Men’s KUHL Renegade Convertible Pants Review

Bottom Line

The KUHL Renegade Convertible is a versatile and solidly built pair of pants with great features and durability. The ability to quickly change from pants to shorts and back again makes them ideal for long days on the trail through changing temperatures. A modern take on a classic design, the Renegade Convertible continues to be one of our top picks for men’s hiking pants.

Built from KUHL’s tough Duralux nylon-spandex blend, the Renegade Convertible has excellent durability and weather resistance, handling gravel, brush, and unexpected rain with ease. Their PFC-free DWR coating sheds water effectively, and thoughtful touches like color-coded zippers, a comfortable secure bar-button closure, and a total of eight practical pockets make them some of the most functional convertibles available. The wide, knit-style waistband adds exceptional comfort, even under a hipbelt or when pockets are loaded.

That said, their robust construction comes with tradeoffs. The thicker fabric and relaxed cut run warm in temperatures above 65°F, trapping heat during strenuous climbs. The loose lower legs can feel cumbersome for slimmer builds, sometimes brushing against shoes or catching on terrain. While the design allows easy on-and-off over footwear, the fit runs large, so sizing down is recommended.

Overall, the Renegade Convertible shines for those who want durability, all-weather reliability, and everyday practicality in one pair of pants. If you prefer lightweight, trim-fitting pants for fast-paced hiking or hot climates, these may feel heavy. Despite these small shortcomings, they remain a dependable, do-it-all choice for heavy use.

How We Tested

We tested the KUHL Renegade Convertibles on fall adventures ranging from rocky peaks to forested trails. Over the course of a month, we wore these in both Alaska and California, testing them out on day hikes in the mountains. From sunny days in the Sierra to inclement weather in the Chugach, we wore these pants in a variety of conditions to examine every aspect of their performance.

Comfort & Mobility

Like many convertible hiking pants, the Renegade Convertible is built with a relaxed fit, so you can keep your shoes on while converting between pants and shorts. Although this helps their ease of use, we found these pants to be on the baggy side, particularly for slender legs. We frequently stepped on the hems when scrambling up peaks or brushed against muddy shoes while on the trail. The Renegade Convertible runs large, so we would recommend sizing down slightly for a better fit. Those with sturdier built legs or who prefer a more relaxed fit will feel right at home in these pants.

The waistband on the Renegade Convertible is wide and resembles a knit pattern, making it soft on the skin. It is wider than most other pants we tested, meaning it is still comfortable on the waist when loaded down with heavy items in the pockets or under a backpack waistband.

Breathability

When in pants mode, we found the Renegade Convertibles to be on the warm side. The 95% percent nylon blend material is thicker than other pants we reviewed, so we felt noticeably warm when hiking on days above sixty-five degrees. We found ourselves getting sweaty in these pants on long uphill hikes, but thankfully, the ability to transition into shorts cooled us down. 

When in shorts mode, they reach just above the knees, making them slightly longer than most shorts we hike in. We enjoyed the ventilation in shorts mode, but these pants’ thick material traps more heat than most other pants we tested.

Weather Resistance

The Renegade Convertibles surprised us with a higher degree of weather resistance than we had anticipated. Although these won’t keep you dry in an all-day rain storm, the nylon blend material is relatively thick, making them more weather-resistant than a thinner pair of pants. Treated with a PFC-free durable water repellent, these pants kept us dry longer than other pants we tested. When we emptied a water bottle on them, the water beaded and ran off quickly.

Durability

Constructed with KUHL’s Duralux blend of nylon and spandex, these pants are noticeably thicker than most ultralight options on the market. That may make them less breathable, but it also makes them highly durable. Kneeling in gravel left no mark on these pants, and passing through brush and thorns didn’t leave a scratch. These are pants you can count on to stand up to whatever obstacle they come across.

Features

The most apparent features of these pants are their ability to transition to shorts. We love that the zippers come color coordinated to be able to easily transition back into pants. Additionally, the lower legs are wide enough to slip over shoes, making transitions that much easier. 

The Renegade Convertibles come equipped with a whopping eight pockets: two front, two thigh, two side, one drop-in back pocket, and one zippered back pocket. Having so many pockets of varying sizes makes carrying a wide array of gear easy. The thigh pockets also come equipped with hypalon synthetic rubber zipper garages to enhance weather resistance. The bungee cord hem cinch helps to take in excess material, and the metal bar-button closure is secure and comfortable with a knit backing. All told, the Renegade Convertible is one of the most highly featured pairs of pants in our lineup, perfect for anyone who places practicality above all else.

Should You Buy the KUHL Renegade Convertible Pants?

If you’re someone who loves the versatility of convertible pants, then the KUHL Renegade Convertible is a great choice. It quickly transitions to shorts, and thanks to color-coded zips, it’s easy to convert back to pants if the weather cools back down. With a relaxed and slightly baggy fit, the Renegade Convertible fits larger legs best or is a good choice for those who like a more loose fit. Their excellent durability and surprisingly high weather resistance make them a good choice for anyone wanting a reliable and well-built pair of pants. This comes with a tradeoff as they are heavy and hot in pants mode and lack the mobility found in more elastic pants. If you love the classic reliability of convertible pants but upgraded with some modern touches, then we recommend the Renegade Convertible for your next adventure.

What Other Hiking Pants Should You Consider?

Check out our full lineup of men’s hiking pants for all our favorite choices.

Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Review: A cheaper convertible pant option for hikers on a budget.

KUHL Deceptr Pant Review: For a less fully-featured KUHL pant, the Deceptr blends minimalist style with functionality, making it a versatile hiking pant for men.

Fjallraven Vidda Pro Review: Another superbly durable pair of pants, the Vidda Pro sets the standard for hiking pants that are durable enough to double as work pants.