My dad is a practical guy with a flair for style. He also likes to pack light, so when he finds a piece of clothing he can wear for several occasions, he’s all for it. (Case in point: His favorite dress shoes have a sneaker-like tread.) He recently returned from a trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where he and my mom spent a month hiking and enjoying nature. His secret to staying stylish yet comfortable on the trail? A pair of shockingly versatile hiking pants from Kühl.
Even during the 14-hour drive, the Kühl Renegade Rock Pants were as comfy when my dad arrived in Michigan as when he set out from Missouri. Designed for both performance and style, the pants are made from a UPF 50+ blend of nylon and spandex for comfort and coverage, while the quick-dry material and water-repellent finish come in handy if you meet wet conditions on the hiking trail. (And it doesn’t hurt that they look nice enough that my dad could wear them out to dinner with his in-laws.)
Thanks to the articulated knees, these tech pants provide a wide range of motion for scrambling up rocks or fording creeks. “I can definitely do high feet while bouldering without straining,” one pleased shopper shared. The tapered cuffs can be cinched up to help keep out bugs, and since the waistband is lined with soft microsuede, it’s comfortable enough to wear for hours.
Kühl Renegade Rock Men’s Pants
REI
A great pair of travel pants, this style has an impressive eight pockets: two on the front, two on the pocket, two on the sides, and two along the side seams. (The seam pockets are so stealthy my dad didn’t know they were there until months of wearing the pants.) He reports that the zippered side pockets are particularly useful for keeping his phone and passport secure, adding that he “can put things in every pocket and not feel weighed down.”
While these pants are certainly built for performance, they also look nice enough to wear out and about. A notorious light packer, my dad loves that he can wear these on the hiking trail, at dinner, or on a tour of a new city. (He even wears them to the office from time to time.) And with over 470 five-star ratings, he’s not alone in his love for the Kühl Renegade Rock Pants.
Kühl Renegade Rock Men’s Pants
One climber shared that these pants have “gone up several walls with me, and show no wear,” noting that they’re “cool enough to wear in both the hot summer and cold winter months.” Another owner wore these for a three-day backpacking trip and raved that “these pants are a great balance of flexibility and structure” with “tons of hip and knee movement without any tugging down the waist,” adding that they were even “soft enough to sleep in.”
Available in several earthy tones like teak, bedrock red, stone gray, burnt olive, and more, these pants typically retail for $99. Right now, though, you can snag $20 off the Kühl Renegade Rock Pants at Backcountry by signing up for a free membership and using code SAVE20 at checkout. I also hunted down similar men’s hiking pants that can take you from the plane to the trail — without taking up much space in your carry-on.
More Men’s Hiking Pants Deals:
ATG by Wrangler Men’s Synthetic Utility Pant
Amazon
REI Co-op Trailmade Men’s Pants
REI
Arunllata Men’s Hiking Pants
Amazon
Free Soldier Men’s Outdoor Cargo Hiking Pants
Amazon
Outdoor Research Men’s Ferrosi Pant
Backcountry
At the time of publishing, the price started at $79.
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