The 20 best golf pants you can wear this summer without overheating

Mar 26, 2024

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While shorts reign supreme as the choice men’s golf bottom for summer, a solid pair of golf pants is essential for those scenarios in which a course requires them or when you don’t have time to change before post-work rounds. The key to finding the perfect pair of golf pants that can be worn in the summer without overheating comes down to fit, fabric and performance technology. Looser fits are naturally cooler in hot weather to allow air for better air flow and expediting evaporation of excess heat. Fabrics with loosely woven fibers, like cotton, will also allow for more air flow and ventilation against the skin. Cotton is typically preferred over synthetic fabrics like polyester, but when it comes to golf, polyester is a lightweight option that’s more durable, wrinkle-resistant and able to have performance tech added more easily. Cotton is naturally wicking, but polyester fibers are hollow to encourage the moisture to be moved away from the skin instead of sitting against the skin uncomfortably. Now try to find all that in a pair of golf pants that is also stylish, flattering and easy to match with—not so easy. We’ve scoured through dozens of golf pant options, reviewed fabrics, tested propriety fabric technology and evaluated versatility in fit and style to find the best golf pants for summer golf that will transition into fall golf rounds with ease.

Bonobos is known for designing well-fitting golf pants with both performance and style in mind and these summer seersucker golf pants are no different. Borrowed from the fashion world, seersucker is a popular summer fabric with thin stripes, a slightly crinkled texture woven to create tiny air pockets next to the body to keep you cool. Bringing the benefits to golf, Bonobos blended the traditionally cotton pant with a lightweight polyester and added its infamous silicone shirt gripper at the waistband for a summery look that’s cool in all definitions of the word.

These are one of those pairs of pants that you just have to feel to understand why they’re perfect for summer golf. The fabric is ultra-lightweight, but not in a cheap-feeling way. The polyester fabric is wind and water-resistant, and made with a durable stretch that will move with you without losing shape. The 5-pocket golf pant is designed with a little extra room at the pocket and thigh areas, which, in addition to adding comfort and mobility, will help you stay cool and feeling unrestricted.

A golfer staple, lululemon’s ABC pant is consistently at the top of the list anytime we poll the Golf Digest staffers on their favorite golf apparel. It’s a tried and true pant that has the versatility for golf, work, travel and everything in between. Available in many different fits and fabrications, the key difference-maker for these golf pants are the roomy fit and extra panel of fabric between the legs. This creates a more durable build that’s resistant to pant-ruining abrasion.

Many golfers may not be familiar with newer athletic wear brand Greatness Wins, but you’ll most definitely recognize the names behind it—including Derek Jeter, Wayne Gretzky and Misty Copeland. Greatness Wins focuses on sophisticated athletic apparel and inclusive sizing with custom-feeling fits across the collection. The lightweight Clubhouse Pant is made with recycled polyester and touch of spandex, to provide 2-way stretch to enhance mobility without losing shape.

Under Armour pens these pants as an upgrade for golfers who still cling to their old-school khakis. Designed to move better than pre-performance-technology-era golf pants, they have a traditional flat front and four-pocket design. The classic look is modernized with four-way stretch materials, a stretch waistband with shirt grippers on the inside and UA’s Storm technology to repel water.

When we polled the office on their favorite summertime golf pants, this Johnnie-O pair came up as a dark horse front-runner. Made with a polyester knit fabric, it’s a lightweight performance golf pant with a ton of stretch, efficient wicking technology and an ultra-versatile styling.

In line with Linksoul’s ethos of beach-inspired golf gear to reimagine traditional golf apparel, these golf pants are finished with a saltwater wash that breaks down proteins in fabric for a softer feel. Available in five colorways, the chino-like golf pant has four-way stretch, quick-dry technology and are lightweight enough to be worn comfortably in almost any climate.

With Bonobos’ fan-favorite shirt grippers at the waist, articulated back knee for better mobility and subtle ventilation via eyelets at the inseam, the Highland Tour Golf Pant is an all-season pant that will hold up in the heat. It’s also got UPF 50 sun protection for even more sun protection.

This company uses a custom fabric they call Sublime Soltex that is engineered to manage body temperature in both hot and cold weather. It’s a lightweight material with four-way stretch, quick-dry wicking properties and a blend of recycled polyester for a sustainable finish.

This versatile pant is another golf favorite because it comes in four different fits and is made with a ton of stretch. The classic fit has a straight leg athletic finish to match a more traditional golf pant, but we’d recommend the five-pocket version that tapers slightly at the leg but maintains an athletic standard fit with a little extra room in the seat and thighs.

This list wouldn’t be complete without a mention of Under Armour’s Iso-Chill technology. UA’s product team developed a ribbon-shaped nylon fiber, treated with a mineral called titanium dioxide, that pulls heat away from the skin and disperses it to make your skin feel cooler. They put that technology into a tapered pant construction and it has become a go-to for many golfers looking to stay cool playing in full-length pants.

Made with 90-percent polyester and a touch of spandex, these comfortable golf pants are built to move. The waistband can accommodate an additional two inches of stretch when you need it, without losing shape or becoming baggy upon recovery. It’s a more casual pant in fit and feel, but can be easily dressed up when needed.

This classic golf pant likely has found its place in every golfer's closet at some point. Nike's Dri-Fit technology keeps things dry while the poly-cotton blend provides lightweight stretch.

An upscale golf pant with a casual 5-pocket design, the Peter Millar Bingham Performance Golf Pant has a tailored fit and superior shape retention.

While you might not think of Oakley immediately when searching for golf pants, these DWR-coated pants are a strong option for all-weather golfers. Four-way stretch and wicking properties are all present to check the boxes required for a great summer-golf pant.

This menswear brand focuses on athletic fits and modern silhouettes—both qualities in these tech chinos. Taller golfers will appreciate the extra fabric at the hem to allow for more exact tailoring.

While not the most modern style on the list, vintage pleated pants are surprisingly back in vogue—when done right. Old school golfers also praise the cooling properties in these classic trousers. The Cool 18 Pro Golf Pants also have a hidden expandable that expands up to an impressive 3-inches, a shirt gripper at the waist and a fabrication that is wrinkle-resistant.

These straight leg golf pants from Puma are made with a breathable polyester fabric that's made in part with recycled materials, two-way stretch and come in more than 10 colors to choose from.

We just couldn’t resist including these zip-off pants on a list of summer-ready golf pants. Now, before you scoff at the kitchy detail, zip-off pants and cargo pants are all the rage in the fashion world right now, so it is inevitable that the trend bleeds into golf sooner or later. And the utility of having the option of pants or shorts in one product is obvious. They’re also made with a stretchy fabric, have a looser fit that will encourage temperature regulation in hot weather and have three cargo pockets in total for just a bounty of storage options. Laugh if you want, but these do kinda make sense.