Roark Layover Pro Traveler Pants Review

I have a standard 2- to 3-week international work itinerary. It takes 32 hours of travel to get to my office in northern Uganda from my home in Oregon. I pack everything for these trips into a 44L bag, so space is at a premium.

My kit is dialed, so I rarely bring anything new to test. I need clothing that can withstand heat and various elements (such as rain, mud, and dust) while also looking presentable for formal meetings.

These trips are longer than the calendar days alone would suggest, with sunrise wake-ups, long days in the rig, and meetings that often extend into the evening most nights. The last thing I want to think about is what I wear.

Before my most recent trip to Uganda, I spent a month road-tripping across South Africa with my wife. This was a long trip, so we both brought a 70L checked bag, and I chose to bring along Roark’s new Layover Pro Traveler Pants to test out and supplement my go-to rotation. 

I’m happy to report that the next time I went to Uganda for my normal 2-week sprint, the only pants I brought were the Roark Layover Pro Traveler. It made it into my permanent kit, and I couldn’t give a piece of clothing higher praise than that. 

In short: The Roark Layover Pro Traveler nails the comfort-to-durability ratio for long-haul travel and warm-weather wear. At $99, they also undercut a good number of high-dollar travel options, and while it lacks a zippered thigh pocket, it makes up for it with an excellent fit, ventilation, and an airport-to-boardroom look.

Looking for a new pair of pants fit for long travel days? Check out GearJunkie’s Best Travel Pants for Men Buyer’s Guide for more options.

The Roark Layover Pro Traveler Pants: Review

Roark’s previous version of its Layover pant earned a lot of accolades, and rightfully so, as it was a solid choice for daily wear and long-haul travel alike. So, when the brand went to update the pants, it had a solid challenge on its hands. 

The newest iteration adds a new fabric, belt loops, and a no-show elastic waistband, which balance increased comfort, improved performance, and a more versatile style. After months of daily use, I can say this: Roark nailed it.

Key Updates

Roark made several significant upgrades to the Layover Pro Traveler. First and foremost is the fabric. They’ve shifted to a certified organic cotton-based fabric, called Embarq Dura-Stretch Twill Fabric. It’s 59% cotton for a refined look and cooling properties, 30% polyamide (basically nylon) for durability and structure, and 11% elastane for a luxurious stretch.

I’ve found this fabric to be ideal for long travel days and adventures of all sorts in warm climates. Though it lacks a DWR coating, I’ve found that it cleans up easily and dries quickly, whether you’re spot cleaning after getting (briefly) stuck in the mud or doing a quick wash in the sink for use the next day. It remains very comfortable while still falling nicely and not looking too casual when I need to step into a meeting. 

Next on the list are belt loops. This was my biggest complaint in previous iterations of Roark’s travel pants. I love the drawstring that comes with these pants, but I always opt for a TSA-friendly belt and prefer the fit and feel of a belt over a drawstring. 

With the Layover Pro Traveler, Roark also transitioned to Hybrid Alpha sizing (S-XXL). I’m typically always on the fence between M and L, and I went with a large here. I’m happy I did: Thankfully the days of skinny pants are largely over, and the L fits me really well (I’m typically a 32 or 33 in numeric sizing, 6’1’’ / 180 pounds for reference).

Tested Across Africa

The first time I wore these pants, it was over 2 days of travel. After four flights and a 6-hour road trip to get to my destination, I was pretty much sold.

The travel-specific features, such as the cell stash back pocket and zippered front and back pockets, kept everything I needed secure and easy to access while moving through the airport. The back cell pocket is big enough for my iPhone 16 Pro to be fully concealed and remain quickly accessible. 

The zippered front pockets were a welcome feature when sitting down. My AirPod case stayed put, rather than threatening to fall out, for example. These zips were also clutch when moving through zones where I didn’t want anyone else to access my pockets, or even be tempted to do so. 

I wore these pants during plane travel, but they also formed the backbone of my wardrobe during a trip that ranged from all-day drives to working in remote villages to fine dining in Cape Town to family BBQs and hikes. The fit and finish of these pants proved to be wildly versatile, and they served me well. 

One feature that I enjoyed the most was the waistband. It’s elastic, but it’s concealed, so it doesn’t look elastic. This makes it very comfortable after sitting in a car or airplane for a long time and offers great freedom of movement when you’re out and about as well. 

Lastly, the back panel has laser perforations for even more ventilation in the heat. When I wore these pants alongside other options, the difference was noticeable. Many manufacturers simply pack pants with features that aren’t actually helpful; that is not the case with the Roark Layover Pro Travelers.

Room for Improvement

These pants would be perfect with one change: I’d prefer a concealed zippered thigh-pocket instead of zippered hand pockets. There are a few manufacturers that do this type of hidden zippered pocket really well. It allows for a secure pocket to store a wallet or AirPods that you want to prevent from being taken or falling out, while leaving the hand pockets more comfortable for your actual hands. 

In my experience, this type of pocket is also easier to open and close while sitting than the zippered hand pockets. And, it doesn’t look like a cargo pocket either, which would work for the aesthetic that Roark is going for here. 

Additionally, these pants are pretty lightweight. This makes them perfect for airplane and vehicle-based travel, and they thrive in warm temperatures. However, keep that in mind if you are traveling to a cold destination. Luckily, Roark offers a Layover Utility Pant ($115) made from a heavier fabric for that use case. 

Roark Layover Pro Traveler Pants: Conclusion

As I mentioned at the top, I don’t love testing brand-new gear like the Roark Layover Pro Travelers on consequential trips. Once I find something I can rely on, I typically use it until it becomes unwearable or unrepairable. This makes the bar pretty high to earn a spot in my daily rotation, much less a big trip when I’m packing light. 

These updated travel pants, however, surprised me with just how reliable they were right out of the gate. The new fabric strikes an excellent balance between breathability and durability, the pocket setup is near-perfect, and the fit is spot-on for long days in the saddle.

I’m heading to Southern California for a quick trip next week. The fall temps are still pretty warm down there, so I bet you can guess which pants I’ll be wearing.