A recent office debate at Condé Nast Traveller UK captured a problem every frequent flyer knows: leggings are comfortable in an economy seat, but too casual for anyone who doesn't want to look like they wandered in straight from a HIIT class. The compromise being championed now is the wide-leg legging – a stretchy, flowy cut that keeps the soft waistband and breathable fabric of activewear while reading as a regular trouser.
The publication's travel team tested 12 pairs on real journeys – long-haul flights, train trips and transit days – wearing them for hours of sitting to see which waistbands stay put without digging in or rolling down. Each pair was also assessed on softness, breathability, opacity and fit, and taken through reformer Pilates and gym sessions to check they can do double duty off the plane.
Standout picks from the list include the Lululemon Align Palazzo pant for smart airport style and the Lululemon Groove Nulu Super-High-Rise Flared Pant for a subtler flare. Alo Yoga takes two spots: the Softsculpt High-Waist Bootcut Legging for sculpting and the Airbrush High-Waist Flare for long-haul comfort. Tala's DayFlex wrap-flared yoga pant won on gym-to-flight versatility, while Gymshark's Crossover Flared Leggings were the budget pick. Sweaty Betty's power bootcut trouser earned the pockets award – handy when your cabin bag is in the overhead locker – and Sisterly Tribe's soft cotton foldover leggings came out best for taller travellers. Vuori scored twice, with the Elevation Rhythm flare for studio workouts and the AllTheFeels slim flare for weekend wear, plus Oner Active's SoftMotion flare for lounging and Amada's Camilla flare for a little lift.
The range spans full palazzo trousers to compressive kick flares, in everything from spandex blends to ultra-soft cotton, so there's a silhouette for most tastes. What ties them together is the combination of a gentle, stay-put waistband and a loose leg – precisely the specs that matter when you're folded into a window seat for nine hours.
Why it matters: travel outfits rarely get scrutinised as much as flight-day ones. You want to feel like you're in pyjamas but look presentable if you land straight into a meeting, a dinner or a hotel lobby with a strict dress code. A wide-leg legging is arguably the most flexible single item for that – it packs small, doesn't crease like denim, and moves from airport to brunch without a change of clothes. If you fly even a handful of times a year, one well-chosen pair earns its wardrobe slot fast.
The testing was led by a writer with seven years of product-guide experience across Condé Nast Traveller and Good Housekeeping, who flies roughly monthly and trials gear on the move – so the recommendations lean on wear over time rather than a quick fitting-room impression. Full details of every tested pair are in the original guide.
Condé Nast Traveller UK
