If you’ve set your sights on some breathtaking trails this summer — or just a laid back day at the beach — like we have, this is the gear that we’re looking to wear from Kühl
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Finding the right clothes for getting outdoors in summer can turn even the rockiest trek into a walk in the park — and boy do we spend a lot of time outdoors during the season. While, yes, we could slap on some jean shorts and a tank top for most activities, depending on how intense things get out there (and the temperature), not having the right apparel can lead to chafing, sweat, reduced mobility or all of the above. Enter: Kühl.
We write about hundreds of products a week (including hiking essentials), but Kühl has some of our favorite outdoor gear thanks to their breathable fabrics, next-to-skin comfort, and superior durability. In other words, they’ll improve everything from your weekend hikes to sailing out in the open ocean, not make them harder. They’ve got casual summer styles (aka linen blend pants that you won’t want to rip off after a day in the heat), and exclusive sun-protective fabrics (UPF 50+) that’ll let you stay active while maintaining the maximum amount of coverage possible (no farmer tans here).
Below, we’ve plucked some of our recent favorites that have already received the seal of approval from happy shoppers and are now on our wishlists — including hiking apparel, summer style pieces we didn’t know we needed, and quite possibly the best belt bag we’ve uncovered while scrolling through their vast outdoorsy offerings. You don’t even have to be in your Justin Timberlake Man of the Woods-era to appreciate these ruggedly handsome picks — you just have to be ready for your next adventure.
Getaway Short
Eco-consciousness and sustainability has become a major concern — if not a requirement — for most shoppers (including us). We’ve been eyeing these Getaway shorts from Kühl that deliver on the green front, utilizing a hemp blend fabric that also has the added benefit of making these super lightweight. Kühl’s design philosophy translates to a pair of shorts that can transition seamlessly between working outdoors (thank you UPF 50+ protection!) and relaxation. The shorts are also quick-drying, extra stretchy, and we can’t wait to rock these at the beach bar after a surf session.
Eskape Sling Pack
“This sling bag is durable enough to take on a hike, and the water-resistant material would keep my belongings dry,” says Tim Chan, our Associate VP of Editorial & Commerce. “But I also like the look aesthetically, and I would wear this on daily errands, commuting and casual excursions as well. I like the rugged construction, sporty design and minimalist branding, which makes this an easy bag for style and utility alike.”
Deceptr Chinos
If you’re looking for a pair of hiking pants that double as everyday trousers (say, for the office or running errands) check out these Deceptrs from Kühl. Don’t let their chino looks mislead you — they’re really made of a trail-ready Tufflite fabric (a nylon, polyester, and spandex blend). This special fabric is both stretchy and durable enough for tough hikes, boasts water-repelling powers with a DWR finish, and even helps to block UV rays. Whether you’re facing your boss in the boardroom, or a bear on the trail, we think these look great for any occasion.
Vantage Women’s Trainer Shorts
Our VP of Commerce Jessica Seib, recently ran a half-marathon and has been checking out these Vantage Trainer shorts for her next pair. Kühl’s fabrics are well-known for lightweight flexibility, but their shorts are also great for running and intense workouts. You get a quick-drying, four-way stretch build, a great selection of colors, and four different style options: trainer, short, skort, and pant. We’re also big fans of the pocket setup here, with two front pockets and hidden storage on the back of the waistband to keep your phone or keys close to your person.
Free Radikl Pants
These Free Radikl hiking pants look like they’d get some heavy rotation in our wardrobe — especially in the summer. They feature panels that run vertically at thigh, below knee, and at the waist that provide some pretty impressive stretch in all directions. This makes the Free Radikl one of the most versatile pairs of outdoors-ing pants, and we’d easily use them for light climbing, yoga and jogging, too. Although they’re stretchy and extra lightweight, the pants still have some toughness in the form of UPF 50+ sun protection and water-resistance for light showers or splashes.
Cabo Pant
We’re always searching for easily-packable, warm weather-destination ready clothes to travel with (we’re all frequent jet-setters), and these Cabo pants are definitely making the cut. Casual yet sophisticated, they’re made from a linen-cotton that’s lightweight and breathable enough for running through an airport, but still feel substantial enough to wear out to the hotel bar when you land. The sun-protective fabric and hidden zip pocket on the thigh for easy and secure stashing also make them extra traveler-friendly.
Resistor Lite Chino Short
Designed to feel nearly weightless, we can’t resist these ultra-lite Resistor chino shorts. They’re stretchy enough for lounging, but their abrasion-resistant nylon build makes them much more durable than other chino shorts. To make the package even better, they’re still soft to the touch, and more than trendy enough to wear off the trail.
Renegade Pant
Beloved by hikers in the heat (and by us, who just want some breathable summer pants for running errands), it gets much easier to move with these Renegade pants when the temps go up. The trousers use Kühl’s Duralex fabric (a nylon-spandex blend) along with articulated patterning for more flexibility and breathing room. The Renegade pants don’t skimp on convenience either — there’s a whopping eight pockets here, two leg pockets, velcro’d back pockets, a stealth phone pocket, and zippered waist pockets that offer ample space for your gadgets, snacks and other necessities.
Silencr Cargo Shorts
Rugged, bulky cargo shorts with a million pockets and are great, but some of us still prefer a classic, no-frills option. I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect cargo shorts for years, and these Silencr shorts are exactly what I’ve been looking for. They’ve got seven low-profile pockets for maximum storage potential, yet have a cleaner, more streamlined look. Although the shorts are on the slimmer side, four-way stretch ensures that they won’t stop you from moving more if you’re gonna be biking or hiking — they’re truly the most incognito of cargos.
Kühl Engineered Hat
It’s a constant battle in the summer between facial protection from the sun and not having to keep the stuffiest hat possible on your head. Kühl’s Engineered hat is impeccably, well, engineered, and might just have to come with us on our next vacation — it does everything you want to from a sun hat (wicks moisture, resists odor, and offers UPF 20+ protection), but has the added benefit of being buoyant enough to stay afloat for easy recovery during any water sport activities. Its flexible foam brim also makes it ideal for packing — what more could we ask for?
