Posts Tagged convertible pants

We’ve checked out quite a few versions of convertible travel pants from multiple brands here on Practical Travel Gear. These double-duty items are a backpacker staple and you’ll see more than a few upscale adventure travelers wearing them too.

Sure, they’re a little dorky, even when they come from a rugged brand name like Mountain Khakis, but they come in handy in a whole lot of circumstances. For instance when you’re going on a hike that starts out at freezing in the morning and gets to a balmy, or downright hot, temperature by the afternoon. Zip off the legs, stuff them in your pack. Or in countries where it’s unheard of—or even downright rude—to wear shorts in public. Pants by day outside, shorts by night in your hotel/hostel/guesthouse. Or a place where mosquitoes don’t bite during the day, but they turn into voracious hunters when the sun goes down.

Whatever the reason, these also help you stay under that low weight limit on prop planes in Central America and Africa and on those European budget airlines with ease. Two clothing items in one.

Mountain Khakis has their own spin to the style with their Granite Creek Convertible Pant. It’s a departure from the heavy khaki roots of this Wyoming-based company since you’re obviously going to travel with these and they need to be light. They weigh in at 6.3 ounces, which is certainly not going to be much of a factor in your packing weight.

True to the brand, these feel strong and rugged, however, like they’re going to last you for a decade. They’re made of brushed nylon that’s quick drying, wicking, and provides UPF 50 sun protection. The tag and listing on their website say they’re treated with Scotchgard protection to make them water repellent, though my demo pair was apparently out sick the day that got applied. Mine dried super-quickly, but they soaked through from the start when I ran water tests. (If you get a pair of pants where something is not right though, the company has a one-year warranty.) These come with real metal zippers, a metal button to close the fly, and Velcro on one pocket. There are also 10-inch zippers on the leg flaps so you can get these off without removing your shoes. I’ve missed that on some other ones I’ve tried.

These being travel pants, there are pockets galore: two regular side pockets, one square pocket on the leg, a secret zippered pocket inside that, and another zippered pocket on the other side. Plus another one on the back. You can stash a lot of goodies in these. Note that these are regular pants secured with a belt—not drawstring or elastic ones. A lot of people prefer that, but be aware if you’re looking for ones without loops.

Follow this link for a full description and a look at the four color choices on the company website. A women’s version is coming next year, but you can get non-convertible Granite Creek travel pants for women now. They list for $90. Check prices on the Mountain Khakis Granite Creek Convertible Pant at Backcountry or at Altrec.com.

* Giveaway time! If you’re such a cool guy that you can get away with wearing green pants (or you’re a local rock star who needs stage attire), I’ve got some pants for you. MK sent me some nice Lake Lodge Twill Pants that don’t fit me. They’ve got a 32-inch waist and a 32-inch inseam. If that’s close to what you wear, click on that link and under color pick “Mint Julep.” If you can see those pants on your legs and live in the U.S., leave a comment below. On September 8, if there’s more than one reader who fits the description, I’ll pick a name at random and get in touch for a shipping address.