What Are the Best Travel Pants for Women: 9 Extended Size Options Reviewed

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Finding great travel pants is genuinely hard. They need to survive a 10-hour flight, a sink wash in a hotel bathroom, pack without turning into a crumpled disaster, and have real pockets. That is a lot to ask of one garment. Good thing you have us to test them all for you!

Hi, I'm Alison, a 5'3″ size 14 woman. I personally tested several pairs of travel pants, including a few that ended up on my regular rotation and a couple that were a hard no for travel despite showing up everywhere on “best of” lists. Wardrobe Oxygen Community member Grace Mitchell, a 6-foot, size 18 woman, took it even further: she ordered 14+ pairs for a trip to Greece, tried them all, and reported back in exhaustive, glorious detail.

TL;DR

The Quick Version

Looking for the short version? Here are our top picks:

This post combines Grace's extended-size and inseam testing with my own petite and soft curvy midsize self, updated for 2026. We've also included a section on popular travel pants we think you should skip, because half the battle is knowing what not to buy. Consider this your no-nonsense guide.

Note: Both of us focused on ankle-length pants because we both find this the most versatile choice for travel. They won't drag in a puddle, won't touch the floor of an airplane or train bathroom, can be worn with sneakers, flats, sandals, and sleeker styles of boots. If you wear heels and flats, an ankle pant can go with both.

What Should You Look for in Travel Pants?

The best travel pants share a few key features, and once you know what to look for, it's easier to cut through the noise.

  • Wrinkle resistance. Nylon and recycled polyester blends beat cotton and ponte every time. You want to pull these out of a packed bag and put them on, not steam them in a hotel bathroom for 20 minutes.
  • Quick-dry fabric. This matters more than people think. If you get caught in rain, need to wash them in the sink, or are traveling somewhere humid, you want pants that dry overnight. Heavy fabrics like ponte do not do this.
  • Real pockets. Zip closure preferred. Deep enough to hold your phone without it sliding out when you sit down. This should be a baseline requirement, not a bonus feature. You'll see in the skip section below that some highly recommended “travel pants” have no pockets whatsoever. I have opinions about this.
  • Four-way stretch. Long flights require it. You want to be able to sit, move, cross your legs, and get up without feeling like your pants are fighting you.
  • Lightweight fabric. Especially important for warm or humid destinations. A heavier pant that works great in London in October will make you miserable in Portugal in June.
  • Versatility. The holy grail of the travel pant is one that works on the plane and at dinner with a shoe swap. Not every pant clears that bar, and I'll tell you which ones do and which ones don't.

How We Tested Travel Pants

This collection of travel pants for women was updated for 2026 to include a range of personal needs from two different body types.

  • Grace is 6 feet tall, generally a size 18, with a 32-34″ inseam and most of her weight in her butt and legs. Her criteria: black, stretchy, wrinkle-resistant, quick-dry, ankle length (28-30″ inseam), lightweight, and real pockets. She ordered more than twenty pairs.
  • I am 5'3″ tall, generally a size 14, but sometimes a 16, who needs a petite fit not just for inseam, but rise and fit from waist to crotch. With a soft tummy, a booty, and full calves, my criteria is a stretchy, wrinkle-resistant fabric but a silhouette that works with, not against my curves. I also desire a pant length that can work with sneakers as well as a dressier flat or sandals. Pockets too, are a must for me and I have tried several styles over the past two years.

Best Travel Pants for Dressing Up

These are the pairs that can genuinely go from the plane to a nicer dinner with a change of shoes. If packing light and not looking like you just rolled off a 10-hour flight matters to you, start here.

Ruti On the Loose Work Pants (Tested by Alison)

ruti on the loose work pants are a great travel pant for women in midlife per wardrobe oxygen

Folks, I didn't want to like these pants. But they are really really good. The fabric has a weight where they skim and drape and look luxe, but they're soft and breezy and dry quickly. They're so comfortable, you forget you're wearing “real” pants. They're also refined enough that I've worn them on a plane and walked straight into a nice restaurant on the other end without feeling underdressed. Spot wash them in the hotel sink, hang them up, and they're ready by morning.

I've styled the On The Loose pants with a blazer and silky cami and flats, with a simple Chico's tank and gold sandals and hoops, a pullover sweater and trendy sneakers, and a UPF top and sturdy comfort sneakers.

ruti on the loose pants review by wardrobe oxygen

The only negatives about these pants is these are not pants you would want to also wear for a morning hike. No Zipper pockets, no drawstring to keep the pants in place for activity, but I have washed these several times (gentle cycle, line dry) and they still look like new. Ruti in general gets rave reviews for quality and fit; the label's barrel jeans are some of the most popular jeans with the Wardrobe Oxygen community.

Sizes: 0–16; petite 0P-16P. The On The Loose retails for $250, but with code ALISON15 get 15% off your order at Ruti.

Athleta Endless High Rise Pant (Tested by Alison)

the athleta endless pant is a recommended travel pant for women over 40 per wardrobe oxygen

The Athleta Endless pant is a stellar pant… but not for those of us with apron bellies. Phenomenal fabric that can be activewear or elevated, hidden zipper pockets, clean lines, length that works with a range of shoes… but for me with a soft tummy and large rear it just seemed to emphasize that aspedt of me.

alison gary of wardrobe oxygen in the athleta endless pant

The fabric is 86% recycled polyester and 14% spandex, with what Athleta calls their PrimaStretch finish: subtly textured, genuinely stretchy, and wrinkle-resistant in a way that holds up in real life and not just on a product page. I find they keep their shape; you could go from a day of sightseeing in the sun to a nice dinner and they'd still look fresh. I also appreciate that these pants come in sizes 00-26 with petite and tall options. They're pretty awesome; they're just not the right ones for me.

Sizes: 00–26 in regular; petite 0P-14P; tall 0T-16T. The Endless pant retails for $109

ALISON'S NOTES:

A lot of “best travel pants” content online is written by people who are not traveling the way you are. If a list doesn't mention pockets, doesn't talk about drying time, and doesn't acknowledge that the same pant can't work for both a humid beach trip and a cold-weather city break, take the whole list with a grain of salt. The pants in this post have been tested by real women on real trips, and where something didn't work, we said so.

Best Versatile Travel Pants

Pants that can do most anything and survive so well they'll continue to be your favorite travel pants journey after journey.

Athleta Brooklyn Mid Rise Ankle Pant (Tested by Grace and Alison)

the athleta brooklyn pant is one of the most versatile and popular travel pants for women

Both Grace and I have tried the Athleta Brooklyn, which makes it one of the most tested pant in this entire roundup. Grace ordered a size 18 and found a good fit in the waist with a bit of extra room through the hips and thighs. I went with a 14 petite and found them to fit me similarly. The fabric is lightweight recycled poly and spandex with SPF 50+, a bit “swishy” but comfortable even in heat. Deep front pockets and zipped back pockets. Pull-on style with no fussy closures.

The size range is good in regular (through size 26) for these pants but the tall option only goes through size 16, which is a real limitation for taller women shopping in extended sizes. If that's you, check out the Columbia pants below.

Sizes: 00–26 in regular; petite 0P-14P; tall 0T-16T. The Brooklyn pant retails for $99

Lululemon Daydrift High Rise Tapered Trouser (Tested by Grace)

The Lululemon Daydrift Trouser is a top travel pant for women in midlife

If comfort is your absolute top priority and budget isn't a concern, the Daydrift is worth knowing about. Grace tested these and found them looser through the leg than the other pants in this roundup, slightly too big in the waist and pelvis in her size, but very comfortable in movement. Several of you in the Wardrobe Oxygen Community have also found these pants to be really comfortable, stylish, and good quality.

The 69% nylon and 31% Lycra Elastane blend is thicker than the Brooklyn; sort of like a performance ponte knit with a subtle sheen. If you desire a barrel fit, Lululemon offers them for the Daydrift and they get similar reviews for fit and durability.

Grace modeling the Lululemon Daydrift High Rise Tapered Trouser as a travel pant for women looking for tall, long inseams, and extended sizes
Grace in the Lululemon Daydrift High Rise Tapered Trouser

The honest limitations: they only go to XXL, and at $148 they're the most expensive option here. Front and back pockets, multiple colorways. If you're in the size range and can stretch the budget, they're a solid choice. If you need extended sizes, look at the Columbia instead.

Sizes: XXS-XXL available in 25″, 27″, and 30″ inseams. The Daydrift retails for $148.

Duluth Trading Company Flexpedition Slim Leg Pant (Tested by Grace)

Duluth Flexpedition Slim Leg Pants

Grace tested two Duluth options; she liked these best. Good fabric (89% nylon, 11% spandex with plenty of stretch), solid pocket situation including zip cargo pockets on the legs plus front slant and back patch pockets. Three inseam lengths available.

The sizing of the Flexpedition pants was inconsistent for Grace: too big around the waist but too tight in the thighs in the same size. Again, that's her specific fit experience and yours may differ. Worth trying if you're in the extended size range and want good pocket options.

Sizes: 2-18 available in 29″, 31″, and 33″ inseams. The Flexpedition retails for $99.50.

Best Budget Travel Pants

Save your money for your adventures; these travel pants are under $50 and highly rated.

Old Navy High-Waisted SleekTech Barrel Ankle Pants (Tested by Alison)

Old Navy High-Waisted SleekTech Barrel Ankle Pants are a top travel pant for women over 40

These pants have gone “viral” for supposedly being a “dupe” of the Ruti pants I love. Yes, they are a similar silhouette, but they are a lighter-weight fabric and a much fuller pant with a completely different waist. That being said, these differences are why I think the Old Navy SleekTech Barrel Pants are good travel pants.

They're comfortable in heat and humidity, they dry quickly, the waistband is more casual (wide elastic with stitching to make it three rows) but they're still nicer than ripstop cargos for dinner, and the price is nice so you won't get heartburn if they get snagged or damaged during your getaway..

old navy sleektech barrel pant review by wardrobe oxygen

They run big, and they grow a bit during the day. I went with a Large Petite and wish I went with a Medium but I still like them enough that I've worn them weekly since I bought them.

Sizes: Regular XS-4X; Tall ST-XLT; Petite XSP-XLP. The SleekTech Barrel retails for $39.99.

Quince Micro Ripstop Mid Rise Hike Jogger (Tested by Alison)

The Quince Micro Ripstop Mid-Rise Hike Joggers are a great budget travel pant for women

These pants from Quince are affordable and the fabric is durable, but I want to be straight with you about the limitations: the calves run narrow, there's no four-way stretch, and the fabric mixed with the drawstring waistband provides a distinctly “REI” aesthetic. They're not going to fool anyone into thinking you're a local. If you're traveling somewhere where the main activities are hiking, exploring parks, or casual outdoor adventures, they make sense.

Sizes: XS-XL. The Quince Jogger retails for $44.90.

Best Travel Pants for Tall Women and Plus Sizes

Columbia All Seasons Slim Pull-On Pants (Tested by Grace)

Columbia Women's All Seasons™ Slim Pull-On Pants

This is Grace's top recommendation for women who need extended sizes and longer inseam options, and at $70 it's also a good value.

Lightweight water-repellent fabric with Omni-Shade UPF 50 protection, deep zip pockets, and a pull-on waistband that's smooth and flat rather than bunchy. Grace found her usual size ran large; she sized down in these pants from her expected XXL to an XL and got a better all-over fit. That's useful intel if you're ordering online.

Grace modeling the Columbia All Seasons Slim Pull-On Pants
Grace in the Columbia All Seasons Slim Pull-On Pants

Available in black, olive, gray, and camel, through size 3X in three inseam lengths. The inseam options alone put these pants ahead of a lot of the competition for taller and curvier women.

Sizes: Standard XS-XXL and Plus 1X-3X; both standard and plus come in short, regular, and long inseams. The All Seasons retails for $70.

L.L. Bean Vista Camp Pant (Tested by Grace and Alison)

The L.L. Bean Vista Camp Pant is a top plus size travel pant for women per wardrobe oxygen

The fabric on this pant is genuinely great: 93% nylon, 7% spandex ripstop blend that's lightweight, soft, quick-dry, and UPF 50+. Deep zippered side pockets. Available up to 3X in several colors.

grace modeling the L.L.Bean Vita pants and how they fit as a tall plus size woman as travel pants
Grace in the L.L.Bean Vista Pants

For Grace's specific shape (tall, long-waisted, weight in butt and legs), the waist ran too big and the rise was too short. For me, I appreciated the petite was a true petite and had a shorter rise than the regular. I too found these ran roomy but was a fan of how the fabric kept its shape even after being worn two days in a row. Do note the inseam for regular and plus in these pants is 28″; the tall is 30″ but only available to XL (equal to a 16/18).

Sizes: Regular XS-XL; Petite XSP-XLP; Plus 1X-3X; Tall XST-XLT. The Vista retails for $89.95

Travel Pants That Keep Showing Up on Lists (But Aren't Worth It for Travel)

Every “best travel pants” roundup seems to include at least one or two pairs that have no business being called travel pants. Here are the ones we'd steer you away from, and why.

Spanx AirEssentials Pants (Tested by Alison)

collage of four photos from the Spanx website of models wearing the AirEssentials pants
Online shopping tip: if not a single product photo shows the model with a hand in a pocket, it's because there aren't any.

I'm including the Spanx AirEssentials pants because they show up on travel pants lists constantly and the fabric genuinely is something special. It's soft, lightweight, and comfortable in a way that makes you want to live in it. But there are no pockets. Not small pockets. Not shallow pockets. No pockets at all, on any pants in the AirEssentials line.

The only exception is the AirEssentials jumpsuit, which is designed for travel with pockets AND a hidden easy-access back. Folks in the Facebook group love this jumpsuit. But let's get back to the pants…

I cannot stress this enough. You are traveling. You need somewhere to put your phone, your boarding pass, your lip balm, your dignity. If you are on a plane and your bag is in the overhead bin and you need to get up to use the bathroom, where exactly are you putting your belongings? Our bras can hold only so much (IYKYK).

The AirEssentials pants are genuinely great loungewear; I own the barrel legs and the matching half-zip and it's super comfy yet refined enough that I have worn out the house with some jewelry, cute sneakers, and a bag to hold everything. But there's no way I'm packing these for travel pants.

Quince Ponte Pants (Tested by Alison)

quince ponte pants are not good travel pants
Again, no models with their hands in pockets because the pockets are FAKE!

Quince ponte pants are popular, affordable, and regularly recommended in midlife fashion communities, including this one… for certain situations. For travel specifically, though, they fall short in a few ways. Again, most styles have no pockets (even more tragic… they have FAUX POCKETS!). Also, this ponte knit takes forever to dry. Whether you're airing them out after a rainstorm or trying to spot clean in your hotel room, they're going to be frustrating. They're good pants for other purposes. Just not this one.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Pants for Women

What are the best travel pants for women over 40?

The best travel pants for women over 40 prioritize comfort on long travel days, versatility across different settings, and real functional pockets. Our top picks are the Athleta Endless High Rise Pant for overall versatility, the Ruti On the Loose Work Pants for a more elevated look, and the Columbia All Seasons Slim Pull-On Pants for extended sizes and inseam options. The right choice depends on your travel style, climate, and size range; we break all of that down in the full guide above.

What should I look for in travel pants for women?

The most important features in a travel pant are wrinkle resistance, quick-dry fabric, real pockets (ideally zip closure), and enough stretch to be comfortable on a long flight. Lightweight fabric matters more than people realize, especially for warm or humid destinations. A pant that looks polished enough to wear to dinner is a bonus that reduces how much you need to pack overall.

What are the best travel pants for long flights?

For Europe, you want something that reads as pulled-together rather than obviously athletic, dries quickly if you get caught in rain, and works across different settings from sightseeing to dinner. The Ruti On the Loose Work Pants and the Athleta Endless High Rise Pant both clear that bar. If you're going in warm weather, avoid ponte fabric; it's too heavy and slow to dry. If you're traveling in shoulder season or cooler months, the Columbia All Seasons Slim Pull-On Pants are a solid call.

Do travel pants need to be wrinkle-free?

Not technically, but it helps a lot. Wrinkle-resistant fabric means you can pull pants out of a packed bag or a compression cube and wear them immediately, which matters when you're moving between destinations or operating out of a single carry-on. Most of the pants in this guide use nylon or recycled polyester blends specifically because they resist wrinkling better than cotton or linen.

What travel pants come in extended sizes?

Several of the pants in this guide come in extended sizes. The Columbia All Seasons Slim Pull-On Pants go through 3X in three inseam lengths. The Athleta Brooklyn Mid Rise Ankle Pant goes through size 26 in regular length. The Athleta Endless High Rise Pant goes through size 26 in regular, petite, and tall. The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pant goes through 3X in three lengths. Grace's full testing section above focuses specifically on extended size and inseam options and is worth reading if fit is your primary challenge.

Are Spanx AirEssentials pants good for travel?

The fabric is genuinely comfortable, but the AirEssentials line has no pockets on any style, which makes them impractical for actual travel. They're great for lounging, low-key errands, or situations where someone else is carrying the bag. For a travel pant where you need to access your phone, boarding pass, or any personal item without digging through your bag, skip these and choose something with zip pockets instead.

What is the difference between travel pants and regular pants?

Travel pants are typically made from synthetic or blended fabrics like nylon or recycled polyester that resist wrinkles, dry quickly, and stretch with your body. Regular pants, including most denim, cotton trousers, and ponte styles, tend to wrinkle in a packed bag, take longer to dry, and are less forgiving on a long travel day. The practical difference is how they hold up when you're living in them across multiple days, climates, and activities.

A woman with curly hair wearing a plaid blazer holds a green fur coat over her shoulder on a city street.

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49 Comments

  1. I swear by Eddie Bauer Ranier pants (and shorts) or Kuhl convertible pants (from trousers to shorts).

  2. LOVED this review!! Thank you for being so completist!

    Quick Q: Alder pants are now $75, sale no returns/refunds. Do you still stand by those pants almost 2 years later?

    Thank you!

      1. Hey! The author does still lurk around here now and again, and yes! I actually still own and wear all three of the pants I liked from this review, and the Alders have held up great.

          1. I see that REI carries these pants at the moment. Looks to be running out.

  3. This review with actual photos of a real woman was very helpful. Thank you. I am traveling to Iceland later in the year and purchased the Columbia pants. Great recommendation.

  4. I too cannot thank you enough. The amount of research, detailed information, and my god – your pictures are so so useful. I wish I had found you a while ago. I shall thank my sister for forwarding your site.
    (We are going traveling in South America from 11,000 feet down to the Amazon. 80% of my family falls into the “beautiful people” size 6, and wear 8 inch high heels in the desert , …where as I am comfortable and a loose T-shirt and sweatpants. So thank you for helping me find something that won’t look dumpy.
    PS. I was just at our local Orvis, and although I am really not that big a girl, their size 16 wasn’t even close. I fall in that 16/18 category most of the time. It’s so annoying and embarrassing to ask if they have this, that, and the other in a bigger size. Sometimes they can order them, but I still have no idea if they would work.
    Bless you, bless you, and thank all the other ladies for their input. I may try the Namaste pants, partially just because I like the name.

  5. This is so helpful. I often give up on finding pants in my petite-plus size, but you have inspired me to try to keep looking and that they are out there.

  6. Thanks so much for this! I’m a size 4-6 but 5’8″ and long waisted with a juicy peach and thighs. As you were describing what you were looking for I was thinking about my Athleta Brooklyn ankle pants, which I like but are a bit too big in the waist. I’ve found that my wardrobe has turned over into mostly Athleta over the past few years because they offer talls in both bottoms and tops, but now I will check out Alder and Columbia, too.

  7. I have those Lulu trousers! I can report they hold up really well – I’ve worn/washed mine regularly for maybe 3 years now and they still look exactly the same.

  8. Did you once say your sister (or another relative) has a blog concerning makeup? How do I reach that information?

  9. Thank you, Grace, this was a helpful article! I’ve never considered Columbia before, and now I definitely will. That said, perhaps you could give Duluth Trading one more go, with their “Namastash” pants. I love these for their wearabilty, good looks, and tons of pockets. I’ve had mine for four years now and they still look brand new, no wear or tear, and no pilling. I am shorter than you, sadly these only come in a 31″ inseam so I had to shorten them. But I wear the heck out of them.
    Thank you again for all your hard work!

  10. Grace – thanks for doing this!!! What an undertaking! It’s always helpful to see clothing on real women’s bodies. Enjoy Greece! Alison – I really enjoy these features!

  11. Grace, excellent post! I ordered the Alder pants you recommended, but was surprised when I entered my age/weight/height they suggested an XL – usually I’m a Medium or Large? But I’m going with it! And I got a 10% discount from the website which was pretty cool. Thanks again for your time doing this research and have a blast in Greece!

  12. From one tall gal to another – thank you, Grace, for putting in this work! Glad you found your perfect pair. I will check out this brand.

  13. How timely! I’ll finally be traveling internationally again, and was looking for a pair of comfy plane pants. I swallowed hard, and ordered a pair of the black Alder pants. I hope they won’t be too long for 5’2″ me. This post was SO HELPFUL! More please! Travel jackets?

  14. Grace, this was wonderful! Thank you for the detailed descriptions of these pants and why they did or didn’t work for you. I have a trip coming up myself and have been trying to find one pair of pants I can depend on for two weeks. This is very helpful!

  15. Grace, such a great post! Thanks for taking the time to write this up. I love when Allison writes reviews like this as well—very helpful, even if we might be different shapes & sizes. I always have an idea in my mind of “perfect” travel pants & still haven’t found them. I really thought the Athleta Brooklyn Ankle Pants were going to be the ones because I have a pair of their jogger style that I like quite a bit. But, no, they were not. The crotch area was so weird—way too “up there” if you know what I mean. I’m 5’4” so I thought maybe going up & size but in petite would work—nope, same problem. Also tried just going up a size & still had the same problem. So aggravating because they are very cute in the pics on Athleta’s website. Very frustrating.

  16. Wow! Wow! Wow! I read every word! I am a relative new comer to Alison’s site ( but a fellow Marylander!) and now I am a fan of Grace’s post! The amount of work and detail you both put into your posts is ABCD…Above and Beyond the Call of Duty.

  17. What a comprehensive review! I couldn’t be more opposite from you: 5’ tall, curvy figure, short waisted, but still found your review of all these pants helpful. I ended up ordering the Everlane pants. Well done, Grace.

  18. What a great post! Wanted to recommend the Savannah Trail Pants by REI Co-Op. Lightweight, full length, $55. They are hiking pants but can pass as travel pants–the only giveaway is a horizontal seam on the thigh which doesn’t really show in black. They are very lightweight. 2 big front pockets (hold my iPhone 13) and one back zip pocket. The only downside is they do stretch out with wear – you may want a belt (they have belt loops) or consider sizing down.
    I wore them for a weeklong trip that involved city sightseeing and hiking often in the same day without changing anything but my shoes, and they worked great. they come in plus up to 2XL – not sure about tall since I am not tall.
    P.S. can we talk about retailers who sell up to size 16 and then Plus starts at 18W??? 18W is NOT 18!!! So frustrating when you’re a 16-18 cusp.

  19. Hey Grace, if you ever decide to start fashion blogging regularly let me know! We have such a similar body type – and it’s impossible to find fashion bloggers for 6ft, size 18 ladies. Should we talk about shoes next? lol

    1. OMG, shoes. If Alison ever wants a very plus-sized shoe review, I’m her girl. I was a 12 BEFORE my son was born, and in reality now I’m a 12.5 or a 13, though I can still wear a 12 in a few brands/styles. It’s a hard road.

      1. Yep, me too! Pretty sure I’m a true 12.5 wide but depending on the brand and style – I fit into (or not!!) anything from a 12 to a 13 medium or wide. At the start of the shoe seasons – I order anything that looks like it might fit that I might not hate… I return a LOT of shoes. Thank godzilla for Nordstrom and Zappos.

  20. FANTASTIC! I don’t have a a trip on the horizon but still found this information extremely helpful for other outings. Thank you Grace and Alison.

  21. This was wildly helpful. I ordered a pair of the outdoor research pants you mentioned because people in the reviews say they don’t stretch out, which seems to be my problem all the time. If those are bad, I’ll work my way down your list!!!

  22. Thank you! Great information that I’ll definitely use! I’ve tried and enjoyed Nic & Zoe Tech Stretch pants, but a couple of your recommendations look more promising.

  23. Wow. What I take away from this piece is that Grace had to try on 20+ pairs of pants to find ONE that she loved. No wonder I can’t find any! I need to be more relentless, LOL!

    Thank you, Grace, for this incredible compendium of options.

    1. I tend to have to be pretty relentless to find things that work. I recently did this same thing with swimsuits–that was a trial!

      1. I have to add that Alison talked awhile back about consumers getting a bad rap for ordering and returning items. This post is a perfect example of why we have to! Grace’s “20 pairs for the price of 1” experiment shows that going to a retail store — or even a cluster of retail stores — and attempting to find these sizes with these inseams in this color with these attributes would be a complete waste of time.

    2. AMEN! What does this say about the fashion industry that women of all shapes and sizes have so much trouble finding pants that fit.

    1. Buying “pants” is a nightmare for me. Even though my body type is very different than yours I so appreciate your detailed reviews and photos. I’m 5’1″, curvy with an apple shape. My thighs and calves are often an issue with pants being too snug. And the crotch area is a whole wild beast in itself. Either the fit seems to be way too much fabric where it bunches up, or too tight when bending or sitting. I have given up on jeans of any sort. Tired of wearing leggings and joggers. I have two pairs that I have on constant rotation. One is from Chico’s that are about 10 years old and are looking their age. The other pair is Eileen Fisher that is more than 15 years old. Still holding up but not looking new.
      So glad you found something that fit and you were happy with them!

      1. Katmar, you might be my pants twin if you add short legs to the mix! I recently tried on 20 pairs at Talbots and came away with zero…same with LLBean. So frustrating!

      2. Katmar, your shape sounds about the same as mine. Have you tried Nic and Zoe? I have found success with their pants, especially because you can order them in petite sizes usually. Also, White House/Black Market for curvy jeans—they give me more room in the hips and thighs.

  24. This was such a great article. My needs are different. I am short and short waisted, but the information about the fabric and feel is so useful. Great job.

  25. What a great roundup- I think I found some options for an upcoming hiking/sightseeing trip to Denver. I love grace’s reviews- I’m 5’11” size 14ish and it’s just so affirming to see other people with bodies like mine. I always feel like an outlier and this is why I love this corner of the blog/influencer space.

  26. SO helpful! I’m constantly traveling and in search of my own pair of “unicorn” pants, and this definitely added a few to my radar I would have never considered. Thank you!

  27. This is a great list! I’d also suggest Betabrand Journey pants. They are amazing and the pocketing is to die for.

    1. I looked at those! Ultimately, I decided I didn’t want ponte for this, but I think I may try a pair of those anyway. I’m excited by their size offerings.

      1. It’s a lighter weight Ponte, but still might be a bit too heavy for what you’re looking for. Otherwise, they are AMAZING.

        1. Hi Erica,
          I’m planning on some winter travel this year so the Betabrand might be what I’m looking for. thanks!

  28. Thank you Grace for putting yourself out there and sharing so much with us. Have a great trip, and I’m so glad you found what you where looking for