As an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast, I look for comfortable and technical gear that will last (without breaking the bank). I recently had the chance to test out the KÜHL Renegade Rock Pant on several day hikes. These pants are high-quality, comfortable, multi-purpose, and very cool (er, I mean KÜHL). Keep reading for the full review.
This fall, I had the chance to test out the KÜHL Renegade Rock Pant on several hiking trails. Thank you to KÜHL for reaching out and asking me to test out their product. I have several pairs of go-to hiking pants, but why not try something new? And I’m glad I did! While the tapered KÜHL Renegade Rock Pants (Buy Online) are marketed primarily to climbers, I’m certain a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the technical fit. After giving the pants a thorough test, on multiple hikes and paddles, I am impressed by what I’ve found: durable material, comfortable fit, practical zipped pockets, and much more.
Disclaimer: KÜHL provided a complimentary pair of pants for this review. However, the company did not exercise any control over the content of this article. Thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to KÜHL for this collaboration!
This post includes affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of the links, I may receive a percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
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About KÜHL Clothing Company
Have you heard about this KÜHL (“cool”) company? Started in the 1980’s, KÜHL is a privately owned and independent company dedicated to creating high-quality gear. This American business was born in the mountains and seeks to be environmentally friendly through practical policies, like not overproducing products. As far as I can tell, they’re standing behind their products and aiming to run an ethical business to boot.
Shop now: KÜHL Renegade Rock Pants (Buy at MEC)
As someone who buys outdoor gear and appreciates quality products, I certainly share KÜHL’s commitment to the environmental sustainability and ethnical approaches. That’s why it wasn’t a hard decision when they reached out for a product review. This day and age, it’s increasingly difficult (not to mention expensive) to source high-quality and environmentally sustainable products that hold up against the elements. From what I can tell, KÜHL is rising fast as a sought-after brand in the Canadian context and elsewhere.
KÜHL Renegade Rock Pant — Features and Specifications
The KUHL Renegade Rock Pants are made with durable and soft DURALUX fabric, which is 95 percent nylon and 5 percent spandex. DURALUX is a breathable fabric that offers UV protection on sunny days. As you can tell, KÜHL Renegade Rock Pants are tough and durable, quick-drying, sun-protective, and very comfortable. Here are the specifications for my pants:
Price: $120 CAD (approx) | Style: Tapered Fit | Colour: Nocturnal Blue | Waist: 38 | Inseam: 30 | Fabric: 95% Nylon, 5% Spandex | Features: Anti-abrasion, water-resistant, and sun protection (UPF 50+)
With eight mesh-lined pockets, these pants offer impressive airflow and feel secure with belongings safely zipped away. There’s even a specific cell phone pocket on the back of the right leg (learned about that afterwards) — but don’t worry, you’re allowed to put your phone in any pocket that suit you. An all-around style, these pants definitely straddle the line between everyday wear and technical gear.
Read next: Wolf Trail: One of the Best Gatineau Park Trails
KÜHL Pants — Style and Comfort
If you’re at all like me, you might appreciate both comfort and style when it comes to outdoor gear. I love being able to wear “hiking pants” more casually in everyday settlings. I found KÜHL Renegade Rock Pants to be quite comfortable and soft, with a highly durable fabric that isn’t going to tear easily on rugged hikes, scrambles, or climbs. As a versatile style of pant, I’m just as comfortable hiking on a trail as I am grabbing a bite in the city.
Buy now: Check out KÜHL Renegade Rock Pants (Nocturnal Blue) online!
When I was selecting pants for this review, I chose the KÜHL Renegade Rock Pant due to the snug and tapered fit. These pants taper down below the knee to the ankle, with a hidden drawstring to cinch around your boots. When you’re hiking on sandy terrain (like the West Coast Trail), the tapered legs with a drawn string would come in handy. This feature offers protection from sand and water entering your boots on the trail.
KÜHL Renegade Rock Pant — Excellent Hiking Pant
Overall, I’d say the KÜHL Renegade Rock Pant is an excellent hiking pant option. These pants are light and warm enough for the shoulder season. As an avid hiker and backpacker, I want to know that my gear and clothing will hold up in harsh conditions. These pants can definitely take some bumps and scrapes along the way. These KÜHL pants moveds with me as I hiked up and down rugged coastal terrain, and the stretchy fabric doesn’t add resistance to my movement.
Read next: Ministers Island Loop Near St. Andrews, New Brunswick
KÜHL Renegade Rock Pant Recommendations
To be honest, I hadn’t heard of KÜHL until the brand approached me. Now I feel like I see them everywhere I go. But since I haven’t tried many of their products, I don’t have much comparison within the world of KÜHL pants. My interest in trying more of what the brand has to offer has certainly been piqued. And if you’re looking for comfort, style, and technical performance in a hiking or climbing pant, I would suggest giving KÜHL a try.
What would I change about the KÜHL Renegade Rock Pant? I have to say, while I like the tapered fit and the fabric flex in the legs, there isn’t much flexibility on the waist. If you’re between sizes, you might have a hard time finding a comfortable fit. From that stance, I still prefer my Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants for comfortable and flexibility in the fabric. Even so, this is a minor issue, and the pants are still quite comfortable overall. I’m glad to have a pair in my closet. You really can’t go wrong.
Have you tried the KÜHL Renegade Rock Pant? How about another product from KÜHL? Let me know in the comments below!
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Thomas Coldwell has always been fond of the outdoors. He loves hiking, paddling, and camping, and thoroughly enjoys creating outdoor adventure resources for people like you. Originally from Nova Scotia, Thomas has lived in four Canadian provinces (NS, NB, ON, AB) and has travelled in 20 countries and counting.
