Outdoor apparel brands come and go, but some establish themselves for years due to their reliability and a loyal customer base. One of my favorite brands that appears to be adored by outdoor enthusiasts is Kuhl clothing (technically written as KÜHL).
I didn’t encounter Kuhl frequently until I began to frequent the ski slopes of the Rockies, after which I started noticing them everywhere. Whether it’s apres-ski in winter, hiking in the mountains, or enjoying microbrews at a pub, in the Rockies, you’re bound to spot at least one person sporting one or two of their pieces. If you inquire about their opinion, they’re likely to rave about how well that item has withstood wear or mention they also own those pants in another color.
I wanted to assess if the buzz was justified, so I packed five items from Kuhl in my suitcase for a two-month journey across Europe in Autumn. I arrived on October 24 in Amsterdam and returned home from Madrid on December 24, wearing something from this brand nearly every day in one of the nine countries we traveled through.
Kuhl Pants: Ideal for Travel and Built to Endure
This brand originated with robust shorts for rock climbers, and they’ve maintained their reputation as a go-to for shorts or pants that will endure for ten years or more.
Kuhl’s standing for resilient clothing comes from their meticulous attention to detail, premium materials, and thorough testing prior to launch. In their bottoms, they often utilize reinforced stitching techniques and strategic fabric placements to improve wear resistance in high-stress zones. From my experience with the two recent pairs I tried, you’d have to really push these pants to wear them out.
I brought along the Resistor Chino and the Free Radikl pants for my two-month stay in Europe. The only times I wore something else were when dining out at a nice restaurant (where I opted for my Western Rise pants) or when I was particularly concerned about theft on the street (where I wore my Pickpocket Proof Pants).
The majority of the time, I had one of these on, and as I mention in the video further down this article, the Resistor Chino pants feature a zippered pocket at the back, providing me with a fair sense of security when my wallet was stored there. They also come with an extra-long side pocket that was perfect for my reading glasses needed for small fonts in dim settings, like menus.
The fabric of the Resistor Chino mimics cotton but has some stretch due to the inclusion of nylon and spandex. Additionally, they’re treated to be water-resistant, which was beneficial when my water bottle leaked on my leg one day and the liquid just beaded up. Also, when a few drops of red wine accidentally landed on them, which usually spells disaster, not this time.
The Free Radikl pants resemble rugged hikers; they are lightweight yet durable and dry relatively quickly after washing. They are available in regular or tapered styles and are designed with articulated knees and breathable stretch panels, featuring plenty of reinforced stitching that won’t come undone.
They come with six pockets, including an extra-long pocket on each side suitable for a multi-tool, pocket knife, or even a cell phone provided it’s not too large.
I’m cautious about linking to specific product pages as styles and URLs frequently change, so visit their pants page for details. Yes, they also have various options for women.
Kuhl Tops and Jackets
During the 2010s, I owned a Kuhl sweater that I really enjoyed, but somehow during several relocations to warmer areas, it got lost. However, on this two-month journey through Europe, I wore three new items from them that I truly liked.
The item I wore most during the cool November and December was the Team Merino Quarter Zip sweatshirt. It feels soft and cozy, offers substantial warmth, and can be