If you spend long hours on the trail, you know the wrong pants can ruin an otherwise amazing hike. The KUHL Radikl Pants guarantee the comfort of sweatpants with the durability and clean look of hiking trousers. It has stretchy knit panels, abrasion-resistant fabric, and built-in UPF sun protection.
The following review takes a close look at how the Radikl performs on real hikes, travel days, and everyday wear so you can decide if they deserve a place in your gear rotation. Moreover, outfits rarely end with pants; this guide also covers the KUHL Engineered Krew shirt, a lightweight top that pairs naturally with Radikl for full-outfit sun protection and comfort.
The KUHL outfits are tested by an adventure journalist who spends extended time outdoors, focusing on fit, freedom of movement, long-term durability, and overall breathability. By the end, you’ll know whether KUHL’s Radikl pants are worth your money and which types of adventures they are best suited for.
The author received KUHL’s apparel for testing purposes, but the opinions in this review are 100% their own.
Author’s Thoughts
Over the last 15+ years working in the outdoors, KUHL pants have been a constant part of my kit, but for a long time, they felt more like armor than clothing. The older, burlier models were tough and dependable, yet often stiff and a bit restrictive during long days on the trail or in camp. They were phenomenal, but I always felt a tradeoff between durability and all-day comfort. When you’re scrambling over rocks, kneeling to adjust gear, or sitting for hours on long drives between adventures, that stiffness adds up and you really notice it by the end of the day.
The KUHL Radikl pants changed that experience for me. The combination of durable fabrics with strategically placed stretch panels made a noticeable difference in how freely I could move, whether climbing, hiking steep ascents, or just crouching to set up camp. They felt more comfortable in casual pants, but still handled the abrasion, dirt, and weather that come with an outdoor career.
Paired with the Engineered Krew Shrit, the outfit gave me reliable sun protection and breathability without feeling heavy or restrictive, which meant I could stay focused on the trip instead of constantly adjusting my clothing. In short, these pieces shifted KUHL from reliable but rugged to reliable and genuinely comfortable in my day-to-day outdoor work.
Table of contents
Kuhl Rydr Pants
The older KUHL Rydr Pants were known for being tough, but they were not exactly comfortable. Instead of feeling like flexible hiking pants, they often felt heavy and stiff, almost like wearing two rough sacks around your legs. Over time, they developed lots of creases and wrinkles, which added to that “workwear” feel rather than a smooth, flexible fit that moves with you on the trail. For many hikers, they delivered durability but at the cost of everyday comfort.
Despite their rugged build and long-lasting fabric, the Rydr Pants were never the top choice for long days of hiking, climbing, or travel where ease of movement really matters. They excelled in abrasion resistance and toughness, making them suitable for demanding outdoor work or rough terrain, but the lack of softness and flexibility was noticeable. The contrast is one of the reasons newer KUHL designs, like the Radikl Pants, stand out: they aim to keep the durability hikers expect from KUHL while greatly improving content, stretch, and overall wearability.
KUHL Renegade Pants
However, I’m happy to say that in recent years, KUHL’s pants style has dramatically changed. With new iterations like the RENEGADE hiking pants, which have been my favorite outdoor pants for the past two years. In the past couple of years, I’ve hiked in the RENEGADE everywhere from Chilean Patagonia to the Guatemalan jungle.
I wore them on almost every 14,000-foot peak in Colorado. What’s more, I even crashed my motorcycle in the Peruvian Andes while wearing RENEGADE. After all that abuse, the pants came away with only a quarter-sized nick in the knee.
Then, a month back, I got the opportunity to write up a KUHL RADIKL pants review. The RADIKL is another newer KUHL creation, and I’m happy to say that I’m impressed. While the RADIKL isn’t perfect, it features almost all the same things I love about the RENEGADE pant. Not to mention, a few improvements have been added too.
I also got the opportunity to test out my first KUHL shirt (the ENGINEERED KREW Men’s Short Sleeve Shirt). Again, I’m impressed. Read on for reviews and feedback on both.
KUHL RADIKL Hiking Pants Review
Comfort
The RADIKL stretch hiking pants for men are even more comfortable than the RENEGADE, and the polar opposite of the RYDR. These pants are made of stretch material with technical performance in mind. This is a flexible, slim-fit hiking pant that performs equally well whether I’m lounging on the couch playing Elden Ring, trucking through the backcountry, or taking a relaxing stroll along the beach.
KUHL’s Free Ryde Waist means the waist fits sit low and comfortably on these pants. In particular, they’re generally straight-legged and have a slight taper down the lower leg. This is to prevent that bulky “tubular” look that stiffer pants like the RYDR sometimes get.
One of the unique features of the Kuhl RADIKL is the lateral stretch panels that run from just below the knee up to the hip on either side. These aren’t just some gimmicks. Functionality-wise, they do enable increased movement and comfort (I often find myself doing a bit of light yoga in these pants in the morning).
Construction
There are also sizable stretch panels, running from both inner thighs up to the groin. Without a doubt, the panels provide added breathing room for the family jewels. Whether you’re squatting in a raft, crawling through a cave, or hanging in a climbing harness. No jammed junk here with the gusseted crotch, and no constantly having to reach down to readjust yourself, either.
What’s more, the panel adds about 1 ½” of stretch, so it really makes a difference if you need some extra wiggle room or flexibility.
One weird feature that I’m not a huge fan of (also present in the RENEGADE), is the double-closure crotch. This is known as a French fly. To clarify, a French fly is an extra hidden closure with an inside button attached to keep the fly secured. This extra button makes the flap sit smoothly and flat instead of sticking up.
Zipper and Fastening
When you unzip and unbutton the RADIKL’s fly, you also have to unbutton a second, interior flap in order to get your pants down. This isn’t a huge deal because you can always just avoid buttoning the interior flap in the first place. But then the flap is loose inside your hiking pants. I assume this second closure is for added security or comfort. Or perhaps so you can take a leak without pulling your pants off (but then you could just undo the zipper on the fly, like normal, right?).
Anyway, it’s not a big deal. However, it feels like a superfluous feature. On several occasions when I’ve had to go to the bathroom ASAP, I’ve felt a bit frustrated having to fumble with this irritating second closure.
Durability
The RADIKL features KUHL’s abrasion-resistant ENDURO fabric, so it’s not just a stretchy pair of pants. That is, it holds up well, too. While I haven’t taken a major spill in these like I have while wearing my RENEGADE pants, the material on both pants feels quite similar. Overall, so I’m fairly confident they’ll hold up OK.
On the hikes I have taken, the RADIKL pants on, they’ve weathered brambles and branches well. Surprisingly, scuffs from rocks haven’t left a mark.
In the world of outdoor apparel, you often have to choose between comfort and durability. So it’s nice to see a pair of hiking pants that bridges the gap.
Sun Protection
Another cool feature here is the built-in UPF 50+ sun protection. This is equally important and makes these pants a great choice for hikes on the beach, desert backpacking trips, and high-altitude hikes.
If I’m going on any mission where the sun is strong, then these pants are a must-bring. I walked several miles along the beach here in Florida, the other day, during the heat of noon. The breathability of the Radikl hiking pants kept me cool and sweat-free the entire time. It was probably the first time in my life I’ve felt comfortable wearing pants on the beach in 80-degree heat.
Pockets
One drawback of the KUHL RADIKL is the storage space. I’m someone who prefers carrying valuables secured in my pants as opposed to a pack, particularly if I’m in a sketchy place. This Radikl pant doesn’t offer the spacious zippered side pockets that the RENEGADE does, which is slightly disappointing. I love zipping my passport or wallet into my pants when I’m in an airport or on public transit. Or in a rough area where pickpockets are a concern.
Also, zippered pockets also come in handy. Especially when I’m climbing, riding my motorcycle, or doing anything else where valuables could fly out of an open pocket.
The construction of two side pockets on the RADIKL men’s pants are just open-top pockets, so they don’t feel very secure. Also, they’re quite narrow, just barely fitting my iPhone 11. A bit of a bummer.
That said, the RADIKL still offers a total of seven pockets, so there’s more than enough storage. If you need a phone pocket, coin pocket, or ones for the usual keys, phone, wallet, and the like, then these pants have them. What’s more, the style of the hiking pants front and rear pockets remain spacious and easy to access. With this in mind, the most important thing is pockets for small essentials, so the lack of zippered pockets isn’t a deal-breaker for me.
| Check for Seller’s Best Prices on | Price |
|---|---|
| REI | Check Price |
| Backcountry | Check Price |
| Kuhl | Check Price |
KUHL ENGINEERED KREW SHIRT Review
I’d never worn a KUHL shirt before this review, and I was pleasantly surprised with its performance. Like the RADIKL pants, this t-shirt, the ENGINEERED KREW, is built with a focus on comfort, great fit, and sun protection, but with no compromise in durability or breathability, either.
The torso of this men’s hiking sun-protective shirt is made with a breathable, rugged mesh. It feels extremely strong, almost like a fabric version of chainmail, but remains lightweight and allows for great movement. I’ve worn the Engineered Krew short-sleeve hiking shirt on probably a dozen hikes now, and haven’t seen any scuffing or degradation of the fabric.
Performance
The shirt sports 25+ UPF protection in high-sun areas (the shoulders and top of the upper arms), coupled with more breathable 20+ UPF open-knit fabric (that mesh stuff I was talking about) in high-sweat areas, such as the body and the underarms. I’ve worn it several times without washing it, and it hasn’t gotten stinky yet. This is normally a rare feat for a shirt of mine.
Comfort
So, as far as a hiking t-shirt goes, it’s got everything you could want in clothing. It’s comfortable even with the pressure and rubbing from pack straps. Also, it does a great job of keeping you cool and sweat-free on a hot day.
The only downside is that at the end of the day, it’s just a t-shirt. Basically, if you’re like me, you’ll shy away from any t-shirt with a $55 price tag.
That said, I’ve been surprised by how often I’ve found myself plucking the KREW out of my closet and throwing it on. Particularly here in Florida, it’s been the ultimate shirt.
Breathability
I’ve been doing some scuba diving lately, and once I’m out of the water, I wear my KUHL Engineered Krew. It’s what I wear first while waiting for my surface interval to finish, so it basically has been out for days out on the water under the hot Gulf Coast Sun. While I wait to dive, the shirt’s UPF 25 sun protective fabric and breathability keep me cool.
Versatility
If I hadn’t been given this sample for free, then I don’t know if I’d go seeking this shirt out. Mostly because T-shirts usually come and go for me. But if I was looking at a PCT Appalachian Trail bid, or any long-haul mission, then I bring as little apparel as possible. I always wanted a single shirt that could do it and hold up for an extended time in the backcountry.
In summary, I’m fairly certain the ENGINEERED KREW would be one of my top picks for a sun protection t-shirt.
| Check for Seller’s Best Prices on | Price |
|---|---|
| REI | Check Price |
| Backcountry | Check Price |
| KUHL | Check price |
Conclusion
To wrap this up, remember: when you’re picking out gear for your hiking adventures, it’s all about finding that sweet spot between comfort, functionality, and durability. KUHL hits many of these points with its well-designed, durable products that cater to the practical needs of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
While diving into the details of the Kuhl Radikl pants in our review, it’s essential to consider all your outdoor apparel needs. If you’re also in the market for something to keep you dry on the trail, don’t miss our guide on the best waterproof pants for hiking, perfect for staying comfortable in wet conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are KUHL Radikl Pants good for hiking?
Yes, KUHL Radikl Pants are recommended for hiking because they blend durable fabric with stretchy knit panels that allow for a wide range of movement on the trail. They perform especially well on longer hikes where comfort, breathability, and freedom of motion matter as much as durability.
Are KUHL Radikl Pants comfortable for an all-day hike?
KUHL Radikl Pants are designed to feel more like casual or lounge pants while still looking and performing like outdoor trousers. The stretch panels, articulated knees, and soft interior make them comfortable enough to wear all day for hiking, travel, or everyday use.
Do KUHL Radikl Pants offer sun protection?
Yes, KUHL Radikl Pants use fabric with built-in UPF sun protection, which helps shield your legs from harmful UV rays on sunny hikes. When paired with a sun-protective top like the KUHL Engineered Krew shirt, they can be part of a full-outfit solution for long days in exposed terrain.
How do KUHL Radikl Pants fit compared to other hiking pants?
KUHL Radikl Pants typically have an athletic, slightly tailored fit rather than a very baggy or loose profile. Many hikers find they fit true to size in the waist, with enough stretch in the legs and seat to move comfortably without being restrictive.
Are KUHL Radikl Pants durable for rugged trails?
Yes, KUHL Radikl Pants are built with abrasion-resistant main fabric and reinforced panels in high-wear areas, making them durable enough for rocky terrain, bushwhacking, and repeated use. They are designed to balance long-term durability with comfort, rather than being ultra-light but fragile.
What’s the difference between KUHL Radikl Pants and the Engineered Krew Shirt?
KUHL Radikl Pants are primarily lower-body hiking pants with a mix of durable woven fabric and stretch panels, while the Engineered Krew is a lightweight, breathable shirt designed for sun protection and moisture management on the upper body. Together, they create a coordinated hiking outfit that prioritizes comfort, mobility, and UPF coverage.
About the Adventurer
Owen Clarke is a freelance American action sport and adventure travel journalist. He is an editor-at-large for Climbing magazine and the executive editor of Indoor Skydiving Source. His byline also appears in Backpacker, Outside, Travel+Leisure, Trail Runner, Rock & Ice, and The Outdoor Journal, among other publications.IG:@opops13
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