Men's Travel Shorts
Hit the Road, Trail, and Town in KÜHL Men's Travel Shorts
Built for the kind of day that starts at a café and ends at a trailhead, KÜHL men's travel shorts move easily between destinations without trading off performance for polish.
Choose from a variety of fabrics, styles, and features for the men's travel shorts that are right for you:
Lightweight Hot-Weather Performance. When the temperature climbs, DURALUX™ softshell carries the load. Soft to the touch, breathable, and quick-drying with a DWR finish and UPF 50+ sun protection, it shrugs off splashes and dries on the walk back to the hotel.
Stretch Mobility. Travel shorts built on REFLEX™ 4-way stretch with a gusseted crotch and articulated construction give you full freedom of motion, climbing into a rental, scrambling up to a viewpoint, or just sitting on a long bus ride without the fabric fighting back.
Smart Cargo Carry. Some days you need pockets. Low-profile cargo pockets keep storage capacity without the bulk, and the EQUALIZR™ rear pocket distributes phone or wallet weight evenly so nothing pulls or sags as you move. For deeper trail and EDC storage, see our men's cargo shorts collection.
Water-to-Land Versatility. Amphibious styles built on quick-dry ripstop with a DWR finish handle a swim, a paddle, or a river crossing and dry by the time you're back at the bar.
City-to-Trail Crossovers. Clean chino styling with technical stretch reads right at dinner and still performs on a day hike, while ripstop-built styles with reinforced construction lean harder into the trail without losing the everyday-wearable cut.
Look for signature touches across the category: the FreeRyde™ waistband for no-dig comfort under a pack hip-belt, a gusseted crotch and articulated construction for unrestricted movement, a hidden security pocket for passports and cards, and zip-secure storage for what you can't afford to lose.
Built for the kind of day that starts at a café and ends at a trailhead, KÜHL men's travel shorts move easily between destinations without trading off performance for polish.
Choose from a variety of fabrics, styles, and features for the men's travel shorts that are right for you:
Lightweight Hot-Weather Performance. When the temperature climbs, DURALUX™ softshell carries the load. Soft to the touch, breathable, and quick-drying with a DWR finish and UPF 50+ sun protection, it shrugs off splashes and dries on the walk back to the hotel.
Stretch Mobility. Travel shorts built on REFLEX™ 4-way stretch with a gusseted crotch and articulated construction give you full freedom of motion, climbing into a rental, scrambling up to a viewpoint, or just sitting on a long bus ride without the fabric fighting back.
Smart Cargo Carry. Some days you need pockets. Low-profile cargo pockets keep storage capacity without the bulk, and the EQUALIZR™ rear pocket distributes phone or wallet weight evenly so nothing pulls or sags as you move. For deeper trail and EDC storage, see our men's cargo shorts collection.
Water-to-Land Versatility. Amphibious styles built on quick-dry ripstop with a DWR finish handle a swim, a paddle, or a river crossing and dry by the time you're back at the bar.
City-to-Trail Crossovers. Clean chino styling with technical stretch reads right at dinner and still performs on a day hike, while ripstop-built styles with reinforced construction lean harder into the trail without losing the everyday-wearable cut.
Look for signature touches across the category: the FreeRyde™ waistband for no-dig comfort under a pack hip-belt, a gusseted crotch and articulated construction for unrestricted movement, a hidden security pocket for passports and cards, and zip-secure storage for what you can't afford to lose.
Everything you need to know about choosing KÜHL men's travel shorts: inseam length, fabric, pockets, fit, and how they compare to hiking and cargo styles.
What should you look for in men's travel shorts?
The best men's travel shorts combine a stretch technical fabric, a gusseted crotch, a DWR finish, and UPF 50+ sun protection in a fit that works for both a flight and a trail.
Skip cotton. It soaks up sweat, dries slowly, and chafes under a pack belt. Look instead for a nylon-spandex blend or a ripstop softshell with 4-way stretch, like DURALUX™ or REFLEX™. The construction matters as much as the fabric: a gusseted crotch and articulated build keep the shorts from binding when you sit cross-legged on a plane or stride uphill, and a brushed-interior waistband prevents friction during long days on the move.
Skip cotton. It soaks up sweat, dries slowly, and chafes under a pack belt. Look instead for a nylon-spandex blend or a ripstop softshell with 4-way stretch, like DURALUX™ or REFLEX™. The construction matters as much as the fabric: a gusseted crotch and articulated build keep the shorts from binding when you sit cross-legged on a plane or stride uphill, and a brushed-interior waistband prevents friction during long days on the move.
What inseam length should you choose for travel shorts?
For travel shorts, an 8-inch inseam is the most versatile pick, with 10-12 inches for more coverage and 5-7 inches for hot, casual, or active days.
Shorter inseams (5-7 in.) move freely and breathe well in heat, but show more leg, good for poolside and resort travel, less ideal for restaurants with a dress code. The mid-range 8-inch inseam reads neat in town and still gives you trail-ready movement. Longer 10-12 inch inseams offer more sun coverage and pair better with a daypack, which is why our men's hiking shorts collection skews longer.
Shorter inseams (5-7 in.) move freely and breathe well in heat, but show more leg, good for poolside and resort travel, less ideal for restaurants with a dress code. The mid-range 8-inch inseam reads neat in town and still gives you trail-ready movement. Longer 10-12 inch inseams offer more sun coverage and pair better with a daypack, which is why our men's hiking shorts collection skews longer.
What's the difference between hiking, cargo, and casual shorts?
Hiking shorts prioritize stretch, UPF 50+, and quick-dry fabric for trail miles. Cargo shorts add deep thigh pockets for gear. Casual shorts are built for everyday wear with softer styling.
Travel shorts sit in the middle: technical enough to perform like hiking shorts, clean enough to wear like casual shorts, and often offering cargo-style storage without the heavier load. If you want the lightest, most relaxed cut for off-duty days, our men's casual shorts lean further into easygoing fit.
Travel shorts sit in the middle: technical enough to perform like hiking shorts, clean enough to wear like casual shorts, and often offering cargo-style storage without the heavier load. If you want the lightest, most relaxed cut for off-duty days, our men's casual shorts lean further into easygoing fit.
Are travel shorts good for swimming or water activities?
Yes, many KÜHL travel shorts are built on quick-dry fabrics with a DWR finish, which makes them comfortable for stream crossings, paddling, and short swims.
Amphibious styles in this category use a ripstop or softshell blend that sheds water, dries fast, and resists snags. That said, if your day is built around the water (pool, ocean, kayaking), start with our men's swim shorts collection, which is purpose-built with mesh-lined, faster-draining construction.
Amphibious styles in this category use a ripstop or softshell blend that sheds water, dries fast, and resists snags. That said, if your day is built around the water (pool, ocean, kayaking), start with our men's swim shorts collection, which is purpose-built with mesh-lined, faster-draining construction.
What about pockets, what should the layout include?
A travel-ready pocket layout includes deep hand pockets, at least one zip-secure pocket for passport and cards, and a flat-sitting cargo or thigh pocket sized for a phone.
KÜHL travel shorts pair these basics with signature touches: a hidden security pocket inside the waistband for cash or a hotel key, and the EQUALIZR™ rear pocket, which distributes weight evenly so nothing pulls or sags when you load it. Low-profile cargo pockets keep capacity without bulking up the silhouette.
KÜHL travel shorts pair these basics with signature touches: a hidden security pocket inside the waistband for cash or a hotel key, and the EQUALIZR™ rear pocket, which distributes weight evenly so nothing pulls or sags when you load it. Low-profile cargo pockets keep capacity without bulking up the silhouette.
How should travel shorts fit at the waistband and in the seat?
Travel shorts should sit comfortably at the natural waist without digging in under a pack hip-belt, with a relaxed-but-not-baggy seat that allows full range of motion.
The FreeRyde™ waistband is built specifically for this: flat construction, a touch of internal stretch, and no pressure points after hours of sitting or walking with a load. Pair that with a gusseted crotch and articulated build and the shorts move with you whether you're climbing into a tuk-tuk or hiking up a coastal trail.
The FreeRyde™ waistband is built specifically for this: flat construction, a touch of internal stretch, and no pressure points after hours of sitting or walking with a load. Pair that with a gusseted crotch and articulated build and the shorts move with you whether you're climbing into a tuk-tuk or hiking up a coastal trail.
