Kühl Cragrunner Pant : Made in the U.S.A. and Still Cool

Given the umlaut over the U in "Kühl ," that the tag on the pants says that Kühl is German for "cool" and Scandinavian for "fun," given the jagged mountain icon that adorns the pants, well, I just assumed Kühl was a European-based company. That must explain why their patina-finished, well-broken-in pants were so functional and yet so hip. Au contraire, mon faire: The company is located in the shadow of the Utah's Wasatch Mountains, home to some of the best powder in the world.

Straight away it was obvious that the Cragrunners were comfortable and
durable: double-layered in the thigh, knee and seat. They're rugged
enough for mountaineers and skiers, and perfect for an over-zealous
soccer coach prowling the sidelines screaming instructions at
12-year-olds.

The articulated through the knees and gusseted inseam allows me to hoof it down a trail, ride a bike without feeling restricted, or hustle up the subway steps two at a time when I'm late for an appointment. The pocket on the left leg is designed for a cell phone, or if you're like me and don't carry one around, pens and a Metro card. The right front zippered pocket is designed to keep your wallet out of anyone else's hands, but since my wallet is nearly as ponderous as George Costanza's I stow it in the spacious rear pocket.

What makes these pants so desirable, however, is how they feel against my skin. Though they're made of rugged combed cotton canvas they're soft to the touch, inside and out.  That's Kühl by me.

Bottom Line: A cool pair of pants built for the trails or for a casual
night in Brooklyn, Utah, or Zurich.--J.G. (Nov. '07)

Price: $58

Buy Online: Alpine Sports Outlet, Get great brand name shoes at Zappos.com!

Manufacturer's Site: www.kuhlclothing.com