I love these shorts. I know the reviews are saying that they run small but I did not have a problem with them at all. I am short with wide hips and I went with a size 6 which is my standard pants/shorts size. I like them for the fit, function, and color. Its nice to have a pair of shorts I can wear that doesn't look like a pair of daisy dukes. They are fast drying (which is super nice) and practical for long days hiking. Would totally recommend to a friend.

I am in between two sizes and took the higher size. Perfect. If you have an athletic build with a little curve in the butt/hips - these will be perfect. I usually like shorter shorts since longer ones (yup, 5.5" is long to me) are not flattering (they hide the overall muscular/nice shape of my quads). But these are SO flattering. And ok, let's move to fit and functionality. Perfect fit (again, size up) - a little room but fitted (nothing flapping), higher in back but not so high (like those weird high waist jeans in style now) that it pulls on your back; just right in front. A tiny bit of room at the back (waist) for me but no gap, just breathing room. Lower side zip pocket - genius. Carbon color is gorgeous. Fabric is soft but sturdy. Just wore these in the FL Keys, cleaning up after Hurricane Irma, and they dried quickly, were soft and fresh even on sticky skin, and so good for my tired back. Buying another pair right now!

I wanted to love these shorts, but sadly I had to return them. They were too snug for a hip-y girl like me. Kuhl makes great clothes, with quality fabrics. If you are an athletic build with a straight body type, these are the shorts for you. If you are like me, carrying most of your weight in your hips and thighs, these shorts will likely be too small. For the hourglass/pear shaped ladies out their, try the Kuhl Kontra shorts for a perfect fit!

I typically love Kuhl shorts but I could not get these to work for me, and I tried two different sizes. The rise is too short, the snap unwieldy. Too bad for the material and length is nice.

UPDATE: Like I said... Love these shorts... bought a second pair!

LOVE these shorts! Size works great for me, but we're all unique... I just try everything on. Multi-pockets are handy.

Shorts are nice and comfortable. Button is difficult to clasp sometimes. I'm normally a size 10 with any other company, but I had to order these sz 16 which was frustrating because it took many tries to get it right! If the zipper was a little longer then it would open wider and I could get a smaller size over my hips, but had to get the next size up to get them on. Im 5'10, 180 lbs, heavier on the bottom. Regardless, I like the quality of shorts and would buy them again.

I wanted to keep these shorts but the size 2 ran too small for me. I'm 5'4" and I wear a size 2 in almost every brand. These definitely were one size too small. I could barely get them over my hips and 26" waist. I would've also preferred an extra inch or two in the length. Unfortunately, I had to return them. I liked the style and color, just the wrong size.

Last winter I happened across some Kuhl brand pants that fit like a dream and I love, love, love them. So I was really excited to try these shorts. Sadly, they just don't work for me. The pants I have are size 6 but neither size 6 or 8 of these shorts fit me. I'm around 5'4, 130# w/ generous hips and thighs. The 6's were too, too small in all respects. The 8's were closer but they were snug through my hips and thighs but gapping at the back of the waist. (Kind of the story of my life.) If you have the "right" body shape for these shorts I think they'd be great-cute style, nice fabric (a bit thicker than I expected, not obvious "hiker shorts" thin nylon), great colors. But, sadly, I had to send them back.

I love these shorts. I usually wear a 12 in Kuhl, but I wanted more room in the seat for long days of kayak fishing, so I went up to a 14 and wear them with a belt. They look good, are comfortable, dry quickly, and look good going hiking or going out with friends.

These shorts are perfect for me. I'm 5'2", 122#, and the 4 fits perfectly. I usually wear a 4, but other reviews stated they run small so I ordered a 6. The 6 was way too big, so I returned them for my usual 4. The 6 1/2" length is just right also. 5" length always feels too short for me. The waist is not too high either. Not too high, not too low. Will definitely buy again even though they are a bit pricey!

I like these shorts for hiking. At a Moab, Utah yoga retreat I wore them on a hike and when we stopped for a little impromptu yoga photo shoot, the shorts did just fine.

They do run a little small so get over yourself and just buy a size up.

KUHL is a "cool" company. I just love the story of how they came to be and always feel happy to support them.

My go to shorts for just about everything outdoors. I already had a pair of these and was looking for more and found them here. These are a great length (6" inseam ). You also get 2 front pockets that lay flat, 2 back pockets and a zippered lower leg front pocket to stash a credit card or cash or whatever ! Fabric is perfect weight as it is not too thick or too thin; it has some body to it. Feels like cotton, but is cotton, nylon and a little Lycra. Great combo! As far as size, I am usually a 6, but I buy size 8 in these and they are perfect. Will buy them as long as they make them!

We purchased these shorts for our crew that traveled with the 2013 Tour of Utah, all the ladies wore these shorts, and the overall problems were that they are too tight in our normal sizes, and then the next size up is too big. So the sizing is off. The length was perfect and I still wear them because I love the length, but the fabric used was not stretchy at all, so for a short you want to be able to hike and even bike in, its just not that great. simple fixes could save this piece.

I returned them because the fit was too tight for the size. The length seemed good but it runs very small for the sizing.

Shorts fit well and wash up nicely. Size...I think they are the "real" size - meaning BEFORE sizes were made bigger to make you think you were smaller. So they are true to size. I love the length and the extra pocket on the leg. They're comfortable in warmer weather, too. These are a keeper and I'm happy I bought 2 pair!

I was looking for hiking shorts for a trip to Costa Rica and to use in my usual stomping grounds of Utah and Colorado. Loved the 2-day shipping from Backcountry. I'm 5'4" and 118: the size 4 was uncomfortably snug and the size 6 too big. I can usually wear a 6 petite and, if not available, a regular 4. But in this particular style short, a 6 petite would have been great, but I didn't see these shorts in petite sizes. The fabric was cotton-like with stretch. They seemed sturdy, but light at the same time and had bunches of cool pockets. Nice colors, too. (I liked the charcoal, black and even the brighter splash color) The waist fit well on these shorts without any gapping. Besides needing petite sizing in this short, I thought the short was cut a little "square"-- but mostly my body type can't handle square cut because I have shorter legs. Besides needing petite sizing, everything else about these shorts is fantastic.