Under 5’10 Coda Tech Chino Review
My search for the ideal travel pants for short people continues. Have I found them here?
Under 5’10 Coda Tech Chino Review Introduction
Under 5’10 stopped, collaborated and listened, they’re back, with a brand new invention…whoa what the heck was that? Let me try that again. Under 5’10 is back with a new line of pants that they released as Spring drew near - this time they are iterating on their lineup of tech pants. And iterate they have. Over the last few years, they’ve rolled out quite a few different versions. We’ve actually reviewed a few here: Stretch Chinos, Lightweight Stretch Chinos. Pace Performance Pants.
This newest version is called the Coda Tech Chinos. I think this is the most interesting pair yet. The blend of fabric they use is different from a lot of tech pants - and that both lends some pros and some small cons as well. We’ll get into that later.
This is my review of the Coda Tech Chinos from Under 5’10. You’ll find them on the “Chinos” page.
I’ve been testing two pairs of these since release - all over NYC as well as on two separate domestic trips. One trip was a work trip to SF and one was to DC. Additionally, I’m on an extended trip to Asia and these are the only pants I’ve brought. I’ve had an ungodly number of airports to walk through, as well as quite a few different climates (IE, Singapore and North East China). In all I touched 8 airports on this trip. In 8 countries.
For full disclosure, I purchased one pair with my own money and Under 5’10 did send me one pair to help with the testing. That said, this is not a paid article and I received no money from Under 5’10 to write it. I do use affiliate links if you decide to make a purchase, but that’s totally up to you. Most importantly - like all of my articles this is 100% written by a human and not AI.
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Coda Tech Chino Overview
Hainan chicken from the source: Singapore.
OK this one should be easy. Under 5’10 set out to create a versatile pant that had some great tech pant qualities, but also tried to keep it true to everyday pants. They didn’t go full tech-bro on it.
Ideally - they wanted a great commuter pant and also a great travel pant. It’s a crowded space overall, but VERY empty space for shorter people. That’s their UVP here, but to be frank they still need a good product.
From a materials standpoint, they went with a cotton and nylon blend, instead of the usual polyester. This results in a sort of, “dry-hand feel” as they call it (I’d say it’s accurate) and offers zero shine.
The fabric has 4 way stretch, looks to offer great recovery of shape after washing (ie counter “bag out” as the internet used to call this). There is a bit of a hidden zipper pocket on the right side for money, keys, hotel keys, credit cards, etc.
Pockets are a true chino style. Back pocket has button closure.
They retail for $98.00 USD but are often priced at $80.00 USD or so. Right now, these come in black, khaki, and gray.
The Fit of the Under 5’10 Coda Tech Chinos
The Fabric Macro
For the fit, it’s what I would call a classic Under 5’10 cut. Patterns made for short people, not just hemmed for short people. They are not too slim in the thighs that you’d call them skinny, but they have a good taper past the knee. Calf Warriors might have an issue with that but being fair to brands, that’s a Calf Warrior’s issue, not an off the rack brand’s issue. Choices are choices.
If I had to critique one part of the fit, I would actually say I could use less room in the thigh. But, I understand that at my height, there are often some stockier people with bigger thighs. So Under 5’10 still finds a good median fit here.
Below you can see a couple of options for fit pics. Shoes, sneakers, and runners.
Fit was near perfect in terms of my preference.
For the sake of my reputation and the Internet Police I’d like to note that the rolling suitcase is not a second bag. It’s my wife’s. I’m still onebag traveling here.
The Good
Great for long haul flights on Points.
I’d say overall the Coda Tech Chinos are generally awesome. So I’m admittedly coming into this critique/praise section having already made up my mind on them. The fabric was a great choice. I REALLY like the dry hand feel and will say that it’s not just marketing. It really does dry quickly, too. Whether after a wash or when water drips on it, or being stuck in a light rain. Not to get all TMI but I did test this traveling - while walking around an unseasonably warm Tokyo I did get myself a sweat patch in the crotch. But after sitting in two air conditioned stores while my wife tried some things on, it dried and could no longer be seen while sitting down. Does what it says. Embarrassing? Yes. But a real world thing? Yup. I’m here for it, even when it’s about a sweaty crotch.
I would say the Coda Chinos have a more premium feel than the brand’s previous tech pants releases. I mean that in a very good way.
I really like the structure of the pants and the drape. Like, really. I would honestly say these remind me SO much of the Western Rise Diversion pants, and that’s a high complement. Those are one of the GOATs for travel pants but guess what? Not for short people. The Coda’s are lighter, however, which is also a good thing. The stretch is kind of a Goldilocks zone, too. Some of their previous chinos were crazy stretchy and I think it does change the look of the fabric surface and how premium they look. The dry fabric feel on these also helps them to look more premium. I think surface wise, they look better than ABC pants from Lululemon. Just saying.
The zippered side pocket was handy for hotel keys, moving my wallet while on trains, and stashing some cash as needed. I would keep it to flat things however, as otherwise it gets pretty bulky there.
It’s Under 5’10 - so we need to love the size options here. Great range.
The Bad
As always I’m going to come with some critiques here. The first small critique is more of a request. I’d like to see these offered in Navy, to have the full “travel quadfecta” of options for folks. I’m not a black pants dude, so for me it would be the trifecta.
While I did find the side zipper useful, I would replace that with a zipper on the back pocket instead. I think it offers generally more functionality and doesn’t force people to change how they already operate (IE passport or wallet there).
One thing missing, and it’s up for debate whether this is necessary - is DWR. Something that has always been on the most premium travel pants. But is it needed? Debatable. For one, this changes how fabric behaves and can add an element of swish or crinkle. Which for anyone that’s spent time researching on the internet knows is like the worst thing ever to the Hyperbole Crowd online. Under 5’10 made a decision to avoid that so I’m just noting it. Because these dry so quickly, I think the “DRW fighting light rain” argument is moot. The one thing I will say is that it DOES affect its resistance to spills of water or coffee or soda, etc. I myself have been saved by that before on shorts that had DWR, so I want to put that out there. 100% user preference on this one.
Lastly, for me personally, I wouldn’t mind a slimmer thigh. There’s definitely more room than I like in the back, but this is a hard one. Perhaps they could offer a Slim version in the future, with the same taper but just thinner in the seat and thigh.
That’s all she wrote in the criticisms.
Final Thoughts On My Under 5’10 Pace Performance Pants Review
So what do I think? Well being frank with you here - the Coda Tech Chinos are my favorite pants. Of any pants. As someone that has been in the travel clothing game for nearly 8 years and reviewing for 6.5 of those - these are near Shangri-La level pants for me. No more hemming. Versatility. Great wrinkle performance. Easy washing (don’t machine dry them though). Great drape. Designed for short folks and our body proportions. Awesome utility for traveling. Lightweight for packing.
What would make them perfect? Change the zippered pocket and put that on the back right. And offer Navy. I also wouldn’t complain about an Olive option!
I think, while the DWR is a “great to have”, it’s very specific and I think their decision to avoid “swish” was the right one for the common market.
The last thing I’ll note is that I think they are inching a little bit more on the premium end of the pricing on these. But I’ll ONE HUNDRED percent accept it. In fact I kind of asked for it because I think for travel pants to work well, you can’t cheap out on the fabric. You need to get a more premium type of thread. I’ll go so far as to say these are the travel pants I’ve been pining for, and will freely admit I’ve been asking Under 5’10 (Both in my articles and directly to their product team) to take a spin on. And for that reason and for my height of 5’6 - these are the ones for me. Travel pants of the year for me personally. Probably all time if you’re short.
Until Under 5’10 can come out with version 2.0, that is.
Head over to their site directly if you want to investigate further, and I hope this helped your decision either way. Find them under “Chinos”.
Wander more - and wander smarter everyone.
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