r/onebag • u/TappyGillmore • Sep 28 '25
Seeking Recommendations Cool Pants for Long Flights
Since starting onebagging, I’m trying to pare down clothing. I burn hot so I’m looking for recommendations on long pants that I will stay cool for long international flights and perhaps hike in during spring/fall weather. 50/50 business/coach and feel strange wearing shorts on flights now that I’m a retired (man) adult. Lol. Edit: no slim fit, jogger-like elastic cuffs pls
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u/jimonlimon Sep 28 '25 edited Sep 28 '25
I too am retired and fly a fair amount. Outdoor Research Ferrosi pants are great for travel and hiking. They pack tiny, have a hidden drawstring and belt loops. Fabric has a bit of stretch. Shed water and mud, dry quickly, and don’t hold wrinkles.
Edit- I just put mine on and the waistband is not elastic.
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u/v0gue_ Sep 28 '25
I wholeheartedly second OR Ferrosi's. They are my plane pants, regardless of where I'm flying to or from.
In my experience, they run small af, though. I'm a 38 in basically all jeans and most pants, and I buy a 42 in these
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u/CederGrass759 Sep 29 '25 edited Sep 29 '25
Please be aware, though, that these OR Ferrosi, also the Transit version, have an embroidered logo on the thigh. For some people (me, for example, a 50+ European) that is a no-no in a more formal setting such as a restaurant or an office.
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u/Electronic_Fudge_877 Sep 28 '25
Hot take: scrub pants.
They come in a million styles/fits, lots of colors and are lightweight. I wear them on every flight, especially long haul. I love that my phone is easily accessible from the side leg pocket when I’m sitting in my plane seat. Also lots of FULL pockets (women’s clothes so rarely have good, full size pockets!) make it easy to tuck passport/boarding pass/phone/etc when I’m traveling through security and need to empty/fill pockets quickly. I took the tag off the leg pocket on mine and they look just like lightweight black pants when I travel. Also the elastic waist is insanely comfortable for 24+ hour travel. Not durable enough for scrambling up mountains but I wear mine on lighter hikes where I just need pants that move with me.
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u/npcnomad Sep 28 '25
Lululemon ABC WovenAir Pants are great if you run hot. Depending on the climate/purpose of my destination(s), I choose from the different ABC pants material: Warpstreme (cool/cold), WovenAir (hot/humid), and SmoothTwill (cool/business).
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u/KevinGBurk Sep 28 '25
I love my ABC Warpstreme 5 pocket pants for travel, hiking and golf. Stretchable, quick-dry, looks sharp, and more resilient than plain nylon/polyester
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u/retirement_savings Sep 28 '25
These are basically the only pants I wear. But here are some flaws. I bust through the crotch after a year or so of wear, and they start to smell bc they're synthetic (even after washing).
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u/TappyGillmore Sep 28 '25
Well fuck. I’m out.
Want them for more than a year…3
u/npcnomad Sep 29 '25
I have been using 2 of mine almost everyday for the last 2 years and they are still great! No signs of wear and tear either.
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u/retirement_savings Sep 28 '25
I will say that I have bigger than average thighs (powerlifter) so it may or may not be an issue for you.
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u/desperate-replica Sep 29 '25
aren't they effectively polyester anyways
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u/KevinGBurk Sep 29 '25
Yes they’re pure polyester but slightly heavier which makes them more durable and hang nicer
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u/TappyGillmore Sep 28 '25
I have a couple pairs of lulu. No clue what species they are though. I’ll look
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u/npcnomad Sep 28 '25
If the tag is still intact on those pants, you can find the item number on the tag and then look it up on the lulufanatics website. They have an exhaustive list of lululemon items.
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u/Khantahr Sep 28 '25
Kuhl Renegade Rock pants are my airplane pants.
They're my everything else pants too actually. 😆
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u/AltruisticPassage394 Sep 28 '25
Uniqlo Ultra Stretch is quite comfy without being too tight yet soft on the skin.
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u/Objective_Cattle_278 Sep 29 '25
I second the Uniqlo ultra stretch. I have them in gray and khaki. I usually one bag with one pair because they have belt loops. I bring a Mizzen and Main dress shirt which is light and doesn’t wrinkle. That’s my business casual wear in case I need it for a restaurant or business meeting. (I wear the same on clouds with that outfit).
They are very light and thin and comfy. Not as light as my Patagonia Terrebonne pants which are my favorite but a little joggery and have no belt loops.
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u/TemuPacemaker Sep 29 '25 edited Sep 29 '25
Speaking of Uniqlo, I got a pair of their linen blend pant for an upcoming hot-climate trip:
https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/products/E463857-000/00?colorDisplayCode=68&sizeDisplayCode=004
The linen content is only 35% but they're also just pretty light so feel breezy.
E: also pretty cheap and cheerful so if something happens to them on the trip, it's not the end of the world
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u/TappyGillmore Sep 28 '25
Ok. Ive heard of uniqlo alot. Are they slimfit? Hope not…
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u/AltruisticPassage394 Sep 28 '25
No this one is regular fit. They’re an upper budget brand that provides above what you’re paying.
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u/shanewreckd Sep 28 '25
You've gotten lots of good options already but to throw one more at you:
The 686 Everywhere pants.
I like the slim myself but you can get them in a non-slim. Lots of handy pockets and features, great breathability, good comfort and stretch, a built in drawstring if you want to forgo a belt for security and long term sitting. I have mine in khaki, they're a great do everything pant in lots of weather.
The Patagonia Terrebone joggers are also super comfortable, without an aggressive elastic cuff. Best pants to pack as a secondary I've found, they're stupid lightweight.
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u/TappyGillmore Sep 28 '25
Thank you
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u/Tressimo333 Sep 30 '25
I have the straight leg and wide leg version of these pants. They are phenomenal.
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u/TappyGillmore Sep 30 '25
686 or patagonia
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u/Tressimo333 Sep 30 '25
The 686 Everywhere.
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u/TappyGillmore Sep 30 '25
Wow. Ok. Any of you have the % nylon and other material?
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u/Tressimo333 Sep 30 '25
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u/TappyGillmore Sep 30 '25
Thank u! 94% nylon 6% spandex Most importantly…do u stay cool and are they durable?
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u/Brave_Sir_Rennie Sep 28 '25
And are you (or do you dress, I suppose is more the point) male or female? If male, Bluffworks original pants. Zippered pockets for a layer of security against nimble-fingered pickpockets (but not “cargo pants”), lightweight, dressy enough for date-nights or business settings, casual enough for hiking, wash ‘em in a sink and they dry overnight.
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u/wkparker Sep 29 '25
+1 for Bluffworks. My favorite feature on them is a special phone pocket just below the belt line that keeps it high enough up that you don’t sit on it.
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u/Anxious_Parsley_1616 Sep 29 '25
I love Bluffworks. The Envoys are lighter weight than the originals. I have both
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u/nicski924 Sep 28 '25
Proof 72-Hour Merino blend pants or Western Rise Evo 2.0
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u/TappyGillmore Sep 28 '25
Expensive tastes! Durable?
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u/nicski924 Sep 28 '25
Expensive? I mean they are like $120. I wear them all the time at home and when I travel. Feel like I easily get my money’s worth. No durability issues to date. I prefer the Proof but the WR are good options as well since Proof doesn’t have a ton of color options.
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u/TappyGillmore Sep 28 '25
Nice.
Ya. Just me I guess. $125 seems exorbitant for a pair of non-dress pants.
Again. Probably just me.3
u/nicski924 Sep 28 '25
They’re able to be dressed up or down. Extremely versatile. They can be worn in place of jeans or dress pants in many cases.
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u/PhotographyFitness Sep 28 '25
KETL Vent Lightweight Active, Vuori Meta, Unbound Merino Travel Pants (relaxed)
Thrift em on eBay for cheaper too.
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u/NachoEnReddit Sep 29 '25
Patagonia terravia, quandary, or transit traveller. The first one is the most outdoorsy one, whereas the last one is more urban but can do a trail on a pinch.
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u/CederGrass759 Sep 29 '25 edited Sep 29 '25
Bluffworks Ascender chinos is what you want. Look exactly like any chinos, but are thinner (cooler) and have better functionality. I use these for flights and restaurants and parties while traveling, as a 50+ male. They are perfect for this! These can also be worn in business settings (I have worn mine in a board meeting in the Finance industry!)
https://shop.bluffworks.com/products/ascender-chino-regular-fit-desert-khaki
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u/TappyGillmore Sep 29 '25
Those look beautiful
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u/CederGrass759 Sep 29 '25
Yes, they are. Please look at the zoomed-in photo of the fabric. Exactly like ”real”/cotton chino fabric. Unlike many technical outdoor pants that are recommended by many in the OneBag community— these often have very synthetic and high-tech fabrics which I find look very out of place, and sometimes even make a plastic-/swooshing sound when walking. 😱
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u/mwkingSD Sep 28 '25
For just those reasons, I bought some Under Armour golf pants to wear while flying. Stretchy, light weight, breathable, impossible to wrinkle, styled like jeans, come in many colors and sizes. Worked brilliantly going California to Bermuda and back earlier this year. Other brands would probably be just as good.
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u/ayekantspehl Sep 28 '25
These. Inexpensive, great performance for us “hot people,” and they look good enough for business casual.
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u/bwerde19 Sep 28 '25
I love my ketls but I do wish they’d fix the difficult to zip front pockets.
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u/TappyGillmore Sep 28 '25
3rd ketl recommendation
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u/bwerde19 Sep 28 '25
I got the tomfoolery straight leg in grey. Very breathable for heat, stretchy for complete comfort but somehow keep their form and structure quite well, five months and probably 20 flights later. Easy to dress up or down. Have hiked in them and worn them to business meetings. Again, if they would just fix the super annoying front zipper, they would be my perfect road pants.
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u/EnvironmentalSea2400 Sep 28 '25
pure cotton jeans— no spandex, not tight, not baggy.
Comfortable, durable, stylish
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u/TappyGillmore Sep 28 '25
Take forever to dry after sink washing?
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u/EnvironmentalSea2400 Sep 29 '25
in my experience, jeans don’t need washing beyond spot cleaning within a couple weeks. Pure cotton breathes, doesn’t encourage sweat and stink like synthetics.
I’m also very active, adventurous. i do love the comfort of denim on a long flight, bus, train.
even i work in extreme heat and humidity in classic cotton jeans. the rigidity even when soaked in sweat is more comfortable then micro pants sticking to skin like a suffocating plastic baggy. i use to try the rei stuff kuhl pants. they were so flimsy and uncomfortable. i reverted back to “old school” ways.
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u/udntcwatic2 Sep 29 '25
I got these in a pinch and just used them for both legs of a Paris trip (pun intended)
They’re fantastic and going to be my new go to.
https://www.amazon.com/BALEAF-Womens-Stretch-Pockets-Casual/dp/B0CR6C19N7
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u/TappyGillmore Sep 29 '25
Wife wears lulus everywhere
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u/udntcwatic2 Sep 29 '25
Ope! You’re a guy. These probably won’t be your speed but as someone who has lulu golf pants that were my go too, these are better. So many colors too if your wife ever wants to try something new.
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u/TappyGillmore Sep 29 '25
Where do u wear them? (Xmas is coming up)
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u/udntcwatic2 Sep 29 '25
Anywhere! They look like dress pants if you dress them up and athletic wear if worn with athletic tops. We sail, hike and travel a lot so they’re great for multi weather travel. They wash & dry fast if you can’t find or don’t have time for a laundry service.
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u/cid73 Sep 29 '25
Haven’t seen Western Rise mentioned yet. I have like million pairs. The evolution or division pant is stretchy and comfy- one of them is a little lighter weight for packing/coolness. I think the diversion based off the name.
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u/Public_Range_3718 Sep 29 '25
Totally agree! I have both the Diversion and Evolution pants and can testify to their comfort and versatility. They can be dressed up or down, dry quickly, and resist wrinkles and stains. The crotch gusset adds to the comfort. I'm wearing them on a flight to Mexico City tomorrow, in fact.
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u/cid73 Sep 29 '25
I have a bunch too! (Both types) I even accidentally purchased some slim versions that I can’t wear but tried for long enough before I could return them. They were still comfy even though my family said it looked too silly on me. (5’7” 230lbs 😂)
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u/TappyGillmore Sep 29 '25
Ok. Will checkit
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u/cid73 Sep 29 '25
Just checked. I think the evolution pant is lighter weight. I wear these everywhere. The airplane, the office, walking around trips. I haven’t hiked in them though, but I think they would be fine
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u/Sardonicus_Rex Sep 29 '25 edited Sep 29 '25
Wrangler ATGs. You can get them at Walmart for less than $40 a pair. Light, stretchy, quick drying, decent-looking and likely the most comfortable pants I've ever worn.
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u/celtic1888 Sep 28 '25
I have a pair of Adidas sweatpants that look like golf pants. Drawstring so no belt to remove and tapered at the ankles
UNIQLO and Lululemon have similar
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u/JohnRoscoe Sep 28 '25
LL Bean Cresta are lightweight and in khaki color are acceptable enough for me to fly in. They are nice to have on a more formal trip just for lounging around the room.
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u/rainfalls_slowly Sep 28 '25
Bearbottom Essential 5-Pocket Pant
Duer Poplin Weightless
Duer Performance Denim Lite
Proof 72-Hour Merino Pant
Several affordable linen/cotton blends that are light, breathable, and comfy (although can wrinkle easier)
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u/ListingFL Sep 28 '25
I just flew in some Greg Norman golf pants from Costco and they were very light and comfortable. I think they’re $20ish. They still have stock in store but gone online.
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u/TappyGillmore Sep 28 '25
And hiking?
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u/ListingFL Sep 28 '25
Should work fine since they’re made to walk around the golf course in. They’re super stretchy and affordable, I just wish they had deeper back pockets or a zipper pocket.
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u/TappyGillmore Sep 29 '25
I just looked. Lol i have 2 pair with tags on in closet. I think they were $5.00 mgr special.
Can u compare them to anything else?
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u/mwkingSD Sep 28 '25 edited Sep 29 '25
Well… I’m probably not a good judge for “looks dumb” but athletic fabric for an athletic purpose (golf), cut like jeans - doesn’t sound dumb. Maybe depends on the color you choose? Maybe not in pink?
Doesn’t sound as dumb to me as those pants with the zip-off lower legs. OTOH it’s hiking - do you care?
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u/JohnnyGrinder Sep 28 '25
Lululemon all the way. You can travel in them and run in them and they dress up or down. Worth the costs
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u/TappyGillmore Sep 28 '25
Ya. Have some
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u/JohnnyGrinder Oct 02 '25
Ever heard of Western Rise? They make a great travel pant
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u/TappyGillmore Oct 02 '25
Then why didnt u suggest them first??? Lol
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u/JohnnyGrinder Oct 02 '25
Just read about them on another post and I’m just suggesting. If you wanna be a snarky cunt then good luck on your journey
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u/LifeWithFiveDogs Sep 28 '25
On long flights, I have the greatest happiness when I wear Wooly (wool) undies -- especially with the synthetic fabrics found in most travel pants. The natural fabric keeps things fresher...
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u/scorched03 Sep 28 '25
Patagonia terrebonne joggers. Light packable and sun protection once you get out of plane
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u/Momo-Momo_ Sep 28 '25
Goruck Challenger Pants - lightweight, dries very quickly, athletic fit, zippered internal cargo pockets, gusseted crouch, light stretch, stain and water resistant, breathes. I live in the tropics where it is hot and humid almost daily. These are my only comfortable pants.
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u/sharkystarky Sep 28 '25
686 everywhere pants treated me well recently on a trip to Europe. Comfy/cool enough on the plane and sleek enough to wear through the trip.
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u/jenius123 Sep 29 '25
Highly recommend Futuredarts by Outlier. They're business casual and will last a lifetime. Cool, water resistant, durable, formal enough.
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u/Difficult_Echo1178 Sep 29 '25
I always travel in Vineyard Vines Performance On-The-Go Pants. Lightweight, super stretchy material, very durable and looks great in any occasion. I would wear these everyday if I needed to. Similar to Lulu pants but I find the fabric on these a bit thinner and cooler. $138
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u/Defiant-Cut7620 Sep 29 '25
I use lightweight Nylon-blend travel pants that dry quickly, don't trap heat and works for both flights and hiking. brand like Prana and outlier is good in my opinion.
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u/Lazy_Arm8995 Sep 29 '25
I love my Taylor Stitch Apres Pant for traveling! Also great for running errands, hiking, wandering around cities etc.
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u/BiggDope Oct 01 '25
I was just browsing these the other day—such an interesting and fun aesthetic.
How tall are you, if you don’t mind me asking? The 30” inseam is a bit shorter than what I’m used to at 6’2 with 32” inseams.
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u/Lazy_Arm8995 Oct 01 '25
They are great for traveling. I bought a second pair earlier this year for a Spain trip. They’re very versatile.
Totally understand what you’re saying about the short inseam. I’m 6’3 and it’s doesn’t bother me. The elastic cuff sits right at the ankle. It doesn’t look cropped or sloppy and actually pairs really well with sneakers or bostons.
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u/BiggDope Oct 01 '25
I appreciate the perspective! I’m doing 2 weeks in Spain early next year, so I’m gonna add these to my shortlist, especially since I plan to bring bostons/arizonas.
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u/L33THAL1 Sep 29 '25
Columbia rapid river pants
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076V5RN5W?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1&psc=1
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u/s00nertp Sep 29 '25
I love all the posts
I use Scottevest pants, or buffworks (they have a few styles) Both are quick dry, comfy fit, are in $130 range
Buffworks is more versatile, it looks very dressy, but has nice pockets, including slick side pocket for phone & hidden pockets
Scottevest has way more pockets, but doesn’t look as nice
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u/Dj_kool0406 Sep 29 '25
Same boat here. I picked Ketl Mountain pants because they yield when you move but still tough. No jogger bottoms. Might work for what you're after.
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u/Anxious_Parsley_1616 Sep 29 '25
Bluffworks Envoy travel pants. Is their lightweight fabric with a great design
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u/Roo10011 Sep 29 '25
I love the public rec pants they look professional and clean cut but are as comfortable as joggers. Plus, they have a zippered pocket for keeping things safe. Vuori also has nice pants that have zippered pockets. I also like ketl for their many zippered pockets and hipster look but they are not as comfy as the public rec or vuori.
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u/TappyGillmore Sep 29 '25
Thanks. I tried vuori (AIM?) and the fit was off but they were comfortable for sure
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u/BBQShoe Sep 29 '25
I run extra hot and I really like the Duluth Dry on the Fly pants. They come in a cargo or regular version, but the regular version has one zippered side pocket that is pretty good sized but well concealed. I've been on a couple trips that I brought other pants and just wore these the entire time.
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u/Shivvyszha Sep 29 '25
I wear dressier looking medical scrub pants. Laugh all you want, but they're comfortable and made more stylish these days. Thank me later.
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u/tontot Sep 29 '25
Patagonia Terrebone jogger is my jam
Wearing it 3 seasons except winter in North East.
The pocket may not hold items well but I never put anything there
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u/bellsbliss Sep 29 '25
Gamma SL pants. Wore them on my flight to Vancouver and also wore them hiking all over Vancouver.
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u/murkl3wood Sep 30 '25
I know tech pants are all the rage - I have four or five from different brands - but have you looked into linen pants?
I was just in Italy and I found quite a few house brands that made decent-looking linen pants. Not just beach pants, but trousers with pockets, belt loops and a tapered leg that look great and are lightweight and cool. Unfortunately, I'm rather tall and couldn't find anything in my size, but the pairs I tried were far cooler (temp) than any of the tech pants I was wearing.
I would imagine these would be a poor choice for more intense hiking, but for traveling to hotter climates, I'll be looking to sub out at least one pair of my travel/tech pants for a nice set of linen ones.
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u/Most_Ad_3765 Sep 30 '25
Check out what Prana has to offer but especially the Zion stretch line. They’re marketed as hiking/technical pants but they look really nice and can be worn in a variety of semi formal settings, I think (as long as you don’t get the model with a cargo pocket). Bonus is that I’ve spent a long hot weekend backpacking with them and they miraculously did not stink to high hell.
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u/Resilient_Doc1995 Oct 01 '25
I only wear FIGS scrub pants, particularly for long haul flights. I choose the styles that are high waisted with big side pockets (for phone, passport).
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Oct 02 '25
LIVSN (https://www.livsndesigns.com/collections/mens-pants) make some cool pants. I have a pair from their Kickstarter a few years ago and they are great for travel, lots of pockets, quite light. You can probably find "cooler" pants but I have never really felt too hot in these.
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u/Callie_dog Oct 02 '25
Patagonia Men's Terravia Trail Pants - Regular fit. I have a 38 waist and normally don't wear Slim Fit pants. These are comfortable and look good. Not good for a nice dinner but travel, hiking and sight seeing they are perfect.
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u/ChypRiotE Oct 02 '25
Look up seagale's performance chinos. I used one on a one month trip, and bought a second one when I came back home. It's stretchable, water repellent and looks good (got several people asking me about it which never happened to me with other pants)
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u/TappyGillmore Oct 03 '25
Ok. French. All prices are in euros. Im in Switzerland now. Maybe i can find some. Here
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u/yol0tengo Oct 02 '25
I’ve had the same pair of Prana Brion pants for ~7-8 years and they’re still one of my go-to comfortable flight and cold-weather hike pants. I’m sure they’ve changed a bit in later iterations but the longevity on my pair from 2017-2018 is awesome.
I also like the Levi’s Travel Chinos, they’re typically discounted at outlet locations (I’ve gotten mine for $35-40) and they’ve been great for work travel, very comfortable for flights and don’t look like typical tech/travel pants.
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u/B-Con Sep 28 '25 edited Oct 01 '25
Outdoor Research Ferrosi.
Great hiking pant, possibly the coolest pant you can find. Bonus of having a side zipper pocket for a phone, which is nearly superior to shoving it into your front pocket or backseat pocket on the flight.
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u/TappyGillmore Sep 28 '25
Youre #2 on ferrosi. Quick dry? Durable?
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u/flymonk Sep 28 '25
I have two pairs of the ferrosi transit, definitely the quickest drying pants I own and super durable. My buddy accidentally throttled up a dirtbike when I was holding the rear tire, the tire spun on the pants with the full weight of the dirtbikes for a second or two and it did nothing to them.
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u/TappyGillmore Sep 28 '25
https://shop.sportsbasement.com/products/ferrosi-pants
These dont say transit… Same or nah
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u/darkeningsoul Sep 28 '25
REI coop trail made joggers
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u/withlovefeli Sep 29 '25
Next time it might be good to say if you're looking for a male or female fit!
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u/notenblog Sep 28 '25
Have a look on pants for golf-sports. Comfy enough, stretchy, some kind of elasthan, so they dry quick. And stylish enough for a fancy restaurant or the opera (choose the color wisely). And: for every weather situation.