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Uniqlo Kando pants are one of the most popular choices for hot weather dressing.
A lot of people pick these because they’re more lightweight, comfortable and budget friendly.
They have a thin, high-quality polyester that keeps you cool in the summer.
I picked up my first pair about 18 months and am wearing them as I type this review!
I am big fan of the pants but as with any product they have some pros and cons.
Today, we will go through what I see as the pros and cons of these pants as someone who owns multiple pairs.
If you are in a hurry, go ahead and check out this summary below but I would encourage you to continue for more information that should help you decide if these pants are for you or not!
The Pros
- Breathable
- Stretchy
- Versatile
- Relatively Durable
- Keep their color well
- Good value
- Machine washable
- Don’t crease easily
- Dry very quickly
- Fold very small
The Cons
- Not great for cold weather
- Don’t look as good as wool
- Length must be adjusted
- Can’t put too much in the pockets
- Fit might not suit everyone
The Pros | In Detail
Breathable
These pants are great for warmer weather, thanks to the fact that they breathe.
I am based in South Vietnam where it really never gets cold.
These pants are perfect for a tropical climate like this; I can tell you that they are considerably cooler than jeans or even chinos.
Yes, the pants are made from 100% polyester which is often said to trap heat. Not in this case. Whatever Uniqlo did, they made these pants extremely breathable.
While they may look a little out of place(too formal), they are so breathable that they could be really useful for activities like hiking too.
Stretchy (Comfortable!)
Stretchy pants are a little unusual and not something I was a big fan of before trying the Kando pants. However, these really are great.
These can be worn comfortably all day even when sitting. The same cannot be said for stiff denim and some wools.
For this reason, these pants are my go-to pants for traveling.
Versatile
The pants were designed to resemble wool. They don’t quite look like real wool.
In terms of formality, I would say they fall between wool dress pants and cotton chinos. This makes them incredibly versatile.
For a more formal look, they look great with a crisp white shirt and leather brogues. If you want to dress down, they also pair really well with a polo or tee and some trainers.
These are possibly the most versatile pants I have ever owned.
I have a pair in navy, dark gray, and light gray. They are all great but if you are looking to maximize versatility, I’d suggest choosing them in dark gray.
Relatively Durable
These pants are tough.
I have been wearing the first pair I bought for more than a year and they are holding up well.
Yes, some wear is evident on the pockets but other than that, they look great.
Don’t get me wrong, they are not selvedge denim durable.
I wouldn’t recommend them for manual labor tasks but for how breathable and stretchy they are, their durability is impressive, especially considering the price.
Machine washable
If there is one thing that I hate about wool is that it usually has to be dry-cleaned.
While they resemble wool in appearance, this is not the case with the Kando pants.
You can simply throw them in the washing machine. You can even quickly handwash them in a sink if you are traveling and tight on time.
This convenience should not be underestimated.
Keep their color well
This is another great feature of Uniqlo Kando pants.
They hold their color really well. Compared to cotton chinos and even some wool pants I own, these pants have retained their color really well after a lot of wear and washing.
When it comes to color retention as well, these pants have me sold.
Don’t crease easily
I don’t know anyone that loves ironing.
It can be a real pain. If you’ve ever owned anything linen, you will know what I mean.
Some clothes look great when you put them on but quickly crease during the day making for a less than desirable disheveled look.
This is not the case with the Kando pants. They remain relatively crease-free even after multiple wears.
This is not to say you don’t need to iron them at all.
If you want to stay looking sharp, it will be necessary after washing or wearing it multiple times. Such is life.
Dry very quickly
These pants dry really quickly. I mean, really quickly.
During the day here in Vietnam, where temperatures are above 30 degrees Celcius, the pants will be fully dry within an hour.
This is amazing for traveling! I often give them a quick wash and hang them out to dry in the middle of the day before going for a swim or hitting the beach.
By the time I get back to my room, they are dry and ready to be worn. This is so convenient as it means you can travel light.
Fold very small
Because the material is so thin, they fold really small. I’d say they take up half the space that a pair of jeans would.
As someone who prefers to travel light, I love this.
Good value
Last but not least, given all the benefits described, these pants are really good value.
While prices vary slightly by country, Kando pants typically cost around 50 USD. This is great for such a versatile, long-lasting pair of pants.
The Cons | In Detail
Not great for cold weather
These pants are great for warmer weather but I wouldn’t recommend them for colder climates.
I took these traveling to colder countries and it got a little chilly at times.
Of course, if you would do want to keep your travel bag minimal, you could also pair them with some Uniqlo Heatech leggings, which also don’t take up much space.
Don’t look or feel as good as wool
While they are designed to look like wool, these pants simply don’t look or feel as good as real wool.
Given that the material is responsible for almost all of the pros previously described, I think they can be excused for this.
That said, it’s something to keep in mind. If you have a very formal event, this may not be the best choice.
Length must be adjusted
As far as I know, Kando pants are sold in a standard length. At least they are here in Vietnam.
This means that they need to be taken up unless you happen to be very tall.
They typically offer this service in-store but it does take some more time, hence adding some inconvenience.
On the other hand, you can be assured your pants will be the perfect length.
Can’t put too much in the pockets
Because the material is so thin, you can’t put too much in the pockets.
No, the material won’t rip or anything, but there will be a noticeable unsightly bulge. More so than if you were wearing thick denim for example.
This isn’t a big deal for me as I tend to use a compact phone and minimalist wallet. When I am traveling, I have a bag.
However, if you’re someone who needs to carry a lot in your pockets, these pants may not be a good idea.
The fit might not suit everyone
These pants fit slightly small so I bought mine a size up.
The fit is pretty classic. A straight fit, possibly a little slimmer than average dress pants but certainly not skinny.
I am 6 foot 1″, and about 190 pounds and the fit works well for me. However, if you are on the skinnier side or have particularly athletic thighs, you may find the fit is not to your taste.
The Verdict
To conclude, the Kando pants are not without their cons but overall I would highly recommend them.
It would be challenging to find more comfortable, versatile, and better-looking warm-weather pants at their price point.
Also, they are absolutely great for traveling.
As always, I hope you found this post useful.
If you have any other recommendations or something to add about Uniqlo Kando pants, we’d leave to hear from you in the comments below!
If you found this review useful, you might also be interested in reading our post on 9 budget-friendly every man should pick up at Uniqlo or my review on Uniqlo’s Slim Fit Chinos.
