Kuhl Radikl Outsider Pants
It is getting harder to find good all-purpose hiking pants. Something that is breathable but wind resistant. Or that is durable and flexible. It seems like now-a-days, gear is getting specialized for very specific tasks. The Kuhl Radikl Outsider Pants are a bit of a throw back. Pants that do everything well and can be a go-to for multiple terrains, weathers, and seasons. I got a chance to run these through the test and here is my review of the Kuhl Radikl Outsider Pants.
As a disclaimer I would like to mention that I was given this product so that I could write this review. This site uses affiliate marketing links. If you make a purchase from this page using a link, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions on this page are my own and based on my own experiences with this product. I am not compensated for the opinions on this review. Your experience with the product may be different.
From Kuhl about the Radikl Outsider Pants
Before I get into my review, I wanted to let you know what Kuhl is saying about their Radikl Outsider Pants. Directly from the website, Kuhl says, “THE “RADIKL” OUTSIDER® Pant is badass! The lightweight Dynawax™ ripstop fabric delivers rugged wind and water resistance while still offering the comfort and breathability of cotton.”
Here are the rest of the specs from the website.
Specs
Price*
$199.00
Sizes*
Waist 30-38
Inseam 30-36
*Based on availability by color
Colors
Ink Black, Espresso, Driftwood, Black and Blue, Teak (shown)
Features
- “Best New Performance Trail Pant” award winner – Men’s Health Magazine 2023 Outdoor Awards
- Stretch softshell panels for premium flexibility
- Elasticized waistband with zipper and button closure
- Large, zippered mesh thigh vents for breathable comfort
- Eight-pocket design (three zippered for secure storage)
- Hidden cell phone pocket
- Cuff adjustment
- Hypalon zipper garage for protection from the elements
- KÜHL bar button closure
- Meticulously crafted for a longer life cycle
- Imported
All information from Kuhl.com. Check the website for full details and options.
What I liked about the Kuhl Radikl Outsider Pants
There is a ton to like about the Kuhl Radikl Outsider Pants. For me, I just really loved the performance. They have become a go-to hiking pants at elevation, and in the fall and spring. They are tough and durable and they have added a ton of technology into the design. Here is more about what I liked about these pants.
Great Pants for Hiking in Seasons
First and foremost, the Kuhl Radikl Outsider pants are great to hike in the shoulder seasons with and can really be almost an all year hiking pants. My favorite time to hike in the pants are in the Spring and Fall. The cold mornings and warm afternoons are great for the Radikl. The pants are thick enough to keep you warm in the mornings and breathable enough to keep you comfortable as the temps climb. There are also zippered vents on the sides that help with temperature regulation.
Like the shoulder seasons, these pants are also great for hiking at elevation. As you hike higher and higher up the mountain, the wind typically picks up and the air grows colder. The Radikl Outsider helps keep that temp regulated on the lower elevations all the way up the mountain.
In full winter mode, I hike with them over a base layer and that usually keeps me very comfortable in the dry snow of the Colorado Mountains. During the hottest days of the summer they can get a little warm but, honestly, so can I! That’s why on those hundred degree days, I always find my way up a mountain where it is cooler.
Fit
As a bigger guy, I like to have a little bit of room to move in my pants. “Form Fitting” isn’t really in my vocabulary. I like to have a looser fit that tapers a bit down towards the ankles. This is the exact fit that I found with the Radikl Outsider pants. around my thighs and rear, there was plenty of room which allowed me a lot of freedom of movement. As we get down to the ankles, there are adjustable cuffs with a snap and strap system that works almost like a mini gaiter. It is pretty easy to cinch up the ankles to make sure nothing falls down into the shoes. it is a really nice feature that helps with the fit. Overall, I found these to be really comfortable pants.
Flexibility
It is so important to be able to move when hiking in the mountains. You may go a mile of walking flat and follow it up with a mile of uneven rock steps that make your legs move in every direction to keep your balance. If you have pants that are tight or restrictive, these inclines can be miserable. Kuhl does a really nice job of incorporating technology into the Radikl Outsider to really focus on and enhance the flexibility of the pants.
One of the most noticeable pieces of tech is the nylon and spandex stretch panels around the knees. This allows a great range of motion on the hills of a hike and allows really free movement. I believe the panels also move up the inseam and outer sides of the pants well. These stretch panels allow me to squat, sit, step and move with really no restrictions at all.
I thought these pants were going to be a little stiffer. They have a rugged look and feel. Almost like they were designed to be more durable but might have to sacrifice movement. I was really happily surprised when I felt how much flex there was, while maintaining that durability.
Pockets
I carry a bunch of stuff when I hike. From phones to snacks, keys, wallet, more snacks, and finally some more snacks, I have my pockets full. The pocket system on the Outsider has room for anything you want to carry. They almost have the feeling of a work pants when it comes to pockets.
The two biggest pockets are zippered pockets on the front of the legs. Instead of being side pouches these pockets sit more to the front, and have pouches within the pockets for organization. There is also a cell phone pocket on the backside of the right leg.
The pockets around the hips are pretty standard with the exception that the back right pocket also has a zipper. I really like this feature. It allows me to protect my wallet from falling during a hike but also allowing me quick access to the other pockets. Ton’s of storage and room to keep all the important things for a hike, like snacks.
Zippered Vents
I didn’t really know that I was going to love zippered side vents until I started to use them. Holy cow, these are kind of a game changer. The vents are backed with a tight mesh so it isn’t like you have an open hole in your pants. Which is good because they are 8 inches long on either leg. By using a zipper, this also allows you more control of the venting and air flow by opening the vent more or less.
As I mentioned earlier, I love to hike in these pants during the shoulder seasons and at elevation where there can be huge changes in temperature in a short amount of time. Having the ability to control a bit of the venting and air flow is a huge plus with these pants.
Well Constructed and Durable
I don’t go easy on my gear. My hiking pants get pretty abused. Between sliding down rocks, walking through branches and twigs of a forest and just putting in a ton of miles, they need to be strong enough to not take damage. These are some of the best hiking pants I have ever had when it comes to durability. Every thorn, branch and rock just seem to bounce off the pants with no sign of any damage or fatigue.
There are also several different panels and materials that all interconnect and work perfectly. One thing that impresses me is that they can have an 8 inch section of mesh that doesn’t degrade the function or durability of the pants. Even when taken through some of the nastiest terrain, these pants hold up great. Maybe more importantly, they protect my legs as well!
What I didn’t Like
There is so much to like about the Kuhl Radikl Outsider pants but if I don’t find something I didn’t like they will take away my blogger card! For me, the only thing that I didn’t like was something the pants weren’t really designed to do in the first place. That is, deal with the heavy rains.
I mentioned earlier how much I like to wear these pants in the spring and fall. Those tend to be a bit of the rainier times in Colorado and I have been caught in a couple of heavy rainstorms. Because of the material and the thicker, almost canvas like feel, the Outsider’s due tend to collect a bit of that water and get a little damp and heavy in a lot of rain. Again, these aren’t waterproof pants, they say resistant, and these were pretty heavy storms. But if I tell people they are great pants in the spring and fall, I figure it would only be fair to talk about this. Plus, this was the only thing I didn’t really love about the pants.
Video Review of the Kuhl Radikl Outsider Pants
I have put together a quick video review of the Kuhl Radikl Outsider Pants for those of you who like to videos. If you enjoy the video make sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel. It is free and you will get updated for all of my outdoor content.
Wrap Up of the Kuhl Radikl Outsider Pants
I have to say, I was really impressed with the Kuhl Radikl Outsider Pants and they have been added to heavy rotation in my hiking wardrobe. The pants are durable and tough. They can take the abuse I throw at my gear and show no signs of wear. They also have plenty of storage and great flexibility that allows for a ton of range of motion. The zippered side vents are great to allow for air flow and breathability. This allows the pants to be worn in more weather conditions. Overall, I was really impressed.
The only issue I really had was in a heavy rainstorm. I felt like they got heavy and absorbed some of the water but in lighter rain I haven’t seen much of an issue. I have also hiked a lot in snow and have been very happy with the performance there.
Like I said, this is in heavy rotation for me and I wear them almost every weekend that I get out hiking. They are great in fall and spring and at elevation. If you hike in a lot of wooded areas, I think they would be a great choice due to the durability and ankle adjustments that help keep debris out of your shoes. Just are really nice, all-purpose hiking pants that I enjoyed a lot.
More from the Fatman
For a list of other products that I have reviewed you can check my Product Review page here. If you have any products you would like me to review or any comments you can email me at fatmanlittletrails@gmail.com or you can follow me on any of the below social media platforms. Happy Hiking!