Tested: The Best Men’s Linen Pants for Stylish Comfort

More often than not, wearing pants in the summer can feel like a flat-out chore, and it seems as though no one is brave enough to admit it. While slipping into your favorite pair of jeans or chinos every morning might feel like second nature, having to deal with either option’s lack of breathability at this time of year is far from ideal. With all that in mind, your go-to pair of summer bottoms should be knit from lightweight, easy-going linen. And we’ve scoured the market to help you find the most comfortable, breathable, and fashionable linen pants to help keep you cool this summer, so have a look below at our hands-on guide to the best linen pants and give your shorts a break for the time being.

How We Tested

You’ve made it to another entry into our hands-on Tested series, and this time around, we’re taking a look at a warm-weather staple that no man’s wardrobe should be without. We’ve gathered a collection of some of our favorite linen pants from brands that we know and love (and, more importantly, brands that we trust) after surveying the online landscape and collaborating with our team here at HICONSUMPTION.

As the weather continues to get warmer, breathable fabrics like linen are perfect for keeping things cool, which is why we start our tests by inspecting each pair of linen pants off the body to gauge the thickness of each pick and overall build quality. After that, we put each pair on and take note of the fit and feel, while paying attention to any quirks that might set them apart. Of course, breathability is one of the most important things, so we take care to test how each pair of pants stacks up against the heat. We then get into how the waist functions and whether or not they opt for a relaxed elastic construction with a drawstring or a more classic zippered fly.

Measurements: I’m 6’4″ and wear 34×30 pants. Given the relaxed look and feel that linen pants are supposed to have, I like to go for a relaxed fit if the label offers one, and if not, I go for a size up. While this is definitely a personal preference, I recommend keeping things loose when it comes to linen pants unless it’s for a formal event, but even then, they should be more relaxed than a pair of slacks or chinos, for example (waist sizes listed below are for men in increments of two unless specified otherwise).

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Material: You’re looking for something with a majority linen blend, but there are plenty of options with added cotton and/or synthetic in the material blend if that’s what you prefer (although we feel that a 100% linen construction is the most classic). Cotton may help reduce wrinkling and can change up the hand feel of the fabric blend, but it’s not quite as breathable as linen, so it’s a trade-off.

Waist: The amount of comfort you want and where you plan to wear your pants will determine what waist style is best for you. For formal/professional pants, traditional trousers with a zipper fly (and sometimes an internal drawstring) are ideal, but there are some non-traditional options that look just as good. And if you’re just hanging out or hitting the beach, then a drawstring and/or elastic waist is generally more comfortable.

Fit: If you plan on lounging around for the most part, then a relaxed fit is a good choice. But if you’re looking for some more covert/formal options, a regular fit is probably best. Also, as I said above, there’s nothing wrong keeping the fit loose even if that pants are meant to be worn formally, especially if you’re headed to a summertime wedding.

UNIQLO Linen-Blend Relaxed Pants

Best Starter Pants: Like anything you buy from UNIQLO, this is a dependable starter option. Their Relaxed Linen Blend Pant features a standard tapered silhouette that makes them easy to wear with virtually any outfit, be it formal or casual. Although this particular pair features a predominantly cotton composition, the linen and spandex elements are clear, thanks to their breathability and stretchiness.

UNIQLO’s basics are some of the best in the game right now, combining comfortable fabrics with fits/looks that usually surprise those who previously thought of the label as just a budget company. Seriously, throughout my process of testing all of these clothes for our Tested Series, many of UNIQLO’s apparel have landed in my top 3, and I’m not alone in this. These linen pants are no exception, made with a lightweight twill weave composed of both linen and cotton, which feels very soft and super breathable (especially out in the heat; it was 77°F here in California during the hottest testing day). You’re getting a sort of hybrid waistband here that blends an elastic waistband with a drawstring with a more traditional trouser construction featuring a buttoned fly. The fit matches this, giving you something that’s relaxed but can still be rocked in a formal setting, with a tapered fit that’s on the baggier side. Storage is taken care of with two hand pockets and two buttoned back pockets, and it’s finished with a clean, brand-free look.

As much as I love the versatile look of this pick, there’s no denying that the baggier fit might not be for everyone. But this is easily adjusted by either rolling up the cuffs or going for an inseam alteration, which you can easily do through UNIQLO’s site. 

Verdict: Clean, breathable, and a bit baggy, this pick from UNIQLO is the perfect entry point into the world of linen pants, and has a versatile look that can be dressed up or worn casually. 

Everlane The Linen Easy Pant

Best Relaxed-Fit Pants: Everlane’s basics are always reliable, high-quality, and made with radical transparency in conjunction with the label’s sustainability efforts. This time around, we’re taking a look at Everlane’s Linen Easy Pant, a relaxed pair of pants made of European Flax Linen with plenty of room and an elastic waist for easy wearing.

Everlane is another brand that’s quickly becoming one of my favorites for affordable stuff that just fits perfectly, and that’s why I’m happy we’re including them here in our linen pants guide. The material used is 100% European Flax Linen that’s very airy and lightweight, with a dryer hand feel that’s more akin to a traditional linen fabric. The fit and feel here are very relaxed, and this pick is definitely the most laid-back in the bunch, with plenty of room in the waist thanks to the generous elastic waistband and the baggier construction. Breathability is also really good, again, bolstered by the relaxed fit and lightweight build, making for a super comfortable experience in the heat. You’re getting two hand pockets and a single open back pocket for storage, and four clean colors to choose from (we went with Toasted Coconut here, which looks great in person).

Similar to UNIQLO’s linen pants, these have a baggier fit that I personally enjoyed, but others may want a more traditional fit. Unfortunately, there aren’t any inseam options through Everlane’s site, but you can just roll them up. 

Verdict: As the most relaxed pants in the guide, Everlane’s breezy take on linen pants is perfect for lounging in style, with plenty of breathability to beat the heat. 

Flint and Tinder 365 Cotton Linen Chino

Best Year-Round Pants: Flint and Tinder is one of Huckberry’s house brands that’s dedicated to no-nonsense menswear that’s as reliable as it is stylish (you’ve probably seen the label’s Waxed Canvas Trucker Jacket on Pedro Pascal in The Last of Us). For our linen pants guide, we went with Flint and Tinder’s 365 Cotton Linen Chinos, which take that classic chino look and hit it with a breathable blend of cotton linen for the perfect year-round comfort and style.

Flint and Tinder’s basics are some of the most high quality in the space, and the label’s 365 lineup is called that for a reason; each piece is designed for year-round wearing with a versatile look and construction, just like the ​​365 Cotton Linen Chinos. Construction starts with a 70/30 cotton and linen blend to give you the breathability of linen with the softness of cotton, and the fabric is garment-dyed for a deep color and a nice lived-in look and feel. Storage is taken care of with two hand pockets, two back welt pockets with buttons, and a small change pocket on the right side of the waist. Considering these are chinos at the end of the day, you’re getting a traditional trouser waist with a zippered fly, and it’s finished with corozo nut buttons. The chino look here is also perfect if you’re looking for a pair of pants that you can really wear anywhere this summer, even if that’s a formal event, with a nice inseam length that’s also similar to a pair of traditional chinos. The fit here isn’t quite as relaxed as something like Everlane’s pants, so I recommend going for the size you usually grab when shopping for jeans or traditional chinos (FnT does, too). 

The chino style and fit here are perfect for rocking to the office, a wedding, or really anywhere, but you are missing out on the comfort of an elastic waistband, which some may prefer when it comes to linen pants. I personally didn’t find the waist to be restricting, but I get that others may want a more relaxed style.

Verdict: This pick combines the clean and versatile look of a pair of chinos with the comfort and breathability of linen, making for the perfect year-round choice and a true Swiss Army Knife option. 

Alex Crane Cham Pants

Best Sustainable Pants: If you love sleeping on striped linen sheets, then these are about to become your favorite pair of pants. Alex Crane’s Cham Pants are composed of sustainably-grown French linen and dyed using organic pigments, so you’re doing the planet a favor by picking these up. On top of that, you can rest assured that the pants are made in quality working conditions, as each pair’s origin is fully accessible to customers.

If you read “linen pants” and were transported to the beach or Palm Springs, then images of a refined yet laid-back pair of pants like this pick from Alex Crane likely came to mind. This pick is made entirely with sustainably-grown French linen and dyed with organic, GOTS-certified pigments, giving you a luxurious skin feel and dependable breathability (I was wearing it in around 76°F weather with the sun out and didn’t feel hot whatsoever). Small details like the corozo nuts buttons and Alex Crane’s logo printed on the waistband really elevate the already refined package here, and it’s finished with a pair of hand pockets and two back pockets for storage. You’re getting a slightly tapered and flowy fit that’s a nice middle ground between a more relaxed take and something like Flint and Tinder’s chinos.

I mostly enjoyed the fit here, but I found the waist to be just a tad too tight, so I recommend going for a size up if you prefer a more relaxed fit like myself. You’re getting belt loops on the waistband as well, so it’s not the end of the world if the pair you grab is a bit bigger than expected. 

Verdict: Made with care using sustainably-grown French linen and dyed with organic pigments, this pick from Alex Crane is such a classic take on the style and offers enough versatility to be worn in a variety of settings. 

Billy Reid Cotton Linen 5 Pocket Pant

Best Versatile Pants: This pair from Billy Reid is another great choice if you want to maintain the traditional look of your favorite jeans. The Alabama clothier’s Cotton Linen 5 Pocket Pants are crafted from a cotton and linen blend and have a slim, near-tailored fit that makes them perfect for any occasion. While the garment-dyed bottoms are available in four different colors, the pictured Quarry style is our favorite thanks to its versatility — at the end of the day, everything goes well with gray.

Billy Reid is taking inspiration from the classic jean style here and infusing it with a bit of their signature style, along with a breathable blend of cotton and linen (78% cotton and 22% linen, to be exact) that’s garment-dyed for a broken-in look and feel right out of the box. Considering the majority cotton blend here, these look and feel more similar to a pair of jeans or chinos, but they’re significantly lighter and more airy, with more room in the legs and a bit of stretch for some added comfort. Also, like a classic pair of jeans, the pants come with a five-pocket construction (two hand pockets, two back pockets, and a coin pocket), and are finished with an antique brass tack button embossed with Billy Reid’s heirloom ribbon stripe along with the label’s signature MSL leather patch on the back. 

You’re getting a 34” inseam, which might be a bit long for some, but again, you can just roll the cuffs which looks great anyway when it comes to linen pants. The slim fit here is also pretty significant in the waist, which felt just a little too tight for me personally, so I recommend going for a size up if you prefer a more relaxed fit. 

Verdict: Billy Reid’s Cotton Linen 5 Pocket Pant gives you the best of both worlds (linen breathability with classic jean style), and wraps it up in a clean package finished with fine details like antique brass and a signature leather patch. 

Todd Snyder Italian Linen Beach Pant

Best Italian Fabric Pants: While Todd Snyder’s catalog is not limited to this single pair of linen pants, it is easily one of the most versatile pairs you can find. The Italian Beach Pant is made entirely of Italian linen and comes available in five summer-ready shades. This Italian fabric hails from a family-run mill in the Alps, which crafts some of the most esteemed cotton fabric weaves. It’s also been garment-dyed to add to the soft, easy-going look and feel.

I know that I previously said that Everlane’s pants were the most relaxed in the bunch (and I still stand by that), but these are a very close second and have a similar construction that can be best described as a pair of linen sweatpants with a clean, beach-friendly look that’s perfect for the summer. It’s made entirely of Italian linen and woven at the famous Sondrio Mill in Italy (a family-run mill in the Alps that’s one of Italy’s most experienced cotton fabric weavers, founded in 1895), and this premium fabric is then garment dyed and washed for a lived-in look and feel. Also, like Everlane’s pants, you’re getting an elastic waistband with a cotton drawstring for adjustments, with two (large) patch pockets on the front and two buttoned welt pockets on the back for plenty of storage. The fit here is straight and relaxed, and again, the best way I can describe it is by comparing it to a pair of super lightweight and breathable sweatpants made of linen (which is a good thing to me personally). 

Given the super relaxed look and fit of this pick, you’re not getting quite the same utility as, say, Billy Reid’s or Flint and Tinder’s more refined options that wouldn’t look out of place at a formal event. That said, I wouldn’t necessarily categorize these as “shlubby” (although I did compare them to sweatpants, that’s more about the fit and feel rather than the look), and these could easily be dressed up with something like a cashmere sweater. 

Verdict: Woven in Italy using Italian linen, Todd Snyder’s take on linen pants is about as relaxed as you can get, boasting a relaxed look and fit that’s perfect for taking it easy in style. 

Orlebar Brown Griffon Linen

Best Formal Pants: When it comes to high-end summer essentials, Orlebar Brown is a brand you should never overlook. The eco-cognizant clothier’s Griffon Straight-Leg Linen Trousers live up to their name entirely, serving as a standard-fitting pair of bottoms that are sure to look great whether you’re sitting shoreside or going out for a mid-day lunch. For enhanced adjustability, its waistline is rounded out with a set of tabs to help you find the perfect fit.

Orlebar Brown may have got its start crafting some of the best premium men’s swimwear in the game, but the label has gone on to expand its offerings with polo shirts, trousers, and a variety of equally refined apparel that’s truly top of the line. Given the laid-back yet classy vibe that the Orlebar Brown has cultivated over the years, it makes perfect sense that the label offers an incredible pair of linen trousers to beat the heat in style with the Griffon Linen pants. These trousers are made entirely of linen, and feature the same signature side fasteners used in the label’s iconic Bulldog trunks for a unique look. For storage, you have two front pockets with a coin pocket on the right and a single buttoned back pocket. These definitely have a more formal look and construction as well, opting for a tailored fit with a trouser fly and waistband construction, but they’re versatile enough to rock with something simple like a plain white tee if you want a more casual look.

Considering the tailored look and fit of these pants, you’re not getting the same flowy and relaxed feel as you would with something like Todd Snyder’s Beach Pants, but you’re still getting the same breathability and moisture control that linen offers. It’s a worthy trade-off, though, as these are super clean and make for a great pair of formal trousers to rock during the summer.

Verdict: Classy, clean, and built for warm weather, this pick from Orlebar Brown may cost a pretty penny, but you’re getting some of the best linen pants on the market that can easily be dressed up or worn while chilling by the beach. 

Linen Pants Comparison chart

WHAT ARE LINEN PANTS GOOD FOR?

When it boils down to it, wearing linen pants is enjoyable for all the same reasons that dozing on linen sheets is preferable during the warmer months. The material is ultra-breathable, loosely woven, highly absorbent, and cool to the touch. And while your idea of linen pants may not stretch further than your typical relaxed-fit pair of beach pants with a drawstring waist, these days, it’s easy to covertly wear linen pants in just about any style imaginable. 

How to Style Linen Pants

For a casual look, pairing your linen pants with a classic tee and some comfortable sneakers (or loafers, as we’ve done above) is always a safe bet, and if you’re going for a more smart/casual look, layer them with a crisp button-down shirt and something like a lightweight blazer is a good move, too. Linen pants aren’t just for the beach either, as you could easily rock a linen suit to a summer wedding or a semi-formal event, keeping things lightweight with a matching blazer and a dress shirt. As the seasons change, don’t be afraid to layer up with a sweater or cardigan if you want to keep your linen pants in your year-round rotation.

Honorable Mentions

Like most pieces from Taylor Stitch, The Easy Pant is sustainably made using a touch of organic cotton, alongside linen and sumptuous spun silk. The garment-washed bottoms serve as an upscale take on the brand’s popular Après pant, but is delivered in a brand-new silhouette and touched with a herringbone finish for an old-school look. All in all, this is a perfect bridge between formalwear and casual attire.

Shed all the unwanted weight from your usual pair of pants thanks to this timelessly stylish option from James Perse. The boutique brand’s Relaxed Linen Pant is crafted entirely from linen, deeming it one of the most unsaturated options on our guide, let alone the market. The garment-dyed pants are finished off with an elasticized waistband and a bevy of pockets, too, so they are as functional as they are stylish.

It’s easy to overlook any pair that abides by tradition, but Wythe New York’s Flat Front Cotton Linen Twill Chino separates itself from the rest thanks to one unique element: they are inspired by WWII-era fatigues. The durable linen chinos are made of a signature skin-twill fabric from the Big Apple-based clothier, resulting in a lived-in fit, then washed and softened for an equally well-aged look.

From TENCEL-crafted jackets to lyocell long sleeves, there are countless pieces from NN.07 built for the summer — and the Karl 1196 Linen Pants is another example. These French linen pants have a soft and lightweight feel to them, along with a mid-rise. The well-designed choice from the Danish brand has a regular fit with tapered legs and is rounded out with corozo buttons and side seam pockets.

The Best Loafers for Men Right Now

A pair of summer-friendly shoes would pair nicely with your new pants. That’s why you should check out our guide to the best loafers for men.