Kuhl is a clothing company that’s known for their outdoor and lifestyle apparel. Aside from clothing, they also sell accessories such as bags, hats, and blankets.
More About Kuhl
Kuhl was founded by Kevin Boyle and his team in 1983. At the time, the company was called Alfwear and they mainly sold Peruvian-inspired hats.
It wasn’t until later on that they added apparel to their mix of products.
Nowadays, they’re one of the best-known brands when it comes to mountain apparel. Aside from their official website, you can also find their products at retailers such as REI, Paragon Sports, and Montanic Adventure Store.
Kuhl Product Selection
The brand offers a variety of comfy clothes for men and women including flannel shirts, button-downs, fleece sweaters, jackets, hiking pants, base layers, and more. Not only that but they also sell various types of waterproof clothing.
While their prices aren’t the cheapest, you get what you pay for. For example, a jacket made of waterproof fabrics can run upwards of $400, however, it’ll be durable and last you many years.
Taking Care of Kuhl Outerwear
How you care for your Kuhl clothing will determine how long they’ll last. For example, blindly tossing your jacket in the washer with other unsorted items will cause it to wear down prematurely.
The type of detergent you use matters as well. Ideally, you want to use a mild detergent, one that’s specifically formulated for synthetic fibers as that’s what they generally use for their products.
Proprietary Fabrics by Kuhl
Kuhl has their own proprietary fabrics that they use for their apparel. Here’s what you need to know.
Kuldry
Their Kuldry Stretch fabric is made from a lightweight nylon and cotton blend that’s durable and provides a full range of motion. It’s also breathable so you won’t have to deal with an icky clammy feeling when you’re out and about.
Their Kuldry collection includes jackets, sweaters, hoodies, and more.
UberKuhl
Their Uberkuhl technical fabric is made by blending nylon into a cotton weave; this gives it the feel of cotton and the durability of nylon. It’s also soft and comfortable, which makes it an ideal choice for outdoor apparel.
Their Uberkuhl collection includes hats, pants, and more.
Dynawax
Dynawax is a water and wind-resistant material that features PU coating. This protects it from weathering, abrasion, and other processes that can damage the fabric over time. On top of that, there’s a layer of synthetic wax, which adds to its durability.
Their Dynawax collection includes jackets, vests, and more.
Freeflex
Freeflex is a flexible and comfy material that’s designed for physical activity. Not only is it lightweight but it’s also moisture-wicking and quick drying.
Their Freeflex collection includes sweaters, jackets, and more.
Alfpaca Gold Fleece
Their Alpaca Gold fleece fabric is known for its warmth, durability, and performance. Knit with multi-toned yarn, it features a greater softness that’s not seen in other fleece.
Their Alfpaca Gold Fleece collection includes sweaters, jackets, and more.
How to Wash Kuhl Jacket
Kuhl offers a variety of jackets – some are filled with down while others are simple rain jackets.
Machine Washing Kuhl Jackets
Before you place your jacket in the front loading washing machine (or top loader), check the pockets – there shouldn’t be anything left inside.
Next, close all the zippers. That will prevent the hardware from damaging the fabric (either the jacket itself or your other garments) during the wash cycle. Velcro strips should also be closed if there are any.
Place your Kuhl jacket in a mesh laundry bag for extra protection and add it to the wash tub. If you’re washing a mixed load, place your other items in as well.
Measure a scoop of ACTIVE Detergent and add it to the washing machine’s detergent dispenser (or directly to the tub). Fill the washer with cool water, set it to a delicate setting and start the wash cycle.
Tip: Avoid using fabric softener – it’ll cover your jacket with a waxy layer that’ll reduce the fabric’s moisture-wicking properties.
Wait for the washing machine to finish running before opening the door and removing your waterproof jacket. If it’s a rain jacket or shell, hang it up to dry. Keep in mind, however, that you may need to reapply the waterproof coating.
If it’s a down jacket, transfer it into a dryer and dry using a low heat setting. The tumbling will help fluff out the down feathers while the heat will get rid of the moisture. Air drying can lead to mold growth as the inside won’t be able to dry completely.
Washing Kuhl Jackets By Hand
Start by filling a tub or sink with warm water. Next, create a bath by mixing in a scoop of ACTIVE Detergent. You should end up with a soapy solution.
Place the jacket in sink so it’s fully submerged in the mixture and carefully work in the soap suds by pressing the item up and down with your hands.
Let it sit in the solution for 15 to 20 minutes – that will allow the detergent to penetrate into the fibers.
Massage the fabric with your hand after soaking to get rid of any leftover soap residue.
Rinse the item under a stream of cool water until the water runs clear and there’s no more detergent left on the fabric.
If it’s a rain jacket or shell, hang it up so that it can dry naturally. Down jackets, as mentioned earlier, should be dried using the dryer. Use low heat.
Washing Guide For Kuhl Base Layers
Using a Top or Front Loading Machine
Start by turning the base layers inside out – that will protect the outer layer from the agitator and expose the inner layer to the laundry detergent. If there are zippers, make sure they’re fully closed.
Place your base layers in a mesh laundry bag and add them to the washing machine tub.
Set the cycle setting to “gentle” or “delicate” and add one scoop of ACTIVE Detergent to the wash basin or detergent dispenser. Skip the fabric softener.
Press start and run the cycle on cold water. Avoid hot water as the heat can shrink and damage the fabric.
Remove your items from the washer (and from the laundry bags as well if you’ve used them) and hang them up so that they can dry naturally. Do not put them in the dryer.
Washing Kuhl Base Layers By Hand
Bring your Kuhl base layers to a sink and fill it with water. Create a solution by adding a scoop of ACTIVE Detergent powder.
Swirl the water a few times with your hand until bubbles appear and place your items in. The fabric should be completely submerged in the detergent water. Leave it in there for 15 to 20 minutes.
Rinse your base layers with running water after soaking. You want to remove all the detergent including the soapy film layer. Transfer the items onto a clean towel once they’re soap-free and roll them up to extract the excess water out of the fabric. Let the garments air dry afterward.
Best Laundry Detergent For Kuhl Outerwear Clothing
Traditional detergents won’t cut it when it comes to cleaning Kuhl outerwear. They’re simply not designed with synthetic fibers in mind.
ACTIVE Detergent, on the other hand, is specifically formulated for these types of materials. The best part is that it’s gentle and doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals. The enzymes are also plant-based, meaning it’ll be better for your skin and the environment.
15% Off Amazon Coupon
×Click To Reveal The 15% Off Coupon Code For Your Entire ACTIVE Purchase At Amazon.com
Note: This promotional offer is only guaranteed through the end of the day.
Comments (9)
Will the Kuhl Thor 1/4″ zip shrink if placed in a dryer? What is the best way to care for this item?
I just bought the coat a few days ago…($400). I wore it after the gym and now the armpits stink. I am too scared to put it in the washer. Is it okay if I just spot clean the armpits?
Hi Kim! Yes, we’d recommend trying to spot clean the armpits first. I’m assuming you’ll be cleaning the inside of the jacket where the odor is? In that case, you should be fine doing a test spot-cleaning in there to ensure there isn’t any discoloration. Feel free to reach out with any more questions, good luck!
I just washed my Kuhl khaki hiking pants for the first time (and followed the tag instructions). I hung them to dry in the bathroom.
They have white lines now on all of the creases like wear patterns. What is going on?
Hi Paul, we’re sorry to hear that. I’m not sure what could have caused that. Did you wash them with ACTIVE Detergent or something else?
Thank you but my Kuhl jacket is not a shell , rain jacket, nor a down jacket. It is an almost 100% cotton exterior Autumn type jacket designed to “weather”. How do I dry it so it won’t shrink?
Hi Ernest! Usually the safest drying method to avoid shrinkage is to hang dry – don’t put it in the dryer. Good luck!
I made a mistake washed coat in washing machine. Do you have a product to waterproof it again?
Hi Deborah! Unfortunately at this time we don’t have a waterproofing product but maybe we will in the future. Thanks for asking!