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The 15 Best Summer Pants, Worn and Tested by Style Editors
Slacks that give your legs full coverage while staying lightweight and breathable.
WHEN the temperature is seething hotter than a celebrity guest on Hot Ones and the muggy air breathes thicker than a bowl of oatmeal, your sartorial instinct is probably telling you to take it all off and just put on some shorts. However, sometimes an occasion calls for you to look more put-together with pants instead, you know? As sweaty and steamy as that sounds, fear not, for the wardrobe solution is simple: summer pants.
Before you work yourself up to visualize your dad’s shabby, baggy khakis, shift gear a bit to pants styles like linen, seersucker, and nylon pants—i.e., pants made of lightweight, breathable materials, and cut in a modern, flattering fit to keep you looking cool and feeling crispy. Whenever there’s an in-person office day or any formal function coming up in your calendar, consider covering your sculpted calves and break out a pair of summer pants for a change.
Below, we’ve managed to test over 35 pairs of lightweight, breathable pants ourselves to find the 15 best summer pants for men. From linen pants and seersucker pants that are a true breezy wonder, to refreshing chinos made with breathable, moisture-wicking nylon, to performance jeans blessed with temperature-regulating tech, our first-hand-tested trousers won't let the heat cramp your style.
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Maverick Li is the Style & Commerce Editor of Men’s Health, where he covers clothing, footwear, watches, and grooming. He was previously the Assistant Commerce Editor at Esquire.
Ted Stafford is the Fashion Director of Men’s Health. He oversees all style and fashion content for the brand, and also styles their fashion stories. His active lifestyle informs his passion for translating great designs into real-life style, a favorite part of his job. Prior to joining Men’s Health he worked at GQ magazine and Calvin Klein
As Men's Health's Deputy Editor, Commerce, Christian Gollayan oversees all shopping content on menshealth.com. He relocated back to New York by way of Portland, where he was the Associate Managing Editor at TheManual.com. Christian's work has also been featured in InStyle, Food & Wine, the New York Post, and Tatler Asia.
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