Bottom Line
Looking for great all-around hiking pants? Well, look no further! We’ve tested these pants everywhere from Arizona to Alaska and, after much consideration, decided they offer the best combination of fashion and function.
A plethora of positive attributes stood out in these pants. For example, we like being able to choose from six different functional pockets to store our electronics, maps, and snacks. These pants dry quickly when they get wet and are comfortable enough to wear for 12 + hours of hiking in the backcountry.
Probably our favorite thing about them is how well they stand up to getting poked, raked, and whacked by plants while off-trail hiking. These pants are DURABLE, which means that one pair of pants will last a long time, making them well worth the purchase.
For the complete side-by-side picture, compare the KUHL Freeflex Roll-Up with our other picks in the best women’s hiking pants guide.
How We Tested
Bailey Bremner tested the Freeflex in controlled mobility, dry-time, pocket, and wet-weather comparisons and wore them on rugged trips from Arizona to Alaska. Field use included off-trail travel through devil’s club and alder, creek crossings, and steep gullies.
Quick Specs
- Type: Roll-up
KUHL Freeflex Roll-Up
Best Roll-up Hiking Pants
CleverHiker Rating: 4.8/5.0
Price: $109
Measured Weight: 11.9 oz.
Inseam: 26.5 in.
Fit: Relaxed
Fabric: Polyester
Pros
- Exceptionally durable
- Soft fabric is very comfortable
- Plethora of pockets
- Articulated knees make them easy to move in
- Highly breathable
- Stylish
- Inclusive sizing
Cons
- Not very weather-resistant
Comfort & Mobility
Despite their tough construction and athletic fit, these pants give the comfy, unrestrictive joggers a run for their money. The technical fabric feels softer than typical performance pants without compromising durability so that you can rely on these pants for big objectives and extended adventures. They move well for their close-fitting style – again, more like trail joggers.
And it wasn’t just in our head; when we measured the leg restriction, the Freeflex was competitive with the best of the best. It’s really KUHL.
Comfort & Mobility Score: 4.3 / 5.0
Durability
One of the best qualities of the KUHL Freeflex Roll-up is its ability to withstand crawling through bushes, sliding down hills, surfing down scree fields, and anything else the wilderness can throw at it. We took these pants with us into the wilderness of Alaska over the summer, where we hiked off trail through devil’s club, alders, and an assortment of other plants that grow like crazy under the midnight sun. At one point, we even slid down a steep, grassy gully while wearing these pants. Other pant models used on that trip did not survive, falling victim to large tears up the legs.
The Freeflex pants were a different story: they completed the trip relatively unscathed. A few small fly-away threads and one tiny puncture on the bottom hem were the only signs of use found after two weeks in the backcountry. Thanks to their stellar performance, they are our top choice for adventuring off the beaten path.
Durability Score: 4.8 / 5.0
Breathability
Generally speaking, we anticipate that thicker, heavier-duty materials will take longer to dry, but not so with the KUHL Freeflex pants! In our side-by-side tests, they ended up being the third fastest to dry, which came as a pleasant surprise. Out in the field, we wore these pants while fording multiple glacial-fed streams and creeks in Alaska.
Even with cooler temperatures and higher humidity, they dried off relatively quickly. When it came to wicking sweat, the Freeflex Roll-up pants were about equal to many of the looser-fitting and thinner fabric models we tried out.
Breathability Score: 4.4 / 5.0
Features
Those who love large, usable pockets: rejoice! The KUHL Freeflex pants sport six different pockets, all large enough to fit a modern smartphone. These pants have two hip pockets, two leg pockets, and two butt pockets. The leg and butt pockets all have an envelope-style snap closure to help secure items.
We like these snap closures because they are easier to manipulate with one hand, particularly on the non-dominant side, and do not wear out as quickly as zippers. We only wish the rear pockets were slightly deeper because the snaps would not easily close over an iPhone 15 Pro. But these pants are so great, we might just have to get a smaller phone.
Some other features that the Freeflex pants include are belt loops and a drawstring to tighten the pants. These Roll-Up pants also have snaps to secure the bottom of the pants at calf height for better ventilation and stream crossings.
Features Score: 4.9 / 5.0
Weather Resistance
We had to really dig deep to find a fault in the Freeflex pants. However, like many hiking pants, weather resistance is where they fall a bit short. While wearing these pants in snow and rain and crossing creeks, it became apparent that they do not shed water. Instead, they absorb moisture relatively easily.
Because these pants are not softshell or rain pants, they are not necessarily designed to be moisture-resistant. Breathability and weather resistance are inversely related: it is hard to find materials that can provide both features simultaneously. In this case, KUHL chose breathability over water resistance, which is just something that users need to be aware of when selecting the best pair of pants for their situation.
Weather Resistance Score: 3.9 / 5.0
Should You Buy the KUHL Freeflex Roll-Up Pants?
A wide variety of pants cater to different best-use cases. In our experience, the KUHL Freeflex Roll-Up pants are great all-around pants but really excel in durability, breathability, and features. We typically choose these pants for more rugged adventures where performance is our top concern. They are reasonably comfortable and stylish, but that isn’t their main focus.
Those looking for a pair of hiking pants to take on short, easy trips before running errands in town may not find these pants to be the best choice. Likewise, they will not keep out the rain unless paired with a pair of rain pants. If neither of those areas is a top concern, then the Freeflex pants are a great all-around choice at a reasonable price.
What Other Pants Should You Consider?
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Review: The Ferrosi is the better choice for hikers who want more water resistance and easier mobility on maintained trails without moving far from the Freeflex price range. The tradeoff is durability: our Ferrosi pair pilled in brushy terrain, while the Freeflex held up much better during rugged off-trail use.
prAna Halle Straight Review: Bordering on softshell territory, the Halle Straight pants offer more weather resistance than the KUHL Freeflex pants. They are relatively comfortable, breathable, and durable at a similar price point. The most significant tradeoff is smaller pockets.
Arc’teryx Gamma Pant Review: For those looking to maximize durability and weather resistance, the Gamma pants might provide the right solution. These pants perform well in rain or snow, better than any other pants we tried, which makes them great for shoulder season and winter. The most significant tradeoff is a heftier price tag: they cost more than any other pants we tried.
