KÜHL Shorts Review: Silencr, Renegade & Trekr Tested for Family Adventures

Have you been wondering whether KÜHL men’s shorts or KÜHL women’s shorts are worth trying out or which ones you should get?

After traveling full-time with our three kids for years, we’ve learned what kind of clothing actually holds up. We’ve been wearing KÜHL gear since 2013, and it’s one of the few brands that consistently makes our packing list.

When trying out the Renegade and Silencr men’s shorts, and Trekr women’s shorts, we wanted to know if KÜHL’s shorts would wow us as much as their travel pants and shirts. We put them to the test on hikes, playground days, and family outings. Did they live up to our expectations? The verdict: absolutely yes.

In this post, we’re sharing what we loved, what to watch for, and whether these shorts are a smart investment for your next family adventure.

DISCLAIMER: This post may contain links to affiliate websites. When you click on and/or make a purchase through an affiliate link placed on our website, we may receive a small commission or other form of compensation at no additional cost to you. Please read our disclaimer for more info. Product was given to us in exchange for a product review. All opinions are our own and we only ever recommend products that we personally love!

What Can You Expect With KÜHL?

KÜHL makes clothing for men and women that is extremely high quality. You can expect their clothing to be made for the mountains and capable of surviving demanding use. But the design and style will let you feel comfortable using it going about your day to day or wearing it out and about.

The KÜHL shirts that Kevin has been buying and wearing for over a decade now are his absolute favorites. He has worn them for RV travels, cruising, hiking, and even the birth of all his kids. Now that’s saying something.

We did a review of KÜHL travel pants previously and those have become his go-to pants for all situations.

When KÜHL asked if we’d like to review their men’s shorts and threw in a bonus pair of women’s shorts to try as well, we were excited to see how their shorts compared. After trying them, we can truthfully say that KÜHL hits it out of the park with their men’s and women’s shorts as well.

All thoughts in this review are 100% our own and we are sharing our honest opinions so you can decide if these shorts might be right for you too.

👉 We tried the Renegade, Silencr, & Trekr shorts. Check them out & see which fit your family’s adventures best.

KÜHL Shorts Features

Quick Dry Durable Materials

One of the main reasons you’ll want to choose KÜHL shorts over any other is the material and durability of their products.

The Renegade Short is made out of KÜHL’s Duralux™ nylon and spandex fabric. They say it has two way stretch. We don’t know which two or out of how many possible ways this might be though. 😄 Either way, they are easy to move in. It has a lined waistband for a comfortable feel.

The Silencr Kargo Short material is made out of KÜHL’s Reflex™ Mechanical Stretch Polyester. They say it has 4 way stretch which sounds even better than the Renegade, but in practice Kevin couldn’t tell you whether he feels a difference in stretchiness, just that it is. The Silencr also has a lined waistband. Kevin loves the Silencr travel pants he has so trying out the Silencr short was a no-brainer and it’s no surprise he loves these shorts too.

The Trekr Pull-On Short is a lightweight stretchy fabric made of polyester and nylon. It is soft and smooth and allows you to move easily. The waistband is rib-knit with a drawcord.

All of these shorts are moisture resistant and quick drying. They also have a UPF 50+ protection which is really important to us when going out in the sun.

Pick Your Inseam Length & Color

We love that we were able to pick the length and color that really fit with our own styles and needs. It drives me crazy when I find a style or company I like but the lengths are skewed in one direction or the color options are either entirely too bland or only overly bright. KÜHL has a great variety.

In KÜHL’s men’s shorts, Kevin really prefers the 10″ inseam that hits just above the knee for him. He is 5’10” tall. Both the Silencr and Renegade shorts are available in this length as well as 8″ or 12″ inseam lengths.

I personally prefer women’s shorts not be too short especially when I’m chasing around after my kids. I found that the 8″ inseam was a really good length for me on the Trekr shorts. I am 5’8″ tall. They also have 4″ inseams if you’re more comfortable in a shorter length than I am, or an 11″ inseam for even more coverage.

These KÜHL shorts have lots of very flattering and versatile colors. The Renegade shorts have 8 color options while the Silencr shorts have 9 colors to choose from. They are shades ranging from light blues, grays, and olive, to khakis and darker hues. Kevin chose the Renegade in Khaki and the Silencr in Storm Khaki.

The women’s Trekr shorts come in 6 different colors of similar shades but also add in Elderberry which looks like a purplish pink and seems like a nice brighter option. My shorts are Olive.

Numerous Pockets

It’s kind of amazing just how many pockets are in these shorts, especially the men’s shorts. It’s nice to have lots of hands free options to pop things into pockets when we’re traveling or just enjoying some family time.

The Renegade shorts have 8 pockets: two front, two back, two side, one “3D cell phone”, and one “stealth cell phone” pocket. What they really mean by these cell phone pockets we think is that the stealth pocket fits and hides the phone completely, whereas the other has a slanted seam where the corner of the phone peaks out. The pockets in the back have velcro closures and the two on the sides have zippers.

The Silencr shorts have 7 pockets: two front, two back, two side, and one “stealth cell phone pocket” on the right back side below the back pocket. The side pockets have zippers. For scale reference, a cell phone fits in all of these pockets.

The Trekr women’s shorts have the least at 5 pockets but that’s plenty: two front, two back, and one on the right thigh. The thigh pocket has a zipper. I found I could comfortably put my hands in my pockets and my cell phone fit in both the front and back pockets. If you want more, consider the longer 11″ Trekr cargo short with 7 pockets. The 4″ inseam only has 4 pockets.

It was easy to access my phone to take lots of family pictures while we were out and about and then not have to continue to hold it. Squatting down with your phone in the front pocket is a bit problematic though.

I also wondered if I’d have any issues with my phone falling out of the back pocket as it’s a bit shallower than the full length of my phone but so far so good even running after little ones and crouching down to their level.

We actually forgot about some of the pockets there are so many!

🤩 Want to try KÜHL men’s shorts or women’s shorts for yourself?

Pros of KÜHL shorts

We’ve tested a lot of travel and family friendly gear over the years, but KÜHL shorts are the type that will stick with us. Here’s why they’re worth putting on for your next family outing:

• Comfy for All-Day Wear: Kevin wears his men’s KÜHL shorts from trail to playground stop to dinner out and takes it all in stride. I loved the soft stretch waistband and drawcord on the Trekr women’s shorts, perfect for car rides, park visits, or chasing the kids around wherever we happen to be.
• Quick-Drying and Water-Resistant: We’ve dealt with plenty of surprise spills and water splashes. These shorts dry fast and don’t stay clingy or uncomfortable.
• Actually Stylish: These aren’t bulky “adventure-only” shorts. They look good whether we’re out hiking or going to dinner. Bonus: multiple colors, inseam lengths, and sizes.
• Functional Pockets: Plenty of space for your phone, keys, and snacks without making you look like you’re carrying half your suitcase in your shorts.
• Built to Last: Kevin’s been wearing KÜHL clothes for over a decade. These shorts feel just as durable, and that’s saying something with how much we travel and put our gear to the test.
• Sun-Safe: All the pairs we tried have a UPF 50+ rating, which helps when you’re outside all day and trying to protect everyone from the sun.

They’re the kind of shorts that work for real life, hiking up a trail, herding toddlers, or grabbing ice cream downtown.

Cons of KÜHL shorts

Like any good gear, there are a few things to know before you click “add to cart.” Here’s what stood out for us:

• They’re Not Cheap: At $79 for the men’s shorts and $75 for women’s, these are definitely an investment. That said, we’ve learned over the years that cheaper clothing wears out quickly. These are the kind you’ll still be using years from now, and they actually look good enough to wear in real life, not just out hiking.
• Color Confusion: Kevin ordered two colors, khaki and storm khaki. But honestly, they look almost identical in person even though they looked different to us online. Looking again, moss wood and evergreen as well as coastal blue and charcoal blue look incredibly similar on the website. If you’re buying more than one pair of shorts, maybe try two colors that are very different to make sure.
• Sizing Can Be Tricky: Kevin wasn’t sure what size to get and ended up sizing up from his usual based on reviews. It was the right call for him. Definitely check the size guide and don’t be afraid to go up a size if you’re in-between.

None of these were deal-breakers for us, just things to keep in mind. In the end, we still recommend them wholeheartedly. They’ve already earned a permanent spot in our rotation.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Get yourself some! The Renegade, Silencr, & Trekr earned full 5-star ratings from us based on real-life testing, practical use, & overall satisfaction!

Kevin’s Experience with KÜHL Men’s Shorts

What I like about KÜHL shorts is pretty similar to what I like about the rest of their clothes. Since we travel full-time I don’t have a very large wardrobe and I am picky about what goes into it. Especially when I’m packing into a carry on sized suitcase for several weeks (or longer!) of travel.

I really like clothing that is durable, lightweight, dries fast, and of course, looks good. These shorts definitely check all four of those boxes and are just as sure to find a spot in my suitcase for travel abroad as they are for hiking or just everyday wear.

I went with the Renegade men’s shorts and the Silencr Kargo men’s shorts. They call them cargo shorts and while they do have a lot of spacious pockets, KÜHL has somehow managed to keep the overall design pretty sleek. It is nice to have lots of pockets as options without the bulkiness of traditional cargo shorts!

You really can’t go wrong with either one, but if I was ordering more or choosing between the two, I’d go with the Renegade. I like the smooth fabric a little bit better.

The Silencr short has a cross-hatch pattern to it. I also have the Silencr pants and the material is exactly the same as the shorts. I think this pattern looks a little better on the long pants version, but that is seriously nit picking it. I really do like them both.

👉 Which of KÜHL’s men’s shorts are right for you? Check them out here!

Christine’s Experience with KÜHL Women’s Shorts

I truly love the Trekr shorts. They were more comfortable than I expected. The waistband especially is very forgiving and comfortable. The shorts are smooth and soft. The 8″ inseam and size large is just right for me.

Here in Florida where I’ve worn them it can get pretty hot and sticky. I still felt comfortable in the Trekr shorts because they were so lightweight and helped let heat dissipate. When playing in a shallow creek with my kids they got a bit wet but I didn’t have to worry because they dried really fast.

I’ve worn them for a family day at Disney, for keeping all my kids in line at homeschool co-op, or even just hanging out at our RV campground.

The Olive is a very pretty color and because it’s a bit of a paler olive shade I think it matches better with a wider range of other colors than a more yellow/brown olive would.

I now choose the Trekr women’s shorts out of the other shorts in my closet. I’m seriously considering getting another pair in a different color!

👉 Which of KÜHL’s women’s shorts are right for you? Check them out here!

Who are KÜHL Shorts for?

KÜHL shorts are ideal for adventurous parents who want gear that works as hard as they do. You’re hiking with your kids, exploring a new museum, or getting dinner out and want your stuff working with you not against you.

You’re the mom handling snacks, sunscreen, and schedules, who wants comfort and style. You’re the dad carrying the backpack, lifting toddlers onto his shoulders, and wanting clothes that don’t pinch, ride up, or fall apart after one season.

You both value quality, practicality, and things that fits into real life and travel with kids. For families like us who mix outdoor fun with everyday adventures, KÜHL shorts just make sense.

KÜHL Shorts Pricing

The Renegade and Silencr men’s shorts both cost $79 and the Trekr women’s shorts are $75. We truly believe that KÜHL clothing is worth the investment in high quality items that will last, at the very least for some choice items in your wardrobe if not for every piece. This is coming from people who try to budget and save whenever we can.

Keep an eye out for free shipping promos on KÜHL’s site. For example at the time of writing of this article they are offering free shipping for orders over $100 in the U.S.

Also, we like to travel with points and miles, and one of the ways we build up points is through regular spending on our credit cards. This can work well if you’re diligent about paying off your credit cards every month and don’t buy more than you need.

On our last personal order, we got an additional discount on our KÜHL products by purchasing through the Capital One Shopping Portal. Anyone with a Capital One credit card can get a special bonus by purchasing products after clicking on a coupon through the Capital One app.

In this case, we got 5 Capital One Miles per $1 spent at Kuhl.com by selecting that bonus on the app. Next, we got an additional 2 points per $1 spent by using our Capital One Venture X card for the actual purchase. All in all, that was worth about 7% off of the total purchase.

🤩 Check Prices and Availability!

FAQs About KÜHL Men’s and Women’s Shorts

👉The Renegade men’s short was Kevin’s favorite. Want a pair too?

Are KÜHL Shorts Worth It?

Finding shorts that are comfortable, look good, and can handle a full day of family adventures can be hard. But these KÜHL women’s and men’s shorts passed the real-life parent test: hiking, playgrounds, day trips, dinner out, all of it.

Yes, they cost a bit more but checked all the boxes that makes them well worth the investment in our eyes. They’ve already become our go-to shorts, and we’ll be packing them for future trips.

We’ve linked the exact pairs we tested again below if you want to check them out. If you have any questions before you order, send us a message on social media. We’re always happy to help fellow family travelers find gear that actually works.

👉 And if you’re also looking for the perfect travel pants, check out our review of a couple of KÜHL’s pants.

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