Males’s KUHL Renegade Rock Shorts Evaluation

The Kuhl Renegade Rock shorts are sturdy even on powerful rocks. – Picture Credit score: David Younger (CleverHiker.com)

Backside Line

The Kuhl Renegade Rock mountaineering shorts are amongst our favourite mountaineering shorts. These are sturdy sufficient for a number of seasons of intense mountaineering, but fashionable sufficient to move to dinner after a protracted hike.

These shorts repel water nicely, and in the event that they do get moist whereas mountaineering they dry rapidly. We loved these a lot testing them that after the hike we continued to put on them not simply round city, however on the golf course and paddle boarding making them one of many extra versatile shorts on our listing.

Fast Specs

Stock image of Kuhl Renegade Rock Shorts

Kuhl Renegade Rock Shorts

Greatest Mountain climbing Shorts for Carrying Capability


Rating:

81/100


Value:

$75


Weight:

8.5 oz.


Inseam:

7 in. / 9 in.

Execs

  • Versatile
  • Trendy
  • Dries rapidly
  • Nice pockets
  • Sturdy

Cons

  • Costly
  • Heavier than some

back hiking shorts pocket with zipper.
The rear pocket with a zipper is nice for securing small gadgets. – Picture Credit score: David Younger (CleverHiker.com)

Consolation

These mountaineering shorts are very snug each on and off the path. We hiked, biked, and bummed round city in these for a lot of months throughout our fundamental testing interval and we liked each second. They’re accessible in 7″ and 9″ inseams and have a signature FreeRyde waistband with a mushy micro-chamois to assist with consolation and odor. The crotch is gusseted, making them simpler to hike in and stronger than ever. These shorts acquired high marks not just for sturdiness but in addition for consolation and for the way rapidly they dry.

Close up of button on hiking shorts.
There’s no built-in belt or drawstring, only a metallic button. Nonetheless, they match nicely and have belt loops. – Picture Credit score: David Younger (CleverHiker.com)

Sturdiness

These mountaineering shorts are constructed to final. The Renegade Rocks are true to their identify – exhausting as rock in opposition to the path. These shorts even have extra inseam choices and high-performance material that you may really feel as quickly as you set them on. The fabric is a two-way stretch efficiency signature mix Duralux material, which interprets to a sturdy but stretchy really feel. 

The material is rated UPF 50+ for UV safety and is each water and abrasion-resistant. We wore these within the rain and tall grasses mountaineering and neither posed any concern for the sturdy material that dealt with all of it with ease.

Man steps up on rock in hiking shorts.
These shorts are versatile and sturdy to face as much as lengthy days on path. – Picture Credit score: David Younger (CleverHiker.com)

Options

These shorts include the essential options you’ll count on, however we particularly just like the stealth cellphone pocket on the facet of the appropriate leg. A standard-sized smartphone will simply slip into the pocket and keep safe. It’s simple to entry whereas mountaineering with a pack on for images or navigation functions. That makes for a complete of 5 pockets: two entrance palms, two again, and the stealth cellphone pocket. The proper-hand pocket has a zipper to maintain automotive keys or a pockets secured and protected.

They’ve a signature Kuhl FreeRyde waistband that’s lined with a micro-chamois materials making it good and mushy. It doesn’t include a built-in belt, which could possibly be a disadvantage for some hikers. We particularly just like the stealth cellphone pocket on the facet of the appropriate leg. A standard-sized smartphone will simply slip into the pocket and keep safe. It’s simple to entry whereas mountaineering with a pack on for images or navigation functions.

Man's hand pulls cell phone out of a side pocket of shorts.
The cellphone drop pocket is a singular function that makes them good for day hikes and fast however safe entry. – Picture Credit score: David Younger (CleverHiker.com)

Dry Time

These shorts usually are not solely sturdy and cozy but in addition dry rapidly due to how light-weight and breathable they’re. We examined these within the rain and submerged them in water to see how briskly they’d dry and it took about quarter-hour. They’re water-proof, so a light-weight rain storm will not be an issue. And in case you do find yourself getting soaked or going for a swim, they may dry on the path inside half an hour within the solar. When it comes to quick-dry shorts, these are among the many finest.

Beads of water close up on hiking shorts.
The Kuhl Renegade Rock shorts bead water and dry rapidly. – Picture Credit score: David Younger (CleverHiker.com)

Weight & Packability

These are mild at 8.5 ounces and pack down right into a softball-sized ball into your pack. They don’t seem to be as mild as some mountaineering shorts, nevertheless, the additional ounces quantity to extra safety and sturdiness for longer miles on the path. 

We examined these mountaineering a number of trails within the Rocky Mountains and weight was by no means a difficulty for these shorts. They’re mild sufficient to maneuver with you as you hike and nonetheless sturdy sufficient to offer some stable safety in opposition to the solar and parts.

Man's hand in a pocket of hiking shorts.
The fabric is thicker and heavier than different choices in order that they aren’t essentially the most packable however they’re nonetheless loads mild. – Picture Credit score: David Younger (CleverHiker.com)

Ought to You Purchase the Kuhl Renegade Rock Shorts?

Hikers who’re searching for light-weight and trendy shorts are positive to be proud of the Kuhl Renegade Rock. They might work nicely for mountaineering on any path however are equally certified for a weekend spherical of golf or a motorbike experience to the native pub. Hikers who’re involved about saving weight could not like these as they’re just a few ounces heavier than another mountaineering quick choices. Whereas a bit dearer, their long-term sturdiness additionally means they don’t seem to be one thing that you’ll have to repurchase typically. 

Close up view of man in in hiking shorts.
Kuhl Renegade Rock shorts with a gusseted crotch. – Picture Credit score: David Younger (CleverHiker.com)

What Different Mountain climbing Shorts Ought to You Contemplate?

Outside Analysis Ferrosi Evaluation: These are glorious alternate options to the Renegade Rock shorts since they provide light-weight, quick-dry, and breathable mountaineering shorts. They’re each sturdy and look ok to put on on and off the path.

prAna Brion II Evaluation: The prAna Brion II provides an identical model of shorts with its sturdiness and town-to-trail model. These will even final a very long time and look good doing it.

Patagonia Multi Trails Evaluation: Just like the Renegade Rock shorts, the Multi Trails Shorts are a light-weight quick-dry choice. Whereas not as sturdy, these are snug and in an identical worth vary. 

Close up of man in hiking shorts sitting on rocks.
Sitting within the Kuhl Renegade Rock shorts. They’re sturdy and cozy for day hikes and weekend adventures. – Picture Credit score: David Younger (CleverHiker.com)