Nobody makes travel jeans quite like Aviator. The Los Angeles clothing company makes pants that move with you, breathe when you do and fit all your essentials in pockets that make perfect sense. There’s no fumbling around for your passport at the bottom of some over-designed, weirdly deep cargo maze.
I’ve worn Aviators across five continents—from the pampas of Uruguay to the night markets of Hanoi—and what keeps me coming back is the material blend: cotton for structure, Tencel for softness and a touch of elastane for stretch. They hold their shape after long flights, still look clean when you land and dry about a quarter faster than standard denim when you need to do a quick hotel sink wash.
The hidden zipper pockets and deep front “fifth pocket,” sized for a phone or passport, make them work for actual travel, not just as airport fashion. Add in free hemming and a lived-in feel right out of the box and you’ve got travel pants that disappear in the best way possible: You stop thinking about them, no matter where you are.
Every so often I check in with founder Colby Kane to see what’s next. I love that he’s making jeans right here in Los Angeles and always thinking about new products for travelers. He’s also just a cool guy who knows what’s going on. Aviator’s latest is a beautiful blue utility shirt.
David Hochman: I’m loving the new chambray utility shirt. What’s the story behind it?
Colby Kane: I’ve always appreciated a good chambray. It’s been my go-to for years because it tells a story of where I’ve been and ages with character. The inspiration came on a trip to Japan last spring. I was vintage shopping with my two sons and I found a great chambray that sparked the idea for an Aviator version. I essentially took some of that shirt’s details and updated them with travel-ready features: a pocket sized for a passport, an interior pocket for glasses, and a slightly boxy fit so it works as an overshirt. It’s designed to age gracefully and tell your story. It also pairs with everything we make at Aviator.
Hochman: You’re making clothes in Los Angeles. Does that make Aviator tariff-proof for the most part?
Kane: The short answer is mostly yes, and here’s why. Los Angeles has been a hub for premium jeans for over 100 years, and that ecosystem means many local suppliers keep quality denim in stock. We prioritize sourcing fabrics that are already stateside when the tariff changes hit. So as long as we can find denim that meets our quality and performance standards we can keep using what is already here.
We do use some U.S.-made denim, but most of our fabrics come from Japan, Italy and Turkey. For example, our best-selling men’s jeans in dark and vintage indigo use a beautiful Italian denim that’s nearly gone—which makes those runs special but also means we’ll soon need a replacement.
Even the new Chambray Utility Shirt uses a lightweight Japanese chambray sourced through a local supplier.
Hochman: What’s exciting you right now about upcoming products?
Kane: We just brought back the Red Eye Hoodie which is the style that launched Aviator. It’s a lightweight pullover in a new merino with a nylon filament for added durability. They are available now in Black and Blue Ocean with new colors coming. We’re also expanding our Non-Stop Pants and Shorts program, which customers have been asking for. These are our lightest weight pants and they are made with a nylon with stretch. We have customers who love to wear them golfing as much as they do for travel. Very diverse pant.
Hochman: It’s fall in Southern California. Give me your go-to places in and around Los Angeles to enjoy the slightly cooler, sometimes rainy weather?
Kane: I love when L.A. cools down. It’s perfect layering weather which I appreciate. I’ll throw on our First Class Hoodie with jeans when my wife, Laura, and I take our dog, Jet, for a long walk. We love exploring new neighborhoods, usually with a coffee or ice cream stop along the way. Awan has locations in West Hollywood and Venice serving very interesting flavors of coconut milk ice cream. Millet Crepe on Sawtelle in West LA has this really amazing crepe ice cream cone with crème brûlée. My teenage son is obsessed with cars, so we hit weekend meetups around the city whenever he wants. I’m also down for a mountain-bike ride on one of the many trails around L.A. The Zuma Ridge Trail in Malibu is moderately challenging and has amazing views. It’s a great way to feel miles away in nature while still in the city. Where else can you do that?
Hochman: And for coffee? I know you’re particular about your coffee.
Kane: Some interesting spots: Kissaten Corazon close to Chinatown. Cafe 2001 in the Arts District. But Endorffeine is coffee perfection. Located in the Far East Plaza in Chinatown, this spot is only open Monday-Thursday. I asked the owner, Jack, why he’s not open on the weekends and he said “it’s too busy and I feel like I’m making soulless coffee.”
For date night, Pace is our go-to. We live in Laurel Canyon, and it’s our neighborhood Italian restaurant that always feels like a special escape. It’s cozy, local, and somehow still feels like a secret.
Hochman: What’s your favorite Aviator customer story from the past year?
Kane: Every year we run a customer photo contest, and this year’s winner was at the Sacsayhuamán ruins in Cusco, Peru. It’s an amazing photo of Aviators out in the world. Sometimes, though, it’s the stories of how new customers find us. One traveler was in Mexico City and got a fraud alert about a huge charge he hadn’t made. When he reached into his pocket to check his wallet, he actually pulled out someone else’s which was completely empty. Total head scratcher… The pickpocket had swapped it. Magician-level misdirection! That experience sent him looking for clothing with anti-pickpocket features, and he found us. Now he’s a customer!
This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.
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