MOUNTAIN KHAKIS FLANNEL LINED ORIGINAL MOUNTAIN PANT
Test Series by Richard Lyon

PERSONAL DETAILS and BACKPACKING BACKGROUND

Male, 63 years old
Height: 6' 4" (1.93 m)
Weight: 205 lb (91 kg)
Email address: rlyon AT gibsondunn DOT com
Home: Dallas, Texas USA
Waist 37 in (95 cm), inseam 34.5 in (88 cm)

I've been backpacking for 45 years and regularly in the Rockies since 1986.  I do at least one week-long trip every summer, and often take three-day trips.  I'm usually camping in alpine terrain, at altitudes 5000 to 10000 ft (1500-3000 m).  I prefer base camp backpacking, a long hike in with day trips from camp, but I do forced marches too.  Recently I've been actively reducing my pack weight, but still always sleep in a floored tent and often include my favorite camp conveniences.  I spend much winter backcountry time on telemark or touring skis.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION and DETAILS

Mountain Khakis, often known by its initials MK, is a Wyoming-based company that sells pants and shorts with a Western cut and style.  Its signature men's product is the Original Mountain Pant (OMP), a straight-leg, jean-style pant made of heavy cotton canvas.  Now MK offers a winter version, lining the OMP with a light green tartan-style plaid flannel.  MK's marketing pitch for this new product abandons its usual rugged Western image, calling them "cozy" and meant for a "creature of comfort."  (That latter description fits me perfectly.)

Manufacturer: Mountain Khakis, LLC
Website: www.mountainkhakis.com
Size: 38 in (97 cm) waist x 34 in (86 cm) inseam. Available in even waist sizes 30-42 in (76-107 cm) and even inseam lengths 30-34 in (76-86 cm).
Rise: 10 in (25 cm) listed and measured
Waist, measured: 38.5 in (98 cm)
Inseam, measured: 34.25 in (87 cm)
Color: Freestone (light grey); also available in Yellowstone (a mid tan with a yellow cast)
Weight, measured: 36.25 oz (1028 g)
Materials: 10.4 oz (248 g/m²) cotton canvas, lined with cotton flannel.
Related product: The unlined OMP, of course.  Despite the cozy language, this is a pant for men; MK doesn't offer a women's version.

MK's duck canvas is heavy and looks tough.  MK's website notes that a "double ply weave on both the warp [vertical threads] and weft [horizontal threads]" aid abrasion resistance. 

The pants have five pockets, which I believe is a standard feature on all MK pants and shorts.  There are normal pockets on each side in the rear and on the left front, but the right front pocket is actually two pockets, as shown in the photograph.  The back of the pants at the cuff is reinforced with a second layer of fabric.  The pants have a zippered fly and a metal button at the waist.  The waistband has five 2.5 in (6 cm) loops (for those wide Western belts).  A discreet "MK" is sewn (in blue) just above the right rear pocket.

OBSERVATIONS

Fit.  Just right! A bit of room at the waist, not too much play but not confining in the seat, and a small break at the cuffs.  I'd say these run true to size.  (I have had similar experience with several other pairs of MK pants.) The fit in the legs is closer to dress trousers than jeans despite the plain (unpleated) front.   

Workmanship and appearance.  I noticed a few loose threads along the seams but the pants appear to be sturdily sewn and completely sound.  The heavy fabric and the straight-leg, unpleated, cuffless design impart a notion of ruggedness that (to my eye) is not much softened by the flannel.  They look ready for outdoor activity. 

Comfort.  The flannel is indeed soft, with a hand that is similar to a cotton shirt fabric often called chamois.  While somewhat crinkly to the touch, the canvas is much less stiff than it appears at first glance.  Another standard MK feature, the "Action Gusset," enhances both comfort and durability.  The gusset is a triangular fabric piece sewn in where the pants' four seams would otherwise converge at a single point.  As that single point would be in the crotch, using the gusset prevents uncomfortable chafing and, as to durability, should reduce the risk of a tear or seam coming loose from stress.  A grosgrain ribbon runs around the inside of the waistband for added comfort.

Overall impression.  The flannel-lined OMPs look sharp when worn with a work shirt or a sport coat.  (Sharp enough, in fact, to circumvent my office's prohibition on blue jeans or other "work pants.") MK's design suits my body style; I've always found that the company's products give me a good, comfortable fit.  The flannel-lined OMPs are no exception.  I'm looking forward to the colder weather and a chance to test these pants outdoors.

My Initial Report ends here.  Please check back in two months' time, when my Field Report will be filed, to check out these pants' performance.  Thanks to Mountain Khakis and BackpackGearTest.org for this testing opportunity.