When we travel to Europe we often like to include hiking in our itinerary, so it’s important to pack the right gear. Finding great hiking pants has never been easy for me. I want to wear something that is super comfortable, stretchy, so they are not restricting when I’m climbing, loaded with pockets, and versatile. It’s also quite nice if they are stylish enough that you don’t feel like you’re heading out on a camping trip when you’re actually walking into a European restaurant.
Lately, I have found myself really enjoying my KÜHL FREEFLEX Roll-up Pant. Greg has enjoyed KÜHL for a while now, but this is my first pair and I’m so glad I gave them a try!
Wearing my KÜHL FREEFLEX Roll-up Pant on the coast of Newfoundland, Canada
Worn in Italy
One of the first times I wore these pants was on a full day of hiking in the Dolomites. We were staying near Badia, which is a great home base for hiking in this region.
We went to a local bakery to pick up cornetti and quickly enjoy a few espressos. I know that’s not exactly the healthiest breakfast before for a big hike, but it worked for us! Then we stopped in a small local grocery store to pick up supplies for the trail, and drove to the trail head.
We hiked about 12 miles that day, with a stop for lunch at a great rifugio frequented by hikers and bikers on the trail. When we returned to town we got a spritz with a mountain view and then headed to dinner on a family run farm. I was comfortable in my hiking pants all day and didn’t even feel that I needed to change for dinner.
From one of our hikes in the Dolomites
Comfort You Don’t Have to Think About
So, they are great for a long hike, but I have to say, these pants are really comfortable, even on a plane! They fit nicely, the waistband is wide and soft, and the fabric stretches without losing its shape. Not having to keep pulling my pants down throughout the flight is a real plus too. I hate it when my pants continue to ride up throughout the flight. These pants fall nicely back into place just as soon as you stand up. It’s a very nice improvement over some other choices I’ve made over the years.
The KÜHL FREEFLEX Roll-up is comfortable in all terrain!
Roll Them Up, Stay Cool
Another feature I really like are the roll-up snaps. It gets really hot in the middle of a summer afternoon in Europe and with these pants I can roll them up to capri length and keep going. No need to change, no need to be uncomfortably hot – I can just make a quick adjustment to my pant length and I’m good to go.
Easy Packing, Easy Care
Like most travelers, I’m always thinking about luggage space. These pants are lightweight and pack down small, which is a big win when you’re trying to fit multiple weeks of clothes into a carry-on bag. They also dry quickly, so you can wash them in a hotel sink, hang them overnight, and wear them again the next morning.
From Trails to Tables
And these pants really pass the “super versatile” test. I can wear them hiking during the day, brush off the dust, and wear the same pair to dinner at a great osteria or bistro at night. With tennis shoes or sandals, a t-shirt or a blouse, they work really well! With a scarf as an accessory, I even feel dressed up while still in my hiking pants.
The Little Things Make a Difference
The deep pockets are perfect for most of what I want to take with me, and the stitching is subtle enough that they don’t look like purely “outdoor pants.” Add in the UPF sun protection and wrinkle resistance, and you’ve got a pant that works hard without ever looking fussy. That said, I really wish the side pockets were a little deeper. My phone doesn’t fit all the way in so that I can snap it into the pockets completely. That is really the only thing I don’t like about these pants.
Great pants, just wish the pockets were a little deeper
Why They’ll Always Be in My Bag
When I pack for Europe, I want every piece of clothing to earn its spot in my suitcase. The KÜHL FREEFLEX Roll-up Pant has officially made the cut. They’re comfortable enough for long flights, versatile enough for both city strolls and hikes, and stylish enough to wear out to dinner. That combination is hard to beat.
So if you’re looking for a travel pant that will carry you from morning espresso to evening aperitivo—and on to digistif—I can wholeheartedly recommend these.
Guys, if you are looking for a great pair of hiking pants, check out Greg’s review of the KÜHL Radikl. Pant.
Dreaming of a hiking trip in Europe? We can help with that! We are here for your custom trip planning to Italy, France, Ireland, the UK and all of Europe. We are experts in creating custom travel itineraries and leading small group trips to European destinations. We also book European cruises! Feel free to reach out via email — We’re always available to talk about travel!
Betsy Ball – Betsy is co-founder and partner of Euro Travel Coach (ETC), which crafts custom European vacations for independent travelers and leads small group trips to Europe. She is a passionate and culturally curious traveler who thoroughly enjoys sharing her love for exploring Europe with ETC clients. Prior to founding ETC, Betsy taught International Business at Tarleton State University in Texas (part of the A & M System) where she led study abroad trips to multiple European countries and other worldwide destinations. She retired from teaching in 2017 and since then, Betsy and her husband, Co-founder and Partner, Greg, have been traveling through Europe multiple times per year for as many as 9 months at a time. She has a degree in hotel, restaurant management from Michigan State University and an MBA from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She also holds a Level 3 certification from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust.
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