The Best Lightweight Chinos for Those That Run Hot

You might not call raw denim a warm-weather staple. So, as temperatures rise, consider lighter chinos — a cooler alternative to heavyweight jeans. Chinos, like denim, are made from cotton-twill fabric, which typically ranges in weight between 7 and 10 ounces per yard. Lighter weight summer options, meanwhile, are exactly that — lighter — and they provide a more flexible, less-insulating pant.

What Counts as a Lightweight Chino?

While there are the straight-ahead chinos some know simply as khakis, the range of this classic pant goes a bit wider than sandy tones and twills. You’ll find options fit for the rising temperatures, both in hue and total weight. While most chinos range from 7 to 10 ounces, or occasionally even higher if you’re buying something for work, these lightweight chinos rarely hit 10, promising a total weight of, well, way less.

You’ll also find that most of these options feature an internal cooling mechanism like COOLMAX fabric or four-way stretch. If your pants give, they won’t stick to sweaty legs, creating room for moisture to evaporate and a breeze to blow through. Naturally, chinos aren’t all that bad in regards to breathability, but these brands make improvements nonetheless.

How to Style Lightweight Chinos

Since you’re likely wearing your lightweight chinos somewhere warm, try pairing them with something equally breezy — like a breathable cotton slub T-shirt or a camp collar shirt. This way, you won’t look off balance — i.e. too heavy on top and super flimsy on bottom.

Everlane

Best Overall Lightweight Chinos

Everlane The Slim Fit Performance Chino

• $75.00 at Everlane
  $98.00 (23% off)

Silhouette: Athletic, Slim and straight

Colors available: 7

Generally speaking, any “performance” chino will wear better in warmer weather than a traditional iteration due to the material makeup. Sure, polyester doesn’t breathe as well as cotton or linen, but Everlane’s slim-fit Performance Pant promises better moisture-wicking, a quick-drying seat and plenty of give so air moves through them more consistently. Plus, these come in nearly a dozen colors.

UNIQLO

Best Affordable Lightweight Chinos

Uniqlo Slim-Fit Chino Pants

• $50.00 at Uniqlo

Silhouette: Slim-fit

Colors available: 5

Uniqlo’s Slim-Fit Chinos are the epitome of value. They’re cut from a 97-3 cotton-spandex blend and are available in a big size range (27-40in waist) — the brand even offers inseam alteration to help you get the right fit.

Todd Snyder

Best Upgrade Lightweight Chinos

Todd Snyder Straight Fit 5-Pocket Chino

• $148.00 at Todd Snyder

Silhouette: Straight-fit

Colors available: 6

Todd Snyder’s standard Straight Fit 5-Pocket Chino is the epitome of a good chino. It’s made from a mix of cotton and synthetic; they’re tailored but not too snug; and these pants stretch enough to stretch when you get down but are not noticeable to those who can spot unnatural fibers.

Buck Mason

Best Drawstring Lightweight Chinos

Buck Mason Khaki Carry-On Pant

• $138.00 at Buck Mason

Silhouette: Straight-tapered

Colors available: 4

These are one half of Buck Mason’s Carry-On Suit, which we reviewed in full. All of the four colorways work on their own, but the khaki-colored version is probably the most appropriate without its matching top. They’re stretchy, without the dysmorphia, comfortable in the waist (there’s a hidden string tie inside) and they come in sizes 28 through 38.

Red Cast Heritage

Best Denimhead-Approved Lightweight Chinos

UES C408 Regular Chino Olive-Brown

• €192.00 at redcastheritage.com
  €219.00 (12% off)

Silhouette: Regular-straight

Colors available: 1

Made in Japan with Zimbabwean cotton, UES’s Regular chinos are built to last. For added durability, the brand lines the pockets and waist with high-quality Japanese linen. You have to grab these babies when you can, because the popular sizes sell out quickly.

Bonobos

Best Moisture-Wicking Lightweight Chinos

Bonobos Stretch Washed Chino 2.0

• $99.00 at Bonobos

Silhouette: Athletic, slim, slim taper, straight and tailored

Colors available: 16

Bonobos’ Stretch Washed Chinos offer the look of dress pants with the comfortability of breathability of lighter options. They’re cut from a 92-8 cotton-elastane blend, which makes them wrinkle-resistant. There’s an embedded four-way stretch, plus a zipper pocket for safekeeping.

Courtesy

Best Everyday Lightweight Chinos

Untuckit Traveler Tech Pants

• $118.00 at untuckit.com

Silhouette: Straight

Colors available: 6

Though Untuckit is best known for its dress shirts, the brand’s pants aren’t half bad, especially if you’re looking for a lightweight, breathable option you can still wear to the office. Available in six colors, the Traveler Tech Pant is wrinkle resistant, with two-way stretch, a zipped side pocket and a relatively straight fit, with ankle openings that work well with both sneakers and dress shoes, reviewers say.

Patagonia

Best Lightweight Chinos for Travel

Patagonia Transit Traveler Pants

• $90.00 at Patagonia
  $129.00 (30% off)

Silhouette: Slim-tapered

Colors available: 2

Fit for the office or the trail, Patagonia’s Transit Traveler Pants come in a few colors we’d call khaki, but more outdoors-oriented options, too. They feature a true front button closure, side pockets aplenty and no elasticated cuffs, like other performance chinos.

Reviewers say these pants run big or true to size depending on body type. They can run a little big, leaving extra room in the crotch and seat, but prove a little short in the inseam, which makes them rise too high when seated or straddling a bike. They’re still a good bet, though, especially if you’re an active commuter.

Vuori

Best Water-Resistant Lightweight Chinos

Vuori Cascade Tech Chino Pant

• $128.00 at Vuori

Silhouette: Slim

Colors available: 3

Vuori’s Cascade Tech Chino is a good option for people on the move. Due to the chino’s 100% polyester makeup and water-resistant treatment, this pair of chinos can easily go from tee time to an office workday because of its sporty but not too sporty appearance.

Courtesy

Best Soft Lightweight Chino

Mott and Bow The Twill Chino

• $129.00 at mottandbow.com

Silhouette: Slim-tapered

Colors available: 6

Mott and Bow’s medium-weight chinos are stretchy, soft (because they’re garment-washed) and super comfortable to sit in, courtesy of a v-notched rear waistband, which relaxes when you plop down.

Benzak

Best Lightweight Sateen Chinos

BC-04 Relaxed Chino 8.5 oz.

• €181.00 at benzakdenimdevelopers.com

Silhouette: Relaxed

Colors available: 1

Sateen in the summer? Benzak Denim Developers makes a pair of chinos using a sateen twill to provide a lightweight, sturdy option that’ll keep its shape after multiple wears. The inseam of the pants may seem short, but the pants have a longer rise so they’re sized for people who wear up to a 34”L.

Mack Weldon

Best Stain-Resistant Lightweight Chinos

Mack Weldon Maverick Tech Chino

• $128.00 at Mack Weldon

Silhouette: Slim-tapered

Colors available: 6

Mack Weldon made its summertime chino out of technical fabrics, meaning they perform like athletic wear, not formal attire. Not only do they have seven pockets, but they’re stretchy, spill-, stain-and wrinkle-resistant. They’re a great everyday option that can handle anything you throw at them.

Madewell

Best Vintage-Inspired Lightweight Chinos

Madewell Pleated Cotton-Linen Chino Pants

• $110.00 at Madewell

Silhouette: Relaxed-straight

Colors available: 2

Madewell’s vintage-inspired Pleated Cotton Chino features a double pleat design]similar to those made in the ‘50s. They feature an airy cotton-linen blend and have welt back pockets.

Lululemon

Best Stretchy Lightweight Chinos

Lululemon ABC Slim-Fit Trouser

• $128.00 at Lululemon

Silhouette: Slim

Colors available: 10

The ABC trouser, seen here in slim-fit, is a good alternative to the brand’s super fitness-forward gear. These will pass for a classic pair of chinos, but they perform like activewear because they’re made with the brand’s proprietary wrinkle-resistant, quick-drying, shape-holding, high-stretch polyester.

Charles Tyrwhitt

Best Formal Lightweight Chinos

Charles Tyrwhitt Lightweight Pants

• $59.00 at Charles Tyrwhitt
  $109.00 (46% off)

Silhouette: Classic and slim fit

Colors available: 6

These lightweight pants are treated with a garment softener for a velvet-like feel, but that doesn’t make them any less breathable. They’re plenty airy, impressively put together and polished once buttoned-up, courtesy of a French bearer that keeps the front tight and tidy. These are also slightly customizable, considering you can choose your own combination of color, fit, waist size and inseam.

Adapture

Best Creased Lightweight Chinos

Adapture Standard Fit Chinos

• $185.00 at

Silhouette: Standard

Colors available: 4

Adapture’s Standard Fit Chinos are a soft, durable and stain-resistant option. They come in a neutral color palette and feature 2-way stretch for a comfy fit.

Faherty

Best Quick-Drying Lightweight Chinos

Faherty Movement 5-Pocket Pant

• $168.00 at Faherty

Silhouette: Slim-straight

Colors available: 5

Rather than featuring slanted pockets, which most chinos have, Faherty opted for a 5-pocket style — like jeans. While that does make these less formal, it doesn’t make them any less versatile. Dubbed the Movement Pants, they feature four-way stretch and an organic cotton-COOLMAX-elastane construction that promises quick-drying, lasting comfort and permanent coolness (at least in temperature).

Spoke London

Best Size-Inclusive Lightweight Chinos

Spoke London Cotton Lightweights

• $158.00 at Spoke London

Silhouette: Slim-tapered

Colors available: 14

Spoke London says its Cotton Lightweights are 25 percent lighter than its traditional chinos, which makes these 5.5 ounces overall. Spoke’s signature chinos incorporate three-percent elastane, so they give when you stretch. Also, this brand offers a range of fits for your thighs (narrow, regular and wide).

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