel wardrobe.

The Quick & Dirty: A travel-focused version of the legendary Ferrosi hiking pant, utilizing the same softshell fabric. It’s a top-tier multitasker but less formal than other top picks.

The best travel pants don’t call attention to themselves. Bold colors, welded zipper, and billowy cargo pockets need not apply. Travel pants should fly under the radar but punch above their weight in the nuance details. And that’s what we love about the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Travel Pants ($105).

The Ferrosi line is a chameleon, taking the podium as our best-in-class hiking pant. The brand’s Transit model keeps a lot of what we love in the hiking pant and leverages it into a more city-friendly traditional 5-pocket pant. It has curved pockets, belt loops on the waist, and a subtle modern taper to the silhouette. It feels familiar and on trend.

In the hand, you immediately feel the difference. The 86% nylon is soft but durable. It has some swoosh, but the 14% elastane takes the edge off and adds good mobility. The durable nylon face is treated with a DWR and sports a UPF 50+. It’s wind, water, and abrasion-resistant, capable for both town and backcountry adventures.

There is no gusset in the crotch, and while the pants taper, some extra room is built into them. They are stylishly comfortable, and unlike some OR models, the pants fit true to size. Available in both odd and even sizes, you can fine-tune the fit.

The hand pockets are deep. A stealth zipper pocket hides inside the right rear patch pocket, concealing your documents, but it’s just a little snug to close around an iPhone. A little more room would make this pant a true winner.

Thin reflective tape is sewn inside both pant legs on the lateral side. Taking the bike home from the bar? Flip the cuff up for extra visibility. This is a nice feature, but we feel these hits are more effective on the back of the pants, where approaching traffic can see them. Ornot (a cycling brand) really dials in its reflective tape and took the lead on good reflective tape locations.

Traditional styling with mindful details, at just under 11 ounces (on our scales), the Ferrosi Travel pants are a great option — especially if you plan to take them off the sidewalk and into the backcountry. Because they pack down so small, it’s an easy winner to throw in the luggage for multitasking trips.

The Quick & Dirty: One of the lightest options on the market, though the coin pocket is notably small for modern travel needs. They’re as comfortable as high-end sweatpants while maintaining a crisp, professional silhouette.

If we had to put our 0.0013 bitcoin on it, the most comfortable pair of tech pants we’ve stepped into the Public Rec’s Dealmaker ($165, formerly the Workday Pant 2.0). How they can create a nylon spandex weave that is so comfortable is a testament to modern science. It’s as if your sweatpants got upgraded to first class.

The 5-pocket pant is made from a lightweight polyester that weighs barely over 10 ounces on our scales, making it one of the lightest pants on the list. They punch above their weight, and feel robust and structured.

Public Rec trimmed the fat to keep the weight down. The pants have thinner belt loops, use smaller rivets, laminate the rear pocket hems and front button hole, and trim fabric overage from all the seams. Everything about the Dealmaker feels executed for ease of movement.

While minimal in many ways, we love the rear security pocket. Hiding under the right rear pocket, the secured pocket’s zipper pull is fat and bent at the tip, making it easy to grab and access your contents on the go.

This is our second round with this pant. The previous iteration tapered uncomfortably close to the leg, from quads to calves. They seemed to resolve this issue with the Dealmaker, which tapers perfectly down the quads and then drops straight to the hem. It’s both fashionable and comfortable.

The Dealmaker is a minimalist five-pocket style pant that excels in several areas, including seamlessly integrating into your daily work rotation, making it a suitable choice for the office and travel.

The Quick & Dirty: A made-in-USA pant for urban cycling and travel. It offers a refined, athletic fit with bomber hardware, but the minimalist design skips out on a dedicated phone sleeve.

When it comes to fit and function, cyclists have it all figured out. Stretch, durability, DWR, and ergonomic pocket layout make a great commuter pant. Fall short on any of these, and cyclists will be quick to call you out.

San Francisco-based Ornot hit all the paces with its Mission Shorts. This year, the brand released its beloved short in a pant version. True to the brand, the Mission Pants ($165) pull off an effortlessly classy-looking pant. Minimalist aesthetics, five pockets (two that zip shut), and the rear pockets angle off the midline for easy access. The stealth thigh pocket zips contents securely off the back of the leg. The leeward position pegs the device to the leg while in the saddle.

We found the Mission Pants to be lighter than other commuter pants on the market. The 232 gsm fabric breathes well and moves with the body without feeling like a protective shell. They wear easily at the office and feel at home on the street. And if you grab a bike by the horns, both cuffs flip up to reveal reflective hits to keep you seen on the go.

We’ve been following this small brand for years, and it consistently delivers its A-game to the market. These garments are all made in the USA and offer a 1-year warranty. The brand’s Mission Pants are great on the bike … or not.