How to Choose Hiking Pants

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KUHL Renegade convertible pants employ DURALUX™ fabric, a durable soft-shell fabric that feels like cotton, to deliver superior performance, comfort and style. Zip off the legs when things warm up.
Shop newer versionImported.
View the KUHL Renegade Product LineView all KUHL Men's Convertible PantsBest Use | Travel Hiking |
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Fabric | 95% nylon/5% spandex |
Sun-Protective Fabric | Yes |
UPF Rating | 50 |
Quick Drying | Yes |
Convertible | Yes |
Side Cargo Pockets | Yes |
Pant Fit | Relaxed |
Pant Leg Style | Straight |
Shorts Inseam (in.) | 10 |
Gender | Men's |
Weight | Unavailable |
XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL | XXXL | 28 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | |
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Chest | 36 - 37 | 38 - 39 | 40 - 41 | 42 - 43 | 44 - 46 | 47 - 49 | 50 - 52 | |||||||||||
Sleeve Length | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | |||||||||||
Waist | 28 - 29 | 30 - 31 | 32 - 33 | 34 - 35 | 36 - 38 | 39 - 41 | 42 - 44 | 28 | 29 - 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 - 38 | 39 - 40 | 41 - 42 |
Hip | 35 - 36 | 37 - 38 | 39 - 40 | 41 - 42 | 43 - 45 | 46 - 48 | 49 - 51 |
Measurements are stated in inches unless otherwise indicated.
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I purchased a brand new pair of these pants online. When I received the pants the zipper on the right pant leg was stuck and would not unzip. There appeared to be loose threads and a ripped seam. I attempted to return these pants unused under the Kuhl warranty. I paid $15 to mail the pants. They sent me the exact same pants bank with the same issue. I submitted a petition to their warranty department. They said that they would replace the pair but I would be charged an additional $7.50. This was going to be my first pair of Kuhl pants because I heard that they were great pants. However the pair that I received was faulty and the customer service was poor.
Just returned from a 4-day backpacking trip in the Maze at Canyonlands N.P. The Maze requires some extreme climbing with heavy packs, treks through the desert, descents into canyons, walking through sand, and wide temperature variations. I wore the same pant for 4 straight days, and it performed perfectly. The fit is great, which helps prevent chafing. The fabric moves well for both climbing and hiking. The detachable leggings are perfect for the warm days and long hikes. The pockets are well-sized and easily hold a folded NGS topo map and an iPhone 6. The pant pockets and front snap but stay secure. I highly recommend these pants.
I purchased these exact pair of pants about a year ago. One of the leg zipper pull tabs came off in the washer. The stitching barely grabbed the fabric and became unraveled releasing the pull tab. I returned and ordered another pair. I’m really disappointed on the second pair. They were significantly lesser quality from the workmanship to the buttons and zipper parts used. Product was cheapened too much relative to the selling price. I’m returning them. I would love to get my original pants back and see if I can get them resown. You might be ok if you did not compare to the original pants. Photo is of original better quality pants.
I thought Kuhl was supposed to be a good brand. In one week's time the pants were destroyed simply by a light fall on gravel. The fabric is very thin and does not hold up. The pocket stitching just fell apart on one of the pockets. REI would not replace it. I don't know how many thousands of dollars I have spent at REI, but unless I cannot find what I need elsewhere I will no longer be shopping there.
I own a couple older pair of convertible pants, probably old REI styles, but I never wear them. They were too baggy and too obviously convertible. These Kuhls are neither. That makes them close enough to regular slacks for around-town as well as around-trail wear. I also like the leg bottom zippers that make it easy to get the bottoms on and off over shoes and boots. I’ll take these on international trips so they can do double duty depending on weather and situation. The quality of materials and finishing is excellent. They have resisted tearing when bushwhacking through tough terrain. I predict they will last many years. The cloth is slightly stiff, but might be softening a bit with washing.
I highly recommend this product, and I further recommend the Kuhl, Columbia, and REI convertible pants equally. I cycled between all three styles every day for 45 days while supporting relief efforts following hurricanes Irma and Maria. Out of the three, the Kuhl is the highest priced, looks the best, and is the thickest (but I like all three, was not hot). The Columbia and REI pants are equal in terms of thickness, and the Columbia runs a very close second to the Kuhl in looks. I’ve had the REI convertible pants for 2 years, is the cheapest priced out of the three, and has held up really well…. not a single snag nor a torn zipper throughout that time. Chose any of the three and you’ll be happy.
The old version, with the same name, used to be my favorite pants for pretty much anything. HOWEVER, when Kuhl changes the material blend from 88% nylon and 12% spandex to a much cheaper thinner and less stretchy material of 95% nylon and 5% spandex, and keeps the same Renegade name, not only is it a worse pant that I’m going to return, but ultimately they are cheating their customers who think they are getting the same pants and they aren’t. Shame on you Kuhl and REI. If it changes that dramatically don’t keep it the same name and definitely don’t charge the same $100 price tag.
The seam at the bottom of the pocket failed and caused me to loose the storage and recharging case of my earbuds. I bought 2 pairs of these and the seam only failed on one of them. Overall I really like these pants. I do not want to return them. I need to find someone to repair them. I will be checking all the seams on both pairs very closely.
I hate to be an outlier when this product has all these rave reviews, but I have a couple of issues with these pants. First, the length sizing is way off. I have worn 34/34 pants forever; these were at least two inches too long. I returned them for a 34/32 and they fit fine. Although I was impressed by the triple stitching, I found the thigh seams and especially the patented stealth zip off seam to be very rough and irritating while walking, especially over rough terrain. Hopefully after a few washings, they will soften up and be more comfortable. At this point, for a hundred bucks, I should have saved the money and stayed with my old North Face convertibles.
I'm on my fifth pair of these, and as of the latest pair, the leg zippers at the knees have undergone some type of change (smaller in diameter? different zipper?) and now it's like having a pair of boa constrictors around your knees when you sit. This is fantastically disappointing. I have no idea what motivates companies to take something great and wreck its functionality, but this is a major setback. I loved these pants. They wore like iron, repelled thorns, didn't rip, dried quickly and were comfortable warm days or cold. Kuhl, what were you thinking?!