Reviews You Can Rely On

Kuhl Renegade Short Review

Our fave model, when it comes to style, is perfect for bagging peaks or hitting the streets
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Kuhl Renegade Short Review
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Price:  $79 List
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Manufacturer:   Kuhl
By Jason Wanlass and Ben Applebaum-Bauch  ⋅  Apr 12, 2025
74
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#3 of 11
  • Comfort and Mobility - 35% 7.0
  • Fabric Performance - 25% 7.0
  • Versatility and Style - 25% 8.0
  • Construction Quality - 15% 8.0

Our Verdict

The Kuhl Renegade shorts have a style-first design that makes them one of the more fashionable hiking shorts of the bunch — but they're more than just a pretty face. Their trendy vibe is backed up by tons of pocket options and durable stretch fabrics that are tough enough to withstand repeated heavy use. Testing proved they can repel water well and are fairly quick to dry. The Renegades are well-made, complete with double stitching, gusseted crotch, metal snap closure, and noticeable lines and features that make them the perfect shorts for the trail or town. They're also our favorite shorts for travel.
REASONS TO BUY
Tons of pockets
Gusseted crotch
Comfortable
Easy to move in
Durable
Well-built
Breathable enough
Appealing style
Lots of available colors
REASONS TO AVOID
A little heavier fabric
Wears a little warm

Compare to Similar Products

 
kuhl renegade short
Awards Top Pick Award
Best Trail to Town Trunks
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Hiking Shorts
Top Pick Award
Our Pick for Most Versatile and Comfy
Top Pick Award
A Short N' Sweet Option for Thru Hikers
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for Your Buck
Price $79 List
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$62.30 at Backcountry
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$59.46 at Backcountry
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$33.99 at Evo
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$60 List
$59.95 at REI
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line A titch on the heavier side, but otherwise a nice option for the trail or the townThese practical shorts wear well, are comfortable, and kept us moving on a variety of adventuresQuick-drying, breathable, and lightweight shorts that have a lot of stretch for high mobilityA great choice for ultralight hikers or thru-hikers looking for a lightweight option that has a built-in swimsuit linerThese thin yet water-resistant shorts are a great option for the practical, budget-minded hiker
Rating Categories Kuhl Renegade Short Patagonia Quandary... Outdoor Research Fe... Patagonia Baggies L... REI Co-op Sahara Ca...
Comfort and Mobility (35%)
7.0
8.0
9.0
6.0
7.0
Fabric Performance (25%)
7.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
Versatility and Style (25%)
8.0
9.0
7.0
7.5
6.0
Construction Quality (15%)
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
Specifications Kuhl Renegade Short Patagonia Quandary... Outdoor Research Fe... Patagonia Baggies L... REI Co-op Sahara Ca...
Material DURALUX (95% nylon, 5% spandex) 96% NetPlus recycled nylon, 4% spandex plain weave 46% recycled nylon, 40% nylon, 14% spandex 100% recycled nylon 96% recycled nylon, 4% spandex
Water Resistance C6 coating DWR coating with no added PFAS DWR coating DWR finish DWR finish
Waist Size Options (Size Tested) 30" - 42" 28" - 41" 28" - 42" XS - XXL 30" - 44"
Measured Inseam Length (Size) 12" (40") 10" (40") 10" (38") 6" (XL) 9" (40")
Inseam Length Options 8", 10", 12" 8", 10", 12" 7", 10" 5", 7" 9"
Sun Protection UPF 50 Not specified UPF 50+ Not specified UPF 50+
Convertible, or option available Pants, convertible available Pants available No No Pants, convertible available
Pockets 8 5 5 3 6
Waist Strap/Fasten Button and zip fly Button and zip fly, drawstring Button and zip fly, drawstring Elastic, drawstring Button and zip fly, half-elastic waist
Other Features Gusseted crotch, micro chamois-lined waistband, belt loops Classic fit, curved waistband, gusseted crotch Drawstring, lined waistband, harness-compatible waistband Pockets with dry-and-dry mesh corners, quick-drying black mesh liner Relaxed fit, elastic at back waist, gusseted crotch

Our Analysis and Test Results

Combining DURALUX Nylon (95%) and Spandex (5%) gives Kuhl Renegade a soft, stretchy feel that makes them easy to wear. They're slightly heavier than other shorts in our lineup, so they aren't absolutely perfect for hiking, but they still perform really well. Even better, they look right at home in any casual setting when it's time to get cleaned up.

kuhl renegade short - four miles in and finally topping out at 11,000 feet in utah's uinta...
Four miles in and finally topping out at 11,000 feet in Utah's Uinta Mountains.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Comfort and Mobility


A decent amount of stretch and a smooth, comfortable, fabric blend earned the Renegade respectable scores for this metric. Their higher weight, density, and slightly reduced breathability convinced us to hold back on shelling out our top marks.


These shorts are reasonably comfortable but also come with some drawbacks. The 95%/5% nylon/spandex fabric is horizontally stretchy. Between that, the gusseted crotch, and the looser fit, our testing showed us that user mobility is fluid. On the other hand, the 12-inch inseam is long, and when combined with the bulkier fabric, we noticed the added weight in use (compared to other options). That said, we hiked in the Renegade for several days in the Italian Alps and Utah's Uinta Mountains and never had any serious comfort or mobility issues. And, at the end of the trail, we made sure to have a second clean pair for sightseeing or the ride or flight home.

kuhl renegade short - shopping in one of the many gear shops in kathmandu, nepal. we love...
Shopping in one of the many gear shops in Kathmandu, Nepal. We love the comfortable stretch in these shorts.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

The soft waist liner is nice for reducing abrasion, especially if you are wearing a backpack. The waist is relatively true to size, but it only comes with traditional belt loops with no built-in way to tighten or expand the waist, meaning that you can't fine-tune the fit if your waist size fluctuates during a trip. We loved the pockets' placement and enjoyed the overall feel of the Renegade, especially when making larger movements, like squatting, sitting down, lunging, or high-stepping.

Playing leap frog with nature. Big movements are a breeze in these shorts.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Fabric Performance


Tremendous pocket organization and comfortable stretch fabrics were key factors in our scores for this metric. We held back on our best scores because the Renegade doesn't breathe as well or dry as fast as some of our top performers. But don't let that hold you back; these are still great shorts.



As stated, the Renegade is loaded with pockets. You will find eight total: two front, two rear with velcro closure, one on each thigh (both with vertical zips), and an additional long, skinny open pocket on the outside of each hamstring. The rear pockets have a rectangular Velcro, which we found more challenging and uncomfortable to open than a flap or a zipper. The side leg pockets are solid; they can fit a smartphone, snack bars, wallet, or money. We also like that they are sewn to the leg of the shorts on all sides so that they don't flop around if you have something heavy in them.

Tying on a new fly while suspending our fly rod in our front pocket...
Tying on a new fly while suspending our fly rod in our front pocket. The Renegade's front hand pockets are deep and roomy.
Stashing some Nepli Rupees (dollars) in one of the Renegade's two...
Stashing some Nepli Rupees (dollars) in one of the Renegade's two zippered thigh pockets. These pockets are a great place to store phones, money, or other valuables.
Tons of convenient, usable pockets — one of our fave features.

Moisture beads up very well and continues to roll off long after the skies open up; however, in an outright downpour, the fabric (like most other shorts in our lineup) will eventually fail. During our in-home drying tests, the Renegade fared pretty well, drying in 19.5 minutes. The test involved dunking the bottom legs of the shorts in water until they were completely saturated and then drying them with a hair dryer that was set on the air-only setting (no heat).

Dunking the bottom half of our Renegade Shorts for three minutes to...
Dunking the bottom half of our Renegade Shorts for three minutes to see how quickly they absorb water.
Timing our Renegade's drying time with the help of a hair dryer set...
Timing our Renegade's drying time with the help of a hair dryer set to its air-only option (no heat).
The Renegade performed well in our drying tests with a dry time landing in the upper tier of the best performers.

The thicker UPF 50-rated material of the Renegade also cuts the wind nicely, and if you opt for a longer inseam, like the 12-inch version that we tested, there is additional coverage from the sun. Because of the thicker fabric, these shorts can be kind of warm. On the plus side, there are a handful of lighter colors to choose from, so if you know you will primarily use them somewhere warm, we recommend considering a more reflective option. As with almost all of the other shorts in this category, each of the pockets in the model is at least partially mesh-lined.

kuhl renegade short - fine mesh facilitates ventilation and prevents rainwater from...
Fine mesh facilitates ventilation and prevents rainwater from pooling in the pockets.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Versatility and Style


Several color options, three inseam lengths (8, 10, and 12 inches), several waist sizes, and a multi-purpose appealing style earned the Renegade top scores for this metric. They are also quite versatile (especially the shorter lengths), making them a great all-around option for various outdoor activities.


What we loved most about the Renegade is its vast combination of sizes, lengths, and colors. They could serve you on a day hike, are great for car camping, but also could be worn for boating, climbing, biking, fishing, golfing, or just walking the streets and hanging out.

Shopping day packs at a local gear shop in Kathmandu, Nepal. The...
Shopping day packs at a local gear shop in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Renegades look just as good in the street as they do on the trail.
Setting up camp. The Renegade is also our go-to option for car...
Setting up camp. The Renegade is also our go-to option for car camping.
Wearing our Renegades here and there. They do it better than the rest and do it in style.

Swimming is the only thing we might hold back on (especially with the longer length) because these shorts are thicker and tend to get a little water logged. The most versatile part of the Renegade is its stretch-nylon fabric. We wore the 12-inch version daily during a multi-day backpacking trip through Utah's Uinta Mountains and felt comfortable the entire trip.

Hoping to catch some dinner for our first night in the Uinta Mountains.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Construction Quality


Solid stitching, great engineering, and tough fabrics convinced us to award the Renegade some of our top marks for this metric. What we liked most were its double-stitched hems (many top brands use only a single stitch).


The Renegade has quality zippers, a solid-metal snap closure, and a soft, comfy waistband. We also loved the ergonomics of its pockets, especially the two deep main hand pockets. Our paper clip tests proved its nylon fabric to be resilient and strong. We also saw this on the trail. When we bumped into rocks, sat on logs, or battled with the occasional low-hanging branch, none left much of a mark. We were only disappointed with the number of stitches per inch used to sew the Renegade. On average, we counted 10-11 stitches per inch (the industry standard is 12 stitches per inch).

Using our trusty paperclip to vet the Renegade's trail cred.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Should You Buy the Kuhl Renegade Short?


The Renegade performs very well outdoors and has a distinct, stylish look. So if you're looking for a pair of shorts you can hit the trail in or wear for a date at the local street cafe, these bad boys fit the bill. They are durable, reasonably comfortable, and made to last.

kuhl renegade short - transferring trains in milan, italy. the renegade are also our...
Transferring trains in Milan, Italy. The Renegade are also our favorite shorts for jet-setting.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

What Other Hiking Shorts Should You Consider?


If you like the overall look of the Renegade but don't like the price, you may want to look at the Wrangler Authentics Performance Comfort Flex Cargo. They aren't as stylish, but they have many of the Renegade's features and are a fraction of the price. A direct comparable is the Prana Stretch Zion II Short; it has fewer pockets and is a little baggier. Lighter-weight comparables to the Renegade include the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Short and the Prana Brion II Short — we love them both.

kuhl renegade short - air drying our hand-washed renegades in florence, italy.
Air drying our hand-washed Renegades in Florence, Italy.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Jason Wanlass and Ben Applebaum-Bauch