The Best Men’s Pants for Summer 2026, Worn and Tested by Style Editors

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

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.

Linen is designed to be light and airy, which is why this pair is my go-to in the dog days of summer. During a staycation in the Hamptons, I found these luxe linen pants breathe way better than most summer pants that I’ve tested. They come in a classic fit that’s a tailored a tad to the leg without that snug feeling.

You could opt for a number of colorways, but the black feels super especially sharp with a polo and loafers for a beachside dinner. I have to admit, it was slightly wrinkled after I pulled it out of my suitcase, but a quick steam solved that problem. Aside from that, these pants are versatile enough for casual and dressier settings.

These are hands down the most comfortable summer pants I’ve tested. The linen-cotton blend has the airy, breathable feel of linen but the softness of cotton, while the relaxed, tapered fit gives your legs plenty of room to move without ever looking oversized. I found myself reaching for them whether I was lounging at home, exploring a new city, or heading out to dinner.

The relaxed, tapered silhouette is what really won me over. There’s plenty of room through the seat and legs, so nothing feels restrictive, but the subtle taper and ankle-length cut keep them looking clean instead of oversized. I wore them with everything from sneakers to loafers and sandals, and the proportions always felt right. They’re also my favorite alternative to heavier chinos when I’m traveling. This pair packs lighter, breathes better, and still looks polished enough that I never felt underdressed.

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. I love that the chino silhouette is more relaxed rather than looking like balloons on your legs. Available in neutral colors, 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.

Handpicked to be tested by our style editors and then fitted on Bullet Train action star Andrew Koji, Everlane’s chinos move you from the tarmac to the resort without losing a second of relaxation, courtesy of the spandex blend.

While cotton is less cooling compared to linen, having tested these pants’ fabric, we guarantee that they’re indeed sweat-wicking and quick-drying to keep you cool and dry. Although the fit leans slim, it hasn’t made us feel restricted or uncomfortable in those tight airplane seats. Unlike other summer pants that have an open leg, this pair has elastic cuffs, but it doesn’t cancel out breathability.

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.