Kuhl Renegade Short Review

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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).

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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.

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.

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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.

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).

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.

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 Flat Front. 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.