Just wanted to let everyone know that Costco recently brought in lightweight, travel pants. They are in 2 lengths for women and run from size 4 - 16. They are available for men as well. I bought all 4 colors and plan to use them on an upcoming 3 week trip as they take up almost no space in my bag. I have tested them out at home and they wash well and dry overnight. You can find them both at the warehouse and online. I am not sure how the quality measures up to more expensive ones from travel / adventure companies but at 13.99 each they are a steal.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4656 posts
Similar thread.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/attention-shoppers-clothes-suitable-for-travel-need-not-break-the-bank
good to have the extra endorsement, however.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17417 posts
They are sold out online----at least the women's pants are.
Posted by
Nederland, CO
1529 posts
I only see the ankle length....of which I'm not a fan:( I did buy my husband a pair of the mens and they seem great!
Posted by
Wisconsin
570 posts
I only saw the ankle length, bought them, loved the fabric, but returned them, too short for me; awkward length. Dang! C lerk said she had heard that reason a number of times.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7054 posts
What are "travel pants" and how are they different than every day pants? Do folks buy special clothes for travel so that they dry quickly after washing, or what other reasons? (I only wear lightweight/special pants for adventure/hiking/trekking type trips, not really city trips to Europe).
Posted by
Florida
1 posts
I bought a pair a few days in my normal size but they were too big. I'll be returning them and getting a smaller size if they're not sold out. I liked the fabric and you can't beat the price.
Posted by
Nederland, CO
1529 posts
Agnes, they usually have a few features like extra pockets, stay looking fairly nice after a few wears, dry very quickly after washing and can handle rain better than something like jeans. They also tend to be lightweight.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14719 posts
I ordered these in plus sizes online. I saw the reviews that indicated they run big so I got a variety of sizes, lol!! The price point can't be beat for ~any~ kind of pants, travel or not.
They shipped quickly and unfortunately I'm out of town for a few days!
Posted by
San Francisco, CA (USA)
557 posts
What are "travel pants" and how are they different than every day pants? Do folks buy special clothes for travel so that they dry quickly after washing, or what other reasons?
In general, 'travel pants' are lightweight and have a variety of pockets. I think in the most purest sense, they have a few additional pockets (see zippered/buttoned) that a regular pair of denim, chinos or, slacks would not have. Lightweight is considered, as many vacations tend to be in warm/hot climates, not exclusively but, a large chunk of them. Today, those travel clothing brands have a variety of fabrics to choose from.
As to people buying 'special clothes', there's always 'that guy/gal' that thinks they need to buy a whole need wardrobe for a vacation. Definitely for such an excursion like a safari or, arctic trip but, the garden variety trip abroad, to purchase a whole new assortment of clothes is simply comical.
For travel pant specific examples, take a look at styles by ExOfficio, Bluffworks, REI brand, Royal Robbins...
Posted by
Houston
3522 posts
Some travel pants have zip off legs to turn them into shorts in addition to the extra pockets. I have never felt the need for "travel clothes" in general when going on tours as I find most of that type of clothing uncomfortable compared to my normal daily clothing, so I just take my normal clothes on trips.
I will admit that when I used to backpack through the wilderness and camp out I owned a couple pair of the outdoorsy travel pants. They were of a lightweight cotton fabric and they were comfortable, but I can't find any like that anymore as most seem to be made of 100% polyester or nylon. And since I don't hike and camp anymore, I don't need them anyway.
I do think it is kind of funny when people pack all their hiking gear, including the hiking poles and heavy boots, for a city tour of London (several did when I took the RS London tour). Do they think that London is still a medieval town with unpaved streets and people throwing trash out the windows into the streets? Not saying you shouldn't bring a hiking pole or cane if you really need one, of course.