Coast to Crest in Anika Convertible Pant

By Christine on June 19, 2023
2 min read

It’s been a long time since I’ve gone on a real hiking trip. While we have lovely state parks just outside of New York City, it’s not the same as the mountains in the west. To satisfy my need for mountain air, I planned two trips — one to the San Juan Islands in Washington State and one to the Canadian Rockies.

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Mountain Yoga in Moran State Park

The only problem? As a city slicker, I no longer had appropriate women's hiking gear. Lucky for me, I received a pair of Anika Convertible Pants before heading out west.

Anika Convertible Pant Review

I wore the convertible pant all around Moran State Park on Orcas Island and throughout Jasper and Banff National Parks. While the weather wasn’t warm enough for me to convert the pants to shorts, they were the ultimate women's hiking pants for my adventures.

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Valley of the Ten Peaks, Banff National Park

What I Loved

The pants fit like a glove and were comfortable all day long. I especially loved the KühlKURVE™ fit — the slightly higher waistband in the back eliminates any gaps around the waist. That means no more tugging up my pants over and over. Even though the pants have a relaxed fit, they didn’t feel like you were carrying extra material through the legs.

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The Rockpile at Moraine Lake, Banff National Park

I have to admit, at first, I wasn’t sure that I liked the feel of the fabric. At first touch, the material felt almost too slick and stiff. But once you put it on, it feels amazing. The fabric moves with you (it’s not constricting) and doesn’t stretch out or wrinkle. Bye bye baggy knees! Made from TUFFLEX™ fabric —  a durable softshell with stretch and a soft brushed back — the Anika Convertible Pant is lightweight, quick drying, and wrinkle resistant.

On my most recent trip to the Canadian Rockies, it rained a couple of times during our hikes. The rain didn’t soak the pants. Instead, it just beaded up on the surface and kept me dry. While the fabric is lightweight, it kept me warm on chilly days and cool on warmer days.

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More Mountain Yoga above Lake Louise, Banff National Park

And the pockets. The Anika Convertible has a slim pocket along the thigh — a perfect spot for my phone. The envelope flap closure made it super easy to access my phone while hiking, instead of digging in my backpack every time I wanted to snap a quick picture.

What I Didn't Love

Honestly, I’m digging deep to find something to criticize about these pants. The only thing that I would change is the internal drawstring. While I like that KÜHL includes this feature so you have the option of customizing the waistband, for me, the drawstring just got in the way. And I would have liked if the front pockets were a little deeper.

Making the Grade

The Anika Convertible Pant definitely earns an A for its fit and function. Retailing at $89, it’s a versatile piece for your outdoor adventures — and the ability to convert to shorts means you get even more use out of the pants!

I received KÜHL apparel for this review at no cost. I received no other compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.

Christine
Christine

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