Mountain Khakis Equatorial shorts are perfect for those seeking lightweight apparel with a classy appearance.
By Dan Sanchez
Outdoor active enthusiasts looking for rugged, yet lightweight shorts for hiking, backpacking or hanging out at the lodge, will enjoy Mountain Khakis’ Equatorial short. These shorts are made from 3.7 ounce, 100 percent Nylon with super high density weave, and are 80/10 Durable Water Repellant, so they pack small and dry quickly.
The Equatorial shorts have mesh pockets that allow excellent ventilation and includes two zipped security pockets for your wallet, credit cards, ID or other valuables that you don’t want to slip out. The shorts are cut with a mid-rise and relaxed fit. An inseam action gusset allows for excellent freedom of movement and while you’re out in the sun, it’s good to know they’re UVA-UVB +50 resistant.
The shorts have a great fit and come in either Stone or Willow colors. We found the fit to be comfortable, and worked equally as well during a 5-hour exhausting hike, or dressed up with a Mountain Khaki’s Oxbow shirt for a warm evening dinner at the lodge.
They’re designed to keep you cool and comfortable and we enjoyed hiking with them as they dried quickly on a hot day. Because they’re not cargo-style shorts, they dress-up nicely with a button-down, short sleeve shirt. While we didn’t have any problems with fit or comfort, we would have liked to have them fit a little looser around the thigh and perhaps an added inch of length to reach the knee would also have been nice; but that’s just our style and may not be yours.
We liked the fact that the zippered pockets have a pull, making it easier to access. Because the two front and two rear pockets have a mesh insert, you shouldn’t carry anything like keys or your cell phone as it will rub against your leg and feel uncomfortable. The two rear pockets close with short hook and latch strips that are cross stitched into the fabric so they won’t pull out or tear easily.
The Equatorial shorts are best used for a full-day of hiking, or to take along with you on vacation or travel. They’re also excellent casual shorts but will feel uncomfortable if you carry an overstuffed wallet, lots of keys or a heavy cellphone. They retail around $80 and are available in a range of sizes. For more information, visit www.mountainkhakis.com
