These Are the Most Comfortable Travel Clothes for Every Trip (2024)

These Are the Most Comfortable Travel Clothes for Every Trip (1)

You may have a designated travel sweatshirt or a favorite pair of shoes to wear on flights — but what about other essentials, like pants, shorts, T-shirts, dresses, and pajamas? If you prioritize comfort in transit, it’s time to revamp your travel wardrobe to ensure every trip is a cozy one. Lucky for you, we tested tons of travel clothing items over the course of six months here at Travel + Leisure, and we’ve rounded up our favorites.

From fit to value to overall comfort, we rated dozens of products based on the most important factors to consider when it comes to traveling. Our list includes the products that rated highest after vigorous long-term testing. Whether you prefer to travel in loose-fitting loungewear or more compressive clothing, you’re sure to find something comfy below.

Most Comfortable Travel Clothing for Women

Best Pants

Lululemon High-rise Jogger

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Our Ratings

  • Fit

    5/5

  • Comfort

    5/5

  • Quality

    5/5

  • Durability

    5/5

  • Design

    4.5/5

Why We Love It

  • They’re comfy yet stylish, and they work in all types of weather.

What to Consider

  • They’re slightly baggier in person than on the model.

These stylish pants are some of the comfiest we’ve ever put on. From their stretch to their softness and roomy fit, we’re confident these will stay a part of our travel wardrobe for years to come. We also love how versatile they are: we wore them on rainy days in San Francisco and hot, humid days in Hawaii without ever feeling too chilly or overheated. Even on long-haul flights, the joggers remained comfy. We were seriously impressed by their wrinkle-resistant and water-wicking capabilities that have held up over multiple wears and three washes — plus, their deep pockets made traveling and sightseeing so much more convenient.

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Best Swimsuit

Andie The Amalfi

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Our Ratings

  • Fit

    5/5

  • Comfort

    5/5

  • Quality

    5/5

  • Coverage

    5/5

  • Value

    5/5

Why We Love It

  • It provides coverage without making us look totally shapeless.

What to Consider

  • The bottom may ride up on some bodies.

It’s hard to beat a swimsuit that looks good, feels good, and stays put throughout a day of catching waves or enjoying waterpark slides. That’s why we’re so obsessed with the Amalfi One Piece by Andie: it’s soft, sporty, adjustable, and boosts confidence for all who wear it. The fabric is also ribbed, which we felt aided in slimming our torsos and staying tight against our skin rather than sagging once we got wet. The unique nylon-spandex blend shrugs off water quickly, so our testers felt they could comfortably sit or lie down on their towel as soon as they got out of the water. Our favorite thing about this suit, though, is how curvy and flattering it made us look despite being a one-piece — we felt both covered and cute. You can grab this suit in 15 summery colors and prints.

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Why We Love It

  • Their specialized soles literally push you forward.

What to Consider

  • The collar is a bit stiff.

If you’re looking for serious support, shock absorption, and cushioning for your next trip, consider ordering a pair of the Nike Motivas. Their thick, rounded outsoles expertly take on bumps and debris, all while propelling you (or “bouncing” you, as one of our testers said) forward with every single step. It’s this feature that makes the shoes perfect for any terrain, including dirt trails, cobblestone streets, and the carpeted floors of airport terminals. Beyond that, we appreciate the shoes’ soft and breathable upper, wide toe box, lightweight feel, and overall comfort. They’re only available in three colors (black, hot pink, and nude pink) but we feel those options would sufficiently satisfy most fashion tastes.

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Best Sandals

Keen Women's Elle Backstrap Sandal

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Our Ratings

  • Fit

    5/5

  • Value

    5/5

  • Comfort

    4.5/5

  • Quality

    4.8/5

Why We Love It

  • They’re stylish and breathable, yet just as comfy as sneakers.

What to Consider

  • The straps may feel a little tight on some shoppers.

Hiking, sightseeing, and long travel days may not sound like the right time to wear sandals, but after conducting a few tests, we’ve found it’s possible with the Keen Elle Backstrap Sandals. The supportive and sturdy shoes remain comfy after miles of walking, and they’re just as easy to wear with a dress as they are with activewear. Thick fabric straps prevent blistering and durable outsoles traverse rocks, twigs, and uneven ground with ease. We also noticed that in addition to their support and comfort features, their flat shape makes them a breeze to pack into luggage. They’re available in 21 prints and colors ranging from pink peaco*ck to plaza taupe.

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Best T-shirt

Patagonia Women's Capilene Cool Daily Shirt

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Why We Love It

  • It’s flattering, moisture-wicking, and wrinkle-resistant.

What to Consider

  • It may feel somewhat tight in the bust on some shoppers.

If you’re a frequent traveler, you know not just any T-shirt will do. Luckily, we’ve discovered Patagonia’s Capilene Cool Daily Shirt is perfect for hitting the road. Not only is the tee moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and stretchy, but it also features recycled polyester jersey material, meaning it won’t easily wrinkle in your luggage or after hours sitting on a plane. It’s also quite lightweight at just 3.7 ounces, so you know it’ll feel comfy and breathable whether you’re sightseeing in hot summer weather or headed out for a morning run on the beach. Featuring a tapered fit and odor control technology, this shirt will keep you feeling confident. Pick it up in six colors ranging from evening mauve to feather gray.

Best Sweater

Naadam Women's Original Cashmere Sweater

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Why We Love It

  • It’s gorgeous, comfy, and available in more than a dozen colors.

What to Consider

  • It tends to pill if not hand washed.

You won’t find a cashmere sweater more affordable than this one from Naadam. And despite the low price tag, the sweater is incredibly well made, soft, warm, and breathable. It’s also very lightweight, meaning you can pack it into luggage (even small weekender bags or backpacks) without it weighing you down or taking up too much space. The fit manages to be pretty much perfect on everyone, and it can easily be dressed up with jewelry and heels, or dressed down with leggings and sneakers. One of our favorite things about it, however, is the number of colors it comes in — our favorites are camel, olive, and peaco*ck blue.

Best Sweatshirt

lululemon Oversized Cropped Crew

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Why We Love It

  • It might just be the comfiest sweatshirt of all time.

What to Consider

  • It stains easily.

We’re not sure if it’s magic or simply the geniuses at Lululemon that make this sweatshirt so flattering and soft, but either way, you can catch us adding one in every color to our carts. It’s sleek and monochromatic which gives it a cool modern vibe, and the soft, peach fuzz fabric makes this sweatshirt an instant classic. The recycled polyester four-way stretch fabric is also quick-drying and machine washable. The crew is designed with a loose fit for extra room and comfort, and the hemline is cropped without feeling too short. It’s perfect for long travel days because it’s resistant to wrinkles and about as cozy as it gets, whether you opt for purple ash, utility blue, or one of the other available hues.

Why We Love It

  • The set is comfy, breathable, and about as stylish as pajamas come.

What to Consider

  • There’s no option to buy the top and bottoms separately.

We love these pajamas because they’re the ultimate comfy, lightweight set. The modal-spandex blend is super soft, non-suffocating, and resistant to wrinkles. The four buttons on the top are easy to use, while the cropped pants promote airflow. Both the top and bottom provide plenty of room to move and stretch without feeling baggy or frumpy. The set is also quite stylish thanks to added features like a chest pocket and contrasting piping. From coastal blue to rose cloud, all eight available colors are sure to catch your eye (and we wouldn’t blame you if you added multiple colors to your Amazon cart).

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Best Dress

Quince Tencel Jersey Fit & Flare Dress

Why We Love It

  • It has pockets and is cute enough to wear everywhere.

What to Consider

  • The material is thin, making certain colors more sheer than others.

Is there anything better than a cute dress that also has pockets? We don’t think so, and this one from Quince is our absolute favorite for travel. It couldn’t be more flattering thanks to thoughtful design features like a scoop neckline and thin tank straps. The flowing skirt is youthful yet refined, and carefree yet composed. On most women it hits mid-calf, and we love that the subtle pockets are large enough to hold a smartphone. Dresses are some of the easiest clothing items to wear while traveling, and we recommend this one for its light weight, excellent mobility, and non-wrinkling fabric blend.

Most Comfortable Travel Clothing for Men

Best Pants

Lululemon ABC Classic-fit Pant Warpstreme

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Our Ratings

  • Fit

    5/5

  • Comfort

    5/5

  • Quality

    5/5

  • Durability

    5/5

  • Design

    5/5

Why We Love It

  • They’re comfier than they look and you can customize your perfect fit.

What to Consider

  • The legs may feel too wide for some shoppers’ preferences.

Comfortable, breathable, and stretchy, these are the ultimate travel pants for men. In fact, we were able to wear these for 16 hours at a time with no discomfort, and even ran to catch a bus without any tearing or chafing. They feel lightweight yet sturdy, and four of the five pockets are large enough to fit a smartphone. After washing several times, the pants still looked as good as new and felt nearly as comfy as a pair of joggers. We especially like that the ABCs come in 14 sizes, five lengths, and 12 neutral hues.

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Best Swimsuit

Vuori Banks Short

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Our Ratings

  • Fit

    5/5

  • Comfort

    5/5

  • Quality

    5/5

  • Coverage

    5/5

  • Value

    5/5

Why We Love It

  • They’re stylish enough to wear beyond the beach.

What to Consider

  • They lack a liner.

We found these to be some of the best-fitting swim shorts out there. While not baggy, there’s plenty of room for comfort, and they have a tailored fit, almost like a pair of chino shorts. They’re made of a polyester-elastane blend that sheds water quickly, meaning they feel lightweight even when wet, and they dry in no time. Plus, they’re packed with pockets including a zippered, anti-sand pocket to keep all your belongings safe at the pool or beach. The Banks shorts hit around the knee or just above depending on your height, and they come in seven styles.

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Best Sneakers

Hoka One One Clifton 8

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Our Ratings

  • Fit

    5/5

  • Comfort

    5/5

  • Responsiveness

    5/5

  • Stability

    5/5

  • Value

    5/5

Why We Love It

  • They’re as versatile as they are stylish.

What to Consider

  • They run narrow.

We love a pair of shoes that can truly do it all when we travel, and that’s why Hoka’s Clifton 8 scored so highly during our tests. We comfortably ran, lounged, completed errands around town, and went for a leisurely park stroll while wearing these, and now we’re pretty sure there’s nothing they can’t do. Through weeks of wear, we noticed our feet never blistered or ached in these shoes, and they offered comfy, lightweight cushioning no matter where we went. Because the design is minimal, they’re versatile enough to wear with many different outfits. Snag them in sizes 8 through 14 and colors ranging from neutral lunar rock to radiant yellow.

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Best Sandals

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Sandals

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Our Ratings

  • Fit

    4/5

  • Comfort

    4.5/5

  • Value

    4/5

  • Quality

    5/5

Why We Love It

  • They’re so sturdy and comfy, you can actually run in them.

What to Consider

  • The strap system can be difficult to figure out at first.

These durable sandals manage to be both squishy-soft and firmly supportive, which is why we recommend bringing them on every warm-weather trip. The fit is super customizable thanks to three separate velcro straps (heel, top of the foot, and toe) that can be adjusted, though we suggest setting the heel and toe straps on your first wear, and using the strap on the top of your foot as your on-off tool each wear. Because the Hurricanes are made with non-absorbent materials, quick-dry webbing, and nylon shank stabilizers in the midsole, we were able to comfortably wear these on sand, concrete, indoor flooring, and even in a resort pool. These are available in 29 colors and sizes 4 through 17.

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Best T-shirt

Ibex Short Sleeve Crew

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Why We Love It

  • It’s made of ultra-soft merino wool, but it’s still surprisingly lightweight.

What to Consider

  • It tends to shrink if not washed carefully.

This shirt by Ibex is the basic tee you’ve been looking for — but with a little oomph. It’s comfy and easy to wear with everything — from stretchy sweatpants to slacks — and also naturally moisture-wicking and odor-resistant. Though you wouldn’t think it from the first glance, the shirt is actually made of 100 percent merino wool, so you know it’s soft and warm yet breathable. Labeled a “performance” T-shirt, the 24 Hour Short Sleeve Crew not only feels good through workouts and other vigorous movement, but it’s also sure to stand up to things like tugs, falls, and plenty of washes. It even has a super lightweight construction, so it’s ideal for packing in your suitcase. Grab the shirt in eight earth-tones and five sizes.

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Best Sweater

Madewell Cotton-Linen Long-Sleeve Sweater Polo

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Why We Love It

  • It’s extremely stylish, comfy, and easy to travel with.

What to Consider

  • It only comes in one color.

This simple sweater is super stylish and wearable. Beyond its collared, three-button design, it also features ribbing throughout to create a versatile, casual-yet-composed look. Its cotton-linen construction provides breathable warmth that’s easy to layer if needed, and the soft cream color is easy to match with pants of all hues. We love it for travel because it doesn’t feel constrictive, heavy, hot, or itchy, so sitting on a plane or train for hours is a breeze. Like many of the items on our list, it’s very lightweight, so carrying it in luggage is no problem at all.

Best Sweatshirt

Champion Reverse Weave Hoodie Sweatshirt

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Why We Love It

  • It’s extra soft and warm since it’s made with a fleece lining.

What to Consider

  • The cuffs and neck hole may feel a little tight.

Traveling in a restrictive, heavy, uncomfortable sweatshirt can be a nightmare. That’s why we’re all about Campion’s Reverse Weave Hoodie Sweatshirt: it has a soft fleece lining, a quality cotton-polyester blend, and it keeps the cold out. As its name suggests, it has a hood complete with a drawstring, and the pull-on design (rather than zipper closure) allows for even more comfort. It intentionally fits loose so travelers have room to move and stretch, and even has stretchy ribbed side panels for extra mobility. It comes in 26 colors — all of which are made to avoid shrinking.

Best Pajamas

L.L.Bean Organic Cotton Pajama Set

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Why We Love It

  • They come in more than a dozen sizes.

What to Consider

  • The top and bottom are not sold separately.

Who wants tight, scratchy pajamas? Certainly not us. If you’re on the hunt for soft PJs, try L.L.Bean’s Organic Cotton Pajama Set. The long-sleeve, two-piece set is made of 100 percent organic cotton that feels amazing to the touch, and the relaxed fit makes them even more comfortable. We love that the buttoned top and drawstring pants come in short, regular, and tall lengths, resulting in 17 overall sizes. While most sizes come in just feldspar heather (gray) and navy heather, some sizes are also available in light gray/soft spruce heather and rosewood/sailcloth heather.

Best Shorts

Ten Thousand Set Short

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Why We Love It

  • They’re “amphibious,” (in other words, they can be worn in water or on land).

What to Consider

  • They’re a little bit stiff.

These shorts were made for movement. Unlike many similar shorts that feature long inseams, bulky pockets, buttons, and other unnecessary bells and whistles, these no-frills shorts are designed to avoid slowing you down. You can choose between a 5- or 6.5-inch inseam and six sizes. No matter which size or inseam length you choose, you’re sure to enjoy the subtle, slim pockets at each hip, barely-there waistband, and useful features such as the water-repellent and quick-drying fabric, four-way stretch, compression liner, and chlorine/salt water-resistant finish. These are also great for packing since they’re lightweight and wrinkle-resistant, too.

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Other Comfortable Travel Clothes We Liked

Lululemon Wunder Train High-Rise Tight with Pockets 25": These were comfy on long travel days, stylish, opaque even during workouts, and available in absolutely gorgeous colors. However, the Lululemon price tag felt a bit steep for a pair of leggings.

Cotopaxi Veza Adventure Pants: These were literally comfy enough to sleep in, and the unique colors they’re available in are eye-catching — but we felt the tie string at the waist was awkwardly long and a bit too cumbersome for us to wear these pants regularly.

Skechers Go Walk Flex - Alani: These were seriously comfy and stable. We also like the forward propulsion that the rounded sole creates. Their clunky appearance and the inability to tighten them, however, turned us off.

Our Testing Process

The T+L team spent six months rigorously testing dozens of products for this article, including shoes, shirts, pants, dresses, pajamas, and more. We wore the clothing on our own travels, on hikes, while running errands, and even while lounging at home to get a true feel for each item. We then rated our favorite pieces based on factors like fit, comfort, quality, value, and more, and included the highest-scoring products in this article.

Tips for Buying Comfortable Travel Clothes

Consider the material

When traveling, it’s important to choose clothing that’s as comfortable and low maintenance as possible. That said, we recommend clothes made of soft, sweat-wicking, and breathable fabrics such as cotton, polyester, linen, or wool. It’s also wise to opt for wrinkle-resistant materials like nylon and spandex to keep you looking fresh and put-together.

Look for travel features

Though it may feel unnecessary, we guarantee you’ll end up thanking yourself for buying pants, dresses, and bags with lots of extra pockets. Additionally, temperature-regulating clothes can come in pretty handy when you’re on the road — so consider adding clothing with cooling capabilities (or just clothes made of linen, nylon, or polyester) to your travel wardrobe.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What materials are most breathable?

    The most breathable clothing is made of materials like cotton, linen, nylon, polyester, merino wool, and silk. Though fabrics like spandex, fleece, and denim have plenty of benefits, they’re not quite as breathable.

  • What types of clothes are best to travel in?

    Generally soft, stretchy, and loose-fitting clothing is best for travel, as it’ll keep you comfy and won’t feel restrictive on long flights or drives. Some people may also opt for compressive clothing, like leggings or compression socks, which helps promote circulation on long travel days. You may also want to choose clothing you know to be breathable so you don’t overheat.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, associate commerce editor Hillary Maglin used insights from T+L product tests to conclude which clothing is the most comfortable for travel days. The testing insights were personally provided by members of the Travel + Leisure team.

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These Are the Most Comfortable Travel Clothes for Every Trip (2024)
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