The best travel pants: what to look for before your next trip

A long journey is the moment you find out whether your clothes are on your side. Six hours into a flight, a stiff waistband, shallow pockets and fabric that traps heat stop being minor annoyances. The right pair of travel pants fixes all of that, and then goes with you to dinner when you arrive.

What makes good travel pants?

1. A waist you can forget about

You will sit for hours, eat in a cramped seat and probably sleep. An elasticated, drawstring or adjustable waist moves with you. Our Freeform parachute pants have a concealed adaptive waist, so you can adjust the fit from the inside while the outside stays clean.

2. Pockets that hold things

Phone, passport, boarding pass, earphones. Deep side pockets and cargo pockets keep them on you rather than in a bag you have to dig through. The Big Stepper and Bay Breezer both have oversized pockets for exactly this reason.

3. Room through the seat and knee

Slim trousers pull at the knee when you sit and dig in at the hip. A relaxed or baggy cut lets you fold your legs into a seat and stand up without readjusting. Drop-crotch harem pants, such as the Bali Drift, take this to its logical end.

4. Breathable fabric

Synthetic "performance" fabrics are light, but many trap heat and smell after a long day. Cotton breathes and absorbs moisture, which matters on a humid platform or a hot tarmac. Read more about why loose, breathable clothing is better for your body.

5. A texture that hides creases

Smooth cotton shows every fold after a long sit. Crinkle, crushed and ripple-textured cottons are designed to look relaxed, so they arrive looking the same as when you left. The Ripple Flow joggers use a ripple-textured weave for this.

Travel pants for every kind of trip

• Long-haul flights: joggers or parachute pants with an elastic waist and cuffed ankles, which stay out of the way in a cramped seat.
• Beach holidays: light, straight-leg beach pants in cotton that dry quickly and look good with sandals.
• Backpacking: harem pants. They pack small, dry fast and suit temples, hostels and markets alike.
• City breaks: wide leg or baggy pants in a solid colour that look sharp with a shirt and sneakers for a full day on foot.
• Yoga and wellness retreats: a pair you can practise in and then wear to dinner. See our cotton yoga pants.

How to pack travel pants

Roll, do not fold: rolled cotton creases less and takes up less space. Two pairs in neutral colours, such as black and off-white, will match everything else in your bag. Wear the bulkiest pair on the journey to save room.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most comfortable pants to fly in?

Loose cotton pants with an elastic or drawstring waist and room in the seat. Joggers, parachute pants and harem pants are all good choices; tight jeans are the worst.

Are cotton pants good for travel?

Yes, especially in warm climates. Cotton breathes better than most synthetics. Choose a textured cotton if you want to avoid visible creases.

Do you ship travel pants outside India?

Yes. We ship worldwide by express courier, and orders within India over ₹3,000 ship free. Shipping details are on our shipping and returns page.

Find your pair in our travel pants collection, with styles for men and women.