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Reviews > Clothing > Pants and Shorts > Mountain Khakis Equatorial Pants > Test Report by Michael Mosack

MOUNTAIN KHAKIS EQUATORIAL PANT
TEST SERIES BY MIKE MOSACK
LONG-TERM REPORT
October 04, 2014

CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE FIELD REPORT
CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE LONG-TERM REPORT

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Mike Mosack
EMAIL: mosack(at)earthlink(dot)net
AGE: 50
LOCATION: San Diego, CA USA
GENDER: M
HEIGHT: 6' 1" (1.85 m)
WEIGHT: 240 lb (109.00 kg)

I've been backpacking for over 30 years, doing solo and group trips, with and without kids. I do day trips, weekenders and week-long or longer trips throughout the year. I backpack in all climates and seasons, from summer desert trips to Spring/Winter camping in Michigan, California and Grand Canyon, Arizona and I worked in Afghanistan for 4 years & rely on my equipment constantly. I prefer to go lighter when possible and am always trying new items. Quality and reliability of items are paramount to me over price and weight.


INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Mountain Khakis
IMAGE 1
Image from MFG website

Year of Manufacture: 2014
Manufacturer's Website: www.mountainkhakis.com
MSRP: US $84.95
Listed Weight: Not available
Measured Weight: 9.3 oz (263 g)
Other details:
This product is made in Bangladesh.
Product tested is the Men's version in the Retro Khaki color. Other colors available include - Stone and Willow.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Mountain Khakis blends a classic design and high-tech fabric together to improve both style and performance in the outdoors. The pant is designed with articulated knees and a relaxed fit and comes in three earth-tone colors. The material is of a high-density weave which is DWR (Durable Water Repellant), UVA-UVB-resistant sun protection, quick-drying, lightweight 3.7 oz (105 g) and packable. The main material construction is of 100% nylon while the trim is 100% polyester. There are six pockets, four of which have a mesh lining and two have zip-closures for security.

IMAGE 2
Zippered pocket

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

I tried on the pants and immediately found that they are a little tight in the waist. I ordered a size I am comfortable with in other pants I own but these are smaller. I also found that the thigh area is also tight. I have requested an exchange to a larger size which I hope will solve both issues. I have decently muscular legs and large feet but the leg openings are plenty large enough for me to easily get my feet and calves through. The snap closures that allow adjustment near the ankles still allow room for me to be comfortable wearing these pants. The material these pants are constructed of has a soft yet sturdy feel and has a weave that is so tight I wonder how well the pants will breathe.

There are more pockets than I'll ever use at one time. They are large enough to easily get my hands in and deep enough so that I am confident that nothing will fall out. The mesh lined pockets look as if they will drain quickly if immersed and allow for ventilation as well.

IMAGE 3
Pant leg adjustment comparison

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

Washing instructions are included on a printed and sewn tag attached to the pant's waistband. The instructions include machine wash in cold water, tumble dry low setting and iron at a low setting. Do not dry clean.

There is a QR code displayed on an attached informational tag. I used my QR code reader I have downloaded on my smart phone. I found that the link went to a YouTube video showing a Mountain Khakis advertisement. The video showed numerous persons wearing a variety of clothing in the outdoors with nice scenery and music, but no actual useful information was included in the video.

There is a lot of information provided on the manufacturer's website and I found it quite useful. Some include frequently asked questions (FAQ), customer service links, and more.

TRYING IT OUT

I received the pants without the benefit of trying them on first and quickly found that these pants seem to run a little small in the waist. If I had known, I would've ordered a larger size. The material feels very smooth and lightweight, yet strong. All of the seams are well done, the zippers zip and buttons button fine. I really like the mesh pocket linings and am hopeful that these will stand up to normal use. I wonder if these will wear out much quicker than the pants will but am maintaining an optimistic view.

Because the pants I received are a little small, I was only able to try them on. I have contacted customer service requesting an exchange and will report on my findings throughout the duration of this test series.

CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE

I contacted customer service to request an exchange to get a larger size. It seems that these pants might run a touch small or at least that is my story because it can't be that I've gained weight. I sent the email request on Sunday, after hours, and I will include any pertinent information relating to my customer service experience during this test series.


FIELD REPORT

CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE

I contacted Mountain Khakis Customer Service reference exchanging the pants I received that were the size I ordered but found to be a little tight in the waist and thighs. I requested a size larger by sending an email explaining the sizing issue. I was promptly replied to by one of the representatives who was polite, friendly, and immediately assured me that they would mail out the requested size and would also follow with return / exchange information. I was immediately impressed and received the replacement pants quickly and in a comfortable size.

I should note that it quickly became obvious that customer service knew I was part of BackpackGearTest.org and was a tester as I found references to this on the paperwork included in the packaging and I was given a special return authorization label after trying to return the other pants without success. The normal return authorization number was not present and clued-in the customer service representative who helped me. I have to wonder how the experience would be if I hadn't been identified as a BGT tester. So far, I am impressed by the product as well as my customer service experience and am hopeful that everybody would have the same experience as I.

FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

Three-day trip to the area of LaGrande, Oregon USA where the temperatures ranged from 57 - 78 F (14 - 26 C). The conditions included cloudy and overcast skies with some rain and gusty winds.

Two dayhikes near Twin Falls, Idaho USA where the temperatures ranged from 60 - 85 F (16 - 29 C). The conditions included clear and sunny skies.

I have also worn the pants daily around town doing chores and at work.

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

During this reporting period, I found that all of my trips or opportunities where I wore the pants were while I was alone. I never realized just how difficult it is to take a selfie to try to show myself wearing the pants and without a mirror. I haven't done very well training my hiking partner Petey who is a Jack Russell Terrier to use my phone to take a photo.

The pants I received as a replacement and now in the appropriate size for me, fit very comfortably. I have found so far that the pants are extremely lightweight, yet the fabric is strong. Wearing them around I found that there is a little restriction to freedom of movement as the material/construction does not stretch. My main concern is that with the way I prefer to be able to move while hiking, I put the most pressure onto the crotch seam. This mostly occurs during squatting around camp or while collecting water or cooking. So far, I am happy to report that the pants and especially the seams are all holding up very well. The cut of the pants fit me well. They feel nice and I can easily get into and out of them. I experienced rain while in Oregon and the thin material the pants are constructed of help them to quickly dry after getting wet.

I am of the age where I remember how much I loved wearing the bell-bottoms of the 1970s. Skinny jeans are not my friend. I have large feet and being an awkward self-aware teenager of the time, I was able to hide my feet so they looked smaller. I find I still have a little of this desire to this day. These Mountain Khakis have a type of boot-cut but they also have snaps on the lower legs to allow the pant legs to be tightened up. I have worn them both ways, but admittedly, I prefer to leave them unsnapped. I guess some things just never change. The upside here is that I have better air flow.

The pockets on these pants are numerous. I love pockets. The more the better. I am less of a fan of pockets on top of other pockets as there is less available room shared between them. I would prefer to have the pockets in different locations rather than on top of each other. My immediate thought is that a thigh pocket or two would be a great choice especially since these pants do not have the zip-off legs.

SUMMARY

So during this reporting period I am happy with these pants. They have performed well and I have not had any problems with them at all. There are numerous things I like about the pants and nothing that I don't like. I have a single concern that so far is really unfounded but I'll mention it anyway. I am concerned that the material which doesn't really stretch, is to the point where I am kind of distracted by this which is taking away from my outdoors experience when I'm thinking about my pants instead of the landscape.


LONG-TERM REPORT

LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

Two-day trip to the Pacific Crest Trail section in Laguna Mountain region of Southern California, USA
Conditions: Foot trails and forest access dirt roads. Temperatures ranged from 55 to 80 F (13 to 27 C) and elevations from approximately 1000 to 4000 ft (300 to 1200 m).

Three day-hikes ranging from 2 - 5 miles (3 - 8 km) in the area of San Diego County, California.
Conditions: Maintained trails, grassy areas, and roadway shoulders. Temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 F (21 to 27 C).

Three-day trip in the area near the Klamath River Recreational Area in Northern California where the conditions included clear and sunny skies with temperatures that ranged from 65 - 94 F (18 - 34 C).

IMAGE 4
Klamath River Recreation Area

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

Well this has been an enjoyable test. The pants have performed flawlessly throughout. I maintained some skepticism that they might suffer some seam failure but this has not proven true. The pants have held up splendidly.

I wore the pants while hiking through some areas where briars and cactus thorns were prevalent but there were no instances where the pants showed any snags or pulls of the material. The tight weave of the material seems to allow them to slide past brush cleanly. The ability to tighten up the pant legs by securing the snaps on the lower legs keep the material close and snag-free. The button and snap closures are easy to use and have not come apart unexpectedly at any time. The pockets are placed well and deep enough that nothing falls out yet large enough to get my entire hand in easily. I especially like the zipper-pull feature on the rear pocket. I have other pants with zipper closures but without the added pull cord attached and have found those are sometimes difficult to open or close so having the pull cord is a well thought out feature and is appreciated.

Climbing and squatting while wearing the pants continues to keep me watchful of how much pressure I am putting onto the seams and especially in the crotch area. I find myself still thinking as much or more about my clothing than my surroundings. If I had a little more give available in the material or seams this distraction would go away or certainly be minimized a lot.

I personally like the tan color as it seems to be light enough to reflect the sun's heat yet dark enough to keep dirt stains at bay. The pants clean up easily and show no real wear after having them these past months.

SUMMARY

The pants have performed very well throughout this test series. I like the fit and durability. I miss having zip-off pant legs but the added room in the legs allow for additional ventilation so for me, it seems to balance out. There are numerous features I like with these pants to include the deep pockets, zipper pull-cord, snap adjustments on the lower legs, and durable material the pants are constructed of.

I would prefer to have some "give" available in either the stretch of the material or seams, especially in the groin area to reduce the chances of a pulled seam during climbing or squatting.

I would like to thank Mountain Khakis and BackpackGearTest.org for providing me with the opportunity to test this product. This concludes my test series on these pants. Thank you for your interest.

This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1. Copyright 2014. All rights reserved.

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Reviews > Clothing > Pants and Shorts > Mountain Khakis Equatorial Pants > Test Report by Michael Mosack



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