These Comfy, Editor-loved Travel Pants Never Wrinkle

Cargo pants were not on my 2025 bingo card. I’ll admit, I’ve been a bit of a hater when it comes to the ’90s trend that’s had a huge resurgence recently. But, after discovering the perfect pair of travel pants — that are, in fact, cargos — I finally get it.

About a week before I flew out for 14 days in Africa, I realized I was lacking safari-friendly pants in shades of brown; safari companies recommend opting for brown, olive, and neutral colors on game drives to help you blend into the landscape, making you less noticeable to animals and less likely to startle them. Being both an outdoor gear and fashion editor, I also wanted a travel pant that was technical, durable, comfortable, and still looked super cute, which can sometimes be a tall order. In my search for flattering hiking pants, I quickly found the Prana Stretch Zion Cargo Pant. Since I’ve been hiking in Prana gear for nearly a decade, I knew I’d love everything about this pant, despite being on the fence about the cargo style. I added it to my cart, telling myself it’d be a “back-up.”

But, as soon as I tried the pants on, I couldn’t find a single flaw with them — six pockets and all. They surprised me with how effortlessly cool they were (and made me feel), and I instantly regretted not buying them in more colors. Now, I can safely say that during my two-week stay in Africa, I found myself reaching for these perfect pants repeatedly, even over other items I had packed, like linen trousers and leggings. So, what made these my go-to choice?

Prana Stretch Zion Cargo Pant

Unlike my linen pieces, these pants remained wrinkle-free the entire trip. Even with several flights and lodge changes, I could pull them out of my carry-on, give them a shake, and they were ready to go. The soft, flexible recycled nylon material also made them simple to pack — whether I rolled or stuffed them into my duffel, they magically always kept their shape.

Not to mention, they’re incredibly comfortable and durable, while still being breathable, sweat-wicking, and lightweight. Made from a two-way stretch fabric and with a double-side waistband adjustment that you can easily tighten or loosen for a perfect fit, they never felt tight or constricting. They moved with me whether I was hiking to observe mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Forest National Park in Uganda, boarding bush planes and riding Land Cruisers for game drives in the Masai Mara, or sightseeing and visiting museums in Nairobi.

The pants are also water-repellent, which helped on misty morning hikes in the mountains, and have built-in UPF 50+ that protected me from the sun when exposed in the savannah in the late afternoons. These features, combined with the adjustable length, kept me safe from the elements, landscape, and even bugs. The pants actually have a bungee cinch at the hem for true customization, meaning I could shorten them to ankle-length to cool off when temperatures heated up or wear them full-length (and tuck them into my socks) for muddy mountain trails, which came in clutch when I was quite literally stumbling through stinging nettle. They kept me comfortable for dinner in the evenings, when it got chilly and the mosquitos came out.

Prana Stretch Zion Cargo Pant

While designed for the outdoors, the pants transition easily from trails and camping to casual activities. I paired these with hiking boots and t-shirts for rugged days exploring national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, as well as with sandals and linen button-downs for city outings. The sweat-wicking, stain-proof fabric ensured I was able to wear these over and over again during my two-week trip without having to constantly wash them or have them out of my rotation. The couple of times I did have them laundered (one was after an extremely muddy hike), they didn’t shrink, stiffen, or pill.

And, they keep showing off. With six spacious pockets, these travel pants held all of my small essentials when I didn’t want to carry a bulky bag. It’s safe to say that I’ll be packing these for all of my future trips.

I bought the rich mocha brown shade, though the Prana Stretch Zion Cargo Pants also come in six other colors, including lavender, retro olive, classic black, light gray, and dark gray — and I’m tempted to purchase another pair.

These Prana pants were such a winner for me, I now have my eye on the Prana Stretch Zion Cinch Pant in haze (the perfect spring lavender shade), which I can envision myself hiking the Scottish Highlands in this summer. I’m also looking to add a wide-leg airport travel pant to my wardrobe, like the silky, flowy Prana Sendoff Pant or buttery-soft Prana Shea Wide-leg Pant.

At $98, the Zion cargo pant is an investment, but priced fairly in my opinion and are a bit more affordable than hiking pants from other trusted brands. Plus, they seem less expensive when I take into consideration how many times I’ve already used them. Given their versatility and durability, I’m confident these pants will last me for years (and already plan to save them a spot in my carry-on for all my 2025 trips). While they’re not on sale, head to Prana, REI, or Amazon to grab a pair before they sell out — you’ll definitely appreciate having them on your next adventure, wherever it may take you.

If you’re on the lookout for more travel essentials for your upcoming trip, especially lightweight, layer-able pieces suited for transitional spring weather, check out some items I’m also shopping in Prana’s weekend sale. The brand is offering an extra 60 percent off already-discounted items — perfect for stocking up on quality outdoor gear and travel outfits at budget-friendly prices.

My Prana Travel Clothes Picks on Sale:

Cozy Up Pullover

Halle E-Waist Short II

Peak Fleece Jacket

Sancho Boyfriend Pant

Sacred Space Pullover

Railay Snap Up Skort

Encinitas Jacket

Sculpt 7/8 Legging

Escambia Half-Zip Jacket

Crossback Short

Palisades Ripstop Field Shirt

North County Jogger

Ridgecrest Long-Sleeve Shirt

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