The Best Travel Pants for Women of 2026

Traveling from British Columbia to Tohoku, Japan, the Patagonia Quandary Joggers ($125) were just the right balance of steeze, comfort, and function that makes a 30-hour travel day more effortless. 

From the elastic cuff at the ankle to the super soft waistband, these jogger-style pants have no pinch points. Senior Editor Morgan Tilton tested the Quandary on an international trip to Japan, where she went hiking in the Tohoku Region, and loved how the wide waistband was both buttery smooth and adjustable, thanks to a simple exterior drawstring. 

Excellent storage really tops off this design. Two deep hand pockets are easy to slide your digits into, or serve as a stash for a huge phone. The back right pocket is a tad smaller (a large phone sticks out) and has a simple envelope closure. Rounding out the selection are two spacious thigh pockets with zippered closures — it’s hard to find zippered pockets on women’s travel pants, and these ones served us well. If you dig pockets with zippers, also consider the Janji Trekker Cargo, which has four. 

While a passport can fit in the Quandary’s zippered thigh pouch, it’s a bit too snug against the leg to comfortably sit down. We’d like to see these quad pockets with slightly larger dimensions, so we can carry a passport in addition to a credit card or ID more seamlessly. Also, while the fabric is very soft and among our favorites, it attracts lint. Tilton wore a bright teal fleece with these dark pants, and the fuzz found home across the Joggers. Although not immediately apparent, a meticulous eye would notice.

Whether you’re taking an 11-hour flight across the globe or hopping trains to hike Tohoku’s Michinoku Coastal Trail in Japan, the Quandary Joggers are a pair that Tilton didn’t want to take off, even after living in them for multiple days. With excellent pockets, an ideal waistband, loose fit, and urban style, these women’s travel pants set a benchmark. 

Building out your wardrobe for your next trip? Look no further than the Mountain Hardwear Dynama Ankle Pants ($95). The stretch-woven nylon fabric is extremely lightweight, making it perfect for an active day of exploration in the heat, and the price is right to even grab a couple to rotate through on longer trips.

The high elastic waistband offers maximum comfort, while the faux zipper gives the pants a sleeker look. The functionality of these pants doesn’t sacrifice style, either. With a tapered leg and low-profile pockets, you’ll transition seamlessly from crushing at the climbing wall to exploring around town.

We brought these on a multi-sport camping trip to Squamish, British Columbia, and didn’t need another pair of pants the entire weekend. From climbing classic routes to going out for gelato in the bustling mountain town, these pants did it all. Talk about versatility. Similar styles include the Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants, which is a bit thicker weave than these, making the Dynamas the choice for warm weather.

With sunny weather in the upper 80s on this trip, we appreciated the high UPF rating, which measures how much the fabric protects against the sun’s ultraviolet rays. The lightweight fabric kept us cool despite the steamy conditions, and these pants are so comfortable we even fell asleep in them!

After plenty of days exploring, the Dynamas hung tough, and for the money, we were impressed. They’re also comfortable, attractive, and highly versatile, making the Dynama Ankle pants a great overall option for any active traveler needing a few extra solid pants to get in the rotation.

Fans of Outdoor Research’s Ferrosi fabric will love the new Ferrosi Transit Pants ($105). OR has historically used the weather-resistant, high-stretch Ferrosi material in more technical pants and jackets. The Ferrosi Transit Pants combine this high-performing fabric with a more trendy, urban cut to create a highly versatile option that beats out our previous category winner. 

We wore these pants while rock climbing, hiking, doing yoga, and logging hundreds of miles of driving up the West Coast. Throughout our adventures, we were constantly impressed with the stretch and comfort of the Ferrosi Transit Pants. We never felt constricted during any activity, even heel hooking while climbing steep sport routes in Central Oregon. The low-profile, elastic waistband made these pants comfy to wear under a backpack or harness. 

Compared to the Outdoor Voices RecTrek Pants, which were our previous champions in terms of versatility, the Ferrosi Transit Pants are made with a lighter material. This breathable fabric, combined with its 50+ UPF rating, makes it a better choice for warm weather destinations. Depending on personal style, some travelers may also prefer the slim fit of the Ferrosi Transit Pants over the wider cut of the RecTreks. 

We were slightly disappointed in the lack of deep pockets in the Ferrosi Transit Pants. We love how easy it is to stash a phone, wallet, or keys in the massive yet understated zip pockets of the RecTrek Pants. By contrast, the zip pockets on the back of the Ferrosi Transits are too small to fit a phone or wallet. The side pockets are too shallow to be very useful and don’t have zippers. 

Despite the limited pocket space, we love the versatility of the fabric and the style of Outdoor Research’s Ferrosi Transit Pants. Whether you’re planning a multi-sport trip or scheduling lots of urban sightseeing, you’ll stay cool and comfortable in these well-designed pants. 

Topo Designs sent us a pair of the Dirt Pants ($99) when we first tested the more climbing-specific Boulder Pants. Even though they weren’t the pair we were originally after, we found ourselves living and traveling in the Dirt Pants so much that we recommended them for this year’s line-up. With a casual style that just won’t quit, these pants are our choice for cutting around remote downtowns and markets.

The organic cotton is soft and comfortable, and the 2% spandex provides just enough stretch for us to consider these suitable for travel. Katie has worn these on flights, to outdoor concerts, out to dinner in Palm Springs, and on long road trips up and down the West Coast. She doesn’t typically choose them for high-intensity activities like climbing or hiking, but they’ve got enough durability to make it happen every now and then.

As a climbing guide, she doesn’t have many pairs of non-technical pants in her wardrobe rotation; these were one of two. She wore them hard all year, enough that she developed a wear spot on the backside of the pants. Some of the fabric around the elastic waistband is also starting to fray. 

While not quite as durable as we hoped, we loved the fit and style so much that she still wants them in another color (and they have great colors!). As someone who has a hard time finding pants that are small enough in the waist and big enough in the thighs, Katie liked the elastic waistband and straight-leg style. At five foot two, she’s shorter than average, and the length worked well for her; taller people should expect them to hit above the ankles. 

For trips that involve a lot of hiking or other outdoor activities, we’d recommend pants with a bit more mobility and breathability, like the Patagonia Happy Hike Studio Pants. But for sightseeing, air travel, road trips, shorter hikes, and simply everyday life, the Dirt Pants are a cute and comfortable option.

If you’re planning a trip with lots of mountain time, the Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants ($85) are the perfect pair to pack. They boast a burly weave, UPF protection of 50+, and a DWR finish that sheds light rain or spills, making the Guide Pros optimal for outdoor activities.

The visible logo on the side detracts a bit from aesthetics, but we like the low-profile zip pockets better than the traditional cargo-style look of many women’s travel pants.

Katie wore these on a hike to the top of the Stawamus Chief in Squamish, British Columbia. She found the fabric a bit heavy for warm, summertime temps but expected they’d be great on a mission higher in the mountains or during cooler weather. The zip pockets on the side were a bit too small to fit her phone, which she likes to keep handy on hikes for navigation purposes.

These pants run about a size bigger than most of the other styles we tested, and the fit is moderately curvy. We needed a belt to keep these from sliding down while hiking, so the belt loops were a plus! We appreciate how many size options Eddie Bauer offers in this style; they’re made in regular, petite, tall, and plus sizes to help you dial in the perfect fit. 

Overall, for active pursuits where you may find yourself subjected to the elements, the Guide Pro Pants are a great pair of women’s travel pants to own. If you don’t need the full-tilt protection these pants offer (but still want to take them nearly anywhere), the Outdoor Voices RecTrek Pants are a great pivot.

The Athleta Brooklyn Ankle Pants ($99) are our top choice for work travel, with a professional cut and wrinkle-resistant fabric. They win big in the comfort department, too, with silky, ultralight fabric that moves easily with you wherever you go. These would be perfect for a long flight followed immediately by a work meeting or social engagement.

Katie wore these on a visit to the Seattle Aquarium with her highly active 2-year-old niece before grabbing lunch downtown. She loved the freedom of movement they allowed her while chasing after a toddler, and she felt chic exploring the city.

After packing them haphazardly in her duffel bag for her trip, she also discovered that the silky fabric is also surprisingly resistant to wrinkles. She also liked the hidden zip pocket in the back for stashing a small key or credit card while out and about. 

We wouldn’t recommend the Brooklyn Ankle Pants for highly active pursuits like hiking or rock climbing, but they are one of the only women’s travel pants we tested that would transition seamlessly from a plane to the office. Made from recycled polyester sourced from post-consumer plastic bottles, they also score bonus points for sustainability.

The Unbound Merino Lightweight Travel Pants ($188) are comfy enough for falling asleep on an airplane and dressy enough for attending a formal event. We accomplished both activities in one weekend while trying out these luxurious merino wool pants. 

We wore these during long air travel days with multiple connections, for a luncheon at a downtown club, and for more casual family hangs. We dressed them up with platforms and dressed them down with sneakers. On an impromptu weekend trip to Chicago, one of our testers easily packed everything she needed in a personal item. She was able to avoid extra baggage fees, thanks to the versatility and comfort of Unbound Merino’s Lightweight Travel Pants. 

These trousers pair naturally breathable merino wool with elastane for added stretch and comfort. The fit is flowy and relaxed, making them feel unconstricted even in a cramped airplane. Despite the loose fit of the Lightweight Travel Pants, their high-quality materials and stylish cut help you feel put together, no matter the occasion. 

While the Lightweight Travel Pants are great for work travel or sightseeing, we wouldn’t recommend these pants for highly active travelers. When we’re working up a sweat, we prefer styles with even more breathability and stretch, such as the Ferrosi Transit Pants or the Happy Hike Studio Pants. If we plan to spend a lot of time outside, we also look for a UPF rating and some weather resistance. 

Though less ideal for multi-sport trips, the Unbound Merino Lightweight Travel Pants were in the running for “best work-ready travel pants.” We narrowly awarded that prize to the Athleta Brooklyn Ankle Pants due to their better wrinkle resistance and lighter fabric. Of all the options, the Unbound Merino Lightweight Travel Pants are the most formal pants on our list; travelers seeking classy comfort will appreciate this option.

Receiving a wave of compliments while wearing the innovative Janji Trekker Cargo ($138), Senior Editor Morgan Tilton walked away surprisingly enthused and enamored with the deep zippered pockets. Launched in September, the Trekker Cargo provides a collection of pockets with a new gold standard: zippered hand pockets that comfortably, seamlessly fit a passport — even while you are sitting down. Yes, ladies, they’ve finally arrived.

At first, the cut seemed overly baggy, but the Trekker hung well and allowed ultimate flexibility in style while traveling 30 hours from Japan’s Tohoku Region to British Columbia. She even spent a full 8-hour day conducting interviews with adventure tourism experts, plus a bus and bullet train transfer from Sendai to Tokyo, before starting her journey across the Pacific. The Trekker didn’t show a wrinkle after an overnight flight and three days of use.

Two hand pockets are large enough to comfortably accommodate an oversized iPhone donned with a case. What’s more: Two zippered back pockets each fit a mega iPhone, too. Tiny zipper teeth on the pockets keep your hands’ dorsal side smooth. An oversized cargo pocket with a snap closure on the left thigh was perfect for stacking business cards, gum wrappers, and used hand wipes with room to spare.

Tilton appreciated the bungee toggle hems for hiking up the legs while conducting indoor meetings. An elastic waistband capped with an integrated nylon waistbelt kept the pants snug where they needed to be and never rubbed the wrong way. While it’s not bothersome, the scrunched fabric does leave an imprint on the lower belly. 

The Trekker Cargo feels light, airy, and super baggy. That ultra-loose fit might not be everyone’s top choice, and you might be looking for a softer hand feel or moderate bagginess, like the Patagonia Quandary Joggers. But no choice triumphs the Trekker when it comes to large zippered pockets that can hold a passport and a large phone, whether you’re jogging up stairs, squatting to open your luggage, or sitting for 11 hours on a cross-Pacific flight.

The Patagonia Happy Hike Studio Pants ($99) are constructed with the exact combination of fabric, style, and features that we’re looking for in a pair of travel pants. Newly updated, the Happy Hikes gain a wide waistband, knit cuffs, and a thigh pocket. With these winning marks, they nearly took home the award for this year’s Best Overall Travel Pants for Women, only to be edged out by another Patagonia option: the Quandary Joggers.

Similar in style to our previous award winner, the Mountain Hardwear Dynama Ankle pants, the Happy Hikes are made with a fabric that is sleeker and easier to dress up. While we loved the Dynama Ankle pants, we found that after sustained use, the fabric stretched and tended to pill. So far, the polyester-spandex blend on the Happy Hike Studios has held its shape after repeated uses and washes. We felt that the extra $10 to jump up to the Happy Hikes was well worth it.

You can feel good about that fabric, too, as it’s all recycled polyester and spandex, and the waistband and cuffs are even made from NetPlus post-consumer nylon — recycled fishing nets. All these fabrics are Bluesign-certified, and the pants are sewn in a Fair Trade Certified factory. That’s a win for eco-friendly globetrotters.

We love how lightweight and breathable these pants are. Katie stayed cool and comfortable while hiking and climbing on a spring trip to Red Rock Canyon, where she encountered daytime highs in the 80s. She only wished they had a UPF rating to better protect against the strong desert sunshine. 

While they’re great for active use, we especially love this pair because they also look put together for sightseeing or grabbing drinks. The DWR finish makes them resistant to spills and stains, which is essential on a longer trip. With the right combination of style, features, and fabrics, the Happy Hike Studio Pants make an excellent

Outdoor Voices calls the RecTrek Pants ($108) its MVP or “Most Versatile Pants,” and we have to agree. In fact, these also made it onto our list for this year’s Best Women’s Climbing Pants. The RecTreks offer a high level of mobility and durability without looking too sporty or technical, which is the multi-purpose vibe we’re looking for in every pair of travel pants. 

Since she started wearing the RecTreks while updating the climbing pants guide, lead tester Katie has been doing everything in them. She is a Joshua Tree local and was able to put these to the test in some stormy spring weather in the desert. The water-resistant fabric held up well on a windy, wet day exploring the national park. When temps warmed up, she noticed that the pants felt less breathable than lighter options like the Mountain Hardwear Dynama.

We love the big zip pockets for securing a wallet or keys. They’re even deep enough to stash a phone, which is a rare feature in women’s pants. We also like the elastic waistband and roomy fit for all-day comfort. One thing we would have liked to see is a hidden ankle drawcord. Katie found herself stuffing the bottoms of the pants into her socks to prevent a draft on windy days. She also noticed the fabric starting to pill after a few months of heavy use. 

Despite those few adjustments, Katie has been wearing these pants almost daily. She has logged ten-hour driving days, hiked and climbed in blustery desert weather, dressed them up with a crop top for drinks, and fallen asleep in them more often than not. For a go-anywhere, do anything pant, look no further than the RecTreks.

For when you need to look a bit more put together on the go, the prAna Sancho Boyfriend Pants ($95) are a great option. With a relaxed fit, these are great for checking out museums and urban sightseeing. They could even be dressed up a bit for a casual work meeting or lunch. 

The fabric blend is similar to the Topo Designs Dirt Pants; the organic cotton is soft and cozy, while the elastane provides just enough stretch for these to fit in our travel pants category. They’re less optimal for highly active travel but great for all-day wear.

The roomy, relaxed fit also makes them comfy enough for air travel or long drives. Katie brought them on a road trip to Bend, Ore., where she wore them while checking out bookstores and breweries around town.  

Our main complaint is the inconsistency of the fit. We’ve has owned several pairs of prAna pants, and always have a hard time predicting how different styles will fit. Sure enough, the Sancho Boyfriend Pants were way too big in the waist and thighs. Luckily, they have belt loops, but wearing them with a belt made the fabric bunchy around the waist. If buying another pair, we would size down from our normal prAna fit.

Besides the legwork of finding the right fit, the Sancho Boyfriend Pants have a lot going for them. The loose boyfriend fit is a comfortable option to jump into for long days in the saddle, and they look dang good to boot.