Mt. Khakis are high-end apparel
By Rick Shandley
Ha! Mt. Khakis Alpine Utility Pants have nothing more to prove. After several years of wear, these Mt. Khaki (MK) Alpine Utility Pants have withstood ranch work, horseback riding, horse crap, delightful doggy paws, massive firewood cutting sessions, and land recovery work after the High Park Fire in Northern Colorado in June 2012. And they have held up remarkably well.
It’s one thing to recognize a sturdy pair of pants when they are brand new. Most any brand of outdoor pants seems stout when you first pull them on, one leg at a time. But it doesn’t take long for an offshore brand of pants to start breaking down, either in the stitches, the inferior material, or general workmanship. What I discovered about the five pair of Mt. Khakis I own, and specifically these Alpine Utility Pants is that they are well made, fit fine, and are constructed to last several years of rugged use. This particular pair of MK Alpine Utility pants are in their third full year, at least, of no-nonsense duty.
Mt. Khakis Alpine pants are cut from 4.2-ounce, two-ply, 100 percent cotton canvas. Yup, canvas seems a bit stiff ant first but they soften up. The thing is, you can rip off the tags and wear these MK utility pants straight to the task of clearing a patch of forest, cutting firewood, or building a cabin without having to second guess comfort or durability. All seams are triple-stitched. The leg cuffs, knee sections, and pant seat are reinforced. The kinds of activities mentioned above are not one shot deals, they are part of daily life, and these MK’s have been worn plenty in the last few years of wear.
In addition to the sheer high quality and long lasting canvas material, I like those five pockets! On the right side of these MK’s, and with several other Mt. Khakis pant styles, you get a “secret pocket” hidden behind the outer right hand pocket. This inside pocket is very useful for stashing the wallet or any item you designate for security that’s located in exactly one place where it’s not obvious. There’s also a utility pocket down on the right leg for a pair of utility pliers, an extra Glock 34 magazine, a smart phone, etc. This utility pocket has a stationary cover, so you just slip in the object past the cover flap and stays fairly secure.
Each of the five pair of Mt. Khakis I’ve worn in recent years (Lake Lodge Twill, flannel lined Original Mt. Pant, MK Cords, Mt. Jean, and Alpine Utility) have held up exceptionally well, always comfortable, and have tested positive for value. The MSRP for the Alpine Utility Pants is $89.95.
Specifications:
- 10.4oz, 2-ply, 100% Cotton Canvas
- Reinforced Knee & Seat Panels
- Diamond-Shaped Action Gusset
- YKK® Zipper
- Reinforced Heel Cuffs
- Five Pockets + Utility Pocket
- Triple-Stitched Seams
- Garment-Washed
- Mid-Rise, Relaxed Fit