Chinos Are Now Cooler Than Ever—These 13 Pairs Prove It (2024)

Our testers all agreed that these are arguably the best chinos in the market right now. Once we slipped our legs into these pants, we found the overall fit and comfort of the fabric to be ten out of ten. That’s not only because Bonobos offers five different fits to cater to your body type, but also because the brand infuses the cotton fabric with quite a tad of four-way stretch, making them extra versatile for days when you want to wear chino pants out to travel, commute, run errands, etc.

In our testing, we also found that the waistband felt comfortable because it curved to the shape of our hip. The fabric, after we wore them for hours on end, turned out to be moisture-wicking as well, and all in all low-maintenance because it is wrinkle-resistant. And we love that Bonobos added a zip pocket to help us safely store our small stuff.

Also Available in: Slim Fit and Relaxed Fit

Having thoroughly tested Lululemon's ABC pants, we found them to be the comfiest pants to stay classy in our everyday life. With sweat-wicking fabric, amplified four-way stretch, wrinkle resistance, quick drying, and a comfortable ABC (Anti-Ball Crushing) design, the athleisure brand has managed to infuse its activewear innovation into a classic pant style geared toward everyday life.

In fact, I was able to wear these pants multiple days in a row after owning them since 2020, and their performance has never let me down once. My favorite part about these pants is the anti-ball-crushing tech which I tested out to be a gusset at the crotch and thigh areas that helps relieve tension while walking.

Overall, I love that they look like chinos but move like joggers, using smooth, lightweight materials with amplified stretch and quick-drying to keep up with my everyday commutes and traveling. Available in classic, slim, and relaxed fits, Lululemon’s ABC pants are what guys have always hoped to find in their everyday slacks, giving you unrestrictive movement and all-day comfort without compromising on an elevated style.

Read More: Lululemin ABC Pants Review

A chino that moves like a jogger but looks like a pair of grown-up pants is no wonder Everlane's hero item. And this was in fact handpicked to be tested by our Fashion Director Ted Stafford and then fitted on Bullet Train action star Andrew Koji. Why? It will move you from the tarmac to the resort without losing a second of relaxation, courtesy of the spandex four-way stretch that we found was so movement-friendly that we were able to squat and even jog a bit in them with ease.

Coupled with a business-casual veneer, Everlane’s chinos won our testing team over with a versatility that's perfect for traveling, working in the office, or going about your every day. Our favorite part of these chinos is their sweat-wicking and quick-drying capabilities. We even wore them on hot summer days to stroll under the sun, and the fabric was able to keep our legs feeling cool and dry.

Uniqlo's slim-fit chinos are made with a close attention to detail. For starters, they have an ideal amount of stretch and are enhanced with a cotton-spandex blend that provides all-day-long softness without sacrificing a sharp style.

In terms of color, there's plenty of classics that are easy to pair with your daily wear. But if you want to opt for something a little more outside the box, we suggest going with this wine hue for an elevated flare. It's hard to go wrong with Uniqlo's chinos because they are suitable for any occasion. From work to meetings, to date night, to casual outings, and everything in between.

Having worn Uniqlo’s chinos to travel, we were impressed by how lightweight and smooth the fabric is. While it’s not a traditional chino material, I like its nylon blend that is flexible enough for a squat and sweat-wicking. I also found that while the fit is slim, it is not restricting at all, and all in all looks great enough for everyday wear as well as the office.

Pro cyclist Justin Williams regards Vuori’s Collins chino pants as "a versatile wardrobe staple that can be dressed up or down, making it a must-have for any trip I go on." Unlike traditional chinos whose surface feels rough, these actually feel soft like suede. Their two-way stretch and not-too-slim fit will become an indispensable part of your pants rotation for sure. "It's no wonder that the Chino Pant is the first thing in my travel bag—they're simply perfect for any situation," Williams affirms.

While we were initially concerned that the inseam only comes in 31”, once we put them on, we were immediately pleased by how the length is just enough for a cuffed-pants look but can also look great uncuffed. We love how the balance of stretch and normal chino materials makes them versatile for business casual dress codes on the weekdays as well as dressing down on the weekends. “With a modern cut, you can look sharp and put-together whether you're taking a business meeting or just hanging out with family and friends,” adds Williams.

Alex Mill put a military-style spin on their Field Pant. But these are nothing like the beaten pants your dad used to wear. It's airier fit and medium weight fabric in the thigh makes the pant perfect for the fall, spring, and summer seasons. And for an even cooler look, we suggest cuffing once or twice.

In our testing, we found that these chinos have an athletic fit that offers extra room in the seat and thigh with a slightly tapered leg, making us look sharp and feel comfortable on the go. You can travel in these Alex Mill chinos for a full day and still be appropriate for an afternoon work meeting. The brand made some major upgrades to their quality chinos by adding a great depth of color and elastane stretch.

These classic stretch chinos under $100 from J.Crew have the comfort for mobility while providing a flattering fit. Their fabric is ideal for year-round wear—not too stiff or too thin, and we love that its stretch on demand allows our legs to flex and move without restraint. Better yet, J.Crew offers four different fits for the style, including one called Athletic Tapered that we found is perfect for men with beefy, muscular thighs—it looks elevated from below the knees but the thigh-to-hip area is roomy and comfortable to wear all day long.

Another of our favorite parts is that J.Crew's chino is not too baggy or skin-tight. All in all, we found them perfect for wearing to work, hanging out with friends, or pretty much any occasion a chino might be good for. At this price, it's the perfect buy if you wish to strike a balance between style and comfort by wearing slacks.

Between a classic flat-front design, an affordable price point, and a vintage fit relaxed through the thigh with a straight leg, Abercrombie's chinos are not too fitted or too loose, effortlessly bringing back the '90s groove and amping up the comfort with stretch. Hence, these pants are your go-to whenever you're dressing down.

Stylist Melina Kemph even considers these straight-fit chinos as wardrobe essentials given how versatile they are. "They have a relaxed fit through the thigh and the straight cut makes them compatible with sneakers, loafers, desert boots, and even a pair of huarache sandals plus short sleeve linen button down for vacation!"

What really impressed us about Abercrombie’s chinos is how comfortable they were right from the first wear. We love that the fabric actually uses lyocell to amplify breathability while smoothness, and we did find these chino pants were able to wick away light sweat. Our testers with big thighs also found their relaxed thigh area did not feel restricting at all.

These chinos are so movement-friendly yet rugged at the same time that you'd second-guess whether they're actually chinos after all. No wonder men's fashion influencer Parker York Smith calls these the "sustainable, insanely comfortable, alternative to regular pants." They're made from a preshrunk 8-oz cotton fabric blend enhanced with spandex for mobility, meaning these chino pants will feel as soft as they are stretchy. While they do require some time to break in, once you start feeling comfortable in them, you'll notice how durable and flexible they are.

Let's also not forget how versatile they are. "The look works at the office. The fit works at the bar. The comfort works for a day of golf," says Smith. Overall, our testers love that Flint and Tinder’s 365 pants are cut like a jean, have the professional look of chinos, yet stretches like performance slacks, making them able to hold their own and great to wear whether you work in an office or in your living room.

Made with Japanese selvedge, Todd Snyder’s chinos are one of the most durable, innovative (not to mention: stylish) pants your closet is missing. They have the feel of a rugged, retro military khaki and vintage details through and through.

Elisa Bender, an e-commerce specialist, recommends these through her retail experience. "What we love about it is that it is 100% cotton and has a great stretch too. The fabric is from Kuroki Mill in Japan, and the quality says all about its worth. This makes it worth the money because this chino style is not found elsewhere."

The result is a chino that gives you sophistication while still letting you be comfortable. "You can wear it on formal occasions and on a casual night out with friends," adds Bender. We also love that these chinos have the perfect slouchy fit and feel soft like vintage trousers.

Rhone hits the nail on the head with these wrinkle-resistant commuter bottoms that are made from the brand’s premium Flex-Knit fabric. While the fabric is polyester, our testers found that the materials here are reworked to be super stretchy and breathable. Specifically, the fabric has the 4-way stretch and recovery of a Stretch Armstrong action figure, and there’s a gusset inserted into the seam to keep your below-the-belt boys breathing easy—all delivered in a classic chino silhouette that you’ll keep in your outfit rotation for years to come.

Designed for office professionals, the pants also boast a media pouch for your phone and a security zipper pocket for your cardholder. In our testing, one wearer also can’t get enough of how sleek it looks with polo and dress shirts or how comfortable it fits even on the go. The only qualm is that the waistband isn't as stretchy and flexible as we'd like it to be.

How to Find the Right Fit in Men's Chinos

This is perhaps the most important question to be asked for all pant styles because, without the right fit or cut, you can barely wear them comfortably. For the chino style that emphasizes so much on comfort, getting down the appropriate fit or cut is thus paramount. "Style and cut are truly a personal preference when shopping for chino and dependent on the type of pants that flatters a man's body type and what style they are looking to achieve," says Segall. She further explains the two most popular cuts for chinos: straight leg, and slim fit. "Straight-leg chinos offer a more clean-cut and classic look, whereas slim-fit chinos are tighter and offer a more defined silhouette."

How to Style Chinos for Men

When it comes to styling chinos for men, it's essential to strike the perfect balance between looking casual and looking polished. For starters, the safest way to style chinos is to opt for versatile colors like classic khaki, navy, or olive. Then, ensure your chinos have the right fit—a tailored fit, preferably, that accentuates your silhouette and is not too loose or tight. Then, for a smart-casual vibe, pair your chinos with crisp button-down shirts or polo shirts for your office days. For something a bit more laidback, dress down your chinos with a well-fitted t-shirt or sweater for your casual outings.

For layering, chinos will match well with blazers and shackets for colder seasons. As for footwear, canvas sneakers and loafers in general will give your chinos a more casual feel, while leather sneakers and dress shoes are perfect for dressing up in chinos to cop a more professional look. We also encourage wearing chinos with a leather belt.

Frequently Asked Questions About Men's Chinos

Can Men With Big Thighs Wear Chinos?
If you're a fit guy looking for chinos that'll match your athletic build, Liebenberg has some words of wisdom to share. "Guys with larger legs typically find that off-the-rack chinos are loose around the waist. That's a common problem with bodybuilders who have to size up to get normal chinos to fit their quads, but because they have a slighter waist it’s often loose." As such, he recommends having more room in the quads and glutes while tapering up the waist for an athletic fit.

What Are Chinos vs. Khakis?
In short, chinos are a style of trousers, whereas khaki mainly refers to a light brown or tan color. Specifically, chinos are pants typically made of cotton twill fabric which is durable, light, and breathable, and come in a variety of colors beyond the traditional khaki. Khakis often mean pants made in khaki colors and the term is now often used to describe casual cotton trousers often in a beige or tan color.

While khakis share similarities with chinos, the term is sometimes used more narrowly to refer specifically to beige or tan-colored casual pants, whereas chinos specifically refer to a pants style made in certain fabric and design.

So all khakis can be chinos, but not all chinos are necessarily khakis since chinos can come in every color imaginable.

What Are Modern Chinos?
Unlike traditional chinos, modern chinos are no longer made in 100% cotton twill fabric. Modern chinos now are often made with cotton and a tad of stretch (spandex or elastane) for even more flexibility and comfort on the go, and it’s also common to chinos nowadays made in a blend of activewear or performance fabrics like polyester and nylon. These materials also allow modern chinos to feel more practical and incorporate technical features such as moisture-wicking, breathability, or quick-drying properties.

Additionally, modern chinos often come in slimmer or tapered fits, and look more streamlined and polished instead of looking, well, like your dad’s old slacks. And while traditional khaki remains a classic, modern chinos are available in a broader range of colors.

Do Men Still Wear Chinos?
You bet your ass we do! Chinos remain a wardrobe staple in men's fashion because they’re so versatile, comfortable, and stylish for different occasions. They can be dressed up or down for a casual day out, a semi-formal event, or even an office day in the workplace. Since chinos are often made of soft, breathable, and light fabric, they can transition from warm summers to cooler days. Men’s chinos are also popular because they are super easy to style—whether it’s for your workplace attire or your weekend wear, they will find a way to be part of your fit. Lastly, chino pants just have that classic, clean, enduring appeal, making them the go-to pants style for many men.

Why Trust Men's Health

At Men’s Health, our testing editors and writers always make sure to actually test and use the products ourselves before considering whether to include them. Therefore, rest assured that our product recommendations derive from first-hand experience, and you can read more about our testing process here.

In addition, we have a whole fashion closet in our NYC office dedicated to calling in, trying out, and selecting the best and newest menswear products. We put them on stylish, fit guys to hear their opinions and see how the items look on them before making our final decision. As style editors, we constantly go into the fashion closet to feel a product’s materials—even put it on ourselves for a spin—to test it.

Lastly, you can trust our opinions on shopping recommendations, whether it’s the products, styling tips, or trends. Not only do we have Fashion Director Ted Stafford and Deputy Editor, Commerce Christian Gollyan, but we also have a panel of style experts—including stylists, fashion influencers, designers, etc.—whom we regularly seek shopping guides from. Therefore, our product recommendations and buying tips are all driven by professional, expert opinions.

Meet the Experts

• Joe Kudla is the founder of the athleisure brand Vuori
• Simone Segall is the Senior Design Director at Nordstrom
• Ben Stubbington is the SVP of Men's Design at Lululemon
• Scott Liebenberg is the CEO of Tapered Menswear

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