Top women's travel trousers

The finest travel pants feature comfortable designs that resist wrinkling and offer a cozy feel, perfect for dealing with flight delays, lost luggage, or any unexpected events.

If versatility is key for you, consider trousers crafted from lightweight, durable materials that are breathable and allow for easy movement, or even convert into shorts with a simple zipper.

A trio of female TPG team members has handpicked their favorite travel trousers, whether you're wandering through a European city, trekking in a national park, or simply enduring a long flight home.

Top hiking trousers for women

Eddie Bauer Women's Guide Pro Pants, $79.99 available on Amazon

Eddie Bauer's Guide Pro Pants stand out as the most adaptable option among women's hiking trousers. Their lightweight, slim fit ensures you stay agile on long hikes and climbs, and they easily roll up for convenient storage in your backpack or carry-on.

Crafted from smooth, stretchy nylon/spandex, these pants move with you through any activity — hiking, horseback riding, biking, climbing — allowing for freedom of movement whether you're bending, curling, or stretching during an overnight flight or long car ride. Zippered pockets conveniently accommodate your phone, keys, and other essential items for the trails.

With a range of colors available, they’re comfy enough to wear with a sweater by the campfire yet stylish enough for a lodge dinner. All Eddie Bauer outdoor pants offer UPF 50+ protection and eco-friendly Bluesign certification, ensuring safety for the environment, workers, and customers. They come in petite and plus sizes as well.

For those who favor athletic, legging-style hiking pants, Eddie Bauer's incredibly comfortable Trail Adventure High Rise Pant are perfect for more challenging pursuits, featuring moisture-wicking and odor control capabilities.

Kuhl Splash Roll-up Pants, $85 available at Kuhl

When hiking in mountainous regions, significant changes in altitude, terrain, and temperature require pants that can perform reliably.

Kuhl's Splash Roll-up Pants are built to withstand the rigors of scrambling and bushwhacking. They can be rolled up for added ventilation as temperatures rise and come with UPF 50 sun protection.

What truly sets these pants apart are the thoughtfully designed pockets—numerous options including front, back (a rarity in women's pants), and upper thigh. These pockets are spacious enough to accommodate your phone and other small essentials without causing annoying bulges, eliminating the need to constantly stop and search through your daypack while on the trail.

If you're planning to navigate rivers and ravines, these pants may not be the best choice, as they take longer to dry compared to more technical hiking options. With a range of colors, sizes, inseam lengths, and a drawstring cinch waist, you're likely to find a flattering fit that suits your body type.

Cotopaxi's Cerro Travel Tight, $90 available at Cotopaxi

Renowned for its commitment to sustainability, vibrant designs, and budget-friendly prices, Cotopaxi is a favorite among TPG staff. Whether scaling mountains or enjoying urban hikes, the Cerro Travel Tight is perfect for travelers looking to simplify their packing and enhance their silhouette.

Crafted from a blend of 79% recycled polyester and 21% spandex, these high-rise tights feature five pockets that maintain your shape and allow for full range of motion, complemented by comfort-enhancing, anti-chafing seams and a wide waistband.

For those who prioritize packing light, these versatile tights are perfect for gym sessions, hiking, biking, and climbing. Super comfortable, they can easily be rolled up into a purse for a quick outfit change during or after a long-haul flight. Available in three colors and sizes ranging from XS to XL, Cotopaxi also provides a lifetime warranty and trade-in policy for all its products.

Top women's leggings

Under Armour Motion Ankle Leggings, $33 available on Amazon

Leggings are among the most comfortable travel pants for women. Regardless of your views on athleisure, they provide support where it matters without being overly restrictive. Finding the right position on a red-eye flight is crucial, and jeans often don’t allow for that comfort.

Available in a wide array of colors and sizes, these leggings are made from double-knit 100% polyester, ensuring they are long enough to prevent any contact with those quirky plane seats. They also feature a built-in pocket for your phone, passport, and other essentials for your travels.

Alo High-Waist Airlift Legging, $118 available at Alo

TPG news reporter Caroline Tanner exclusively travels in athleisure, sporting the same pair of black leggings on every flight (and is currently wearing them as she writes this).

She always opts for Alo's high-waist airlift leggings, perfect for travel as well as workouts, walks, and lounging (and yes, she owns multiple pairs). True to their name, these leggings lift and enhance your shape thanks to the brand's unique double-knit Airlift fabric. They offer full coverage with a high-rise design that hits at the ankle, making them ideal for pairing with tall socks.

These leggings are so comfortable that you can wear them throughout the day, even on long flights. Their moisture-wicking, four-way stretch fabric ensures they adapt effortlessly to any situation you might face. Available in various colors, the classic black leggings are versatile enough to dress up or down.

Lululemon Align™ High-Rise Pant 28", priced at $118 from Lululemon

As a pioneer in the athleisure market, Lululemon holds a cherished spot in Caroline Tanner's memory, being the brand of her very first pair of leggings purchased in high school. Although her closet is filled with various styles from Lulu, she consistently reaches for the Align™ High-Rise Pant in a classic black, her all-time favorite.

The leggings are crafted from Nulu™ Fabric, offering a buttery-soft texture and an almost weightless fit. They come equipped with a concealed waistband pocket, ideal for storing your credit card and hotel key. Additionally, they're sweat-wicking and breathable, allowing you to transition seamlessly from the plane to a yoga class.

Top waterproof pants for women

Bass Pro Shops Guidewear Rainy River Pants, available for $120 from Cabela's

If your adventures involve camping, hiking, attending a rainy sporting event, or embarking on an Arctic expedition, the best women's travel pants for wet conditions are waterproof options made with Gore-Tex to ensure you stay dry.

Tested personally by one of TPG's editors in the Arctic—on two occasions—these pants perform excellently in rainy conditions and during wet landings, even in the coldest environments. Since they are uninsulated, they’re also suitable for staying dry in warmer weather. More budget-friendly than many other brand-name Gore-Tex options, these pants are windproof yet breathable, and they can be packed down to a compact size, fitting into their own back pocket for easy travel.

Key Takeaway

Whether you're looking for pants for hiking, camping, or a versatile option for all your travel adventures, these pants have proven themselves time and again on our journeys.

In the realm of clothing, quality often correlates with price. You can trust that when investing in these travel pants, you're prioritizing comfort, as confirmed by the experiences of three female travel reporters in their 30s and 40s.