The Best Corduroy Pants Are Soft Yet Durable

Every corduroy pant worth considering right now, from the quintessential to the frivolous and everything in-between.

collage of three corduroy pants Courtesy

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The cooler parts of the year might be the best to break in a brand new double-fried crispy pair of raw denim jeans, but why suffer? Instead, leave the crunchy bits to the dead leaves and dried trees and slip into something more comfortable. We’re talking about a pair of velvety, ultra-soft corduroy pants.

Products in the Guide

  • Best Overall Corduroy Pants: Flint and Tinder 365 Corduroy Pant

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  • Best Upgrade Corduroy Pants: Sid Mashburn Slim Straight 5-Pocket Pant

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  • Best Affordable Corduroy Pants: L.L. Bean Stretch Country Corduroy Pants

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  • Best Corduroy Pants to Wear with a Suit: Buck Mason Stretch Cord Ford Standard Pant

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  • Best Pleated Corduroy Pants: Alex Mill Standard Pleated Pant

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  • Best Drawstring Corduroy Pants: Wellen Corduroy Easy Pant

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Whether you want a pair for the durability, the rustic aesthetics or the touch, the feel of corduroy, now is the ideal time. We’ve put together the best options out there right now.

To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.

Pros

  • Available in a variety of styles for your preferred fit
  • Spandex gives added flexibility

Cons

  • Sizing skews small
  • One user says the fabric is perhaps too stretchy
  • Country of Manufacture: Indonesia
  • Fit: Slim, straight, tapered
  • Material: 98% cotton, 2% elastane
  • Color(s): Charcoal, espresso, earth, moss

Splitting the difference between jeans and chinos, Flint and Tinder’s 365 cords are true to the name. The mid-wale, mid-weight eight ounce corduroy fabric is perfect for wearing all year long. It uses 98 percent cotton and two percent spandex — just enough to feel the difference without reclassifying them as corduroy yoga pants. Several users say that sizing is slightly off, with many saying they skew small in the waist and some even saying the fit is way too baggy.

Pros

  • 14-wale corduroy for added strength
  • Available in several attractive colors

Cons

  • Hang dry only, which may be a dealbreaker for some
  • May fit too slim in the legs
  • Country of Manufacture: China
  • Fit: Slim straight
  • Material: 100% cotton
  • Color(s): Khaki, smoke, timber, forest, navy, white

Sid Mashburn’s super-soft corduroy pants are built like your favorite classic pair of jeans: they’re straight-fitting, feature five pockets and a button fly. They come in several colors and a ton of sizes — just go up one from your usual jean size. It’s made with a 14-wale cord for extra durability, plus it’s got chain-stitched hems. Also, for those who care: the back leather patches are unbranded.

L.L. Bean Stretch Country Corduroy PantsL.L.Bean

Best Affordable Corduroy Pants: L.L. Bean Stretch Country Corduroy Pants

Pros

  • Many users say they’re a great fit in the leg and roomy enough without being baggy
  • Very warm

Cons

  • Stiff, rough fabric
  • Users say waist sizes skew small
  • Country of Manufacture: Vietnam
  • Fit: Classic
  • Material: 98% cotton, 2% spandex
  • Color(s): Sepia, asphalt, dark charcoal, dark khaki

When you think of a pair of cords, this is the picture that comes to mind: slanted hand pockets, welted rear pockets, flat front. Ya know, chinos — but in corduroy. L.L. Bean’s shoot straight down the middle and are as classic as it gets. They’re made with a middle-of-the-cord 11-wale that’s great for fall, early winter, and even spring.

They have a smidge of stretch and even come with a lined waistband and curtain for extra durability — a detail you won’t find even on cords above this price point. Some users say the waist sizes skew small, while the legs are straight through and borderline baggy.

pantsBuck Mason

Best Corduroy Pants to Wear with a Suit: Buck Mason Stretch Cord Ford Standard Pant

Pros

  • Excellent quality with added stretch for comfort
  • 14-wale cotton corduroy is solid for durability

Cons

  • Hang dry, which is a dealbreaker for some
  • No length sizes available
  • Country of Manufacture: China
  • Fit: Straight
  • Material: 98% cotton, 2% elastane
  • Color(s): Khaki, olive, brown

Buck Mason’s Stretch Cord Ford Standard Pant is made of 10 oz. 14-wale cotton corduroy with an added bit of elastane for stretch. It’s not hard to find a T-shirt that fits underneath, and the brown, olive and khaki colorway can go with black or brown shoes (or even sneakers).

pantsAlex Mill

Best Pleated Corduroy Pants: Alex Mill Standard Pleated Pant

Pros

  • Available in both regular and long sizes
  • Range of versatile colors

Cons

  • Some may not like the tapered fit
  • "X" belt loop adds bulk to waist
  • Country of Manufacture: Imported
  • Fit: Relaxed, tapered
  • Material: 100% cotton
  • Color(s): Dark Olive, Saddle, Chocolate, Cloud Gray, Black

These pleated cords gives you a little extra room to move, but still feel modern with a tapered silhouette. They feature real Corozo buttons and come in a range of versatile colors — easy to pair with anything in your closet.

pantsHuckberry

Best Drawstring Corduroy Pants: Wellen Corduroy Easy Pant

Pros

  • Relaxed or slim fit for your preferred style
  • Easy to tie at the waist via drawstring

Cons

  • Sizing skews large, according to one user
  • Not much of color variety
  • Country of Manufacture: Indonesia
  • Fit: Relaxed, slim
  • Material: 100% organic cotton
  • Color(s): Green, brown

Corduroy pants are typically comfortable to begin with, but with a drawstring waist? They’re even better. These work well for casual outfits that emphasize comfort over formality. Get them in an earth tone of brown or green, and with a slim or relaxed fit.

Everlane Straight Fit Corduroy Pant in kahkiEverlane

Best Corduroy Pants Under $100: Everlane The Straight Fit Corduroy Pant

  • Country of Manufacture: Vietnam
  • Fit: Straight
  • Material: 98% organic cotton, 2% elastane
  • Color(s): Gray, brown

Everlane’s simple, straight-fitting corduroy pant works several ways. It has slanted pockets so you could dress it up, and the flattering fit helps it work with a tailored top. But you could totally wear these with a simple sweatshirt or even just an Oxford. It’s versatile, warm and surprisingly durable, too.

corduroy pantsOuterknown

Best Corduroy Pants for Summer: Outerknown Seventyseven Cord Utility Pants

Pros

  • 16 wale corduroy is lightweight and breathable
  • Very soft organic cotton corduroy

Cons

  • Some say the construction isn’t the greatest
  • Only available in one color
  • Country of Manufacture: U.S.A.
  • Fit: Straight
  • Material: 100% organic cotton
  • Color(s): Gray

Outerknown’s Seventyseven Cord Utility Pants are inspired by the ’70s. They have classic utility pockets, a flat waist and a silhouette that tapers through the leg. They’re also crafted from lightweight 16-wale corduroy so they’ll be comfortable no matter the season. They’re only available in gray, however, which could be a bummer.

Pros

  • Clean, smart silhouette
  • Prong keeper for securing belt buckle

Cons

  • Very pricey
  • Only available in one brown
  • Country of Manufacture: Italy
  • Fit: Relaxed
  • Material: 100% cotton
  • Color(s): Brown

These relaxed-fit pants are made in Italy and feature button side tabs and a zip fly. Blending the boundary between tailoring and workwear, they have a full leg and high rise, along with single pleats. They’re available in sizes 28 to 40 and come in three classic colors.

Pros

  • Flattering fit
  • Available in tall sizes

Cons

  • Sizing skews small and the rise is low
  • Corduroy texture is too subtle
  • Country of Manufacture: Imported
  • Fit: Slim
  • Material: 98% cotton, 2% elastane
  • Color(s): White, beige, blue, black

The Slim Spring Corduroy Pants come in four colors and with 2 percent elastane embedded into the otherwise cotton construction. That makes these pants stretchy, soft and comfortable even on long haul flights. It’s not that corduroy is naturally uncomfortable, but added softness never hurts.

styleJ Crew

Best Mall Buy Corduroy Pants: J.Crew 770 Straight-Fit Corduroy Pant

Pros

  • Added stretch helps with maneuverability
  • Excellent warmth for the cold

Cons

  • Corduroy color isn’t as accurate as in photos
  • Users say sizing skews small
  • Country of Manufacture: China
  • Fit: Straight
  • Material: 98% cotton, 2% elastane
  • Color(s): Burgundy, moss, navy, khaki, graphite

J.Crew applied its popular chino pant shape, the 770, to a new material: corduroy. These fit straight through the hips, thighs and legs, with five pockets and an appropriate amount of give, courtesy of elastane. That stretch is great but some users say sizing skews small and legs run skinny.

Pros

  • Available in two lengths for better fit
  • Comfortable and easy to wear, even without added elastane

Cons

  • One user says the construction doesn’t hold up — though, after years of abuse
  • Slim fit is too tight for some users who crave looser fits
  • Country of Manufacture: China
  • Fit: Slim
  • Material: 100% organic cotton
  • Color(s): Gray, khaki

If you see a pair of corduroy pants out in public, they’re probably these. I’d be willing to bet on it. They’re ubiquitous, and for good reason. Patagonia makes them from 100 percent organic cotton in a fair trade factory. You can pick from two lengths and a bunch of waist sizes.

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