Because of our demanding lifestyle, we’re always on the lookout for quality apparel that will stand up to the abuse. Having owned several pieces of Kuhl clothing, we can attest to their quality, craftsmanship and performance. That’s why when Kuhl reached out to us to review their travel pants lineup, we were stoked! All the options in the Kuhl travel pants line are made with style and versatility in mind. We love that these pants fit right in at the coffee shop, casual dining, or airport, as well as on the hiking trail or climbing gym. They’re perfect for a minimalist wardrobe. There are tons of styles to choose from, Ashley decided to try out the Trekr Pant, while Eric chose the Radikl. Below we’ll share our favorite features of each and why you should consider checking out the Kuhl travel pants lineup for yourself!
About the Kuhl Brand
Kuhl is proud to be one of the few privately owned and independent companies in the outdoor retail space. Their brand philosophies fit well with our own because we both strive to inspire you to follow your true calling and passions. They make high quality products with materials that are sourced responsibly and keep waste low by not overproducing.
Women’s Trekr – Kuhl Travel Pants Review
First Impressions
These are really cute and versatile pants for the active and varied lifestyle I lead. They are stylish and comfortable and I love the cinch capris feature. I’ve always been very anti zip-off leg pants but these kind of convertible pants I can get on board with. The fabric is stretchy without stretching out. I can see myself wearing them on a driving day, in town running errands, on the trail, and more.
Material
Kuhl’s Trekr pants are made from their Rekoil fabric making them incredibly stretchy without ever losing their form. When laundromat visits are far in between like they sometimes are for us, this is an important feature. They are machine wash cold and tumble dry low making them relatively low maintenance. The material is lightweight, breathable and soft which is perfect for a long travel day or for hiking. The makeup of the fabric is 57% Polyester, 43% Nylon.
Fit and Feel
These pants are form fitting and flattering. They are Kuhl curve fit meaning they are higher in the back to make sure nothing hangs out when you bend down! The stretch allows me to move without feeling restricted no matter what activity I’m are doing. They are seriously soft and comfortable.
Features
There are several features that make these pants perfect for traveling, hiking, and casual dress. The feature I love most in the cinch drawstring to take these from pants to capris. Unlike other pants that roll up into capris, the cinch feature makes them look a little more stylish. I love that if I get hot hiking, or while traveling, I can quickly pull on the drawstring and convert them. The drawstring is tucked away in a zippered pocket. This leads me to my next point, I love how many pockets there are! There are traditional front pockets, buttoned back pockets, and two zippered pockets down the thigh. The zippered pockets are perfect for anything you’re carrying while traveling that you don’t want to lose.
Price
Currently the Kuhl Trekr pants are priced at $99. They’re pricey but competitive with other brand names and in my opinion they’re 100% worth it. They are durable and well made. I’ve bought cheaper pants before that don’t hold up as well and it ends up costing more money in the long run. Good gear is almost always worth the investment.
Color
At the time of writing, Kuhl offers these pants in five colors. I chose pine and am so happy with the color. A lot of my wardrobe is blues, teals, and greens so they work well with many of the tops and jackets I have.
Men’s Radikl – Kuhl Travel Pants Review
First Impressions
These are seriously unique pants. They have stretchy fabric panels strategically placed in areas that need to move the most making them feel more like sweat pants. The crotch is one of those areas gusseted with stretchy fabric which makes it easy to sit cross legged or squat without feeling like the fabric is pulling or that you have to readjust it to gain mobility. The first time I put my hands in the pockets was a joy, the two main pockets are stretchy as well as the left cell phone pocket and it just feels so nice. The color match between the two fabric types is very good and at first glance you can not tell it’s made of two different materials.
Material
The main material is called Enduro and is comprised of 68% cotton, 29% nylon and 3% spandex. The stretchy panels are 88% nylon, and 12% Spandex. Kuhl recommends to machine wash cold on the delicate cycle. This is a drawback for us as we like to keep our laundry low maintenance. They are lightweight, quick drying and feel durable. The stitching is color matched, neat and looks strong.
Fit and Feel
The Radikl pants are offered in Kuhl’s ‘Klassic fit’ which means a full seat and thigh with a slight taper though the lower leg. They are not super tight fitting pants and the leg opening easily fits over my rain boots. The inside of the waist band is lined with a soft micro-chamois material which is nice to the touch and isn’t as abrasive as the main fabric material. The snap button does not noticeably dig into your skin. Overall very comfortable pants.
Features
The Radikl pants have seven pockets, three of which are stretchy. I would have liked to have a zippered pocket, because of the peace of mind that provides while traveling. The knit panels are the key feature of this pant and truly make them unique and comfortable to wear. There are stretchy panels below the knee, along the outside of the leg that extends up to the waist, in the rear waist band called the yoke, and the crotch which extends from knee to knee. One surprising feature is that they have a french fly which is a second button closure inside the waist band that relieves pressure from the zipper and is usually found on higher end dress pants. It does make them slightly more cumbersome to do and undo because there’s an extra step. They claim to provide UPF 50+ sun protection.
Price
Currently the Radikl is priced at $99.00. $100 isn’t cheap but it’s very competitive in the outdoor pants market when compared to other brand name pants. In our experience the Kuhl brand makes quality products and are worth the price. Good gear is good gear and if you have the budget to invest in higher quality gear, you wont be left disappointed when you need it to perform, be it on trail or at the airport. Over time good gear can end up being cheaper because it wont wear out as quickly and you’ll save time not shopping as much.
Color
At of the time of writing , Kuhl offers eight different colors for the Radikl pant. The teak color looks great in town or in out in nature and I’m happy with my decision. They go very well with blues, greens and greys which are the majority of my wardrobe.
Summary
If you’re looking for a versatile pant for your vanlife wardrobe, we highly recommend the Kuhl travel pants lineup. They’re perfect to go from, camp, to hiking, to town, to travel. We might even add them into our Vanlife essentials list. Check out the womens Trekr pants and mens Radikl pants for yourself at Kuhl.com
