KUHL Silencr Hiking Pants Review

When first getting into hiking, it’s hard to justify spending almost $100 on a pair of hiking pants. But what about after having gained some experience? Is a good pair of hiking pants worth it then?

I have hiked for many years in cheap hiking pants from stores like Academy Sports and Gander Mountain, and I must admit that these have served me well. However, I recently received a pair of KUHL Silencr (no “e”) hiking pants, and the difference is worth a review.

Note: If you are torn between hiking pants or shorts, this article might aid you in your decision.

KUHL Silencr Pants Features & Specs

Before getting down to the nitty-gritty with my personal thoughts on the KUHL Silencr pants, let’s highlight some of the specs and features.

Material

The KUHL Silencr pants are made of REFLEX fabrics (100% polyester), which is lightweight and offers plenty of stretch. The fabric is also ripstop, which enhances its durability. And as any clothing used for hiking should be, the Silencr pants are moisture wicking and offers UPF 50 sun protection. The waistband is lined with comfortable micro-chamois, and to top it off, the fabric has a water-resistant finish.

Design

Though the KUHL Silencr pants have a more tapered fit, the stretch allows for them to feel more like a full fit. The gusseted crotch helps with movement so you don’t feel constrained in that region.

There are six color options and the sizes range from a 28 to 42 inches for the waist, and up to a 36 inch inseam. These ranges should be enough to fit most hikers.

Pockets

The Silencr pants also offer seven functional pockets, including cell phone pockets and a coin pocket. With this, you have places to keep your wallet, phone, spare change, and your hands, which just about covers anything you might need on the trail and more.

My Experience

Now that we have briefly highlighted the features, let’s move on to my personal experience wearing the KUHL Silencr pants. For context, I have owned these pants for several months now and have used them for hiking and have worn them around casually. I have even used them once in a game of extreme ping pong, when if you have never played before, had me jumping back and forth trying to strike a one-inch ball with what seemed like a spoon.

Initial Impression

Out of the package, I immediately could tell the difference in quality between the KUHL Silencr pants and the generic store brands I also owned. While there is no metric to measure this, the Silencr pants just felt more durable, looked more technical, and overall, just came off as pants made for a professional hiker.

Unfortunately, when I first tried the Silencr pants on, they were snugger than my typical size 32 pants. I probably would have gone up to a size 33 had I tried these on in a store. However, after an initial washing, these pants seemed to loosen up and had become much more comfortable.

The fit of these pants was what I was looking for. I like a slimmer leg, but that is my personal preference when it comes to hiking. KUHL does offer several hiking pants with a looser fit (KLASSIK FIT), like the Radikl and Renegade, if that is your preference.

Comfort

Never mind what I said previously about the snug fit. After washing the Silencr pants, they fit great. While they are still a little more snug than my typical size 32 pants, these fit comfortably to wear hiking with no complaints.

The REFLEX fabric offers enough stretch that there is no motion I have made that has been uncomfortable. From long strides to high steps, the Silencr pants remain comfortable no matter how awkward the movement, thanks in large part to the gusseted crotch.

The pants are cool enough to wear with you summer hiking outfit, but also have enough warmth for cooler weather. Obviously, you do not want to use these in extreme cold conditions, at least not without the addition of base layers underneath. Having recently hiked in the Ozarks in December with these pants at near freezing temperatures, admittedly, my legs were cold initially. However, once you get moving, the Silencr pants proved to be warm enough.

All in all, these pants have proven very comfortable, but the more fitted design will feel different if you are used to a fully fitted, or loose fit, feel.

Performance

So, the KUHL Silencr pants are comfortable, but how do they perform?

Casual walking is a breeze, as well as less technical hiking, but given the fitted design, do they offer enough stretch to tackle the toughest obstacles?

Color me impressed. These pants have not inhibited my movement whatsoever, especially when compared to previous pairs I have worn. I have been able to climb and jump logs with ease, or get down on all fours and crawl when needed.

Quick movements are easy as well, whether jogging, hopping, or however you choose to get from point A to point B. There is no movement I feel like I cannot be able to make while wearing these pants. With other pants I have worn, they offered a looser fit, but no stretch so you can only make so large a stride before you feel resistance or the dreaded rip.

Conclusion

So, is investing in a good pair of hiking pants worth it? Absolutely. Is it necessary? Well, you can get by without it. However, I don’t believe you will regret shelling out $90 for the KUHL Silencr Pants. I’m happy to have tried these out and will not be going back to my cheaper alternatives.

Bottom line, the KUHL Silencr Pants offer the comfort, functionality, and performance a hiker needs, whether you are taking a short stroll in the woods or tackling a long-distance thru-hike.

Also check out my top recommendations for hiking pants!