The 5 Best Petite Travel Pants, From $36

The idea of my pants dragging along the airport floor makes me want to jump out of my skin, but as someone 5 feet tall, I struggle to find pants that fit my height (and my fashion preferences) without brushing the floor. In the past, I’ve resorted to cuffing my pants or going through the hassle of getting them tailored, but it wasn’t until recently that I fully embraced petite clothing sizing. I’ve curated a selection of petite travel pants that fit my height perfectly, including everything from linen pants to sweatpants to jeans (I know, shocking). 

After trying each of these pants firsthand, I can confidently say that they’re not just short-girl friendly but also buttery-soft and perfect for long travel days. So, without further ado, I present my carefully curated list of must-have pants for petite travelers, including a splurge-worthy pair of sweatpant jeans from Rag & Bone and vacation-ready linen pants from Reformation, starting at $36. 

Best Petite Travel Pants Overall:

Reformation Olina Linen Pants

If I’m traveling to a warm-weather destination, I’m likely to be wearing these Reformation linen pants. I’ve been a fan of these easy-to-wear bottoms for years. The petite length is a perfect fit for me, and the linen material offers an elevated airport look that’s instantly vacation-ready. I usually style mine with a loose-fitting button-down and a pair of sneakers for a laid-back look that still earns me plenty of compliments. 

Spanx AirEssentials Wide-leg Sweatpants

Spanx is one of my go-to brands for comfortable travel-ready pants, so I was thrilled to see its best-selling AirEssentials sweatpants available in petite sizing. The Oprah-loved bottoms are made with a lightweight, luxe-looking fabric that feels incredible against the skin. Plus, the drawstring waistband allows for a perfect fit from waist to toe. I pair mine my pair with the coordinating AirEssentials Half Zip sweatshirt for a complete look that keeps me cozy and feeling put together whenever I’m traveling.

Promover Wide-leg Pants

Amazon’s top-selling yoga pants are also one of my favorite petite travel pants. The wide-leg bottoms have over 7,000 five-star ratings, with shoppers raving that they’re “so comfortable.” Another Amazon customer highlighted the fact that they “don’t wrinkle,” which is a major plus when it comes to travel-friendly bottoms. The pants come in a range of petite sizing from XS to 2XL, along with regular and tall options. 

Rag & Bone Miramar Terry Sofie Ankle-length Pants

The idea of traveling in jeans might seem outrageous but, believe it or not, Rag & Bone’s Miramar jeans are one of my most-worn travel pants. There’s a catch, though: they aren’t jeans at all. These optical illusion pants are made from a supersoft sweatpant-like material that’s screen-printed with denim details. While the bottoms don’t come in petite sizing, I found that this cropped pair is a suitable length and has a high-waisted, comfortable fit. Adding these to my travel wardrobe has upped my airport outfit game without sacrificing comfort.

Alo Yoga High-waist Airlift Capri Pants

Truthfully, I prefer sweatpants over leggings, especially for traveling, but these ultrasoft Alo leggings are too good to resist. While these bottoms are not labeled “petite,” the brand’s website says the capri length is ideal for those under 5 feet 4 inches. There’s nothing worse than feeling constricted while traveling, but the Airlift leggings are made to feel like a second skin with a four-way stretch that’s flattering and, most importantly, incredibly comfortable.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.