Introduction
In my last post, I said I had found my new favorite travel pants. Well, I was premature in declaring them my favorite because I hadn’t actually tested them yet. After I did, it was a disaster. So let’s recap this series:
- North Face travel pants
- The update to that post
- Better jeans than the BR jeans
- Lululemon discontinued pants
And here we are. The reason why the Lululemon pants failed the test was that the pockets were too shallow for my iPhone 7 plus. My phone fell out of my pocket in the car at least 2 times the first day I wore them. SAD! It was back to square one after that.
North Face updated pants
I was in the mall recently and stopped by the North Face store. I told the rep I wanted some comfortable travel pants. He showed me the update to the Kilowatt pants… the Kilowatt PRO pants. I immediately tried them on and man oh man, they were NICE. They are much much thinner than the first version. It’s like you’re wearing wrapping paper. It might actually be too thin even. However, my biggest problem with the pants remain – no back pockets. That was a deal breaker.
While trying to find the link to the Kilowatt Pro pants, I did notice that North Face just came out with some traveler pants that I’m now going to buy to try out. Check it here. Stay tuned for the followup post in a week or so.
[UPDATE – I got the NF pants in and while they felt nice and the pockets are nice, the tapered bottom just doesn’t look right. I will be returning.]
Lululemon ABC pants
When I made my first post, a few readers on Twitter told me they loved their Lululemon ABC pants. What does ABC stand for? It stands for Anti-Ball Crushing. That right there should have screamed WINNER! I had bought the pants at the outlet when I bought the other Lulu pants. I finally got them hemmed last month at the store in the mall (free alterations no matter where you buy Lulu pants) and wore them on my trip to San Francisco. In short, they are awesome! The opening of the front pockets are at the top and not side, so your phone won’t easily fall out when sitting down. They are pretty loose and should be breathable (another problem I had with the first NF pants.) The ONLY MAJOR drawback on them would be that I would have liked BOTH back pockets to be zippered and a little bigger. I would have also liked them to be a slimmer cut, but I guess because they are ABC, then that’s not possible. I would also like them to be a “softer” material; almost sweats like. While I’m nitpicking here, don’t get me wrong, these pants are my go-to travel pants…well until I test those North Face pants.
This might sound unbelievable, but try the Old Navy Slim Go-Dry Performance Flex Pants. I picked them up last week for $22.50/each (50% off sale) and they are amazing for the price. I wouldn’t hesitate to pay full price for it. Material is not as nice as the ABC pant, but it’s still got a nice stretch and feel. Pluses for me are that there is no seam at the back of the knees and lacks the “button branding” so it can look a little more biz casual. Link:
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=67530&pcid=5211&vid=1&pid=435081052
Cool, I’ll check them out. I can already see the front pockets aren’t zippered and could be a problem. How deep are they?
They’re pretty deep. Rough measurement of about 6″ from the lowest point of the pocket opening. I keep my wallet in my front left pocket and a key fob + phone in my front right. Haven’t had any issues with them slipping out yet (though it’s only been a few days).
Currently on sale for $22.
I still like my North Face Kilowatt Originals 🙂
Told you. Also the Costco travel pants aren’t bad for the price. Not the same quality as the ABC’s but better if it is hot.
Yeah you called it James, although the ABC pants tend to get dirty easily. Read reviews on Lululemon’s site and ppl were complaining about the same. Even fading around the knees. You seeing the same?
I haven’t seen that. Wear on the inside of the legs and the interior waistband button falling off though.
Eddie Bauer Guide Pro pants. Two regular front pockets, two zippered pockets on side of the mid thigh big enough to hold IPhone 7 Plus with Otterbox case and two Velcro back pockets. Extremely light weight. Could be dressed up and not look inappropriate for a nice dinner, or could go hiking. Dry very fast. I got mine for $40 on sale. Regular price is $80, but Eddie Bauer always has sales.
Blake, I went to an Eddie Bauer store as well and asked for some pants to try out. I think I tried the pants you were talking about (or maybe I didn’t.) Maybe I’ll buy online and return in store if I don’t like them.
I totally agree with Ken. P-cubed by Clothing Arts rock. I have the “slacks” type. Nylon, but feels and looks like cotton. Pockets are excellent. I’m wearing them at work now. Do not look “cargo-ey” at all. I also love their shirts. I’m done looking, their stuff is great.
Dang, okay, I’m gonna have to try them then.
Did you try the pants from Pickpocket Proof? Thoughts? I like the extra zippered pockets, though my Unionbay are pretty good. These look interesting for sure down the line when it is time to replace the ones I have now.
No they haven’t come in yet. I did buy another pair which I’ll write about after I test them out
Dude, Pickpocketproof Pants. Zippered, velcro, and button options on EVERY pocket. Always velcro’d, but you can always leave the zipper open and unbuttoned. They have cargo looking pants/shorts as well as slack looking pants that I have. They make jackets, shirts, shorts, etc.
I wouldn’t get them if they weren’t the best. You know how much of a cheapass I am.
https://www.clothingarts.com/collections/p-cubed-pick-pocket-proof-travel-clothing
They look and feel bulky, no?
Nope, they’re like regular slacks except they’re quick dry and have a zillion pockets and there’s no way somebody is stealing anything from them either. I don’t know anything about the cargo pants. If you load them down I’d assume they may feel bulky. Usually all I carry is my phone, some debit and credit cards, ID, and some cash. All in different pockets.
which one did you buy? the business one for $99?
Yup, the nylon business pants. Only thing I wish they’d change is to have the front pocket zippers to be inside or hidden a bit. Doesn’t matter if you’re not tucking of course.
what color did u buy? any discounts?
No discounts that I could find, but I’m sure they’re out there. I went with grey. We were heading out on a 4 week trip and I wanted something that could go with pretty much everything. We were living out of only a backpack so we could carry-on only, and we were washing clothes in the sink or tub. Worked well.
dang, i’m trying to decide b/w black and gray. i found a 10% new customer discount.
Damn, could’ve used that 10% when I ordered years ago. At least prices have remained the same. I ordered 2 sizes so I could load up my pockets and make sure things weren’t really tight. I’m not a small guy, and sizing is always a pain for me.
I’m thinking about the shorts too, what do you think? They are def on the pricey side.
I’ve wanted them since I got the pants, but there’s no way I’m paying $80 for a pair of shorts. That’s insane. Though I suppose most of the cost goes into the fancy pockets which are in both.
Had both the pants and shorts in cart. Checking out. Read your note. YUP, this is crazy expensive for shorts. Felt my current pair was fine. Removed shorts. Checked out with pants only. I’m excited.
I’d probably pay $50 for the shorts, but not $80. Hopefully you like them, but if not it’s easy to return to them. I crammed my extra pair into a flat rate mailer for $6.
I am still liking my UNIONBAY travel pants. Got a bit fat over the winter so bought some new ones off Amazon. They’ve been with me (the new ones) to Cuba and Italy so far and no complaints. Both back pockets zip, there is an extra poket with a zip on the right front and the two regular front pockets are pretty deep. I canny an iPhone 6+ in the front and it never falls out sitting or standing. Just saying.
I think we had this discussion a while back; seems Costco inventory is hit or miss. I’ll look out for them the next time I go.