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Reviews > Clothing > Pants and Shorts > Flannel Lined Original Mountain Pants > Test Report by Ryan Lane Christensen
   [ images courtesy of http://www.mountainkhakis.com ] ACCESS MAIN REPORT SECTIONS VIA THESE LINKS:
INITIAL REPORTNovember 2, 2009
Product Information:
The information listed below taken from both | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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)."
Listed features of the OMP include the following:
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:
Initial Impression:
I 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:
