Gear Review: Nau’s Better Than Cargo S-Cargo Pants

By Contributing Editor Steve Casimiro, editor of Adventure Journal. See more of Casimiro's gear recommendations in our Ultimate Hiking and Camping Gear Guide >> 

You know what drew me to the S-Cargo for travel pants? Under “design inspiration” Nau writes “I…hate cargos. But I love these.” Ha! Sometimes that’s the perfect approach—to take something you despise and craft it by eliminating the offending properties.

Me, I don’t particularly hate cargos, but I would agree they’ve overstayed their welcome. And no matter how utilitarian for travel, do you really want to be trying to sweet talk your way into an international upgrade looking like a refugee from boot camp? No.

The S-Cargos ($125), then, fit the bill ideally. They feature two extremely low profile pockets on the legs with just enough room to slip passport and Moleskine journal or perhaps a map, but otherwise look like normal pants. Normal meaning something you’d wear to work, dinner, etc.

The fabric is organic cotton with one percent spandex—and that one percent makes all the difference. When you’re into the third or fourth hour of your flight and everyone else is squirming against their restrictive denim jeans or plain cotton chinos, you’ll be smiling because the S-Cargos move with you in every direction. And movement, of course, is where travel begins.