The best travel pants for women can handle the inevitable ups and downs of being on the road. Many feature breathable, quick-dry fabrics with built-in stretch for long flights and changeable weather on the ,ground. After ranking our favoritesâincluding those weâve personally worn and testedâwe picked Lululemonâs Align High Rise Wide Leg as the best travel pants for women overall since theyâve got all the workout-friendly details you need for active days on the go but are sleek and stylish, too.
comfortable and versatile enough to handle busy days.ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS
Everyoneâs travel needs are different, though, so we rounded up additional favorites. Whether youâre looking for travel pants for work trips or a lightweight pair with extra pockets so you can skip carrying a bag, we found the best travel pants for women based on our in-depth review. At the end, we also break down the differences between our top picks, so you can compare them, and share expert buying advice.
Sizes: 0 to 20 | Colors: 6 total | Inseam: 31 to 35 inches | Comfort rating (0 to 5): 5 | Pockets: 3 | Waist type: Pull on; high-rise
Whatâs notable:
Made of extremely soft, specially designed Nulu fabric
Can be dressed up or down
What could be better:
Sizes run a little big
Wide leg might not appeal to all
Lululemonâs Align yoga pants strike the right balance between comfort, style and versatility, which makes them our top pick. Theyâre made of Nulu fabric, a sweat-wicking yarn knit with a specific technique to make the pants especially breathable and the Lycra adds a bit of extra flexibility. Theyâre great to wear on the plane, during a day of sightseeing and out for dinner. Thatâs a lot of value for a single pair of pants, which justifies the slightly high price, in our opinion.
Sizes: XS to 3XL | Colors: 14 total | Inseam: 27-30 inches | Comfort rating (0 to 5): 4 | Pockets: 5 | Waist type: Pull on with drawstring; mid-rise
Whatâs notable:
Made of a comfy polyester and spandex blend
Affordable price point
UPF 50+ makes these great for long days outside
What could be better:
Thinner, lightweight fabric is not optimal for colder weather
Pockets are steep
With its five functional pockets (two side zip pockets, two cargo ones and one back zip option), water-resistant fabric and lightweight, stretchy fit, these cargo joggers from Libin are sporty and comfortable. If youâre traveling outdoors or in the heat, the built in UPF 50+ protection is added bonus, as is the affordable price and fast Amazon delivery.
Sizes: XS to 3XL | Colors: 5 total | Inseam: 26 inches | Comfort rating (0 to 5): 5 | Pockets: 2 | Waist type: Pull on with drawstring; mid-rise
Whatâs notable:
Temperature-regulating material
Phone-friendly pockets
Flattering waistband
What could be better:
Those between sizes are recommended to size down
Cozy Earth is famous for their responsibly-sourced, super soft garments, and their Bamboo Jogger Pants are no exception. Theyâre made of mid-weight bamboo viscose, a luxurious, silk-like fabric that makes them great for high-movement travel days. Forbes Vetted senior fashion editor Kari Molvar has these pants and wears them almost daily. âThe fabric holds up beautifully, never pills or shrinks in the wash,â she says. âTheyâre stylish and seriously cloud-like.â This pair also comes in rib-knit and cashmere.
Sizes: XXS to 3XL | Colors: 9 total | Inseam: 28 inches | Comfort rating (0 to 5): 5 | Pockets: 5 | Waist type: Pull on; mid-rise
Whatâs notable:
Stretchy, sweat-wicking material great for warmer weather
Spacious pockets
Flattering, high-rise fit
What could be better:
Flexible waistband can overstretch
The Athleta Venice Mid-Rise Jogger is made of a nylon and Spandex blend that creates plenty of breathable airflow. The semi-fit style of these pants stretches comfortably around the body with the help of its soft, no-dig waistband. The bottom cuffs are stylish without âbind[ing] the ankle,â a five-star reviewer notes, and you can also fit your passport, boarding pass and any other travel docs in its five spacious pockets.
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Sizes: XS to 3XL | Colors: 4 total | Inseam: 31 inches | Comfort rating (0 to 5): 3 | Pockets: None | Waist type: Pull on; high-rise
Whatâs notable:
Can be dressed up or down
Hidden tummy control technology
Luxuriously soft four-way stretch
What could be better:
Snug fit due to slimming effect
No pocket space
Though it comes at a higher price point, the Spanx Perfect Pant is ideal for those who want to jetset with style. These pants are infused with Spanxâs signature core-shaping technology for a distinct, sleek look that smooths out your midsection and the premium ponte straight-leg fit gives you a polished, wrinkle-free look even if you just rolled off an eight-hour flight.
Sizes: XS to XL | Colors: 3 total | Inseam: 27.5 inches | Comfort rating (0 to 5): 4 | Pockets: 2 | Waist type: Pull on with drawstring; mid-rise
Whatâs notable:
High-quality ponte fabric resists wrinkles and pilling
Four way stretch provides comfort
Easy to dress up or down
What could be better:
On the expensive end
Limited colors
American Giant is revamping its image, creating high-quality pieces that put an elevated, stylish spin on athleisure. Molvar tested the No-BS Jogger and considers them a core part of her travel (and everyday) uniform. âThe ponte fabric is comfortable yet polished, so you get the best of both worlds when youâre on a long flight,â she says. âItâs almost impossible to wrinkle these and so you can walk off the plane like a chic traveler, and head straight to a day of museum hopping, eating and adventuring.â
Sizes: 0 to 14 | Colors: 2 total | Inseam: 24 to 28 inches | Comfort rating (0 to 5): 3 | Pockets: 2 | Waist type: Pull on; mid-rise
Whatâs notable:
Sharp, versatile style
Made of breathable, moisture-wicking Warpstreme fabric
What could be better:
Middle seam rides up
Non-functional back pockets
These Lululemon Warpstreme pants are technically designed for long days on the golf course, but theyâre fantastic for travel as well. Their wrinkle-resistant fabric is designed for breathability and shape retention, and they also provide a classic silhouette that falls away from the body. As an extra perk, you can clip a passport holder or travel passes on the waistband loops.
Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 7 total | Inseam: 25.5 to 28 inches | Comfort rating (0 to 5): 4 | Pockets: 5 | Waist type: Flat elastic with drawstring; mid-rise
Whatâs notable:
Five roomy pocket options
Loose and stretchy leg and cuff design
UPF50+ protection
What could be better:
Drawstring is not secure within the seam
If you need a lot of pockets to store essentials (card holders, wallets, phones, snacks) on the go, reviewers rave about these joggers. They have five spacious pocketsâtwo sides ones, two zip cargo ones and one rear pocketâthat offer ample space to hold your goods. The four-way stretch fabric also creates roomy ventilation so that you can move about with maximum comfort.
As with its straight leg counterpart, the Spanx Perfect Pant with kick flare is the foundation of any travel wardrobe. This petite fit rests perfectly at the ankles for those with shorter legs, and with Spanxâs signature core-shaping technology, the fit is flattering with a pull-on waistband. One five-star reviewer notes that these pants pair great with a blouse or blazer for business travel.
Sizes: XXS to XL | Colors: 4 total | Inseam: 24 to 34 inches | Comfort rating (o to 5): 3 | Pockets: 5 | Waist type: Zip fly; mid-rise
Whatâs notable:
Denim with built-in stretch and cooling capabilities
Flattering fit around the waist
Retains shape after multiple washings
What could be better:
Who doesnât love a stretchy jean for days on the go? Duerâs denim is specifically designed for active days: The flexible, temperature-regulating fabric of this jean moves with your body, not against it, and features a hidden gusset for added breathability. Itâs also available in girlfriend and bootcut fits. âI like the weight on this pairâitâs not too thick or thin and the denim is soft against your skin,â says Molvar, who has worn this pick.
Sizes: 00 to 16 | Colors: 4 total | Inseam: 29 inches | Comfort rating (0 to 5): 3 | Pockets: 4 | Waist type: Zip fly; mid-rise
Whatâs notable:
Chic, polished silhouette for dressy and casual days
Stretch fit for comfort in the waistband and leg
What could be better:
Only available in one inseam length
Limited colors
Madewell is the go-to option for stylish, well-priced work pants. The Fairbanks Pant is especially great for travel with its slim, tapered leg that wonât slow you down or catch against the edges of seats or doors. The fabric contains a blend of viscose and elastane to provide give and flexibility, and the vertical piping on the front of the leg creates an elongating effect. âIâd pair these with flats or heels for a work meeting, and then slip on sneakers for a day of exploring,â says Molvar.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted team has researched, written and published dozens of travel-focused fashion guides, ranging from the best travel shoes for women to the best travel jewelry cases. This story was edited by Vettedâs senior fashion editor, Kari Molvar, a 20-year industry veteran whoâs traveled near and far, wearing all types of pants, shoes and coats while on planes, trains, buses and boats. This story is regularly checked to ensure that all prices and information are as current as possible. It was last updated in December 2023.
How We Chose The Best Travel Pants For Women
When narrowing down our top picks, we focused on certain features that make the best travel pants stand out from the rest. Hereâs what we considered:
Comfort
Almost all of the clothing we recommend at Forbes Vetted are comfortableânot to mention stylishâpieces. Nobody wants to feel uncomfortable in what theyâre wearing, no matter what theyâre doing. Travel, which typically involves hours of both sitting and action, requires comfortable pants that move with you for all the stops of your journey. From a long overnight flight to an afternoon meandering through a museum, youâll want pants that feel good all day long. With this in mind, most of our favorite travel pants are pull-on styles with some stretch and bounce-back qualities to them, like the Lululemon Golf Pant.
Pockets
During a trip, you donât want to be weighed down by a heavy purse and some event venues wonât let you bring in bags. This is where extra pockets come in handy. Smart, zippered pockets can hold transit tickets, hotel keys, lip balm, a slim wallet if you choose to forego a purse and snacks. Simply put, you wonât regret having pants with pockets on your trip. Our top pick, the Baleaf Joggers, has an impressive five pockets for all of your on-the-go storage needs.
Versatility
All of our travel pant recommendations can be worn in a variety of ways, a key feature when you have limited suitcase space. We like pants that can easily transition from one activity to another. Neutral colors like black, navy or khaki can go far when it comes to mixing and matching different tops to create new outfits. We also swear by simple styling tricks like slipping on heels or putting on jewelry to transform airplane joggers into a dinner-ready look.
Comparison Guide For Womenâs Travel Pants
While we know travel pants should be comfy and versatile, not all are alike. Your travel habits and activities can guide which style of pants will work best for your needs. Are you going on a long flight then resting in your hotel room? Or are your travels taking you on a commuter train straight into a business meeting?
I am a New York-based editorial assistant working across the beauty, fashion, travel and home & kitchen categories. Prior to joining Forbes Vetted, I served in an editorial role at HarperCollins. My work has also been featured in Make Muse and The Common. I hold a bachelor’s degrees in English and psychology from Amherst College, and attended the Columbia Publishing Course.