The Kuhl Hiking Pants I Basically Live in Are a Very Rare 25% Off at REI Right Now
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Why It's a Good Deal
A good pair of hiking pants will stand up to the abrasion of rocks and branches, flex with your body as you scramble up a boulder, and allow your legs to breathe in the process. But a great pair of hiking pants can do all that and blend in with the rest of your life immediately after. It sounds crazy, but that’s the versatility I found in this pair from Kuhl, and right now, you can get them on sale at REI.
Right now, the Kuhl Deceptr hiking pants are on sale for $74 at REI—a 25% discount on the original $99 price tag. They're available at this price in three colors—some with more sizes left than others—and come in waist sizes 28 through 42 and in 30- and 32-inch inseams. This pair is one of the top-rated styles among REI shoppers, and after using them, I think I know why.
Kuhl Deceptr Hiking Pants, $74 (was $99) at REI
What Shoppers Should Know
- Material: 76% nylon/15% elastane/9% polyester
- UPF Rating: 50+
- Fit: Slim
- Weight: 11 ounces
- Pockets: Front hand pockets (2), back pockets (2), thigh pockets (2), hidden rear zippered pocket (1)
- Best For: Cool to warm-weather hikes, everyday wear
The Kuhl Deceptr hiking pants are ready to outlast any environment, whether it’s an encounter with a bear or your boss. They’re made with Tufflite fabric, which combines nylon, elastane, and polyester into a matte-finish pant that’s durable but forgiving and UPF 50+ protective.
They’ve also been given a water-resistant treatment that helps ward off light rain or even spills. Considered a slim fit, Kuhl has cut these pants with an articulated leg and added a gusseted crotch to create a more ergonomic fit that feels natural without looking weird. The brand has also included no less than seven different pockets for various uses.
Kuhl calls these pants “chinos with an alter ego.” It’s one thing if you call a lumber yard your office, but wearing hiking pants for a marketing or finance job seems counterintuitive. Fortunately, dress codes have mostly simmered down, making way for more creativity when getting dressed for work. The Deceptr pant is the perfect complement to a lax but respectful getup. It pairs nicely with a button-down shirt and a sweater or even just a clean hooded sweatshirt and some business casual sneakers.
What Shoppers Are Saying
REI shoppers are taking full advantage of these hybrid pants, with many finding them super comfortable, thanks to a wide range of sizes, and ready for any adventure. “These are my favorite by far,” a shopper said. “I own a few other Kuhl pants as well as some other ‘technical’ style pants. These are the best. They feel great and can really fit about any need; travel, office, casual, etc.”
My Honest Opinion
I've worn Kuhl's Deceptr hiking pants on multiple hikes in Southern California since about March of 2025. I typically like to wear Prana's Stretch Zion or sometimes Fjallraven's Vidda Pro, depending on the expected terrain and vegetation, but what I found in the Deceptr was something slightly different.
The Deceptr takes all the things I love about athleisure and has transposed them into an outdoor-suitable piece of gear. That means the stretchy fabric from joggers, the comfort waistband from a pair of sweatpants, and the style and fit I'd expect from a pair of Vuori pants are now molded into something hybrid, fit for the trail.
What's neat here is that you can wear these for more than hiking. The way they've been designed is so universal that they really don't look out of place during post-trek burgers and beers at the local pub or with a pair of sneakers and a hoodie on errand-running days.
The fit is critical, though—you need to nail it. Kuhl added a gusseted crotch—a huge difference maker—and used its flexible Tufflite fabric to make the fit work. Make no mistake—this is a slim-fit pair of hiking pants. I normally wear a 34x30, and that worked for me in these. I wouldn't be upset about taking one size larger, though, and if you like more room in the seat and thigh, I'd actually recommend it.
Kuhl gear seldom goes on sale, so outdoor lovers are scooping up Kuhl’s bestselling Deceptr hiking pants while the getting is good. Don’t wait to get yours—once sizes are sold out, they’ll only be available at full price at the Kuhl site.