Kuhl Hiking Pants for Women in 2024: Are They Worth the Investment?
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Kuhl hiking pants for women are a popular choice, but are they worth the price tag?
Read our Kuhl pants review to find out.
Melody first discovered Kuhl hiking pants while backpacking Central America’s highest peak, Pico Duarte, in the Dominican Republic. A fellow hiker wore the Kuhl Kliffside Convertible pants for the four day, mud filled, rain soaked hike.
Kuhl Kliffside Convertible pants are some of the best hiking pants for hot weather with their zip off shorts option.
When the sun came out, those ingenious pants turned into shorts. Easy to wash and wear, Melody was sold on these Kuhl hiking pants, immediately buying a pair when she got home.
A year later, she wore them for the entire trek up Mt Kilimanjaro’s summit, the tallest mountain peak in Africa.
Kuhl hiking pants for women are a popular choice, but are they worth the price tag? In this review, we'll take a closer look at Kuhl's hiking pants for women and whether they're worth the investment.
Below are five Kuhl hiking pants for women that are part of our hiking gear wardrobe.
Did you know Kuhl is one of only a few privately owned and independent companies in the outdoor space? An American company with a German name, Kuhl literally means cool (and is pronounced cool) in German. Headquartered in Utah, they live up to their company motto “Our passion is our project.”
On a recent spring break trip to Utah's national parks, Melody’s Kuhl pants worked great hiking Bryce Canyon hoodoos, e-biking Zion National Park and crawling underground in Lava Tubes near Hurricane, Utah.
Kuhl Pants Review Table of Contents
Kuhl: Who they are and are they worth the MOney
Kuhl Kliffside Convertible Hiking Pant
Toasty transcendr Legging
Resistor Air Jogger
Klash Pant
Freeflex Move
Below we review five Kuhl hiking pants, great for hiking in cold weather and hot temps.
Rocking some yoga on petrified sand in Kuhl Resistor Air Joggers
Is Kuhl a good brand?
While Kuhl isn’t technically a green company, they have made conscious choices to ensure their products are ethically made.
We think Kuhl has some of the best hiking pants women can own because of the versatility in design, fabric options and streamline seams for the most flattering looks.
Kuhl selects its manufacturers based on the quality of materials supplied, like-minded business practices, and accountability.
What Kuhl pants are best for hiking?
We’ve worn our fair share of hiking pants over the years. It feels like we've tried them all - popular outdoor brands and inexpensive big box store styles. It wasn’t until recently that we’ve landed on a few favorite pairs of hiking pants for women. After taking these pants on several hikes, we had to share our favorite Kuhl hiking pants for women.
Skipping along Wheeler Flats trail in the best lightweight hiking pants we’ve owned!
What Kuhl hiking pants for women do we wear?
Tanya loves Kuhl Transcendr hiking pants for cold weather. Fleece lined, these leggings fit snug keeping its wearer dry and warm. The Resistor Air Jogger is one of the best hiking pants for summer. Made of lightweight fabric, the elastic bottom for the jogger look keeps out debris and dust. Melody wore these Kuhl women’s hiking pants in Bryce Canyon, trekking through red mud and snow.
Most days, you’ll find Melody in Kuhl Freeflex Move pants. Casual for Colorado days, these pants can be layered with a sweater for work or paired with a sweatshirt to run around town.
are Kuhl hiking pants worth the money?
Some argue the price tag, averaging $100+ pair is steep. Based on the long term wear we’ve gotten from our Kuhl pants, when you average price per wear, it’s a bargain! Plus, we love companies that take care of their people and the environment. Kuhl’s passion is their people, who share that same passion for the craft. Kuhl has paid 100% of employee’s health insurance premiums for almost 20 years.
Kuhl has some of the best hiking pants for summer trails.
In a world of constant changing fashions, disposable clothing and questionable ethical practices, we love Kuhl’s determination to make the best hiking pants for women and men.
How do you wash Kuhl hiking pants?
As with most outdoor gear, long term durability comes from quality AND taking care of your items. When you pay $100 or more for KUHL hiking pants, you want them to last. We do too! Machine wash on warm or cold cycle and line dry.
On the trail, Melody uses biodegradable soap to wash her pants after hiking along especially muddy trails. This past summer hiking Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop hike, her Kuhl hiking pants were soaking wet on day one. After line drying them overnight, they were perfect for the next day’s hike.
Melody sporting her Kühl Kliffside Convertible pants right before summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro
Kuhl Kliffside Convertible Hiking Pants
Technical Details
Water resistant fabric, a durable soft-shell fabric that feels like cotton
Zip off the legs for 10 inch shorts
Cargo pockets
Back Pockets
Trail Performance
Having owned and worn her Kliffside Convertible pants for almost 4 years, they still look and feel new. They have been a great addition to her many backpacking trips as well as snowshoe hikes in Colorado.
Kuhl Kliffside Convertible pants are some of the best hiking pants for hot weather with their zip-off shorts option. These pants are easy to wash and wear, making them ideal for outdoor adventures.
Having owned and worn Kliffside Convertible pants for almost 4 years, they still look and feel new. They have been a great addition to many backpacking trips, as well as snowshoe hikes in Colorado.
What we liked
Truly water resistant fabric *great for the Colorado rain
Flexible fabric for multi faceted trail maneuvers *rock scrambling, mountain climbing, lake lounging
Waist drawstring to keep pants exactly where you want them
Zip off shorts for cold mornings and hot afternoons
Downsides
While some of the most attractive cargo zip off pants we’ve found, the shorts are still a bit long for true fashion
The Transcendr is one of the best hiking pants for cold weather days.
Toasty Transcendr Leggings for Cold Weather
Technical Details
Weather protected softshell shields wind and sheds precipitation
Luxuriously soft fleece lining
Durable Water Resistant Finish on softshell fabric
Temperature regulating warmth
The Kuhl Transcendr Legging worked great hiking Colorado National Monument Park on a cold March day in Colorado.
Trail Performance
Tanya wears the Transcendr legging on cold winter hikes in Colorado. Their fleece lining adds an extra buffer to wind and snow. On a recent trip to Colorado and Utah, Melody took the Transcendr leggings out for a hike in Colorado National Monument Park in Grand Junction.
It was a cold morning, highs in the 30s and sunny. While she loved the warmth the leggings gave, the fabric isn’t buttery soft or super flexy. While the softshell fabric creates more resistance to the elements, the pants don’t cling to the body perfectly.
Unfortunately on Melody’s hike, the pants split a seam by her upper hip. It was a good thing it was a cold morning because that would have been quite a show for fellow hikers headed uphill behind her. wink!
When she reached out to Kuhl about the fabric defect, they said this is not common and have offered to replace the pants.
NOTE: Kuhl guarantee all of their products to be free of defects in both materials and workmanship. They will repair or replace, at Kuhl's discretion.
What we liked
Fleece lined pant was super comfy and soft
Pant fit to our ankles *Melody is 5’6” and often has pants come to the ankle vs. down to shoe
Waist drawstring was perfect for cinching pants snug to the waist
Downsides
Need to size up. *Melody typically wears a size small or 4. A medium might have fit a bit less snug in the calves.
Fabric is heavier, creating a less streamlined look
Cell phone side pocket has a small flap to keep phone in. *This creates a bit of extra tugging, a challenge when wearing gloves.
Kuhl Resistor Air Jogger was perfect for a day exploring Utah’s Snow Canyon Lava Tubes
Resistor Air Jogger for Hot Summer Days
Technical Details
Resistor Air Jogger are great hiking pants for snow
Soft and breathable
Stretch with rebound for mobility and fit
Highly durable
Water-resistant
Maximum (UPF 50+) sun protection
Two drop-in cell pockets
Buttoned back pockets for secure stashing
Elastic at bottom hem for jogger look and comfort
Trail Performance
Rock hopping on Red Reef trail in Resistor Air Joggers
From the moment Melody got these hiking pants, it’s been hard to take them off. The Resistor Air Jogger KUHL hiking pants lightweight fabric gives the best flexibility for any activity. She wore them for a day of e biking through Zion National Park. The elastic bottom hem kept them from getting caught in bike chains. The next day, put them back on for a cave exploration and snow hiking in Bryce Canyon.
Durable enough for a day of underground lava tube exploration, these hiking pants for women kept her dry and warm with complete mobility to burrow into small spaces underground.
What we liked
Super stylish fit that flatters any body style
Lightweight for desert climates but warm enough for snow hiking in Bryce Canyon
Drawstring at waist kept them fitted throughout all hiking adventures
Fits to size, no need to size up or down *Melody wears a size 4/small
Downsides
Side pockets fit a cell phone but are too flimsy to feel comfortable leaving there during hikes
Fabric got loose throughout the hike, needing the drawstring to keep pants on hips
Kuhl Klash relaxed fit hiking pants
Klash Pant - Modern Take on the Dependable Kliffside
Technical Details
Durable softshell
Water-resistant finish
Built-in stretchy fabric
Internal drawcord in waistband for a custom fit
Right thigh pockets for easy access to valuables
2 hand pockets, 2 back pockets and 1 zippered thigh pocket
Zippered bottom hem gusset with boot hook
Trail Performance
When it comes to hiking, having the right gear is essential. And when it comes to hiking pants for women, the Klash pant is a game-changer. With its relaxed fit and warm, yet breathable material, these pants are perfect for winter hiking.
One of the best things about the Klash pant is its modern take on the Kliffside Convertible pant. The belt loops and zippered front and back pockets make it practical and stylish. But what really sets it apart is the zippered thigh pocket for valuables.
Another great feature of the Klash pant is the option to clip the front bottom cuff of each pant leg to your hiking boots. This ensures that your pants won't ride up while you're hiking, keeping you comfortable and protected.
So, if you're looking for the best hiking pants for women, look no further than the Klash pant. With its combination of practicality, style, and comfort, it's a must-have for any avid hiker.
3 season hiking pants
What we liked
Made with super abrasion resistance, the Klash pant are ideal for tough ascents and rock too, given the four-way stretch material.
The relaxed fit and zippered bottom leg openings helps a hiker cool off, deeming them a 3 season hiking pant in Colorado.
Bottom line: Tanya loves the way the pants move with her and have lots of give, especially climbing large steps or boulders.
Downsides
While the boot hooks are nice, the pants seem a little short for some hikers to use this option. Tanya is 5’4” and 120 lbs, built with long legs and a short torso.
Wearing a size 4 Kuhl Klash pant, the 30” inseam is a little short on her — causing the pant legs to stretch excessively when using the boot hooks, thus she doesn’t use them.
NOTE! If your leg length are average or on the shorter side, the boot hook should work great for you.
Melody wore KÜHL Freeflex on a recent hike in the Collegiate Peaks range, some of the best hiking pants for hot weather.
Freeflex Move Kuhl Hiking Pant for Casual Days
Technical Details
Luxuriously soft and lightweight
Quick dry, moisture wicking
Wide pull-on waistband with external drawcord
2 front concealed zip pockets
Adjustable bottom hem
UPF 50+ Sun Protection
Hiking pants for women give you a leg up on views like this!
Trail Performance
Melody has owned her Freeflex Move Hiking pants for almost 5 years. She wears them weekly around town and on many summer hikes. As some of the best lightweight hiking pants she’s owned, the Freeflex Move Kuhl hiking pant is perfect for summer backpacking hikes.
The cinch cord around the pant’s hem gives the pant a cute jogger feel. These are great dress up/dress down pants depending on what you wear on top.
What we liked
Lightweight fabric making them perfect hiking pants for summer
Zippered back pocket fits cell phone
Adjustable bottom hem creates different looks
Fits true to size
Stretchy fabric is comfy and easy to move in
Downsides
Small front pockets
We think the best hiking pants women wear start with quality. In our hiking experience, KUHL hiking pants for hot weather and cold winters have given us the best bang for our buck!