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Women's Travel Pants

I've searched the Travel Forum for this question and only found those that were years old. I know traveling habits, wardrobe and materials have changed over the years.

So, what have you found to be the travel pant for you? I'm 5'2" and weight 127. I'm wanting something like straight leg yoga pant or ponte pant. Comfy of course and none that make the squishy sound when wearing.

I've looked at these from Eddie Bauer, but not sure.

https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/23151047/womens-sightscape-horizon-slim-straight-ankle-pants?color=Black&rrec=true&size=4&sizeType=Regular&sp=1

Posted by
17 posts

I love my Brooklyn City pants from Athleta. They come in several colors and you can get them unlined for warmer weather or lined for cooler weather. Athleta also has some new Endless Cargo pants that I like. Both styles are lightweight and can be washed out in the sink if needed. I also like JJill’s Wearever slim leg pant. They are made for travel and are very versatile.

Posted by
14 posts

My sister bought these Beyond Yoga Spacedye Everyday Pants recently and they may be what you are looking for.
https://beyondyoga.com/products/spacedye-everyday-pant-darkest-night-sd1201
I have the Spacedye Midi Jogger which she says are pretty much the same pant except for the ankle styling. I got the joggers for Christmas and I love them; they are so soft and so comfortable I want to live in them.
Beyond Yoga often has 20% off sales.

Posted by
14126 posts

The Eddie Bauer and Athleta pants mentioned above are woven fabric if that matters. I have the Athleta Brooklyn ankle pants and find them a bit on the shiny slinky side, but they are very lightweight for packing. I have lots of Eddie Bauer pants I like, but haven’t tried that one. I like the Hollywoodnwaist somI might give it a try myself!

If you are looking for. Ponte knit similar to yoga pants, I can recommend the J Jill Wearever slim-leg pant.

https://www.jjill.com/product/we-smoth-fit-slim-leg-pants-22082120ml

They are a very soft rayon-spandex knit with a wide flat waistband in front, and a slim but straight leg, so not tight at the lower calf. They are very comfortable and definitely do not make “that squishy sound”:when worn.

It comes in petite sizes, which would most likely be right for you. I am 5’2” but weigh less, so mine are PXS. I would think the Petite Small would be just right for you.

Posted by
267 posts

You might also check out American Giant. I have some Athleta leggings and pants and like the thigh phone pocket, but although the black is matte I like the AGs better. They have a style and ponte- ish material that combines a legging/slim pant that can be dressed up or down- I am 5'2" and they are a perfect length. Neither brand is super soft, like a yoga pant. I do have a yoga pant from Blue Canoe with a slight flare that I still love years later and they still make them- they are great on long plane rides.

Posted by
859 posts

Lands End Active pants. They come in several styles ( leggings, yoga, 5 pocket), sizes, colors. They don't pill, sag and can be sink washed and dried overnight if you wring them out in a towel after rinsing. Sketches sell a pant similar but there's pills slightly.

Posted by
76 posts

I've been looking for lightweight (dries quickly) travel pants. I saw Yogipace pants on Amazon yesterday and plan on ordering this pair with zip pockets. They are polyester/spandex so hopefully not swishy.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079GJKNDL/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A3VNO5EOWXPVVT&psc=1

They have several different styles and are reasonably priced, so check out the entire collection.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=yogipace+pants&crid=378IZ0W8ABMQY&sprefix=yogipace+pants%2Caps%2C1642&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_14

I have another pair that are nylon/spandex with zip pockets and they fit beautifully and are extremely lightweight. But they are very noisy. I've packed them in my tote bag as a "change of clothes" if I'm separated from my suitcase, but haven't worn them except to try on. Washing them didn't diminish the noise. I notice the company I got them from now has zip pocket options in other fiber blends, so I may investigate those. They are from Ulla Popken which specializes in plus-size, so not for you.

I'm a jeans and t-shirt person, but jeans are heavy and don't hang dry quickly.

Posted by
9366 posts

I have the Eddie Bauer pants you linked to and I love them. I’m 5’3” and they fit me like regular length pants, which is what I was looking for. My friend is a few inches taller than I am and bought them in tall so that they would be a regular length for her. They do not sound swishy when walking. I haven’t sink washed them, but when washed in a washing machine and hung to dry they will dry very quickly.

Posted by
3957 posts

I’m about 5’2”. As much as I like the look of a jogger, I have yet to find one that doesn’t look “baggy” on me. Even what they call straight leg or slim. It’s a dilemma. lol. A number of years ago I discovered a pull on slim leg pant that has worked. They are called Loir Paris. I have their Sasha style for petites. I have a couple denim (dark rinse and black) Also have their regular pant in black and white. I’ve never sink washed them, but I wash on gentle cycle and hang to dry. It’s an online company called “The Little Shop online.” They are located in Florida. It just so happens that they are retiring after many years at the end of February and are offering 30% off everything on their website! Originally I wasn’t sure what size to purchase. I called them and they were very helpful. I wear their smallest size (2) and they fit very well. The material is very comfortable and doesn’t wrinkle. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiJr-icucr8AhUyAjQIHTg2AecQFnoECAUQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thelittleshoponline.com%2F&usg=AOvVaw2PmCQNQP5UJF_rRYLGyul5

Posted by
291 posts

I'm chiming in for Athleta's Brooklyn Ankle Pants. They are wonderful! They can be dressed up with flats/sandals or down with sneakers. I wore them to work (now retired!) and now wear them on the golf course. They've traveled with me to Europe and all over the U.S. I'm 5'4" and the regular length lands at my ankle. I prefer the petite length which fits better in the waist and lands above the ankle for a more updated look. They are not squishy sounding (like the travel pants found at Costco) and are soooo comfortable on the airplane (not a fan of yoga tights on the airplane). Plus, they pack super small!
https://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=198671002&vid=1&searchText=brooklyn+ankle+pants#pdp-page-content

Posted by
51 posts

Thanks everyone for all of your awesome suggestions! I have decided on 1 pair so far. They are from JJill "Wearever Smooth-Fit Slim-Leg Pants". While they have no pockets (for 1 pair I'm good with that), but they are soooo comfortable!

Posted by
14126 posts

I am glad you like them—-the fabric is super soft and comfortable. I will be taking mine to Italy next month.

Posted by
17 posts

Yay! Glad you like the J Jill wearever pants!I used to work at J Jill and these were always the pants that I directed our customers to when they were planning a trip to Europe.

Posted by
918 posts

I like Outdoor Research's Ferrosi pants, particularly the 2021 version. They come in three lengths. Very versatile, good looking (despite being adventure pants), and dry fast. Check them out!

Posted by
1470 posts

When you say travel pants are you talking for on the plane? I am planning on using these that I found at Costco, not leggings (although I have used leggings in the past), but with coverage (no show through), lightweight (I overheat), comfy, soft and stylish. A two pack is $16 and Lole is a really good quality brand. These are currently my go-to work from home pant.

https://www.costco.com/lole-ladies'-lounge-jogger%2c-2-pack.product.100822911.html

Posted by
893 posts

I have 2 pairs of Patagonia men's quandary pants. I like that the one extra pocket is a pouch on the inside of the leg instead of tacky-looking fabric sewn onto the outside of the leg. Mine don't make swoosking noises. I just checked the internet: patagonia has a women's version of the quandary pants. As for size, maybe you are as out of luck as I am or maybe a lot of women's pants are shorter than men's pants: I am a man but only half an inch taller than you but ten lbs lighter.

Posted by
1053 posts

I swear by the JJill Pima leggings.

I just took my mom shopping the other day and she got so much from JJill. She got leggings, the Modern Knit pull on pants, and some pull on jeans as well as some khaki jeans.

My mom is your height and weighs a bit less, so it is hard to find things that are not baggy on her. These all worked great!

Posted by
3957 posts

@mikliz97- thanks for mentioning the JJill leggings! I have had a couple pairs for years. The are very well constructed. One pair is ankle length & the other is a crop. Agree, the fit is perfect for a petite. I have also worn them with a dress.
Another legging that I like this time of the year (in the PNW) is HUE, “High Waist Blackout Ponte Leggings.” I buy them on Amazon.

Posted by
1053 posts

Janis--I thought of you when I was shopping with my mom as she has the same tiny build as you. It makes it difficult, but we found some wonderful items! I will go check those other ones out, thanks!

Posted by
3957 posts

mikliz97- Thanks, I need to revisit JJill. It’s been a few years. May need a refresh! ;J

Posted by
14126 posts

I forgot to mention this one, the Mountain Hardwear Dynama pant. It comes in various lengths fully-length, ankle, capris, and shorts. With a wide flat waistband and no buttons or zippers, they are pull-on style, lightweight and totally flat in front. Pockets—slash pockets on both sides and a zipper pocket on one thigh.

https://www.mountainhardwear.com/c/dynama-leggings-shorts/

I have found them on sale on Amazon, but I didn’t check to see if they are still there.

Posted by
76 posts

I bought the Yogispace pants from Amazon in 2 sizes, XL and XXL.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079GJKNDL/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A3VNO5EOWXPVVT&psc=1

Both fit well. The XL will show panti-lines, so I prefer the XXL. I normally wear 16-18W from Lands End.

Pocket depth is normal for women's pants. I think they say "deep" on Amazon. No, not "deep" like men's trousers. Another reason to go with the larger size - bulges from what's in the pockets.

If you are looking for lightweight, the weight feels heavier than my cotton blend pants from LE. I'll have to weigh them both and post the difference.

Should hang-dry quickly since they are poly-spandex blend. But I think in hot, humid weather, the poly-spandex will be HOT.

Got a LE catalog recently where they had ankle length pants with zippered front pockets. You might want to check that out.

Posted by
2712 posts

The absolute best pants that I have found for traveling are by Eileen Fisher, which I discovered by accident - I used to buy a lot of EF when I was working (I was a family law attorney so needed nice business casual stuff for court and office). I added one pair of pants to my travel stash when I went to Iceland and the Netherlands in 2018, and loved them as travel pants! It was a pair of EF crepe pants (they also have ponte), black in a slim fit and ankle length. They looked good with every top I brought, were lightweight, easy to wash and dry, very very comfortable and packed up nicely. I still have that pair and recently took them to Naples FL for a 2 week trip, but plan on buying at least one more.

They're pricey but you can find them on sale at Nordstrom Rack and the EF website - you can also sign up for emails and get 15% off at EF. They are very well made and last a long time. https://www.eileenfisher.com/shop/categories/pants-jumpsuits

Posted by
14126 posts

Thanks for the reminder, Mardee. I saw a friend we visited wearing these and could not help but admire them. She has great taste and looked great in them. She says she has 5 pairs in different colors; that is basically she wears! I intended to order a pair for our upcoming trip but forgot because we were on a road trip and busy with grandchildren. Now I wonder if I can get them in time for our Italy trip—we leave in a week. I guess I will try.

Posted by
64 posts

I just bought Athleta Elation Pants today. More money than I normally spend on pants, but I was tired of forcing myself to try to like travel pant fabric - someone here described it as "swishy" and I knew EXACTLY what they meant. I simply cannot get my self to liek them - in addition to the noise, they are cold in cold temps, and sweaty when seated. Ugh. The Elation Pants are a nylon/lycra blend but with a soft, cottony feel. I am 5'3" and these come to my ankle. They should look good with any shoe, a casual T shirt or a nicer blouse if needed, and they should dry fast if washing them out by hand. Fingers crossed!