Best Hiking Shorts for Blue Ridge Trails: KUHL RENEGADE Review

Spring hits Danville and the first thing every hiker in the shop asks about is shorts. Not just any shorts. Shorts that can handle a full day on rocky Blue Ridge terrain without riding up, falling apart, or leaving you sunburned. We have tried dozens of hiking shorts over the years, and the pair we keep coming back to is the KUHL RENEGADE Short. It is the short we wear ourselves, and it is the one we recommend more than any other to customers heading out on Virginia trails.

KUHL has built a reputation for making outdoor apparel that looks good enough for a brewery stop after the hike and performs well enough for technical terrain. The RENEGADE is the perfect example of that philosophy.

Why We Love It

The RENEGADE is built from KUHL's exclusive DURALUX fabric, a 95% nylon, 5% spandex blend that delivers a rare combination of durability, stretch, and softness. Most hiking shorts force you to choose between tough and comfortable. The DURALUX fabric refuses that compromise. It feels soft against skin from the first wear, but the nylon construction shrugs off abrasion from rock scrambles, log crossings, and the general punishment that Blue Ridge trails hand out.

The two-way stretch is immediately noticeable. High steps over fallen trees, scrambling up boulder fields on the White Rock Creek trail, or just sitting cross-legged at a lunch spot, the fabric moves with you without binding or pulling. A gusseted crotch adds even more freedom of movement, which matters more than you think on steep ascents.

Key Features

• Eight pockets: Two front mesh chino style, two back with velcro closure, two side mesh with zipper closure, one 3D cell phone pocket, and one stealth cell phone pocket
• UPF 50+ sun protection: Maximum rating for UV blocking, critical for exposed ridgeline hiking
• Water-resistant finish: Light rain and creek splashes bead up and roll off
• Quick-dry performance: Dries fast after stream crossings or sweat-heavy climbs
• Anti-abrasion construction: Handles rock contact without pilling or tearing

Who It's For

The RENEGADE is built for the hiker who spends real time on the trail, not just casual walks but full-day outings where gear performance matters. If you are hitting Blue Ridge trails like the Appalachian Trail sections near Roanoke, the Dan River trail system, or any of the rocky scrambles in the Jefferson National Forest, these shorts will keep up.

They also work exceptionally well for travel. The quick-dry fabric means you can wash them in a hotel sink and have them ready the next morning. The clean design looks sharp enough for a restaurant dinner, and the pocket system keeps your phone, wallet, and passport organized without bulging.

"We have sold hundreds of pairs of RENEGADE shorts since we opened. The number of customers who come back and buy a second pair in a different color tells you everything you need to know about the fit." -- Moss Mountain Outfitters Team

Where to Use It

Virginia spring and summer are prime RENEGADE territory. From April through October, these shorts handle everything the Blue Ridge throws at you. The UPF 50+ rating is not a marketing gimmick; on exposed ridgeline sections where the sun beats down for hours, it makes a genuine difference in skin protection. We have hiked the Hanging Rock trail at Philpott Lake in ninety-degree heat wearing these shorts and they handled the sweat and humidity without becoming heavy or clingy.

The water-resistant finish also proved its worth on a creek crossing at the lower Dan River trail where knee-deep water would have soaked cotton shorts for hours. The RENEGADE dried within thirty minutes of reaching the far bank.

Use the Moss Mountain Kit Builder to pair these shorts with the right base layer and accessories for your next outing.

The Bottom Line

At $85, the KUHL RENEGADE Short is not the cheapest hiking short on the market. But it is the one that will still look and perform like new after two full seasons of hard use. The DURALUX fabric holds its shape wash after wash, the stitching is reinforced at every stress point, and the eight-pocket system means you actually have room for the things you need to carry on the trail.

Stop by Moss Mountain Outfitters at 326 Main Street in Danville and try them on. We stock multiple colors and sizes, and we will help you find the right fit for your build and your hiking style. Pair them with a Smartwool tee and a good pair of trail runners, and you have a warm-weather hiking kit that will handle anything from a three-mile afternoon loop to a full-day ridge traverse.

Browse the full KUHL lineup in our shop or check our trail finder for routes where you can put them to the test.

Head up. Eyes forward. Stay cool out there.