The Best Corduroy Pants for Men, Tested by Style Editors

In the last three years, our style editors have tested more than 25 different corduroy pants, but this pair from Banana Republic easily takes the crown. It has a sharp, slim fit cut that follows your legs, but isn’t gripping your lower half. The cotton-polyester fabric is blended elastane, which feels comfortable as opposed to being so restrictive that you can’t climb stairs two at a time or even squat down to tie your shoes without bursting a seam. Yes, guys with beefy thighs will feel it skim a bit closer, but there’s still some wiggle room to stretch and walk naturally.

One thing to note: Banana Republic’s smallest size is a 30 waist, and the brand’s pants run slightly large. Smaller guys might struggle to get a perfect fit, so sizing could be tricky. The 14-wale corduroy gives the fabric a smooth, low-profile texture — less chunky than traditional corduroy, but still substantial and polished. The material is buttery smooth with just enough heft, making it a go-to for evenings when the temps dip below 60.

I’ve road-tested this pair everywhere: a cocktail reception, a holiday party, and a three-hour flight that usually calls for sweatpants. But I didn’t feel cramped in my seat like I would with jeans. It stayed soft, warm, and never swampy. Sure, the price is a little on the higher side, but this fabric has that premium, low-pile sheen feel that won’t fade or look dingy after a couple wears. Style-wise, it’s super versatile. You can go real laid-back with dress sneakers or semi-dressy with a pair of leather boots and a proper topcoat.

Unlike Levi’s slim-fit corduroys, this pair hangs straight through the hip and thigh for a much more relaxed look. I pulled on a pair and immediately felt the difference. It’s tailored in the leg but breathes better, especially when I was packed into a stuffy subway station during rush hour. I wore it at my standing desk for almost seven hours, and not once did it get that stiff, cardboard-y feel some corduroys would develop by lunchtime. When I widened my stance to stretch my lower back or scooted my chair closer to the desk, the fabric didn’t strain at the inner thigh or squeeze my quads. There’s enough give for guys with bigger legs without the pants looking stretchy or athletic.

The 15-wale corduroy gives the pant a classic texture—the ribs are fine enough to feel polished and office-ready, but still substantial enough to keep the fabric from feeling flimsy. Brooks Brothers offers this cut in a number of office-friendly colors, but this bold blue is sharp without being too loud. It plays well with everything from a rugby shirt to button-down, and you can easily dress it up with a sweater and loafers.

Men’s Health designer Jason Speakman wears this pleated corduroy pant to the office every other week because it looks sharp with everything he throws on, be it a sweater or blazer. At 6 feet tall with a slender build, this pair gives him the right amount of structure without drowning his frame, and the pleats add enough interest to elevate his everyday rotation.

Like Brooks Brothers’ relaxed cut, this option feels cool in a crowded subway, stretches comfortably when he bends to tie his shoes, and never feels stiff when he crosses his legs during meetings. Even after sitting at his desk for hours, the cotton fabric keeps its shape and doesn’t wrinkle too much. The only downside?

It’s the priciest pair on the list, so it’s an investment—but Alex Mill’s offering is more stylish than standard flat-front cords, pairs with every top in your closet, and has enough heft to drape cleanly without looking baggy while keeping him warm even in the middle of December.

If you’re looking for a slim-fit corduroy with a tailored vibe that doesn’t feel like skinny jeans, Levi’s has one right up your alley. It’s narrow through the seat and thigh, but the cotton-elastane-polyester blend—with 14% stretch—keeps it comfortable and breathable. The “14-wale” corduroy means the ribs are a bit finer than traditional chunky cords, giving it a more polished appearance while still feeling substantial.

This finer wale can make the fabric feel less rugged than classic corduroy, but the stretch and fit more than make up for it. In fact, we found this pant is the stretchiest pair of the bunch. I could squat, climb stairs, and even bend over at my standing desk without ever feeling restricted. The stitching is solid, so the fit keeps its shape over time, and the fabric has just enough give that guys with bigger quads can slip into these without feeling squeezed. Plus, it has the iconic Levi’s Strauss patch at the back of the waistband, adding a classic, recognizable detail.

Our grooming editor Sean Zucker tested this Uniqlo ankle corduroy pant and swears it’s the best option if you’re after a pair that can go from the office straight into a weekend vibe. It’s super comfy and breathable, and for someone who wears black pants almost every day, it’s an easy way to dress up your rotation without feeling stiff. The straight-leg fit hits that sweet spot—relaxed without looking boxy—and the cropped length breaks just below the ankle. That makes Uniqlo’s version perfect to wear over boots, since there’s no extra fabric to bunch or drag.

Sean notes a couple of quirks: he wears a 29/30 waist and found the 32 slightly large, so he recommends sizing down. And while the inside drawstring is a bit of an odd touch for pants he typically dresses up in, it’s easy enough to ignore if you stick with a belt. The wale is on the finer side, which gives the pants a smooth, dressy look, but it can show wear over time if you’re rough on your clothes. Overall, the combination of comfort, fit, and versatility makes these Uniqlo ankle cords a standout in the category.