Best Men’s Chinos – Variety Meets Versatility

Men’s chino pants are a true classic wardrobe item with an incredible history. These versatile trousers are as appropriate around the house as they are in a business setting. You can wear them boating, to school, or to the skatepark. And while they were developed in the mid 19^th century for British and French military outfits, they have since woven their way into contemporary fashion. Since those early days, the cut, material, and stylings of what we commonly refer to as ‘chinos’ have taken many turns.

Let’s get one thing straight, these are not “khakis,” but they can be. Confused? We’ll explain.

Khaki is a color; chino is a cloth. Both words have commonly been swapped out for the word ‘pants’ as a way to class up or de-stigmatize their trou for the audience they intend to sell to. In our case today, we’re using the term “chinos” because the fabric in the pants we’ve chosen represents the classic full cotton or cotton plus synthetics that represent the chino most accurately. And don’t worry, through our careful research, we’ve found a few great men’s chinos that come in khaki color.

The Best Men’s Chino

Amazon Essentials Men’s Slim-Fit Chino (BEST CHOICE)

Amazon Essentials is a curated clothing line for men, women, and children. Their staff makes decisions on what is in style and then works with manufacturers to white label clothing. In the case of these Slim-Fit Chino pants, they have clearly identified a style intended for more business than casual – though it looks like it could handle both. Slim-Fit is definitely a style that you have to have the right body for, so if you’re lean and tall, keep reading.

Wrinkle resistance in the fabric is typically a function of blending polyester into cotton, which is the case here with their 40/60 blend, respectively. A zip-front closure up front and a single button in the back are a nod to classic chino styling.

Wear With – Given that these men’s chinos have such a high level of polyester in the blend, you’re unlikely to roll these up. So, you’ll need to pair them with something a bit more formal. Boots and loafers would be an appropriate match, and the pants come in multiple colors to fit your needs. A jacket will pair nicely with these, and you can dress the pants up or down from there. Just don’t forget a belt.

Purchase

Haggar Men’s Cool 18 Classic-Fit Chino

Haggar is a well-known name in menswear; they’ve been producing quality clothing for the working professional for almost 100 years. These Haggar Men’s Cool 18 Classic-Fit Chino pants are a nod to their past with a pre-cuffed pant-bottom but have a ton of modern features. The first thing to keep in mind with these men’s chinos is that they are 100% polyester. For those who like some stretch, these pants offer it in spades. The waistband has a built-in stretch feature to ensure that even the biggest lunch won’t bust your seams.

The “Cool 18” in the product name refers to the breathability of the polyester. These pants claim to offer serious airflow to ensure that, even on the hottest days, you still look cool. A flat-front finish means that you will have some pleat below the knee – often referred to as a dart – but they should lay mostly flat.

Wear With – The Haggar Men’s Cool 18 Classic-Fit Chinos are really designed for the office or a classy event. So, if your current wardrobe is resplendent with Oxford loafers, button-downs, and ties, these pants will fit in nicely amongst your wardrobe. Any two or three-button jacket will fall nicely over the flat front of the Cool 18; just make sure to mix and match the seven different color options appropriately.

For more stylish but comfortable options, check out our selection of the best travel pants.

Purchase

Goodthreads Men’s Slim-Fit Chino

Amazon’s Goodthreads line is their answer to Banana Republic, so that should give you some indication of the kind of quality they aim at. These Goodthreads Men’s “The Perfect Chino Pant” Slim-Fit Chino pants are a classic take on these timeless trousers. With a 97/3 blend of cotton and polyester, these pants will not offer as much stretch as something designed for athletic movement. However, a small weave of poly into cotton does offer some give, so these should work with you, whatever the occasion.

We like these particular men’s chinos because Goodthreads offers them in 21 colorways, which means that they can mix and match with your full wardrobe. Versatility is a feature we also like about this particular pair, given that you can dress them up or down depending on the occasion.

Wear With – As mentioned, these are very versatile pants. The most common use will probably come in the form of a casual but professional office environment. Most color options in this style will pair as nicely with classic sneakers as they will with loafers or even Oxfords. These probably aren’t the right pair of pants for a cocktail party or boardroom, however. So your fancy cufflinks will be of no match to these trousers.

Purchase

IZOD Men’s Straight-Fit Chino

IZOD is a name synonymous with the classic chino look. IZOD has been producing men’s pants for over a hundred years now, and their Men’s Straight-Fit Chino pants are the standard for work-focused pants. If you are more of a relaxed-cut kinda person, these straight fit appear to have enough room in the hips and knee to be comfortable but remain tight enough for the office.

These days, few brands are selling a wrinkle-free men’s chino for under $75, which is why this pair falls near the top of our list. The price is right, and the variety of color options make the IZOD Men’s Straight-Fit Chino pants a great buy.

Wear with – As these are a very business-focused pair of pants, you’ll do best by dressing them up with loafers or Oxford shoes. Many reviewers claim that the waist has a slight bit of give to it, making it great for tucking in a flex button down. IZOD is also a manufacturer of many jackets, so if the boardroom is your destination, best to pair these with a two-button blazer or trench coat.

Purchase

J.M. Haggar Men’s Slim-Fit Chino

The J.M. Haggar Men’s Slim-Fit Chino pants are a classic style with classic, timeless color options. Featuring a button closure in the back and a zip front, these pants offer a look that is as easy to dress up as it is to dress down.

Haggar pants tend to fit on the slim side (per Amazon reviews) so keep that in mind when purchasing. While the style is technically a flat front, the pants have a dark or mid-leg hem, which creates a nice bit of character below the knee. One of our favorite parts about these pants is Haggar’s Superflex Waist, which is mostly polyester and should allow for great maneuverability and comfort throughout the entire workday.

Wear with – As mentioned, these men’s chinos can transition between a swanky cocktail party to straight into a business meeting. While the polyester in the fabric may make them less accompanying to cuffs, you certainly could roll them up a bit and dress these down.

For more sporty options, be sure to pick your favorite jogger pants from our list.

Purchase

Wrangler Authentics Straight-Fit Men’s Chino

Wrangler is a brand you might not associate with Chinos, but these Straight-Fit Chino pants are a perfect complement to your wardrobe if your average attire is blue jeans. Twill is an incredibly comfortable and very traditional cotton spin, has real durability, and resists wrinkles. While these particular pants aren’t something you’d wear to the boardroom, they would fit in great in a more casual work environment.

Featuring four classic color styles, these pants receive rave reviews on Amazon for their versatility and comfort.

Wear with – While you may be tempted by the price and allure of comfort to try and pull these off in a serious business setting, resist that temptation. These Wrangler Authentics Men’s Straight-Fit Chino pants are perfect for a more casual situation. They would pair great with a polo shirt or button-down. You could also throw a blazer over them, but maybe keep the tie at home.

Purchase

Lee Men’s Classic-Fit Chino

For those who are brand loyal to Lees, these Men’s Classic-Fit Chino pants will be a welcome addition to their wardrobe. With six color options, fabric that is mostly made of polyester (75% to be exact), and a flat front design, these chinos are bound to be a valuable member of any wardrobe.

With over 100 years of quality craftsmanship, you can be sure that Lee has made a chino fit for modern use, wear and tear. These pants are a relaxed fit, which means that they have a little more room in the hips, knees and less of a taper. These pants are great for the office, high-end occasions, and weekends where some level of sophistication is part of the entry fee.

Wear with – The flat front, dart-style hem makes these perfect for a more formal setting. However, they aren’t perfect for a cocktail party, so consider coupling them with an Oxford or loafer for regular days in the office or shopping for that new luxury SUV. Do not wear them to a cocktail party unless you feel like they pair perfectly with your sport jacket and flex button-down. These are loose-fitting, relaxed chinos, so if the mood is right for a relaxed feel, break them out.

Our guide to the top hiking pants offers some durable options for outdoor adventures. Check them out.

Purchase

Unionbay Men’s Lightweight Chino

It’s time to jump in a cab shortly before you board a flight, and you’re not quite sure what to wear. Unionbay has your back with their Lightweight Chino pants, which have a nice dressed appearance but retain the travel aesthetic.

With a button front closure and an almost entirely nylon build, these men’s chinos are ready to move with you, wherever you go. Take them to the airport, to a baseball game, to the movies; they are ready for whatever and look more dressed up than that pair of crappy denim you’ve counted on for so many years. Just don’t use these for the office. The Unionbay Rainier design is perfect for those in-between times when you need something slightly more classy but doesn’t shout that you’re headed for the board room.

Wear with – Sneakers for summer! These nylon stitched trousers are really perfect for less formal occasions, don’t think of them as dress-up pants. Sure, you could throw a button-down over them, especially one designed not to tuck in. Ultimately, these are relaxed-fit chinos, so go with what you feel most comfortable in.

Purchase

Volcom Men’s Modern-Fit Chino

Volcom may not be the first name you think of when you perform a search for some men’s chinos, but we can tell you as long time wearers of the Men’s Modern-Fit Chino pants that these things are as comfortable as they are fashionable. With 11 color options, these chino pants can match any wardrobe requirement.

Wear with – These are casual pants in the most obvious format. Wear them with a nice, clean pair of Vans and a button-down. The small but visible Volcom logo will give away their nod to casual attire, but you don’t care because you have a great fitting pair of pants on while the haters critique your style choices in their tight-fitting attire.

Be sure to check out these comfortable and casual sweatpants from our list.

Purchase

Southpole Men’s Straight-Fit Men’s Chino

Southpole may be a lesser-known brand in this lineup, but their Straight-Fit Chino pants are a really clean and respectable pair of men’s chinos you should consider. These flat-front pants are made of mostly cotton (98%), but they also incorporate a bit of spandex (2%) for a bit of stretch. Their logo-less design keeps them clean, and their tapered leg is form-fitting.

From a value perspective, these men’s chinos are one of the best choices in terms of cost. Amazon reviewers claim that the quality is that of pants twice their price, but there is the occasional discrepancy in sizing. Luckily, returns are easy on Amazon, and if these don’t perfectly fit the bill, you’re able to exchange them for another pair.

Wear with – These, like the Volcom Modern-Fit Chinos, are really relaxed and casually styled pants, so pair them with your favorite sneakers. You could easily dress these pants up with a puffer vest or jacket as long as you have a flex button-down to tuck in. Ultimately they are quite versatile, just don’t expect to wear them with Oxfords to a dinner party.

Purchase