Open letter to Mt Khakis

[lamontagne]

I'm not one to complain much, I mean if I pay $1 for a screwdriver and it breaks then I got what I paid for. Thats why I spend the extra $$ for Klien tools in my profession. I carry that same philosophy though most things in life. Which brings me to my disappointment with Mt Khakis.

Let me preface this with saying I would not have purchased 3 pairs of Original mountain pants and two pairs of utility shorts over the course of the last 3 years if I did not love the fit, finish and feel of these pants.

However, the first two pairs I am unable to wear to work anymore due to thier ragged appearance. The beltloops have unravelled and hole developed in the groin area in both.

This belt loop I stitched back together...
http://i55.tinypic.com/s3ztdd.jpg

Here are the others...
http://i51.tinypic.com/21encds.jpg
http://i54.tinypic.com/29c3m21.jpg

This is a patch I made for the hole in the groin area of the first pair..

http://i55.tinypic.com/308we95.jpg

Here is the hole in the second pair...

http://i52.tinypic.com/28hlj14.jpg

http://i53.tinypic.com/2iafszo.jpg


I have Levis and Carhartts over 15 years old that show less wear. I work in an office enviroment, although I am on ladders frequently and these pants are only worn once every two weeks or so. If this is the typical results I see from Mt Khakis, then I will sadly have to take my business elsewhere.

[Ncrover725]

I have purchased approximately five pairs of the original mountain khakis and have has the exact problems with the belt loops and crotch over the past two years. My wife continues to attempt to patch the crotch until she just throws them away due to the lack of serviceable fabric to sew to.

[Corey]

Never have had this problem with the Duluth Firehose pants (http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/mens/mens-pants/92204.aspx) I rave about.
They get beat up at work daily, and one pair I have had for awhile for a few years looks as good as new still.

I have been tempted to try the MKs, but I have had very good luck with the above ones.
I have around five pair now.

[kai38]

Did you send a letter to Mt Khakis?

[thecriscokid]

People pay good money for that kind of "distressing" in the city:ylsmoke:
You might be onto a new business venture if you keep it up.

In all reality, that is lame that they are falling apart. I own a retail store and have had customers buy what the brand called "a bad batch" and never want to buy another pair. I understand both sides. I'm speaking of denim that was too "dry" Hope they throw you a bone. If not the Khul pant look nice

[AKTank]

I'll stick with my carhartts. I own several pairs and have worn several pairs to their death. I always thought that mountain khaki was an expensive imitation sold to people who were too sophisticated to wear carhartts.

[Andrew Walcker]

I own multiple MK pants/shorts and have been impressed with their wear patterns over the years. I don't think they are the most robust clothing on the market but I believe them to be the most comfortable of the heavy duty clothing lines and hence my choice most of the time.

Have you contacted and allowed MK a chance to respond to your concerns? I'd first suggest this route in-lieu of posting in a public forum. The test of any company is how they deal with the client on issues.

[TexasTJ]

I'll stick with my carhartts. I own several pairs and have worn several pairs to their death. I always thought that mountain khaki was an expensive imitation sold to people who were too sophisticated to wear carhartts.

HAHA Carhartts are High fashion in Europe. That said I don't wear that for the reason you said. In Texas a Big C patch on your Jacket or Pants means you like to pretend that you work in Cow pies all day.

Call MK I bet they help make it right if they have any kind of Costumer service.

[BigAl]

x3 I can't believe how long my carharts last. I pilot a desk most of the day but I have a pair that I know has been washed at least 150 times.

[SDKmann]

Yes, talk to Mt. Khakis or the store you bought them at about this. I work for a store that sells Mt. Khakis and they have been easy to deal with as long as Ive been selling their stuff. Ive never had anyone bring in Mt. Khakis for a repair but Im sure they would help you out on this.

[benedmonson]

I own multiple MK pants/shorts and have been impressed with their wear patterns over the years. I don't think they are the most robust clothing on the market but I believe them to be the most comfortable of the heavy duty clothing lines and hence my choice most of the time.

Have you contacted and allowed MK a chance to respond to your concerns? I'd first suggest this route in-lieu of posting in a public forum. The test of any company is how they deal with the client on issues.

Andrew nailed it, give MK a call at 866.686.5425 and give them a chance to redeem themselves and make it right. Sometimes this is best before airing things out on the forum, if they don't respond or do the right thing then I understand! I have over 30 pair of Mountain Khakis and have been the company photographer since the beginning and have never had this happen to me. Maybe I'm just not wearing them in the same fashion as you.....
Mountain Khakis has been a huge supporter of Expedition Portal, The Overland Journal and the entire Overlanding Community for almost five years so I think that they deserve a chance to make things right.

[eefagan]

Howdy - Here is the warranty statement as it reads on the MK website: "Mountain Khakis are quality-guaranteed. Your MK's are built to withstand the elements and activities of everyday mountain living. Every pair of MK's meets or exceeds our quality standards and is under a full warranty to the original owner against manufacturer's defects in materials or workmanship for one year from date of purchase. No Foolin'." (http://www.mountainkhakis.com/customer-service/warranty-return-policy/)

With this said, if the defective goods fall into the one year period, you can contact MK Customer Service (866.686.5425) to request an exchange (if they came for a MK retailer, you must go back through the retailer for the exchange). If they are out of the one year warranty, they are typically pretty good about offering a discount on your next order.

[Tacovendor]

Andrew nailed it, give MK a call at 866.686.5425 and give them a chance to redeem themselves and make it right. Sometimes this is best before airing things out on the forum, if they don't respond or do the right thing then I understand! I have over 30 pair of Mountain Khakis and have been the company photographer since the beginning and have never had this happen to me. Maybe I'm just not wearing them in the same fashion as you.....
Mountain Khakis has been a huge supporter of Expedition Portal, The Overland Journal and the entire Overlanding Community for almost five years so I think that they deserve a chance to make things right.
Had the crotch rip on the Utility Pant, one call to MK they sent a pre paid return label and my replacement is on it's way. Great customer service!:sombrero:

[Antichrist]

I'll stick with my carhartts. I own several pairs and have worn several pairs to their death. I always thought that mountain khaki was an expensive imitation sold to people who were too sophisticated to wear carhartts.LOL
Probably very close to the truth.
There's a reason so many people who where these
http://fibre-metal.com/assets/p2_th-150x1501.jpg
also wear Carhartt.

[digitaldelay]

I've never had anything from Mountain Khakis, but the one Carharrt parka I have is made out of the same type of material as the one shown in the OP's pics. I had similar wear occur on the wrist cuff area of the parka. Also, after about the 5th machine wash, it just had that distressed color to it. I'm wondering if that is an inherent quality of that canvas duck material - too stiff, but nice-looking when new - comfortable, but ratty-looking when broken in. There seems to be a very short in-between period when it is "just right".

Jason

[stainless]

That sucks. I know how frustrating it is to have something you assume is good quality wear out sooner than you anticipated.
I have several pair of MK pants. They're my every day work pants and have been for a few years now. Mine are getting tattered at the cuff from being just a little too long, but all my pants are that way. The pockets, belt loops, crotch, etc are all holding up exceptionally well...MUCH better than any other khaki/chino pants I've had.
I'm a construction inspector, so I see a pretty even mix of office chair and construction site, but I'm seldom ever doing any down and dirty work in these pants.
I hope they offer to make it right for you.

I have Carhartt pants, overalls and coveralls in the closet that are going on 10 years old from when I was working in the ditches and some of them still look nearly new, but I've had more than a few pair that were toast after only a year of moderate use. I think there is truth to the "bad batch" comment above.

[Cabrito]

I always thought that mountain khaki was an expensive imitation sold to people who were too sophisticated to wear carhartts.

Heh heh...

Just goes to show. Don't believe the hype.

[sasaholic]

have had the same thing happen to all my carharrt jackets. now i wear schmidt jackets from tractor supply and at half the price and lasting just as long if not longer i will be sticking with them. work stuff is my work stuff and it gets used and used hard.

[adrenaline503]

Did you ever contact them? I mean, typically an "open letter" at least gets to whom it was addressed.

[Flounder]

I have Levis and Carhartts over 15 years old that show less wear..I've been wearing Levis, Mountain Khakis, and other pants as long as anyone. I've never had a pair of Levis last more than 5 years.

Utimately, who has pants last more than a few years? How many years do you expect out of a pair of Mountain Khakis????

[robert]

Duluth Trading- this is the guarantee on their firehose pants:


"We Dare You to Wear 'Em Out" Guarantee
If your Duluth Trading Fire Hose Work Pants ever let you down, fray, tear, rip or give out, send them back to us. No questions asked, we’ll send you a brand spankin’ new pair, and the shipping’s on us.

http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/mens/duluth-ingenuity/fire-hose-workwear/fire-hose-workwear.aspx

Cheaper than Mt Khakis and a gusseted crotch too.

Insert disclaimers here- no relationship, etc. just a satisfied customer.

[Corey]

Duluth Trading- this is the guarantee on their firehose pants:



http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/mens/duluth-ingenuity/fire-hose-workwear/fire-hose-workwear.aspx

Cheaper than Mt Khakis and a gusseted crotch too.

Insert disclaimers here- no relationship, etc. just a satisfied customer.
And this is why I wear them :D
Between them and the Railrider Xtreme pants, my work clothes do not fall apart.

[Corey]

What type of Open letter should I write?:bike_rider:
None, because you stink of spam.
Go back to spamville.

[c.nordstrom]

I'm here to chime in with my love of MK apparel. I'm a bit biased (I am an MK retailer) but they make quality products and have fantastic customer service.

Also, popularity does not always signal a bad or "fashionable" product. Sometimes the cream does manage to rise to the top. From a personal standpoint, I find MK pants to be much more comfortable then Carhartt.

Pant preference depends on what you like! Nothing wrong with not being an MK fan, but I have found them to be a very good company to deal with. Definitely give them a call.

[Flagster]

Seems like typical wear to me???? If you don't like how they "wear" I would suggest trying an alternative...like many others have stated I have never been let down by my carharts...seem to wear much longer than any other pants I buy but I still see the same type of wear after long and hard usage...some love the MKs...IMO the MKs I have are cheap and thin...yes carharts are not as comfortable at first...I just broke in a new pair in the boundary waters this summer...took two straight weeks of living in them 24/7 and they are nice and soft

[MarcFJ60]

Do you guys actually hike in heavy pants like Carhartts? I can understand wearing them for more sedentary camping in cooler weather or maybe when you're out wheeling, but I can't imagine doing anything active in them. I understand sometimes there's the need for really durable pants, but I just don't see that need too often when outdoors.

The reason I mention this is I saw a coworker wearing a pair of Mtn Khakis. They didn't look near as heavy duty as typical Carharrts, but they also looked a lot more comfortable. I would personally be far more likely wear something like Mtn Khakis for camping/hiking then I would Carharrts (and I regularly wear heavy work pants). Of course, I would also expect them to wear out sooner. I have a pair of very lightweight and very comfortable Columbia pants that I outdoors well before I wear my work pants.

I guess I'm thinking it's just different tools for different jobs. I'm not sure what Mtn Khaki promises in their advertising, but I'm wondering if maybe people are expecting too much. It's pretty hard to be super durable AND super comfortable. But then again, I understand if you're paying $70 you expect something more than jeans.

[REDrum]

After 4 years of use on 3 pairs of MK, wear has been pretty good. Its sizing that I have issue with MK about

Duluth trading products look pretty good, anyone know where they are made?

As for crotch wear this (http://www.utilikilts.com/company/products/kilts/workmans/)design will never wear out :Wow1:

[Flagster]

Do you guys actually hike in heavy pants like Carhartts?


I guess I'm thinking it's just different tools for different jobs. I'm not sure what Mtn Khaki promises in their advertising, but I'm wondering if maybe people are expecting too much. It's pretty hard to be super durable AND super comfortable. But then again, I understand if you're paying $70 you expect something more than jeans.

yes and yes...they are different products but one should not expect a comfy pair of MKs to last a lifetime...everthing has an expiration...

[frederid]

My $.02: I own several pairs of MK pants and shorts. The ONLY issue I've ever had with their product was with their jeans which were a very strange fit. MK typically runs small (I'm a 33 waist in every other brand, but a 36 in MK), and their jeans didn't fit properly and were cut very weird. I called them up and asked for a refund and they paid for shipping back immediately.

I wear MK pants usually every day over the weekend and when I'm out in the field. My oldest pair is at least two years old, and I haven't had the issues that the OP has had after ~2 years of more-or-less weekly wear. My only complaints about their products would be the strange sizing (but once you figure it out you're golden) and the fact that one can never seem to get the wrinkles out. But, other than that, I think the quality is great and customer service has always been good for me.

EDIT: I'm usually a lurker, so I realize it seems strange that this is my first post. But, I am in no way shape or form affiliated with MK other than being a member of their Pro program for being a US government employee.

[c.nordstrom]

My $.02: I own several pairs of MK pants and shorts. The ONLY issue I've ever had with their product was with their jeans which were a very strange fit. MK typically runs small (I'm a 33 waist in every other brand, but a 36 in MK), and their jeans didn't fit properly and were cut very weird. I called them up and asked for a refund and they paid for shipping back immediately.

I wear MK pants usually every day over the weekend and when I'm out in the field. My oldest pair is at least two years old, and I haven't had the issues that the OP has had after ~2 years of more-or-less weekly wear. My only complaints about their products would be the strange sizing (but once you figure it out you're golden) and the fact that one can never seem to get the wrinkles out. But, other than that, I think the quality is great and customer service has always been good for me.

EDIT: I'm usually a lurker, so I realize it seems strange that this is my first post. But, I am in no way shape or form affiliated with MK other than being a member of their Pro program for being a US government employee.

I believe MK has changed the cut of their jeans - apparently the cut and fit of their jean was a source of constant complaints.

[frederid]

I believe MK has changed the cut of their jeans - apparently the cut and fit of their jean was a source of constant complaints.

I'll probably try them out again in the future. When I called customer service for my RMA the woman I spoke to indicated that they had been getting a lot of complaints just as you said.