I have been a fan of Kuhl clothing for over 10 years now. What started with a shirt, had me checking out their pants (check out my review). Which of course had me buying 3 pairs of shorts. I love Kuhl products and have put them to test on everything from long distance bike-packing, climbing in the Colorado Rockies to church on Sunday.
So, when I get a chance to test the KÜHL Renegade Shorts – I was really psyched. First impressions straight out of the box. No fluff. Just facts. These shorts claim they’re built for adventure — I came to find out if they’re ready for the fight.
UNBOXING AND FIRST CONTACT:
Right outta the package, the Renegades look ready for action. Minimal branding. Clean lines. Built like they were stitched well with no loose threads. These shorts are a little thicker and beefier which I like.
FIT:
Snug where they should be. Forgiving where it counts. The gusseted crotch is clutch — no bind, no snag. Feels like these were made for long treks or a sudden sprint if needed. Waist fits true to size — no surprises, no excuses.
MATERIAL & BUILD:
They’re rocking Stretch Duralux, which is fancy talk for “tough-as-nails with flex.” Feels soft on skin — like a second layer of tactical hide — but don’t let that fool you. I scraped against some rough bark and sharp corners today, and these shorts didn’t even flinch. Zero fray. Zero quit.
Breathability:
Top tier. 95°F in the sun and no swamp situation. These are ventilation machines disguised as shorts. When the sweat hits, the quick-dry kicks in. After a long hike through heat and hell, they were dry before I got to the truck.
Water Resistance:
The first time I wore them I was out hiking with my dogs on a local trail. It rained about a quarter inch in the next hour. The water beaded right off the shorts. Not fully waterproof, but good enough for light rain. By the time I had hiked back to my truck the shorts were almost dry.
UV Protection:
UPF 50+ — check. Didn’t feel the sun torching my thighs. I wore the shorts to a Saturday football game and sat in the scorching sun. My lower legs got a little cooked as I forgot to put on sun screen. Upper legs were fine as the shorts covered up great.
DESIGN & STORAGE:
Pockets are laid out like a loadout vest — smart and accessible. No flappy nonsense. Every zipper, every seam, feels deliberate. You can carry your essentials without looking like you’re smuggling gear across borders.
Side pockets? Deep enough to swallow an EDC blade, multi-tool, phone, and then some. Rear pockets are zippered — not losing anything on the move.
THE VERDICT (DAY ONE):
The KÜHL Renegade Shorts aren’t just outdoor apparel — they’re a tactical asset. Lightweight, high-mobility, mission-ready. Whether you’re hitting the trails, knocking out yard work, or chasing that feeling of earned exhaustion, these shorts show up and hold the line.
Final Rating:
9.5/10
Docked half a point because I don’t have three more pairs:).
About the Author:
Are you looking to achieve big goals? Do you have a big event on the horizon and you want to finish the drill?
Wanting to complete a Spartan, GORUCK, Tough Mudder or climb a big mountain?
Get individual coaching from former Navy SEAL Coach Brad McLeod. Check out SGPT coaching here:
RELATED ARTICLES:
Personal Online Coaching
Work 1-on-1
with SEAL Grinder's Brad McLeod
To Achieve Your Goals
Personal fitness training from Brad McLeod, Navy Seal and CrossFit Level 1 instructor. Delivered online, directly to you.
"I recommend Brad to anyone that seriously wants to go to BUDs or anything else in life... try these workouts. Hooyah!" - Chris H.
