Whether it’s urban hiking or conquering the backwoods, there’s very little I enjoy more than stepping outside to crush some ground. Honestly, what’s not to like? Depending on the terrain, hiking encompasses both cardio and strength-training. Sadly, conditions like humidity and weather can change the overall experience. For example, hiking on a hot, humid day can make you feel like you’re having a schvitz with your clothes on. Luckily, Mountain Khakis have two terrific articles of clothing that can remedy this annoying predicament—the Men’s Skiff Shirt and Cruiser pants.
The Men’s Skiff Shirt
The Skiff Shirt is stylish and has many clever features that can keep you cool in a whole host of outdoor settings. The material is stretchy, lightweight and dries quickly. This is great news for anyone who is up for a kayaking or fishing and doesn’t want to stay wet.
In my case, I used the Skiff Shirt on a long hike. It was a sunny day, and I wore the Skiff in a heavily forested area. There were two interesting features that kept me cool throughout the hike. The first was roll sleeve tabs. The Skiff was the first shirt I have ever owned that had these nifty little pieces of cloth that hold back rolled-up sleeves. When tried it out for the first time, I thought, “Hey, this is pretty cool.”
The Skiff Shirt also a vast array of vents. The inner lining of the shirt contains a breathable mesh with openings underneath the two front pockets and the back yolk. These vents are greatly appreciated when your activities are taking place in sweltering conditions.
Men’s Cruiser Pants
The Mountain Khaki Cruiser Pants were great companion pieces to the Skiff Shirt. On the hike, they performed outstandingly. Comprised of stretchable nylon and spandex, I enjoyed the feel of the Cruiser pants. To test out their durability, I went bushwhacking for a portion of my hike. Throughout this exercise, my legs felt safe from the twigs and bushes.
Another aspect about the Cruiser Pants that I couldn’t ignore was its plentiful pockets. Very seldom will you find me confessing that there are too many pockets. I would even venture to say, that with these pants you could leave the backpack at home (for a smaller hike). I stuffed the cargo pocket with all of my personal effects and it fit!
The good (Skiff Shirt):
- UPF +30
- Well-ventilated
- Can be used to clean your glasses lenses
- Lightweight and quick drying
- Great for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, or hiking
- Roll-up sleeve tabs
The bad (Skiff Shirt):
- More comfortable with undershirt
The good (Cruiser Pants):
- Lightweight and stretchy material
- 5 roomy pockets—including a jumbo cargo pocket
- Good hiking, rafting, etc.
- Sun protection
The bad (Cruiser Pants):
- A sporadic swishing sound when walking
The Mountain Khakis Men’s Skiff Shirt and Cruiser Pants are both available on Amazon.
Note: Mountain Khakis provided me with a product sample for review purposes. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced by the company.
All photos by Anthony Frohlich