Look Polished and Stay Comfortable With the Best Chinos for Men
Put down the sweatpants, folks. The sweats life has been sweet while it lasted this past year, but we have to accept the limitations of comfy loungewear and save it for cozy at-home occasions. As we move into this new normal in 2021 and transition from waist-up Zoom crops to IRL full-view encounters, it’s time to get reacquainted with chinos.
Chinos are without a doubt the most versatile pant a man can own. Shake off that image of dad’s unflattering, boxy chinos (usually sitting too high on the waist and accessorized with a phone holster to boot), because the modern chino is slim-fit, available in a variety of colors, and has great stretch fabric to move freely throughout the day with sharp style. Dress them up for work, or dress them down for a guys’ weekend, because the best men’s chinos are so comfortable, you’ll barely want to break out your favorite denim duds.
Before we get into the best chinos on the market, here’s a little breakdown of how to make sure you choose the pant that’s best for you, and how you can style them for any occasion.
What to Look for When Shopping for Chinos
Chinos are traditionally made of 100% cotton twill, but with technological advances in fabrication, along with the active guy’s quest for all-day comfort, your favorite brands now make chinos that have a hint of stretch with elastane. Though they're not technically chinos, tech pants have become a popular chino-like option that can be easily dressed up and dressed down, ideal for polished and comfortable style for all your travels.
When it comes to fit, most men will want to stick to a slim-fit style. It’s the most flattering for all body types, skimming the body with a little extra room around the thigh area and tapered at the ankle. However, pleated, classic fit chinos have become a growing trend over the past few years, usually worn cropped to showcase your sleek sneaker game.
How to Wear Chinos
The beauty of the chino pant is that there's (almost) no wrong way to wear them. Chinos are equally appealing to pair with a button-down shirt and blazer to feel comfortable during your 9-to-5, or pair your tailored chinos with your go-to hoodie for an elevated game day look. When the weather heats up, show off your cool footwear with no-show socks and cuff the ankle.
Here are the best men’s chinos to wear all-day-every-day this season.
Available in 21 color ways, 4 different fits, and even the ability to customize the pocket liner, Bonobos made the one pair of chinos that every guy will want to score with 2% lycra for stretch. Plus, they even have tech chinos in extended sizes for bigger guys.
These lightweight chinos will be a welcomed addition to your summer wardrobe with a breathable, lightweight fabric. Wherever your day takes you, you know you’ll look cool and feel cool, too.
Lululemon’s take on the tech chino pant is what guys have always hoped to find in their everyday slacks. Sweat-wicking fabric with four-way stretch and a comfortable ABC (Anti-Ball Crushing) design—what’s not to love?
You can tell just by the look of these commuter pants that they’re comfortable, but let us confirm that for you. The Flex-Knit 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 timeless silhouette that you’ll keep in your outfit rotation for years to come. Best of all, the brand offers these pants in a ton of color options, both staples you can get year-round and limited-time seasonal colorways.
The stretchy chino fabric provides the comfort you need to move with ease, while the skinny silhouette flatters your physique. But muscular guys should be warned: having your chinos cling like leggings is not a great look, so switch fits if you never skip leg day at the gym.
Warning: these are nothing like the Dockers your dad use to wear. The go-to chinos brand made some major upgrades to their quality khaki pants with Smart Flex 360 technology that allows for comfortable 4-way stretch, without losing the pant's tailored shape. Plus, these slim-fit tapered chinos are wrinkle-resistant, so you can travel for a full day and still look sharp for an afternoon business meeting.
This option from Russell Wilson’s Good Man Brand features a snap closure, as well as an internal drawstring to provide the perfect fit for any guy. Plus, the brand is donating 3% of sales to Why Not You Foundation, which is launching a scholarship with the College Success Foundation to help students achieve their post-secondary educational dreams.
Think of these as the chino pant for the rugged man. They have a great vintage canvas stretch fabric, a 5-pocket design like denim jeans, and a flattering slim-fit that makes them a prime choice for guys of all ages.
Warning: these are nothing like the Dockers your dad use to wear. The go-to chinos brand made some major upgrades to their quality khaki pants with Smart Flex 360 technology that allows for comfortable 4-way stretch, without losing the pant's tailored shape. Plus, these slim-fit tapered chinos are wrinkle-resistant, so you can travel for a full day and still look sharp for an afternoon business meeting.
The Tie Bar, your one-stop-shop for boardroom boss style, just launched chino pants. These slim-fit stretch chinos have the polished appeal you’ve been looking for, but with major comfort at a price that can’t be beat—it’s a no-brainer.
If this brand has fallen off your radar in the past few years, it’s time to get reacquainted with the Gap for their ultra-modern, budget-friendly chinos. Guys on the slender side looking for a more tailored silhouette will be happy to know these super-skinny khakis are the best chinos for them with high-stretch technology. It’s the look you want, but without feeling constrained.
The ‘90s are really back, but we’re not talking about grunge—more like JFK Jr. normcore prep vibes. Think collegiate sweatshirts, a worn-in baseball cap, slacks, and minimalist kicks. It’s one part Seinfeld, one part cool dad, and way more comfortable than an ultratailored look.
To wear the look well, you need these pleated Alex Mill chinos. To balance the relaxed fit, wear them cropped and keep it casual above the waist.
Like the growing patchwork trend we’re seeing on tops and jackets, rip and repair pants have a lived-in cool factor that might not be suitable for most work environments, but definitely makes a man stand out in a sea of khakis. The rugged distressing looks intentional (and luxe) when paired with a rich textured knit and high-quality leather footwear.
These are one of the most durable, innovative pants your closet is missing. The 4-way stretch tech fabric repels water, oil, and dirt; and it’s abrasion resistant, making them perfect for active city dwellers and backcountry kings alike.
Finding a pair of chinos that can match up to the comfort of classic sweats is a seriously challenge, but we found it. It’s all about the waistband—elastic and an internal drawstring lets you adjust the fit for maximum comfort. Add the moisture-wicking, breathable fabric of the pants into the mix and you have a home run for an everyday style flex.
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