When KÜHL, a reputable and renowned apparel company known for its adventure gear, sent me an email asking if I’d be interested in writing a product review of their hiking pants, there was no hesitance at all in agreeing. After writing a travel blog for two years now, and with a decent amount of followers, this was the first time I’d had a company reach out to me for any sort of affiliation. Receiving the email made my day! What a dream.
After engaging in the conversation with their representative, Tami, and sorting out the details, I was able to select a pair of hiking pants. Despite hiking all over Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, I hadn’t actually yet OWNED a pair of proper hiking pants. My number one priority was acquiring a water-resistant style.
I ended up choosing KÜHL’s Renegade Cargo Convertible style, in Khahki color. This style seemed to offer versatility in that it was lightweight, compact, and… yes. Water-resistant.
Upon receiving my shipment, I immediately tore away the packaging to reveal my hiking pants. I was so eager to try them on! To my surprise and delight, the delivery came with an added bonus: a KÜHL branded chocolate bar, which was… VERY enjoyable. And what a nice detail. Who doesn’t love chocolate? KÜHL absolutely keeps their customer in mind, hoping to keep them happy and satisfied. They certainly delivered. It also came with a KÜHL sticker. So cute!
The pants fit perfectly and were constructed with precision in mind. They were snug around the waist, but only in the sense that they were sturdy and not sagging – they wouldn’t be falling off any time soon. The pants have a number of pockets – on the back, the sides, and even lower on the thighs which is perfect for carrying my phone, wallet, maybe some snacks, etc.
I must confess that after initially trying the pants on, I hadn’t properly worn them for another month and a half. As you’ll know if you’ve been following along, I was visiting home in the States for a few months and wasn’t going on many hiking adventures. It was also FREEZING outside. I’m not saying these pants wouldn’t work for cold temperatures – paired with a pair of long johns, I think they’re perfectly suitable. I have since worn them while experiencing near-freezing weather in South Korea, and they’ve been excellent. KÜHL also has hiking pants that are great for winter, although I haven’t yet tried them. Although, I’d like to!
My first experience wearing the hiking pants on a regular basis was in Taiwan. I was very happy to know that not only do the pants appear to be water resistant, but also… liquid-resistant. Being the messy eater that I am, I had accidentally spilled a couple of small drops of sauce on the pants. I was able to gently remove the drops with ease, leaving no stain behind. What a win!
I went on a challenging hike at Bukhansan National Park near Seoul, South Korea, and the pants had no issues. While hiking uphill and at times scrambling up boulders, I felt they were comfortable, sturdy, and flexible.
The Renegado Cargo Convertibles are surprisingly versatile. During warm days, they feel breathable and light. On colder days, especially when paired with long johns, they work wonderfully as well.
While I haven’t yet experienced a deluge of thunderstorms, I am confident in their water-resistance capabilities. I’m hopeful that these pants are going to be perfect when in Southeast Asia during the rainy seasons!
I was slightly worried that they would be a bit too bulky for packing, but they turned out to be compact – maybe more so than my sweatpants, which is a major win. Minimizing space in my luggage is super important to me, since carrying all my belongings on my shoulders can turn heavy quickly.
Overall, I am completely satisfied with my KÜHL hiking pants and would recommend them to anyone looking for a proper pair of hiking pants. Being water-resistant, durable, and versatile, they tick all the important boxes. I’m really looking forward to buying another style and color one day in the near future!