The Best Women’s Travel Pants of 2024

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 took home the award for this year’s Best Overall Women’s Travel Pants. 

Similar in style to our previous award winner, the Mountain Hardwear Dynama/2 Ankle pants, the Happy Hike Studio Pants are made with fabric that looks a bit sleeker and is easier to dress up. While we loved the Dynama/2 Ankle pants, we found that after sustained use, the fabric stretched out 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 postconsumer 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. Our tester, Katie, stayed cool and comfortable while hiking and climbing on a spring trip to Red Rock Canyon, where she encountered daytime highs in the 80’s. 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 Patagonia Happy Hike Studio Pants could truly be the only pair of pants you bring on your next active vacation.

Building out your wardrobe for your next trip? Look no further than the Mountain Hardwear Dynama/2 Ankle pants ($85). 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.

Our tester brought these on a multi-sport camping trip to Squamish, British Columbia, and didn’t need another pair of pants the entire weekend. She climbed classic routes and then went out for gelato in the bustling mountain town. Talk about versatility.

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

After plenty of days exploring, the Dynama/2s hung tough, and for the money, we were impressed. They’re also comfortable, attractive, and highly versatile, making the Mountain Hardwear Dynama/2 Ankle pants a great overall option for any active traveler needing a few extra solid pants to get in the rotation.

Outdoor Voices calls the RecTrek Pants ($98) 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, our 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/2.

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. Our tester 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, our tester 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 Outdoor Voices RecTreks.

Topo Designs sent our tester a pair of the Dirt Pants ($99) when she first tested the more climbing-specific Boulder Pants. Even though they weren’t the pair she was originally after, she found herself living and traveling in the Dirt Pants so much that she 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. Our tester 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, our tester 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, she 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 Topo Designs 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.

Our tester 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. Our tester 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 Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants are a great pair of women’s travel pants to own.

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.

Our tester 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 Athleta 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.

Patagonia combines style and mobility with the Skyline Traveler Pants ($99). They’re high-waisted and form-fitting with slim, tapered legs in a cut similar to skinny jeans. Scoring big points in versatility, these pants are easy to dress up or down.

The stretch-woven blend of nylon and spandex is lightweight and breathable and allows good mobility. With a low-profile side zip pocket, these pants check a lot of boxes for us.

During a heatwave in Washington, our tester stayed comfortable wearing these pants while car camping. She said they felt cool and breathable, even in sweltering conditions. Boasting a UPF rating of 40+, the Skyline Travelers also provide solid sun protection, and the DWR finish curtails light moisture.

Our lead reviewer passed these on to a taller friend because the regular inseam seemed to run a bit long. Additionally, the ankle zippers make it difficult to adjust the length because it’s awkward to wear them rolled up.

Patagonia does make these in a 28-inch and 30-inch inseam, so we recommend trying them on to increase the odds of finding a good fit. 

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. Our tester brought them on a road trip to Bend, Oregon, where she wore them while checking out bookstores and breweries around town.  

Our main complaint is the inconsistency of the fit. Our tester has owned several pairs of prAna pants, and she always has 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, she would size down from her normal prAna fit.

Besides the legwork of finding the right fit, the prAna 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.

Though it’s not an official category, the Lululemon Stretch High-Rise Jogger ($79) is our favorite style for long travel days. The fabric is soft and silky, with enough stretch to keep you comfortable when you’re jammed in the middle seat on an airplane. It’s the perfect pair of pants to accommodate an impromptu stretch session during a layover. 

We suited up in these joggers during 10-hour driving days during a road trip in California. Our tester noted that the fabric was pretty wrinkle-resistant after being shoved in a duffle bag for several days. To relieve some lower back pain from the long drive, she also busted out a quick yoga session at a rest stop midway through the day. She found the comfy joggers to be ideal for the roadside stretch break.

The waistband on the joggers is a bit bulky, albeit pretty comfortable. We wouldn’t want to wear these under a climbing harness or the hip belt of a backpack. The waistband also tended to get a bit bunched up. We did like the hidden zip pocket for stowing keys or a credit card during a midday walk. 

For those endless airport days or long afternoons running errands, the Lululemon Stretch High Rise Joggers are a cozy and low-profile option.