Kuhl Renegade Shorts Review

Kuhl Renegade shorts are one of many outdoor apparel pieces made by the Salt Lake City, Utah based company.  The Renegade come in a number of colors, lengths, and styles to fit a variety of uses and body types. I tested a pair of Nocturnal Blue Shorts with a 10in inseam which are meant for hiking. 

Background

Kuhl sent me a pair of the Renegade shorts to test out and I used them for several months in a variety of different conditions. I have taken these on casual hikes, day long treks and in hot and cold environments. 

Shorts Specs

• $89.99 MSRP Price point – buy a pair here
• Shorts come in multiple Colors, cuts and lengths
• 95% Nylon, 5% Spandex
• UPF 50 Sun Protection
• Water Resistant Finish
• Eight Pockets – variety of sizes and functionality including a dedicated phone pocket

Kuhl Renegade Shorts Pros

• Without a doubt, the biggest positive of these shorts is the look. You could wear the Kuhl Renegade for a long, grueling day in the mountains and then keep them on for dinner and still look presentable.
• I love the customization you can create when ordering these shorts to match the use you anticipate and different body types. 
• The amount of storage in the Renegades is great and you don’t look like a clown if utilizing all of the 8 pockets. 
• UPF and water resistant fabric allows the Renegades to be used in a variety of hiking scenarios. 
• Fabric specs are great but durability is king with any hiking short and I have had no issues with these shorts on scrambles that required them to be rubbed on hard rocks. 
• Waist sizes come in one inch intervals ensuring a perfect fit for all body types. 
• The Kuhl Renegades are very comfortable shorts for both long and short hiking days. 

Kuhl Renegade Short Cons

• If hiking in very hot or humid conditions, the Kuhl Renegades are not the most breathable. 
• The shorts have a button in the waistband which can pop open quite easily if you are feeling a little bloated or have gained a few extra pounds. 
• These are not the most affordable shorts on the market. 

Kuhl Renegade Short Summary

When I hike, unless its below 30 degrees, you will usually find me in shorts. Needless to say, I go through a lot of them since I am particularly hard on gear. Although I don’t typically mind rocking the “homeless chique” look, there are times after a hike that I will bring a change of clothes to not look like I am fresh off the mountain. The Kuhl Renegade shorts seem to land in the sweet spot of being functional in harsh environments but also look good enough to wear out in public afterwards.

I love the Nocturnal Blue colorway and also really like the number of options you have in both the waist and inseam when ordering. Personally, I do wish I had gone with the 8inch inseam but the 10″ have gotten the job done with no issues at all. I have had almost nothing negative to say about these shorts besides the price point which isn’t the most affordable. Time will tell if the durability and longevity of the Kuhl Renegades will be worth it, but for the time being I would highly recommend these shorts for any type of outdoorsman or hiker. 

Buy a pair of your own Kuhl Renegade shorts here!

*Kuhl did provide me with these shorts to test out but all thoughts are my own and I was not compensated for this review.