Outdoor clothing brands come and go, while some manage to stick around for decades because they’re dependable and have a stable of happy customers. One of my favorite brands that seems to be universally loved by outdoorsy types is Kuhl clothing (technically spelled KÜHL).
I didn’t run into Kuhl very much until I started hitting the ski slopes of the Rockies more often and then I started to see them everywhere. Apres-ski in winter, hiking in the mountains, and downing some microbrews in a pub, in the Rockies you’re likely to see at least one person with an item or two of theirs on. If you ask them what they think of it, they’ll probably talk about how well that item has held up or they’ll tell you they also have those pants in a different color.
I decided to see if the hype was warranted and packed five Kuhl clothing items in my suitcase for a two-month trip through Europe in Autumn. I landed October 24 in Amsterdam and flew home from Madrid on December 24, wearing something from this company almost every day in one of the nine countries we passed through.
Kuhl Pants: Great for Travel and Make to Last
This company got its start with heavy-duty shorts for rock climbers and they’ve continued to be known as a brand to turn to if you want shorts or pants that will hold up for a decade or more.
Kuhl’s reputation for durable clothing stems from their attention to detail, high-quality materials, and extensive testing before release . In their bottoms, they often employ reinforced stitching techniques and strategic fabric placement to enhance wear resistance in high-stress areas. You’re going to have to try hard to wear these pants out, based on what I’ve seen with the two recent pairs I tried.
I packed the Resistor Chino and the Free Radikl pants for my two months in Europe. About the only times I wore something different was when I was going out to a nice restaurant (where I pulled out my Western Rise pants) or when I was really worried about theft on the street (where I pulled out my Pickpocket Proof Pants).
The rest of the time I had one of these on and as I mention in the video further down in this article, the Resistor Chino pants do have a zippered pocket in the back, so I did feel relatively secure when my wallet was in those. They also have an extra long pocket on the side that worked well for the reading glasses I need for tiny fonts in dark places, like on menus.
The Resistor Chino fabric feels like cotton but it has a little stretch because there’s also some nylon and spandex in the mix. They’re also treated to be water-resistant, something I was happy about when my water bottle leaked all over my leg one day and just beaded up. Also when I spilled a few drops of red wine on them, usually a permanent curse but not here.
The Free Radikyl pants are more like rugged hikers, lightweight but tough and drying relatively quickly after a wash. They come in regular or tapered and are built with articulation and breathable stretch panels, with lots of reinforced stitching that won’t come apart on you.
They have six pockets, including an extra long pocket on each side that could also hold a multi-tool, pocket knife, or even a cell phone if it’s not too wide.
I’m hesitant to link to individual product pages since styles and URLs change so often, so head to their pants page to see details. Yes, they have plenty of versions for women as well.
Kuhl Tops and Jackets
In the 2010s I had a Kuhl sweater at some point that I liked a lot, but somehow between multiple moves between hot places it got waylaid. On this two-month trip through Europe though, I was wearing three new items of theirs that I liked a lot.
The item I had on the most during a cool November and December was this Team Merino Quarter Zip sweatshirt. It feels soft and cozy, provides lots of warmth, and can be worn a long time between washing thanks to the merino wool properties. This is going back in my suitcase when I head to the Republic of Georgia on a ski trip soon.
When I needed to get a little dressier, I pulled out another warm item, the AeroKnit Merino Button Down. Once again, it feels soft and warm, but it doesn’t need to be washed very often and it looks like a high-quality shirt with the extra stitching and good buttons, nice like some fast fashion shirt that’s going to fall apart. You can see it it the thumbnail and the video below.
Last, we did get some rainy days now and then and my Kuhl Stretch Voyagr Jacket performed like a champ. Not a drop got beyond it when I was walking around without an umbrella. That’s it at the very top.
It’s funny though, the tag said, “The raincoat you’ll wear even when it’s not raining” and I have to admit that they were right. I only packed two jackets: this and a puffy synthetic down one, so the Voyagr got a lot of use. The stretch makes it very comfortable and I wore it a lot while hiking, sightseeing, and being on the deck of a Viking River Cruise ship on the Danube River. It is lightweight and doesn’t take up much room in my bag.
See all men’s tops from Kuhl at that link and follow the navigation links to get to the women’s versions.
Background and Sustainability
The KÜHL name made its debut in the early 1990s, which means their clothing has been traveling around the world as long as I have. Based in Salt Lake City, this still independent company has gotten their inspiration from the rugged outdoors of Utah, with items geared to hiking and rock climbing in summer, winter activities and skiing in the Rockies in the cold months. The brand’s focus on durability and comfort has earned them a loyal following among outdoor enthusiasts and casual wearers alike.
Kuhl incorporates a range of sustainable fabrics in their clothing line. They use organic cotton, which is grown without harmful pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. More important for quick-dry travel clothing, recycled polyester features prominently in many of their products. This material is made from post-consumer plastic bottles, helping to divert waste from landfills.
The company also uses bamboo, hemp, and wool fabrics in some of their garments. These materials are known for their low environmental impact and rapid renewability.
Like seemingly everyone else in the apparel industry, they get their manufacturing done in Asia, but they’re hands-on about ensuring fair labor practices in their manufacturing processes. They work with suppliers who adhere to strict ethical standards and provide safe working conditions, as well as following guidelines on responsible water and energy use to avoid waste.
They regularly audit their supply chain to maintain compliance with labor laws and ethical guidelines. Kuhl partners with Fair Trade Certified factories for some of their production. This certification ensures workers receive additional premiums that can be invested in their communities.
Where and When Can I Find Kuhl Clothing on Sale?
These items are made with far more extra work and care than your usual clothing, so many of these items list for more than $100. This is a legit case of “You get what you pay for though” and I expect to still be packing these items 10 years from now. I can’t imagine wearing them out to the point I have to toss them unless I go tumbling down a mountain and scrape them up on rocks. Even then, the pants would probably be fine.
You can find occasional sales at Kuhl.com though, especially on the tops that are only around for a season or two. It’s harder to find Kuhl pants on sale since they’re more evergreen, but some styles come and go. Your best chance of finding something on sale is when there’s a big change of seasons and there’s inventory rotation.
Otherwise check the clearance section at online retailer sites or just search by brand and see if anything is on sale. This link will take you directly to the brand’s page at REI and here’s the one for Backcountry.com.
If you want to get all the best sales in one place when those key times of year hit, get on my Insider Gear Deals newsletter. I only send that out when the discounts are deepest, like when there’s a change of season or a major holiday.
All photos and video by Tim Leffel, reviews based on personal experience.