I’m generally pretty picky when it comes to hiking shorts. I usually find one pair that I like and then wear it to death, until I’m forced to buy another (usually the same model; I wore through three pairs of The North Face BTN’s in one summer).
Recently I’ve been hiking in some cheap Walmart shorts because they’re light, comfy and have pockets. They’re far from ideal, though, so when Kühl reached out to us with an opportunity to try some of their shorts, I was stoked.
I got the chance to try out their Silencr Kargo shorts, and my first impressions have been awesome. I should point out right away that although they’re called “Kargo Shorts,” they look nothing like a traditional cargo. They have a ton of pocket space, but they’re slim, stylish, and lightweight, and I feel just as comfortable wearing them on a strenuous hike as out to dinner with friends.
That’s a tough combo to get right, but these shorts do it perfectly. Read on for the full review.
Kühl Silencr Kargo Short: Tech Specs
These shorts are super technical and loaded with features. Here are the specs:
- Fabrics: Kühl REFLEX Softshell fabric (80-denier mechanical stretch polyester)
- Inseam: 8in, 10in, or 12in
- Pockets: 7 total (2 front hand, 2 back, 2 side-zippered mesh pockets, 1 stealth cell phone pocket)
- Color options: Carbon (gray), Raven (black), Storm Khaki (brown), and Khaki
- Gusseted crotch for freedom of movement
- Free Ryde comfort waistband (lined with microchamois for comfort)
- Durable water repellent finish
- UPF 50 sun protection
- MSRP: $75
- Link to view at Kuhl.com
Notes on my pair:
- I am 5’7” and 145 lbs, and have pretty beefy legs
- This review is for the 30in waist, 8in inseam short
- I have used these shorts for hiking (a total of about 10 miles), lounging around, doing some household projects (cutting down a fence, cutting and moving wood, etc.), and even swimming.
The Fit
First up, the fit. Shorts can have all the features in the world, but if they don’t fit right I won’t wear them.
I was skeptical when I opened the package because the fabric felt heavy and kind of crunchy. But after I put them on, even before the first wash, my concerns evaporated. The inner mesh is super comfortable on skin, and the articulated fit and slightly stretchy fabric allows for plenty of freedom of movement.
I was also skeptical about the “free ryde” waistband, but it actually makes a world of difference. An issue I’ve had with shorts in the past is that the waistband is made of the same material as the outer layer of the shorts themselves. With regular polyester, this can quickly become irritating and bunch up. The waistband on these shorts is made of microchamois (which, as I understand it, is basically like a microfleece), and it’s so comfy that I don’t even notice it’s there when it comes into direct contact with my skin. That’s a huge plus for me.
The Look
These shorts legitimately look great. They’re just form-fitting enough to be stylish (unlike classic baggy cargos), but aren’t so tight or short that they look ridiculous. With the 8in inseam, the bottoms are about an inch above my knees, which is exactly how I like it.
The fabric looks and feels pretty technical out of the box, but it’s not noticeable when wearing them around. Aside from the slightly visible crotch gussets, they look almost like a chino, and they’re about the dressiest pair of shorts I own at this point (which isn’t saying a whole lot, but still).
One thing I’ll note is that the leg opening may be too slim for some with beefier legs. Mine are on the beefy side and I find them to be perfect, but I prefer shorts with minimal loose fabric without being full-on skin tight. If you’re like me here, you’ll love the way these shorts fit.
The Features
These shorts are loaded with technical features. I don’t normally care all that much about features (with fit and comfort being a top priority), but I’ve found that I appreciate the extra features with these shorts.
Pockets
There are 7 total pockets; two hand pockets in the front, two in the back, two zippered mesh pockets that run down the side, and one stealth phone pocket. I always put my phone in my front pocket, but the phone pocket on these shorts is low profile and cradles my iPhone 8 phone perfectly, so I’ve been happy to use it.
I haven’t yet needed the zippered side pockets, but I tested them out with a heavy multitool, my car keys, and some protein bars and they work awesome. Again, they keep everything secure and have a low enough profile that you don’t notice extra weight dragging you down.
The zippers are also super smooth. I can’t pull them up without holding the end of the shorts down if there’s nothing in the pockets, but when you have anything in there it’s an easy one-handed operation. The mesh lining on the pockets also ensures that the shorts still breathe well.
Breathability
As far as breathability in general goes, these shorts are about mid-range. They’re certainly not an ultra-airy short like the Patagonia Strider Pros, but they don’t feel heavy and stuffy either. I probably wouldn’t choose to hike with them in super hot weather, but for warm or cool weather, they do just fine.
Durability
In the interest of full disclosure, I haven’t put these shorts through the wringer yet. But I have pushed them pretty hard in the time I’ve had them. I’ve done some hiking, bushwhacking, and yardwork, including hauling around branches and wood and cutting and carrying barbed wire.
So far I haven’t noticed even minimal signs of wear. This isn’t a big surprise after handling the material, but it’s nice to know that they hold up like I expect them to. They still look brand new, and I feel like the mesh pockets will probably start to go out before the exterior ever shows any sign of it.
Other Stuff
These shorts come with a DWR treatment, which is a nice bonus. I haven’t had them long enough to see how long it’ll take to wear off, but so far it works as DWR should. Water beads off the shorts nicely, even after several washes.
I also took a dip in the lake with them just to see how well they dry. I was pleasantly surprised that they dry about as fast as some of my lighter shorts. This is probably because of the 100% polyester material combined with mesh interior, neither of which absorb much water in the first place.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’ve been super impressed with the Kuhl Silencr Kargo Shorts. They’re super comfy and stay that way during high-effort hikes, have tons of pocket space, and look good enough to wear out to dinner. These are already my go-to everyday shorts for summer 2021, and it would take some serious competition to replace them.
Full disclosure: I received these shorts for free from Kuhl (though I’ll probably buy another pair soon), but all the opinions in this review are my own and I am not affiliated with or sponsored by Kuhl. If you’d like to check them out or buy them, head over to Kuhl.com. You can also view them at REI (10in inseam option).
Kind of spendy but if they wouldn’t sit in my drawer and get passed over day after day maybe it’s worth it. 🙂