Kühl Craghopper Pants : Baggy, Rugged, Cool

I'd just flown from New York to San Francisco to compete in the US National Surf Ski Champs, a 16-mile kayak race in the windswept bay. As I waited by the luggage carousel, a guy with a mountainous pile of bags -- he was relocating from the Big Apple to San Fran - asked me who made the pants I was wearing. Sort of a strange question from a stranger, I thought, but they are neat pants.

"Kühl ," I said, which is the brand name and the German spelling of cool. "Cool," he said. "That's right," I replied and, well, it went on that way for a while until I felt compelled to show him the Kühl label inside the waistband.

By any spelling we were both right. Craghoppers (not the coolest name) are both functional and Euro-groovy. The fit is relaxed; the material rugged on the outside but soft on your skin due to what the company calls "soft-brushed Kanvas." While you could easily hike in them, and even hop a crag or two, they're stylish enough to bop around town in and comfortable enough to handle a five-hour flight. And I haven't even mentioned the gusseted crotch or articulated knees.

What I especially appreciate, however, are the well-designed pockets. The front pockets are deep and easy to get your hands in and out of. There's a zipped pocket on each side for wallet, airline ticket, cell phone - you name it -- as well as a slimmer open pocket on the right leg that is ideal for a pen, compass, pocketknife, or iPod.

Bottom Line: Comfortable, functional, rugged, and, so Kühl that you may have to endure more than a few un-cool conversations.--J.G. (Sept. '06)

Price: $54

Manufacturer's Site: www.alfwear.com

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