I've been looking for some relatively inexpensive (up to $50) casual pants with stretch and trying on several brands/styles, but I've been unimpressed by most (love Amazon's return policy). I thought I'd try to give some comparison of the things I've tried. We all have different bodies and prefer different styles. To give my opinions context, I'm 5'10", an athletic 165, and wear a 32/33x32 in most brands. Relative to most guys my size, I have bigger glutes and thighs from squats. I prefer a regular or slightly slim fit with a taper--to get both thigh space and the contemporary fit, I wanted high stretch and lightweight, and I am more comfy in low rise (rise is how low/high they sit on your waist, and the high rise admittedly rub my stomach area...ahh aging). For jeans, I now only wear Guess stretch or freeform in slim taper or slim straight with a low 10.5 rise (worth the high price) or Lucky Brand 121's with stretch in 32x30. I omitted capri pants and joggers as just not my style and looked for, but couldn't find, cargos. With that context, I tried: Match Men's Slim Tapered Casual, 32. Decent if you are lean. Quite inexpensive and lightweight, but not obviously "cheap." Despite the slight stretch, my rear is poppin'-- I'd recommend ordering slightly up, but I think a 34 won't work for me and wish Match made odd sizes. Someone called these relaxed fit...they are only relaxed relative to a skinny pant (perhaps super thin legs, bad item?). Low rise part is part of the current style, and I wonder if guys are ordering too big to try to pull these pants up above the hip. If you have a thinner rear, you should be fine (I mentioned ordering Asian brands to a Korean friend, and he made the point that Asian men are not typically known for derriers). Match Men's Slim Tapered Stretchy, 34 (the 8060 with higher spandex). Unimpressive style. They seem to be high rise with a taper that makes the calf tight (they are fairly thick so they don't stretch as much as a 4% spandex often does). The high rise seems contrary to a tapered pant, unless you are a woman going for that "mom jean" style. I tried dropping them to my hip, but when you do that you tend to have your thighs caught up in the crotch area. Returned them. Volcom Men's Frickin Modern Stretch Chino Pant, 32. Fit was fine--guided by the brand's website which you really should visit for measurements and see their other styles. A bit more formal cut compared to some as they are higher (a mid) rise and aren't tapered or very tight (they are skate pants?). Not a lot of stretch...and oddly, a bit scratchy. I kept them for work casual days. Volcom Men's Kinney Pant, 32. Not great. It's like the maker couldn't decide on a style. Like an IPA with no hops, or a stout with no malt. These are stretch? Overpriced for this quality--I can buy these for less at any big box. Seem to be high rise...but grabbed my fellas when pulled up and my thighs couldn't separate when I tried to wear them lower. Might explain the mention of a belt. If a belt is a must to keep your pants up, then just get a potato sack. Dickies Men's Regular Taper Stretch Twill 5-Pocket, 34 and 32. Awful. Bluntly, I assume these get by on their reputation among workers. I used to load UPS trucks, and we loved Dickies...but we were wearing thick canvas for function. These have almost zero stretch despite 2% spandex, shrank a lot, and are too thick for summer. RVCA Men's Stay Pant, 32 and 33-. I really wanted to like them as many like this brand... I love a comfy 5 pocket (jean cut) pant. But look at the picture...the pant sits above the hip. If you want that look, cool. They had a slight taper. But minimal stretch. RVCA Men's Daggers Twill Pant, 32. I was hopeful as they looked good. More low rise than the Stay Pant. But minimal stretch. I'd recommend trying them. Prana Bronson, 32 and 33. These are pricier and not tapered, and part of what inspired my search for cheaper, better-fitting stretchy pants. But I have to say that if you like a mid rise and don't want taper, then try these. Very stretchy (though the khali were better than black) and decent style for work. Phew.
