By Michael Leung, Dining Traveler Contributor
Editor’s note: When Bluffworks approached me about reviewing their wrinkle-free travel pants, I immediately knew the perfect person to try them out… my good friend Michael Leung aka Gentleman Travels. He’s probably one of the most well traveled and stylish gents I know. The story of Bluffworks caught my eye because founder Stefan Loble, brought his concept to life through Kickstarter after many years working in the corporate world. I personally know the hard work that goes into a Kickstarter campaign and it’s amazing to see how far his company has gone in the last two years. Mike recently took his new Bluffworks pants to Chile and Easter Island. This is what he had to say:
Bluffworks Review: Men’s Travel Pants
As a frequent traveler, I’ve spent countless number of hours searching for the perfect pair of men’s travel pants. Introduce Bluffworks, a blend of comfort, utility and style. Thoughtfully designed with the traveler in mind, these pants are versatile and have universal appeal; whether you’re dressed for a business casual look or hiking rough terrain.
Comfort: Lightweight and designed to be the ultimate men’s travel pants, it maintains the need to weather the elements and keeps its stylish form. I was excited about traveling in these new pants as I boarded my plane to Easter Island. The breathable and flexible material allowed me to feel comfortable and unconstricted throughout the flight. I arrived feeling relaxed and ready to go.
Function: Functional yet stylish. Pockets and storage are critical when traveling and these pants deliver just that. The 2 inner side pockets have zippers, which are perfect for carrying loose currency change or small miscellaneous belongings (spare batteries, extra SD memory cards). The back left pocket is also outfitted with a zipper making it secure from thieving pick-pocketers. My favorite feature is the cleverly hidden right back pocket, perfectly sized for passports/boarding passes and/or cellphones, allowing for quick and easy access. Dining Traveler Tip: I had been traveling with my iPhone 5s and recently updated my phone to the iPhone 6, to my dismay my new phone didn’t quite fit in the hidden back pocket. Upon further inspection the pocket has a stitch that can be removed for a deeper pocket!
The Hard Sell: While traveling on Easter Island, I wore these pants on an expedition of Terevaka volcano. While hiking back down the volcano, temperamental weather of harsh rains and blustery winds quickly lead to slippery and muddy conditions. I had an unfortunate mishap and slid down a slippery wet patch. Caked in mud and losing all hope of keeping my new Bluffworks pants in pristine condition, I trekked back to the village as the skies parted and the sun shone. My entire being was wet to the core, however the pants quickly dried providing me relief. Determined to preserve these pants I hand washed them in the sink and they came back to life wrinkle free and without any notice of a stain. In fact, I was ready to wear them after a quick wash on my flight home the next morning!
Verdict: These pants stood up to harsh weather conditions of Easter Island and continue to hold up to the stylish standards of New York City. I’m a convert and these pants are now an integral part of my travel clothing arsenal. Looking for durable and stylish men’s travel pants? Make the investment in a pair of Bluffworks!
Bluffworks Chino Tailored Fit Pants: $125, Sizes 30-40w, 28-36L . Shop Here
