Outdoor pants need to be burly. If you have a favorite pair of pants, you take them everywhere. You wedge them in cracks while rock climbing, bushwhack with them through mountain foliage, subject them to errant sparks around a campfire, and expose them to spilled beer in smoke-filled pubs. To withstand such abuse, your favorite pants need to be built with bombproof material, yet somehow stay comfortable enough to wear all day, every day. Do these pants even exist? I found mine in the Mountain Khakis Alpine Utility Pant, held up with the Webbing Belt.
Alpine Utility Pant
The Alpine Utility Pant found a revered place on my legs for the past few months, and I got them just in time for autumn outdoor adventures. Although they are a bit stiff out of the box, after loosening them up with some daily wear followed by a couple rounds in the washing machine, they were good to go to work.
From hiking on sand dunes in the desert, to seeking out ancient petroglyphs in Utah’s canyons, to kneeling on snow-covered streets to get a low-angle camera shot, the Alpine Utility Pant proved to be a workhorse. The pants are thick with Mountain Khakis’ proprietary double-weave, custom cotton canvas with double-layer reinforcements where it matters – in the knees and seat. With such construction wrapping the legs, these pants are not only great for tough outdoor recreation or serious yard chores, but they also work great as everyday winter pants. Other fine details include two-ply threads (can’t come up with a witty toilet paper metaphor,) triple-stitched seams, and heavy duty bar tacks.
The only problem I encountered with the Alpine Utility Pant was the fit. I normally wear a size 30 waist, but size 30 to Mountain Khakis actually means “vice grip.” Other people I’ve spoken to have also said their Mountain Khakis run small, so upsizing to a size 32 meant I either found the right fit, or all those beers I’ve been drinking are catching up to me. I also don’t like how the waist rides high on my hips, killing any desire to ever tuck a shirt in.
But with rugged construction, and comfort-over-time, I expect the Alpine Utility Pant will last me for years.
You can purchase the Mountain Khakis Alpine Utility Pant at Backcountry.com
Webbing Belt
Every pair of pants needs a good belt, and Mountain Khakis has that covered with their Webbing Belt. But this belt is far more than just something to keep your pants from falling over your crack. The Webbing Belt is a tool that when taken off, can be used for any number of things.
Mountain Khakis suggests uses such as strapping it around a 6-pack of beer for easy carrying, securing your mountain bike to your car by wrapping the belt around a roll bar, or using it as a dog leash when you’re in a pinch with the poodle. But the best part of all, the buckle doubles as a bottle opener. Sold!
Imagine you’re at a party and a cute girl you’ve been eyeing grabs a beer but can’t open it. Presto, you whip off your belt and come to the rescue, popping off the top with the belt’s stainless steel teeth. Either she’ll think you’re a pervert, or you’ll be rewarded for your heroic deed. Either way, the Mountain Khakis Webbing Belt makes a statement.
Unfortunately, when I tried to open a bottle of beer with the Webbing Belt, it didn’t work so well. Instead of dramatically unleashing my brew with a dramatic flourish, I struggled to pry the bottle cap off. I did eventually get my beer open, but using the keychain in my pocket was far more convenient. So, yea, you can open your beer with this belt, but you kinda’ have to muscle it.
But to use the belt as a belt is intended to be used, it works great. It’s made from a flexible nylon that dries fast and seems really strong. The teeth on the buckle grip the webbing hard so it doesn’t slip, and if it’s got too much slack after you put it on, you can cut off the end and melt-seal it with a flame.
The Mountain Khakis Webbing Belt comes in three colors and can be purchased at the Mountain Khakis website.