Kühl Renegade Short

Fairly sturdy and utilitarian hiking shorts. The nylon fabric has some stretch that helps with fit and feel, and I like how they’re cut in terms of waist vs. sizing generally. They have a LOT of pockets. Downsides? The heft of the fabric also means they’re somewhat warm, and that they can take a while to dry when soaked. Also, they are fairly pricy, though various vendors have sales periodically.

BACKGROUND

Kuhl’s Renegade shorts are a well-designed and pretty durable nylon hiking short. There is a lot of variety available: waists between 28 and 42 inches (one inch increments between 30-35), three inseam lengths, 8-10-12 inches; several color options. Kuhl has many types of shorts; they seem to use different product line names for mens vs. womens. 

I’m reviewing two pair of the same shorts, 8 inch inseam, Sagebrush (tan) and coastal blue (light blue). 

HOW THEY FIT AND FEEL:

The shorts run true to size. The 8-inch inseam works well for me, falling slightly above my knees. The fabric is a big plus for me. It’s mostly nylon that can handle most abrasion and should last a long time, but it also has a little bit of stretch that makes them fairly forgiving to walk in. I have not felt these shorts constraining or binding me when I walk. The legs are cut reasonably wide, not a tight fit. 

Also, whatever Kuhl did in the design of its “free ryde” waistbands, they sit very nicely on my hips and don’t loosen up much when drenched or soaked. I have dunked in rivers and hot tubs and hiked in the rain in them, and they remain very functional when wet. They dry reasonably well, but not as fast as shorts made of thinner, lighter material. 

Despite the relatively heavy grade of the nylon/spandex duralux fabric (that is Kuhl's trade name for the nylon/spandex blend), they lay flat under a hip belt. If there is a flaw with these shorts, the tight weave and relatively heavier grade of fabric means they keep some heat and moisture in. The front and thigh pockets are made of mesh, so I suppose a little bit of moisture can evacuate if you keep the pockets empty and unzip the thigh pockets. Still, there are better choices if you're trying to optimize ventilation. 

FEATURES

These shorts have a lot of pockets. Two front pockets with mesh insides, two back  pockets that close with hook/loop, two drop-in side pockets, and two small zippered pockets on the side of each thigh, also with mesh insides. I don’t use most of those pockets when I hike, but they’re a nice option to have. They are really convenient for travel and as work shorts on weekends. 

Belt loops are narrow, except for a thicker loop at the back in the middle. Above that thick belt loop, there is a hang loop that I’ve found useful for hanging the shorts up to dry. 

The main zipper is heavier-grade than most: I think the teeth and pull are metal. Stress points appear to have heavier stitching. 

Though Kuhl claims some level of water repellency, these get wet in any steady rain or drizzle. 

HOW I HAVE WORN THEM - NOTES FROM THE TRAIL

I purchased one pair earlier in the summer, and after I realized how much I like them, found a second pair sale-priced. I have hiked in them on local trails for multiple months in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, mostly in hot weather. I more or less lived in them hiking in the Colorado Rockies recently. 

Our summers are steamy in the DC metro area, so hiking in hot weather in these shorts means a little more sweat and a little less air circulation than running shorts or looser-weave/greater stretch nylon shorts like Patagonia’s Quandaray or the even more airy and stretchy Outdoor Research Ferrosi shorts. One flipside, though, is that the lighter/stretchier shorts tend to cling to my legs when they’re drenched; the Renegade drapes better when soaked. 

They’re one of my favorite travel shorts because the pockets are really helpful to have. Three or four months doesn't tell me much about durability, but I expect these to last for a long time. 

CONCLUSIONS

These get a solid "yes" recommendation unless you heavily favor shorts that optimize ventilation. Beyond hiking, how many shorts this functional are near-perfect for travel, hanging at a barbecue, or heading out to a casual dinner too? Though they retail for $85/pair, I've found them in the configurations I wanted for $55. 

Background

Roughly four months of use hiking, walking, wading, and scrubbing moss off our front stoop.

Excellent shorts for climbing and hiking.

I have the Renegade in both the Shorts and Pants versions, and I primarily wear them climbing and hiking.  The stretchy, light fabric is what sets these apart from everything else I've ever worn.

They are very comfortable, and easy to move in, which is the primary reason I purchased these. The pocket options are great as well, especially with the side pocket that zips shut. I've put these through a beating in all kinds of conditions and terrain, and the aren't showing much wear, even after 2 years. 

I have the charcoal/gray color, which looks great.