Mountain Khakis Snake River Convertible Pants

Review by Arnie P

junction of Bald Mt and Artist Bluff trails

The Snake River convertible pants were provided by Mountain Khakis for the purpose of this review.

I find the Mountain Khakis Snake River convertible pants are as attractive as they are practical. Most importantly they fit well and are comfortable. The pants are constructed of 6 oz 100% Nylon with a brushed finish for a smooth feel. Other features:
Quick drying and wicking.
UPF 50+ (UVA + UVB),
Zippered side and back pockets.
10 in zipper at cuffs.
3M Scotchgard protector.

The 6 pockets are conveniently placed with 3 on the left side and 3 on the right side. The 3 left pockets are side pockets. The topmost left pocket has a vertical opening and is made of mesh. Of the other 2 left pockets only one is visible. The outer pocket has a horizontal flap which is attached by hook and loop. There is a smaller zippered inside the previously pocket. These pockets are the same type material as the pants. The right side pockets are all made of mostly mesh. The back left pocket has a horizontal zipper. The 2 front pockets have vertical openings with foremost on open and the other is zippered. The removable pant legs are zippered for ease of removal over boots or to provide ventilation when overheated. The pant legs are non interchangeable and are easily removed by operating the zipper toward the center of your body. Scotchgard helps wick away moisture, be stain resistant, and be soft and breathable.

left side pocket

left front pocket

right zippered pockets

mesh pocket liner

Main attraction

Except for very cold weather I wear convertible pants for all my outdoor adventures. The pant legs provide protection from the sun, brush, wind, and insects. When I get hot I can ventilate by opening the cuff zippers and by partially opening the convertible zippers. This gives me a wide range of cooling possibilities without having to remove the pants legs. When all adjustments fail to keep me cool enough then the pant legs come off quickly and easily. The zippers for the re moveable pants are also color coded for easy identification. Please check back in about a month when I will have more to say about River convertible pants

Mountain Khakis Snake River Convertible Pants update

6-20-2010

looking at Peobody slopes

I have been enjoying the comfort and versatility of these pants over the last month. I have worn them almost every day full length in cold weather and with the pant legs off in the hot weather.

On the trail

I was in the Franconia Notch area for a week and these were the only pants I wore during that week. During that week I went on several hikes to Bald Mountain, Artist’s Bluff, Flume, Pemigewasset River, and local walks around the Mittersill community. Initially the pants did seem a little stiff but that did not last long. The pants are large enough to not bind while taking a high step but not so large as to be baggy. I have worn these pants in the Horn Pond conservation several times and also in the Wilmington Town Forest.

hiking along Pemigegasset river

looking at Liberty Gorge

observing swan near Horn Pond

hill near Horn Pond conservation area

Memorial Day Parade

I was marching with the Knight of Columbus that day and it was about 90 F, it felt really hot because of the high humidity. When you are in the middle of a parade there is a lot of stopping and and when there is no breeze this can be very hot on the black asphalt. I was comfortable in my Snake River pants.

at the end of the Memorial Day parade

Other uses

Most of the days I am not hiking I wear these pants to the gym. I use them for all my volunteer work and to go to seminars. Some of the seminars are held in air conditioned rooms where it can get quite cold and the pants help keep me comfortable. My roof was replaced in this period and I went to the local supply house to pick up tar paper and I had these pants on, I got some tar on my pants. To my surprise the wash took the stain out.

I am very pleased with the comfort and versatility of the Snake river pants. We have had an unusual amount of rain this spring and I am looking forward to a few days of rain free weather so I can go on a 3 day backpack with a friend. Check back in about a month when I will have more to say about the Mountain River Snake River convertible pants.

Mountain Khakis Snake River convertible pants a last look

8-04-2010

I have used the Snake River pants almost daily since my last report. They have been washed several times and all stains have been removed successfully. There was a reddish brown stain that I had no idea where it came from and was concerned that it would remain. It came out in the wash and I was relieved. The weather since the last report has been in the 80 F to 95 F range with the humidity over 80 % most of the time. During this period I went on a 3 day backpack and attended the 3 day Lowell Folk festival.

Backpacking in the Pemigewasset wilderness

I backpacked with a friend for 3 days in the Pemigewasset wilderness of New Hampshire. The temperature during the day was about 85 F and it was sunny, very humid and no wind. We hiked in muddy areas where there was a lot of insect activity. I had less problem with insects, without the use of insect repellent on any of my clothing, than I had had with my other hiking pants, using a spray insect repellent on the outside of my clothes. We bushwhacked through thick brush for about 4 miles. During this time, my pants came into contact with a lot of brush. A few places I had to crawl under fallen trees. I had no trouble with my pants. On the return trip, we decided to take the stream crossing instead of the bushwhack. This year the streams were a lot easier to manage than last year because the water level was lower. The pants took quite a lot of abuse on this trip and I could not see any damage. I was comfortable and protected. I did have several scratches below the knees where I was unprotected.

: campsite in Pemigewasset Wilderness

Harold Parker State Forrest

This was a 2 hour hike in Harold Parker forest on a hot and humid day. There was a moderate amount of insects and I was not bothered a lot, even on the uncovered parts of my legs. This forest has a blend of ponds, streams and a few steep hills and a lot of wet areas. It is an old forest and there is a lot of cover from direct sunlight. I bushwhacked in areas in this forest and they pants took the abuse very well.

: hiking in Harold Parker State Forest

Lowell Folk Festival

I attended the 24th annual Lowell Folk Festival from start to finish. This festival takes place in down town Lowell and is on the streets and in park areas of the city. The weather was hot and humid. It was raining on Friday night at the start of the program, so the outdoor stage was relocated to the auditorium of a nearby high school. There was a passing shower during the last hour of the festival. Despite the rain the high humidity stayed throughout the weekend. I was in the sun most of the time and was very comfortable in these pants. I was able to carry a lot of items that I would normally carry in my backpack. I am now taking off my backpack a lot less often.

Weekend backpack on the Monadnock Sunapee Greenway Trail

The daytime temperatures were in the high 80′s F. On the first day there was very little shade and it was hot and very humid. The difficulty level of this trail is moderate. I was hot and I did sweat but was not uncomfortable. The second day of hiking was a lot longer and with some shade in a lot more of the trail. The pockets in the pants are very convenient, but being left handed I would like to have a left back pocket.

The Mountain Khakis Snake River convertible pants have stood up well and have lived up to my expectations and beyond. I am looking forward to using these pants for a long time to come. I wish to thank Mountain Khakis and 4alloutdoors.org for the opportunity to test these pants.