Tough, good-looking hiking pants - Kuhl Renegade Jean Pants - Men's

I like soft-shell pants and own two pair from 15 or 18 years ago. Unfortunately, they look like the outdoor-tech clothes of that era--like I lost the rest of the spacesuit, when I wear them. Kuhl Renegade Jeans look *normal*, like regular jeans. That makes them easier to take from trail to town and back again. They also--and this is important--work well. As soon as I received them, I took them on the trail at Bryce and Zion, which were promptly hammered by stormy weather, including rain and snow. Water beaded on the pants, and when they inevitably did get wet in the sloppy conditions, they dried quickly. The fabric is just stretchy enough to make movement a bit easier. The thigh pockets are handy, well thought-out additions for storing a cell phone, pocket knife, etc. (they could use closures of some sort, but I'm not sure how that would be added without detracting from the street-wear appearance). Definitely recommended!