One of the biggest travel challenges we all face is staying comfortable. When you’re stuck on a plane for 10+ hours, what you’re wearing suddenly becomes an issue. When you’re planning to hike, bike, and be active while on vacation, you need the best clothing options you can get.
If you’re a day hiker, you want pants that don’t limit your range of motion. If you’re on a city break, you want stylish travel clothes that can be mix and matched for different situations.
This is why we went on a mission to find the most comfortable and versatile travel pants for women (see our choices for men’s pants here). The good news is that, after testing dozens of pairs, we found some really great choices!
» Want more travel gear reviews? Check out our favorite travel purses and travel sandals and walking shoes. And don’t forget the perfect carry-on luggage.
The Best Travel Pants Reviews for Women
Woolx Piper Pocket Leggings
If you’re always on the hunt for that perfect pair of travel leggings, the ones that check all the boxes for comfort, function, and style, the WoolX Piper Pocket Leggings are the ones I’d pick. They’re made from a premium merino wool blend that feels luxuriously soft against the skin, but more importantly, they perform. These leggings regulate temperature naturally, keeping you warm on chilly flights and cool during long walks in the city.
One of the biggest advantages of merino wool for travel is how well it resists odor, even after multiple wears. That means you can wear these several days in a row without needing to wash them, which is a huge win when you’re trying to pack light or plan a carry-on-only trip. The Piper leggings are also moisture-wicking and quick-drying, so they’re ready for anything from a light hike to a day exploring museums.
Another standout feature is the side pockets, which are deep and functional without adding bulk. They’re perfect for keeping your phone, transit card, or room key within reach — something you’ll appreciate when you’re moving through airports or navigating a new city. The high-rise waistband is supportive without being restrictive, making these leggings a great choice for long-haul travel days when comfort is key.
While many wool leggings can look too sporty or too basic, the WoolX Piper has a sleek design that works beyond just activewear. Pair them with a tunic or a long sweater and boots, and they’re polished enough for casual dinners or strolling through shops. They also hold their shape well, so you won’t find yourself tugging them up or dealing with saggy knees by the end of the day.
These leggings pair really well with their Lisa Crew Neck Tee that comes in many different colors and sizes and has the same great quick drying, moisture wicking material.
Aviator Women’s Travel Jeans
These are one of the most comfortable pairs of jeans I’ve ever had. I can’t imagine wearing regular jeans while traveling again. The slim jeans fit well and they feel like leggings. All I had to do to find the right fit was order my regular size. I didn’t try them on before ordering. And they fit perfectly.
The features of these jeans are what led them to be called the “best travel jeans in the world” by USAToday. They have deep front pockets (large enough to hold a cell phone, and two hidden anti-scratch zipper secure back pockets (large enough to hold a Kindle).
They are made from a premium stretch denim blend that’s durable, fast-drying and easy to clean. I recommended not to put them in the dryer to extend their life, but that’s not a problem because they dry very quickly.
Shape recovery is great – I’ve worn them for up to five days in a row without any issue with them stretching out. I appreciate the extra stretch so kneeling down doesn’t cause the pants to ride down.
The colors I have are dark indigo (which is great for dressing up), black and silver. They also come in medium indigo and white. There are 3 different fits, so you can pick the one you like most.
They are made in a family-run factory in Los Angeles. If you order the wrong size, it’s not a problem. You can return them for a new size. Worldwide shipping is available.
Pros: Very soft, comfortable, stretchy material. They look great on.
Cons: These jeans come in only one length, so you’ll have to hem them, but Aviator offers a free hem. The seam in the crotch of mine stretched and started to come apart after 2 years (normal wear & tear)
⇒ Read our full review of these jeans here.
Columbia Sportswear Leslie Falls II Pant
These are one of the most comfortable pairs of pants to wear, they are very lightweight and easy to take care of, and they are versatile enough to wear in multiple situations. I am very picky when it comes to comfort. I don’t want pants to be tight around the waist so that they are restricting when sitting for long hours on a plane. I want them to feel like I’m wearing yoga pants instead. These are fantastic.
There is a double snap button closure at the waist that lays flat and doesn’t dig in. They stay in place without having to pull them up all the time and they don’t really stretch over time, so if you wear them for 4+ days without washing, they don’t start to fall down and become uncomfortable after getting stretched out.
The material is soft and lightweight. They take up practically no space. I could fit 3 pairs of these in the same amount of space as one pair of jeans.
The material has Omni-Shade included, which offers UPF 50 sun protection and water repellency. I also like the feature that allows you to roll the pant leg and secure it at just below knee length with the snap tie.
Even though these are active wear pants with lots of “on-the-go” features – like 2-way stretch material, zippered pockets, and articulating knees – the black ones can be dressed up to wear out to a nice dinner, if paired with the right top.
There are no visible logos or cargo-style pockets to give them away. Overall, these are a great pair of travel pants for women. I would recommend them over all of the others on this list. It’s all about the little details.
Pros: Lightweight, versatile, very comfortable
Cons: Don’t fit as true to size as expected. Can wrinkle easily.
PrAna Womens Halle Pants
The PrAna Halle pants are made with 97% Nylon and 3% Spandex, and they have a thicker, slicker look and feel. The four-way stretch design with reinforced knees makes them really comfortable to move around in, so they’re great for all types of travel situations, even in more adventurous situations.
I find them to be fairly wrinkle-free and quick to dry. This pair of pants has two pockets in the back with flaps sealed with silver buttons, plus a secret hidden pocket on the top right leg, which you can see fairly well, making this pair of pants not quite as easy to dress up.
The front closure consists of a zipper and two silver buttons. They are not as relaxed in the front as I would hope and the buttons do have a tendency to dig in after a few hours.
Aside from being really durable, breathable and water resistant, the Halle travel pants also have a roll-up feature, so you can easily turn them into shorts. They come in three different lengths and it’s important to get the one that fits you right, or you may find the fit doesn’t feel right and it’s hard to keep them up.
- Pros: Great for adventure travel
- Cons: Side pocket makes them less multi-functional, harder to find the right size
Patagonia Women’s Quandary Joggers
If you’re planning trips that combine nature, city streets, and everything in between, the Patagonia Women’s Quandary Joggers deserve a spot in your suitcase. Patagonia took their classic hiking pant and reimagined it as a jogger silhouette that feels at home on the trail and while wandering a new town.
The fabric blend is light yet durable — made from 96 % post‑consumer recycled nylon with a touch of spandex for stretch — so these joggers move with you without feeling bulky. They also carry that Patagonia commitment to sustainability front and center by using recycled materials to help reduce ocean plastic waste.
From the moment you put them on, the Quandary Joggers feel comfortable. The waistband lies flat against your waist with an external drawcord that lets you dial in a snug fit without the fuss of buttons or zippers. This knit waistband is treated for moisture wicking and odor control, so the pants stay feeling fresh even after a long day of exploring.
The elasticized cuffs give the joggers a relaxed yet purposeful silhouette, making them great for travel days when you want performance pants that still look put‑together outside of the gym.
Functionality is where these pants really shine. With two traditional front pockets, two zippered thigh pockets, and a back pocket, you have plenty of space to stash essentials like your phone, passport, snacks, or transit card. There’s even a reinforced loop you can clip keys or other gear onto if you’re hiking or fishing. Whether you’re trekking up a mountainside or walking between sidewalk cafes, this thoughtful pocket layout keeps your small travel items secure and accessible.
More than just outdoor apparel, the Quandary Joggers bridge the gap between performance and everyday wear.
Multi-Functional Travel Pants for Women
I like to think in terms of how I can pack the right clothing options for every situation without packing my entire wardrobe. This is where a good pair of travel pants comes in.
I highly recommend having at least one pair of black or dark grey travel pants. Why? Because black goes with everything, and because black pants can always be made to appear dressy.
I pack my Woolx or Bluffworks leggings and either my Mott & Bow or Aviator jeans and those two pairs of pants get me through every situation while traveling.
If you buy the right pair of travel pants, they will be multi-functional enough to be worn in all of these situations without anyone wondering what you were thinking.
- Dining out at a nice restaurant
- Hiking
- Walking around museums
- Airplane travel
- During hot summer days
- On an impromptu run in the park
Conclusion
Now that we’ve found these great women’s travel pants, there’s no need to go back to traditional pants. These have a lot of great features that are great for travel, but also fantastic for every day wear.
I think you’ll love them as much as I do. If there are any pairs of travel pants that you love that I left off the list, let me know and I’ll review those as well.
Be Prepared For Travel
Planning is the most important part of any successful trip. Do it the easy way:
🧳 Travel Packing List | ✔️ Why You Need Travel Insurance | ✈️ What to Do Before You Leave Home
- Find and book the best hotel (our favorite booking site is Expedia)
- Research flight options (our favorite tool is Skyscanner)
- Book a tour (we always use Viator to find the best tours)
- Rent a car through Discover Cars (they search the best deals for you!)
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Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.
What a fantastic post. Thank you for all the research and information on women’s travel pants. Pointed me to exactly what I was looking for.
That’s great to hear, Jackie. I hope you love the pants!