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Pros
- Plenty of stretch
- Packs easily
- Wash and wear, no need to iron
Cons
- Only comes in 32″ inseam
The focus of our testing for the best summer pants was fabric and the Flyweight Flex Chino was hands down the best performer. Made from 97% cotton, it looks and styles like a traditional chino. The trick is the blending in of 3% spandex, which not only showed off an exceptional amount of stretch in our testing, but it allows for a thinner cotton weave without compromising durability. Essentially, you’ve got less cotton per-square-inch covering your leg, which enhances breathability.
As great as the fabric is, this Relwen summer pant topped our list because of the look. We tested the navy and couldn’t find an outfit or scenario where it didn’t work. It dressed up with an oxford shirt for the office and down with a plain white tee for the weekend. We rocked it with a floral short sleeve button down and a smooth knit polo. The conclusion our style editors came to is that this summer pant is a perfect replacement for jeans as an all-purpose pant with upgraded comfort and a fresh look.
Read More: Best Chinos for Men
| Fabric | 97% Cotton, 3% Spandex |
| Waistband | Button and zip fly |
| Fit | Slim |
Pros
- Airy and sharp
- Great for casual and dressier occasions
- Adds a pop of color
Cons
- Easily wrinkle in suitcase
Linen is designed to be light and airy, which is why I always reach for this pair in the dog days of summer. During a staycation in the Hamptons, I found these linen pants breathe way better than most summer pants that I’ve tested. They come in a regular fit, but it’s tailored a tad to the leg without that snug feeling.
You could opt for the black colorway, but the forest green looks more sharp and adds a pop of color to your look. The only problem is the fabric was pretty wrinkled after I pulled it out of my suitcase. Aside from that, these pants are versatile enough for casual and dressier settings.
Read More: Best Linen Pants for Men
| Fabric | 100% Linen |
| Waistband | Double-breasted, zippered front closure |
| Fit | Regular |
This is the type of pant that comes to mind when you start packing for a tropical vacation. The fit is loose and flowy, but by no means baggy. It resembles a chino, but with a drawstring waistband. We tested plenty of drawstring summer pants and this was the most comfortable, thanks to the roomy cut that drapes neatly down the leg. It’s so sleek, I’ve worn it for multiple occasions in one day: a long day at the office, followed by an evening out; on the beach, later for an oceanside lunch.
Coofandy’s summer pant might be the cheapest on the list, but it doesn’t compromise on quality. The fabric blend consists of polyester, linen, and viscose, which keeps the pants feeling lightweight, breathable, and surprisingly soft against the skin. It has a similar linen feel that won’t cling to the body on hot sticky days or wrinkle in luggage like the Mango’s summer pants. It proved to be relatively low maintenance for the heat-friendly textile, which is always a plus.
| Fabric | 67% Viscose, 20% Polyester, 12% Linen, 1% Cotton |
| Waistband | Drawstring |
| Fit | Relaxed |
Cargo pants are cut out for summer heat because they’re comfortable, functional, and stylish. Take this pair from Alo that embodies the Y2K-retro vibe. It’s made from a lightweight cotton-twill fabric, which is soft against the skin and infused with elastane, so you can easily bend down to tie your shoes or power walk through the airport. We also found the straight-leg fit is pretty loose, keeping things cool and breathable, even in low 80-degree temps.
In the summer, we’ve paired these pants with a tank top or tee for a backyard BBQ or music festival. But it also looks great with a crewneck sweatshirt or hoodie in the cooler months, so this one option to keep in rotation year round. The four cargo pockets are a little offset, but that design gives it a unique look compared to other cargo pants. Plus, they’re super spacious, and offers plenty of storage for your keys, wallet, or sunglasses.
| Fabric | 75% Cotton, 11% Polyester, 11% Rayon, 3% Elastane |
| Waistband | Elastic with drawstring |
| Fit | Loose, straight-leg |
Pros
- Drapes neatly down the leg
- Wide fit enhances breathability
- Can dress it up or down
Cons
- Not ideal if you want something more tailored
Like it or not, skinny-leg pants are out and wide-leg trousers are here to stay. It is a tricky style to pull off, but Cos makes the best wide-leg summer pant we’ve tried. According to our testers, the silhouette is more relaxed yet tailored rather than looking like balloons on your legs. Available in beige and navy, this pant drapes straight down, creating clean vertical lines that don’t look baggy at all. If you need to alter the fit, there’s adjustable tabs on both sides to tighten or loosen the waist.
Style preferences aside, a wide fit makes the most sense for summer pants because it enhances air flow. Wide open cuffs and plenty of space between your legs and the fabric lets your body breathe better than any slim fit pant ever could. To balance out the puffiness of the pant, we recommend wearing it with a tight knit polo for date night or fancy dinner.
| Fabric | 54% Rayon, 46% Cotton |
| Waistband | Flat, adjustable with tabs |
| Fit | Relaxed, straight-leg |
Pros
- Relaxed through the seat and thigh
- Breathable with linen blend
- Flattering fit
Cons
- Non-stretch
Levi’s launched a collection of jeans that merges lightweight linen and classic denim that feels breathable and comfortable in the sun. Jeans might seem like a stuffy option for blazing hot weather, but I wore it in high 70-degree weather and I was impressed at how cool and airy it felt, even after hours outside. The linen blend makes a world of difference and gives them a breezy, broken-in feel, but still has that classic denim look.
I found there’s more room in the seat and through the thigh, which makes it wearable for city commutes or long-haul flights. It doesn’t have much stretch, but I didn’t have any restriction no matter which way I moved or turned. Another bonus: aside from blue, it’s available in multiple washes including black, brown, and white colors.
Read More: Best Jeans for Men
| Fabric | 82% Cotton, 18% Linen |
| Waistband | Mid rise |
| Fit | Relaxed |
Best Seersucker Pants
Bonobos Jetsetter Italian Seersucker Dress Pant
Now 50% Off
Seersucker is another summer staple: the lightweight, thin fabric has an uneven, puckered texture that creates space between the fabric and the skin to bolster airflow. That’s why we love this pair from Bonobos. Our testers have worn these pants off the golf course and into the office, or just at a regular get-together and they’ve worked well every single time.
The print has a southern charm that feels elevated but not costume-y, making it easy to dress up or down. Available in tailored, slim, and athletic fits, this pair from Bonobos is one of the most versatile summer pants out there. You can wear it with a t-shirt for a casual brunch, a blazer for the office, or even as part of a full suit without sweating bullets.
| Fabric | 93% Cotton, 4% Nylon, 3% Elastane |
| Waistband | Hook and bar closure |
| Fit | Slim, Tailored, Athletic |
Pros
- Looks good with a tank, tee, or opened button-up
- Roomy and breathable
- Comes in a range of neutrals
Cons
- Might wrinkle easier than others
No bells and whistles here, just a nice mid-weight cotton cut into a fit that is loose enough for your legs to breathe, but trim enough for a dressier fit. The cotton-blend nails the perfect balance between comfort and polish. The linen-viscose blend feels airy and soft, with just enough weight to drape cleanly instead of clinging or wrinkling too much. Plus, the relaxed cut is roomy without looking sloppy, and the elastic waistband makes them as easy to wear as sweats without looking like you just rolled out of bed.
Of all the summer pants we’ve tested, this is the closest thing to a fit that really does work for everyone. There is plenty of room in the seat and hips, with a slight taper from the knee down to create a tailored finish. Plus, the range of neutral colors makes them super versatile, whether you’re styling them with a tank, tee, or button-up.
| Fabric | 78% Cotton, 21% Linen, 1% Elastane |
| Waistband | Pull-on style with drawstring |
| Fit | Loose |
Pros
- Wicks away moisture and keeps you dry
- Stretchy enough for performance
- Zippered pockets
Cons
- Not the best option for semi-dressy settings
Contrary to popular belief, not all joggers are too hot or too heavy to wear in warmer months. Enter Nike’s lightweight pair. It’s designed with a polyester-spandex blend that’s treated to wick away moisture and keep you dry. Our fitness editors wore it during training and yoga, and managed to leave without being drenched in sweat. In terms of flexibility, the fabric was stretchy enough for them to hit deep squats and asanas.
They also say this pair feels cooler than athletic leggings and gives you more airflow than expected. When you’re commuting from the gym, you can stash your keys or cash in the zippered pockets. Performance-aside, these joggers have a clean look that won’t make you look out of place when running last-minute errands. Just wear it with a simple t-shirt and sneakers and you’re good to go.
| Fabric | 87% Polyester/ 13% Spandex |
| Waistband | Drawcord |
| Fit | Standard |
What Is the Best Type of Pants to Wear in Summer?
Summer pants should be lightweight, breathable, and ideally moisture-wicking for when you’re breaking a sweat—in warm, heated weather, it’s the performance that matters the most, not the design. What defines performance in summer pants is the material and fabric.
Linen
Perhaps the most famous summer pants style is the linen pants. As a material, linen is lightweight and loosen woven, rendering the fabric incredibly breathable because the long fibers allow air to circulate. Otherwise, it’s also highly durable and absorbs moisture—and therefore, sweat—while drying quickly, all in all keeping you cool and dry on dog days.
Seersucker
Seersucker is a type of cloth weaved to be lightweight, thin, and breathable. The fabric has a puckered or crinkled texture that creates space between the fabric and the skin, thus allowing for more ventilation. While the material’s sweat-wicking property is up to debate, we do know for sure from testing is that the uneven texture decreases the fabric’s contact with the skin, thus lessening any “clammy” feeling, even though you might be perspiring.
Nylon
The activewear material is a beast at beating the heat. It’s breathable and durable enough to be used in workout clothes and often has a tad of natural stretch. As a synthetic fabric, it’s hydrophobic, meaning it can wick away sweat and dry fast in a heartbeat. Nylon can be found in hiking pants, chinos, or any sort of travel pants.
Hemp
Another hot-climate favorite is hemp whose breathability is way above cotton’s league. The lightweight hemp fabric naturally wicks away sweat by absorbing moisture from the skin and passing it to the outside air—i.e., hemp is hard to get wet and won’t hold moisture for long, so you’ll never feel clammy.
Cotton
Cotton is naturally breathable, though less so than hemp or linen or seersucker. While its moisture-wicking feat varies and often depends on whom you ask, it does absorb and retain sweat to keep you from feeling too damp. We also love how cotton can be easily made with elastane or spandex to produce four-way stretch fabric.
Polyester
Unfortunately, this plastic synthetic fiber often found in swim trunks isn’t breathable at all. But a poly-blend made with a substantial amount of breathable materials (see Bonobos seersucker pants, for instance) can easily change it up to make the fabric breezy. Moreover, polyester is a monster at wicking moisture and drying fast, so no sweat with this one.
As the Style and Commerce Editor for Men’s Health, Joseph covers all-things fashion and grooming. Previously, Cheatham was a commerce editor for Spy, and he has written for Travel + Leisure.
Christian is the deputy commerce editor at Men’s Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.
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