The 7 Best Breathable Pairs of Chinos for Men

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.Todd Snyder / Ralph Lauren / BonobosThese cult-classic pants from Lululemon already have our Endorsement, and you knew they’d have to be on this list. As far as we’re concerned, every guy should own at least one pair of these fundamental trousers, and they’re especially great for hot temps. Not only is the fabric stretchy, super soft, breathable, and quick drying, but the pants just look good, period. You can wear them to work, then out to drinks—and they’re comfortable enough that you’ll want to wear them on the weekends, too.Colors15Sizes28-40Lengths28", 30", 32", 34", 37"MaterialsElastomultiester, recycled polyesterIn post-pandemic work culture, there’s been a whole debate on whether it’s appropriate to ever wear shorts to the office. Well, commerce editor Luke Guillory’s take is that, with a good pair of linen pants like these ones from Casatlantic, you should never have to wear shorts to the office.“I’ve worn them on multiple 100 degree days in Georgia’s sweltering midsummer heat; you’ll be fine wearing them on the walk from the parking garage to the office,” Guillory says. Handcrafted in Morocco, these breezy pants are made from 100 percent linen and come in solid black or white or a brown houndstooth. We’re partial to the white—just don’t spill anything while you’re wearing them.ColorsBlack, brown, whiteSizes28-38LengthsFixed lengthMaterialsLinenAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowAnother great 100 percent linen option, these herringbone trousers from J.Crew are a nice pair to have for summer work days. Instead of being too tapered or too wide legged, they’re a true, wide and straight chino cut, like the old-school military trousers chinos originated from. But instead of a sturdier cotton twill, the breathable linen makes them much more suitable to hot weather.ColorsLight brown, dark brownSizes28-38Lengths30", 32", 34"MaterialsLinenAgain, the fact that these are linen suit trousers means they’re not technically chinos in the pure sense of the word, but we like a suit pant as a classy, refined option for summer. A bit more luxe than the other linen options here, these ones from Polo Ralph Lauren have finished hems and a zip fly with a hook-and-bar closure. The cream and navy colorways are classic and perfect for the office, and the orange and yellow options bring a fun pop of color that’s great for days spent outside with an iced drink in hand.Colors4Sizes28-40Lengths32", 33", 34"MaterialsLinenAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowIt’s pretty incredible how customizable and high quality these lightweight chinos are for being under $100. Out of all the pairs on this list, what really sets these Bonobos pants apart is how many different color and sizing options there are, so you can really get your perfect fit. They come in three fits—a classic slim fit with a slight taper; an athletic fit with more room in the seat and thigh for muscular builds; and a tailored fit, which is slimmer in the hips and narrows from the thighs down.Colors9Sizes28-42Materials28", 30", 32", 34", 36"LengthsOrganic cotton, elastaneIf you want to try something a little different from the usual cotton or linen summer pants, give these hemp chinos from Marine Layer a try. With a comfortable elastic waist and a super lightweight—but still soft—fabric, they’re easy to love.Colors4SizesS-2XLLengths30", 32", 34"MaterialsHemp, TENCEL lyocell, spandexAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowFinally, we had to include another pair of your classic cotton chinos, and Todd Snyder makes a nice breathable pair. These 5-pocket chinos go with literally every outfit and are made from a stretch twill fabric that’s more comfortable than denim and other stiffer materials. They come in five classic colors, with the khaki and canvas being the best for summertime.Colors5Sizes28-38Lengths30", 32", 34"MaterialsCotton, polyester, lycra