KÜHL Hiking Pants Review [Men and Women’s Buying Guide] 2023
Are you searching for some of the best pants to wear out on the trail are looking for a Kuhl hiking pants review?
Kuhl has some of the best quality clothing for hiking, so you’re definitely in the right place!
The good news for you is that Tyler and I were able to really put some of Kuhl’s hiking pants to the test.
We’ve worn them outside on some of Minnesota’s hiking trails, tested them in the snow, hiked up and down, and have so much to tell you.
Let’s jump right into this review, and go over everything that you should know about Kuhl’s hiking pants.
Disclaimer: This post is in collaboration with KÜHL. All opinions are our own and do not reflect those of KÜHL.
Are KÜHL® Good Hiking Pants?
Kuhl is a really great brand, based out of Germany, that creates high-quality clothing for the outdoorsy person.
They create a variety of bottoms, tops, and more for people who enjoy hiking or other outdoor activities.
Kuhl has been creating durable clothing for nearly 40 years, and they have a really great reputation for delivering great products.
They sell clothing for both women and men.
Tyler and I were able to test out the women’s Frost™ Softshell pants and the men’s Freeflex™ pants, and we can both attest to the fact the Kuhl has fantastic hiking pants.
Are Kuhl Pants Worth the Price?
While it’s obvious that Kuhl hiking pants are more expensive than other options that you may find, it’s good to note that they are pricey for a reason.
These pants are made of great quality, are durable, and are built to last.
You won’t have to constantly buy new pants, because these ones won’t wear out every few months as others do.
If you’re looking for a good quality pair of pants to wear out on the trail, then look no further.
So the answer is, yes, Kuhl pants are worth the price because they will last you for a very long time.
Are Kuhl Pants Good Quality?
As I mentioned above, Kuhl pants are extremely good quality and are very, very durable.
They’re made of great materials and are built to last, so you won’t have to worry about replacing them for quite a while.
You typically don’t see signs of wear on the pants for quite some time, because of the quality materials that they are made with.
What Are the Best Kuhl Hiking Pants?
Kuhl makes plenty of fantastic hiking pant models, so it’s really hard to choose the best ones.
But if you’re struggling to decide which ones to get for yourself, I’ll leave you with this list of a few of my top recommendations.
Women’s
- Frost™ Softshell Pants
- Freeflex™ Roll-Ups
- Trekr™ Pant
- Freeflex™ Move
Men’s
- Freeflex™ Pants
- The Radikl Outsider™ Pants
- Renegade™ Klassik Pant
- Transcendr™
Honest Kuhl Hiking Pants Review
Below you’ll find a review of two of our favorite Kuhl hiking pants, that we’ve tested out recently and have worn on many of our recent hikes.
Tyler and I have both provided you with honest reviews, because we know that that’s what you want to hear, so keep reading to find out how these pants are!
Women’s: Frost™ Softshell Pants
Materials: 86% Polyester, 14% Spandex
Pros: Flattering; Zipper pockets; Warm microfiber fleece interior; Flexible; Doesn’t attract pet hair; Great for winter
Cons: Not good for summer; May be tighter fitting for ladies with larger thighs
Top Features: Zippered pockets; Softshell fabric with a microfiber fleece interior; Bottom hem zippers
Fit: True to Size
For Reference: I am 5’7″. I typically wear a women’s Size 6 in jeans and a Medium in other pants. I ordered a Size 6 in the Softshell pants.
Durability
Because of the strong polyester and spandex that these are made of, they’re an extremely durable pair of pants.
They’re built to last and to be put through the woods, and to last for a long time.
I can tell you that I’ve caught them on trees and they haven’t even had a snag, which is perfect for hiking.
Because they are a bit more expensive, you’re going to want them to be durable, so this is great.
Comfort
I’ve personally found the Frost™ Softshell pants very comfortable, flexible, and nice to wear on the trail for long-distance hikes.
They are very soft on the inside, which makes the pants fit very comfortably, especially during the winter.
These are a fitted pant, so they fit tightly around the thighs and are very flattering.
I also love that the pants are able to be unzipped at the bottom, which allows them to fit more loosely around the ankle, if you prefer a looser fit.
They also sit a bit higher on my hips, which I love, because they don’t slip down when I hike, and they don’t expose my back when I sit down.
Breathability
Because of the nature of these pants and what they’re meant to be used for, they aren’t super breathable.
They have a nice, warm microfiber fleece interior that is designed to keep you warm in the winter, so that’s actually a really great thing.
I found that the Kuhl Frost™ Softshell pants had just the perfect amount of breathability for winter pants.
They kept me just warm enough and I didn’t get too hot, which can sometimes happen with fleece pants.
If you’re looking for something more breathable and lightweight, consider checking out the Kuhl Freeflex™ pants, which are great for the summer months!
Warmth
These pants have a microfiber fleece interior and are specifically made to be worn in the winter, so they are very warm.
We live in Minnesota, so I was able to really put them to the test to see how warm they kept me while I was out on the trail!
I’m naturally a pretty cold person, so I will say that I was a little chilly without snow pants over them, but they really surprised me!
If I were somewhere that didn’t have regular temperatures below 0°F, I would definitely be extremely comfortable in these in the winter months!
Staying warm on the trail can be tough, but with a good quality pair of winter pants like these, it can be done!
Weather Resistance
One of my favorite parts of these pants is that they are weather resistant and help keep you dry and warm in the cold.
They’re made with a softshell exterior which helps wick away water and snow when you’re hiking in the winter.
This exterior also helps block the wind, so you don’t feel that cool breeze that always seems to sneak up on you.
When I wore them for the first time, I was out in 10°F temperatures and actually kept pretty warm and didn’t feel much of a draft at all.
One downfall is that if it starts to rain or snow hard, the pants are a pretty heavy weight so they tend to soak up the water after a while.
Overall Thoughts
Overall, I really love these Kuhl Frost™ Softshell pants. They provide excellent features that make for a really awesome pair of winter hiking pants.
They’re durable and I don’t have to worry about snagging them on sticks or rocks, because I haven’t had any trouble with them ripping thus far!
They’re comfortable, warm, and just breathable enough for the winter months.
The Kuhl Frost™ Softshell Pants are an overall well-rounded pair of pants that make for a fantastic pair of trail pants.
Men’s: Freeflex™ Pants
Materials: 50% Polyester, 50% New Polyester
Pros: Stretchy and feel like a pair of shorts; Don’t attract pet hair; Protection from sun; Zipper pockets; Versatile
Cons: Drawstring at waistband is a little short
Top Features: UPF 50+ sun protection; Zippered pockets; Sold in pants, joggers, or shorts
Fit: True to Size
For Reference: Tyler typically wears a Mens Size 36/34 in jeans and Size L in other pants. He ordered a XL with 31″ inseam in the Freeflex™ pants.
Durability
These pants are made out of a thin material, but are surprisingly durable, for how thin they are.
The polyester material makes them pretty stretchy and they do well when put up against terrain when on the hiking trail.
Tyler has never had any issues with them being snagged, even when they’ve gotten caught on a stick or rock.
Something that Tyler really loves about them is that they don’t attract any pet hair, which is really hard to come by in any clothing!
Comfort
Tyler loves that the Kuhl Freeflex™ pants fit like a comfortable pair of athletic shorts would, and thinks that they fit similarly to how a pair of shorts do.
(This is really great for him because he typically prefers to wear shorts compared to pants!)
They’re loose-fitting, flexible, and stretch with you when you walk, which is a must-have for a good pair of hiking pants.
He also loves that they don’t ride up when he steps up on rocks, tree roots, or stairs.
Breathability
When tested out, they are pretty breathable, especially when you’re wearing them in moderate weather.
If it’s that in-between weather that you just aren’t sure whether to wear pants or shorts, these would be the perfect option.
Now, if it were 80° or warmer outside, then you may want to opt for the shorts version of the Freeflex pants.
They are designed to be lightweight, which definitely adds to their breathability factor.
Warmth
These pants definitely aren’t the warmest, but they aren’t meant to be. They’re actually specifically designed to be lightweight and breathable.
Tyler has worn them a few times out in the Minnesota winters, but he’s started wearing a base layer underneath them because they aren’t super warm.
But if you’re looking for a nice lightweight pair to wear on those moderately hot summer days, then these would be a great choice for staying cool.
Weather Resistance
One major plus of these pants is that they have built-in UPF 50+ protection, so they will protect your legs from the sun’s harmful rays.
And because of how lightweight they are, they’re still comfortable for wearing in the summer months.
And because of how thin and lightweight they are, they dry pretty quickly too, which is nice for those hot days on the trail.
Overall Thoughts
One of Tyler’s favorite parts of the KUHL Freeflex™ pants is that they fit just like a normal pair of comfortable jogger pants.
You could absolutely get away with wearing them on a daily basis, as well as out on the hiking trail.
Overall, they’re a great pair of pants that are lightweight, comfortable, versatile, and protective.
FAQs
Do KÜHL pants run big or small?
Kuhl is pretty good at having clothing that fits true to size, but if anything, the clothes fit slightly smaller.
The pants that I have fit slightly tighter than other pairs that I have of other brands.
Are KÜHL pants good?
Yes, Kuhl has some really great quality pants that are great for many outdoor activities.
Is Kuhl a Luxury Brand?
No, Kuhl isn’t necessarily a “luxury” brand, but it is a more expensive and higher quality brand.
You will pay more for the clothes, but you will see the quality in them.
How Do You Pronounce KÜHL?
Kuhl is a German brand, so, therefore, it has a German pronunciation.
Easily enough, the word is basically pronounced “cool.”
But because it’s German, there’s an emphasis on the ‘oo,’ sort of making it sound like a ‘yoo.’ This can be tricky to pronounce for non-German people.
So when you’re saying ‘Kuhl,’ pronounce it like this:
“k-yoo-l.’
How Do Kuhl Pants Fit?
Most Kuhl hiking pants fit true to size, although some seem to fit a bit smaller than others. If you’re in between sizes, it’s recommended to size up to ensure that they fit you well.
Wrap-Up: KÜHL Hiking Pants Review
If you’re on the hunt for a good-quality, durable, and well-fitting pair of pants that you can wear out on the trail, look no further than Kuhl.
I hope that this Kuhl hiking pants review has provided you with some good information to help you decide which pair to purchase for yourself.
