BackpackGearTest
  Guest - Not logged in 

Reviews > Clothing > Pants and Shorts > Flannel Lined Original Mountain Pants > Test Report by Ryan Lane Christensen

Asolo
courtesy of mountainkhakis.com

Mountain Khakis

Flannel-Lined
Original Mountain Pants

Test Series by
Ryan Christensen

Last Update - March 16, 2010

front lining rear
[ images courtesy of http://www.mountainkhakis.com ]

ACCESS MAIN REPORT SECTIONS VIA THESE LINKS:

INITIAL REPORT
November 2, 2009

FIELD REPORT
December 30, 2009

LONG-TERM REPORT
March 16, 2010

INITIAL REPORT
November 2, 2009

Reviewer Information

Backpacking Background

Name:  Ryan L. Christensen
Age:  45
Gender:  Male
Height:  6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:  235 lb (107 kg)
Email:  bigdawgryan(at)yahoo(dot)com
City, State, Country:   Idaho Falls, Idaho, USA

I began backpacking at twelve, continuing until 25. After an extended hiatus, due in part to a bad back, I resumed cycling, hiking, and backpacking several years ago. I also began snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. I share my love for backpacking and these other sports with my children. I am a midweight backpacker, but carry a full array of necessary gear.
 

Product Information:

The information listed below taken from both
Mountain Khakis product tags and website.

Flannel-Lined OMP
Manufacturer: Mountain Khakis
Jackson, Wyoming and Charlotte, North Carolina
Manufacturer website: http://www.mountainkhakis.com
Place of Manufacture: China
Year Manufactured: 2009
Materials: Pants: pre-washed and brushed 10.4 oz (295 g)
100% cotton duck canvas
Lining: cotton flannel
Zipper: solid brass YKK zipper
Colors Available: Yellowstone (khaki tan)
Freestone (khaki gray)
Sizes Available: 32W / 30I - 42W / 34I
2 in (5 cm) increments in both waist and length
Warranty: "We guarantee everything we make. No more. No less!"
MSRP: $89.95 US

Product Specifications
Manufacturer's Specifications  
Rise: 11 in (28 cm)
Weight: Not Listed
Tester's Actual Measurements  
Weight: [40W / 32I] 2 lb 3.9 oz (1,107.7 g)
Size & Color Tested: 40W / 32I
Freestone

Product Description:

Mountain Khakis (MK) is located in Jackson, Wyoming a mere 90 mi (145 km) from the town in which I live. The MK Flannel-Lined Original Mountain Pant (OMP), hereafter referred to as "pant or OMP" is a straight-legged pant with a looser fit through the legs. The OMP differs from traditional khakis in at least two ways. First, it is made of a canvas fabric. And second, it is designed as a rugged "all-purpose, outdoor pant" rather than merely a casual pant. In fact, MK, whose slogan is "Built for the Mountain Life" markets this pant for the following uses "camp / fly fish / travel / base camp / ranch." MK designs its products "to be durable, yet comfortable." The exterior of the canvas is soft to the touch. However, do not be deceived by its softness; this is one tough fabric. MK says it is "extremely abrasion resistant due to the double ply weave on both the warp (lengthwise threads crossed by and interlaced with the weft) and weft (horizontal threads interlaced through the warp)."

pocket cuff

Listed features of the OMP include the following:

  • Riveted Metal Button
  • Ergonomically Designed Deep Drill Pockets
  • Hidden Pocket [shown above left]
  • Triple Stitching
  • Two-Ply Cuff Panel [shown above right]

fly Notice the graupel (soft hail) in the two photos just above and the one on the right? It was serendipitous; the white stuff began falling just before I laid the pant down to take photos. I felt the graupel provided a nice effect for a pant designed for cold and/or winter wear.

There is one major feature of this pant not listed above--flannel lining. The green tartan flannel adds to the overall comfort and warmth provided by the pant. Another feature missing from the list above is the grosgrain ("a heavy, corded ribbon or cloth of silk or rayon") sewn inside the waistband and along the zipper in the fly. I assume the grosgrain along the zipper is intended to protect the canvas fabric. I am unsure, however, of the purpose of the grosgrain in the waistband. I believe the use of the grosgrain adds to the overall quality of the pant. Both of these features are shown in the photo on the right. Another feature not included in the list above is MK's signature diamond-shaped action gusset in the crotch.

This pant has five pockets; the traditional two in the back, and two in the front. However, there is an extra "hidden" pocket in the front on the right side (shown in photo above left). All five pockets are nicely sized. There are six belt loops, with two located in the back, approximately 3 in (7.6 cm) apart. The YKK 4.5 metal zipper has a robust, semi-automatic slider. According to the YKK website, semi-automatic means "When the pull-tab is lowered, it locks. When the pull-tab is raised, it unlocks." This is the very same zipper used in an extremely popular brand of denim jeans.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Machine washable; warm water
  • Drier friendly; tumble dry on low
  • Desired results are best achieved when pants are promptly removed from the dryer while still a little damp.
  • Lay pants flat to dry and to avoid wrinkling.
  • May shrink up to 1/4 in (0.64 cm) in the length only, following all washing and drying instructions. All MK's have an additional 1/2 in (1.3 cm) in length to accommodate shrinkage over the life-span of the pant.

Initial Impression:

threadsI really like the look and feel of this pant. The exterior fabric is soft to the touch. The flannel lining is equally soft to the touch. The OMP appears to be constructed of quality materials. Generally, the workmanship also appears to be of high quality. However, there are several loose or frayed threads. They are primarily located on the waistband, both exterior and interior, belt loops, and the button hole. Four examples of this are shown in the photo on the right. Although these should not diminish overall performance of the pant, it is disheartening to me to find these minor flaws in what otherwise appears to be a very high quality product.

This pant runs small. I normally wear a 38 in (96.5 cm) waist. However, the pant I am testing is a 40 in (101.6 cm) waist. To me, running a size smaller than indicated is a negative against the Flannel-Lined OMP. Under "How do I know which size to purchase for a man, woman or child?" in the FAQs on its website, MK says "Men's - The fit of the men's pant runs true to size. If you would normally wear a 34" waist, buy the 34". However, if you find that you usually fall between sizes, you should buy the larger size." The sizing chart on MK's website says "Fit ease varies from garment to garment depending on design and fabric." However, it does not tell the consumer that this pant runs a size small in the waist. Had I not been notified of this in advance, I would have been very frustrated with having to send the pant back and order the next larger size. Adding to the consumer's confusion is the statement in the FAQs on the MK website under "Do your Men's pants have different fits?" which says "The answer to this question would be, yes! Our MK styles including the Alpine Utility pant, Original Mountain Pant, Cottonwood Cords, Teton and Lake Lodge Twill and our new Jean for Fall 2008 each have a slightly different fit according to the collection they are associated with." At a minimum, I believe MK should add a statement to its sizing chart to the effect that their flannel-lined OMP runs a size smaller than indicated.

Initial Testing:

After removing the pant from the plastic bag in which they came, I thoroughly inspected the OMP. The seams are straight and tight. However, as indicated above, I found several loose or fraying threads. Next, I tried the pants of for fit. Although I wear a 38 in (96.5 cm) waist this 40 in (101.6 cm) OMP fit me perfectly in the waist. The 32 in (81.3 cm) length also fit me perfectly. The flannel lining was very soft and comfortable next to my skin. After moving about in the pant, I really noticed the additional room and comfort provided by the signature diamond-shaped action gusset in the crotch. There was not the restriction and occasional pinching that occurs with other pants. Consequently, these may become my favorite pant; forcing me to buy the unlined version to wear in warmer conditions. All five pockets are very roomy. The semi-automatic zipper worked as designed.

Initial Likes:

Initial Dislikes:

  • Fit
  • Style
  • Comfort
  • Quality
  • Sizing

Top of Page


FIELD REPORT
December 30, 2009

Summary:

During the Field Test phase, I wore the pants approximately ten days. These included wearing the pants several days to work, wearing them in our first real cold spell while shoveling snow, and on an overnight outing to Island Park, ID in mid-December.

To date, the pants have been extremely comfortable; warm in even the coldest of temperatures; and they shed the dry, powdery snow very well. I have been extremely pleased thus far with the fit and performance of these pants.

Likes Thus Far Dislikes Thus Far
  • Fit
  • Style
  • Comfort
  • Quality
  • none

Field Locations and Test Conditions:

In SnowI have worn the OMP approximately ten days both to work/kicking about town and when shoveling snow during our first real cold spell of the year. Skies varied from partially overcast to completely overcast with periods of snow. The lowest temperature I experienced during this phase of the test was -16 F (-27 C).

I also wore the OMP on an overnight outing to Island Park, ID with my sons' BSA Venturing Crew. The elevation was approximately 6,293 ft (1,918 m). As shown in the photo on the right, the sky was gray and overcast. Temperatures ranged from a high of 24 F (-4 C) to a low of 12 F (-11 C).

Observations:

Thus far these pants have performed exceptionally well. The first thing that sticks out from the field testing is how comfortable they are. I really like the cut of these pants, they fit great in both length and waist. The diamond-shaped action gusset in the crotch really enhances the overall comfort of these pants: not nearly as much constricting/pinching while seated as with other pants. The second thing that sticks out is performance. During the field testing phase of this test series, we had a cold spell that lasted a week or so. I personally experienced temperatures as low -16 F (-27 C). An occasional mild wind gust simply increased the cold. The OMP were much warmer than jeans or regular khakis. They also did a decent job blocking the wind.

Our Island Park outing was planned to include snowshoeing. However, as far as snow goes, there was only about 12 in (30 cm) of very dry powder on the ground where we were. Although snowshoes were not needed, we did get some walking in. As shown in the photo above on the right, I wore my GORE-TEX gaiters. But, I both knelt and sat in the snow to see how the OMP would withstand the snow. Because the snow was so dry, there was no problem with the pants becoming wet. The snow did not even stick to the pants. A simple brush or two was all that was needed to remove the snow from the pants. I was warm the entire time.

The pockets in these pants are quite large; more than adequate for the things I normally carry: wallet, keys, knife, and change, lip balm, etc. The zipper has operated smoothly without a single catch. Overall, I have been very pleased with these pants. So much so, that I will most likely purchase a pair of the non flannel-lined pants to try them in the very near future.

Top of Page


LONG TERM REPORT
March 16, 2010

Summary:

During the Long-Term test phase, I wore the pants approximately ten days. These included five urban snowshoe outings as well as shoveling snow. High temperatures were in the low 30s F (0 F) and the low temperature was -4 F (-20 C).

To date, the pants have been extremely comfortable; warm in even the coldest of temperatures (I did wear a baselayer on the coldest days during this phase; and they shed the dry, powdery snow very well. I have been extremely pleased thus far with the fit and performance of these pants.

Likes Dislikes
  • Fit
  • Style
  • Comfort
  • Quality
  • None

Field Locations and Test Conditions:

I wore the pants on five urban snowshoe outings and when shoveling snow in Idaho Falls, Idaho, which has an elevation of approximately 4,705 ft (1,434 m). On the very coldest days, I wore them with a high-tech baselayer bottom. High temperatures were in the low 30s F (0 F) and the low temperature was -4 F (-20 C). Temperatures have warmed sufficiently that these pants have been too warm to wear in Idaho Falls.

The weekend of March 12-13, I wore the pants on an overnight outing to Island Park, Idaho. Located along the Idaho / Montana border, Island Park has an elevation of approximately 6,293 ft (1,918 m). On this outing, the overnight low was 3 F (-16 C) and the daytime high was 37 F (3 C).

Observations:

As was the case during the previous phase, the pants have performed well during the final phase of this test series. They continue to fit well. Spring has begun and temperatures fluctuate greatly. I was only able to wear the pants on the colder days. Accompanied by a mid-weight baselayer bottom, the pants kept me warm on the coldest days during this phase of the test.

I have laundered these pants numerous times. The have faired well; no shrinking, no noticeable fading, the loose threads identified in my Initial Report have not gotten any worse. There is no pilling of the flannel lining either.

I really like the fit and performance of these pants. Consequently, I plan to wear the flannel-lined OMP in colder temperatures for years to come. Furthermore, because of my experience during this test series, I plan to purchase the non-lined MK Original Mountain Pant on my next trip to Jackson, Wyoming.


This concludes my Test Series. I really enjoyed testing the Flannel-Lined OMP. Thanks to Mountain Khakis and BackpackGearTest for allowing me to participate in this test.

Top of Page



Read more reviews of Mountain Khakis gear
Read more gear reviews by Ryan Lane Christensen

Reviews > Clothing > Pants and Shorts > Flannel Lined Original Mountain Pants > Test Report by Ryan Lane Christensen



Product tested and reviewed in each Formal Test Report has been provided free of charge by the manufacturer to BackpackGearTest.org. Upon completion of the Test Series the writer is permitted to keep the product. Owner Reviews are based on product owned by the reviewer personally unless otherwise noted.



All material on this site is the exclusive property of BackpackGearTest.org.
BackpackGearTest software copyright David Anderson