The Mountain Life + Women's Mountain Khakis Review and Giveaway

Growing up the Matanuska Valley in Alaska (carved by glaciers a very long time ago =) and living now in the Wind River Range in Wyoming, I honestly can’t imagine my life anywhere BUT the mountains.  I love feeling like maybe there are still some places in this world that remain uncharted and mysterious.

Matanuska Valley, Alaska

The truth is that I feel somewhat exposed in wide-open places with nowhere to rest my eyes (except maybe a moving heat mirage.)  I am always looking just a little bit further into the horizon and am often surprised by a nagging feeling of unsettlement. 

The mountains let me breathe, hold my heart, and have encircled the family I grew up in and now my own growing family.  They are home for me. 

Tetons - view from Slide Lake area

While no community is perfect, I admire hard-working men and wind-blown women fretting just a little less about their appearance and a little more about getting their family outside.  In the mountains it is ok for kids to be glowing from a breathless day outside in the dirt and smelling like a campfire all summer (or winter!) long.  Quality family time is spent hiking, skiing, biking and stocking up firewood.   

This is who I am, and despite attempts to change it during my teenage years, this is who I will remain.  I am truly proud to be a “Mountain Mama”. 

I am now honored to be an Ambassador for a great outdoor company making clothing that fits the life of my family.  Mountain Khakis just came out with their women’s line this past spring, but have been making quality men’s clothing for 9 years now.  Mtn Papa and I can personally attest that they “are built to withstand the elements and activities of everyday mountain living.”

Rugged. Authentic. Reliable. Timeless. And started (and based) in Jackson, WY to boot (one of our very favorite “local” stomping grounds.)

Because Mtn Papa and I are actually BOTH now Ambassadors, you will definitely see product reviews throughout the year on the blog from both a women’s and a men’s standpoint.  We’re pretty excited to offer you the inside scoop on a company we love.  As always, count on the reviews to be honest and thorough and definitely open to comments and discussion.  We aren’t going to “sugar-coat” anything just because we are Ambassadors – it wouldn’t be fair to you, them OR us!

Before I highlight some of my favorites for Spring/Summer, I just want to let you know that I am fully aware that this clothing tends to be on the “higher” end of the cost spectrum.  I am ONLY ok with that when I know it is clothing that is going to last a very long time.  MKs definitely will.  In fact, they have a quality guarantee: “Every MK garment 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.”  BUT, if you still can’t swallow it, be sure to watch for end of season sales especially and stock up!

Lake Lodge Pant ($89.95)

Hands down, my current favorite.  Despite the fact that they are more of a “Khaki” than a go-out-and-hike pant, they are the ones I reach for the most.  I think it is because of the stretch cotton/Lycra material + plain and simple soft cotton that makes them super comfortable.  They also happen to wash well (and don’t require an iron if you catch them right out of the dryer!)

Granite Creek Capri ($79.95)

The fabric on these is strong, durable and looks good all day (or night…)  The only (BIG) gripe I have with these is that they run a full size small compared to the Granite Creek Pants.  Additionally, since I am usually doing a lot of moving throughout the day, I wish they had that Lycra stretch in them just for a bit more comfort.  The “Ash” color (shown below) is great!

Granite Creek Pants ($82.95)

Tough pants that are great for hiking (I wear them on most hikes we do) and still look good enough to wear the rest of the day.  I get tons of complements on these.  UV50+ plus Scotchgard for stain repellence (which I have tested plenty) and moisture-wicking.  Quite honestly, I would probably choose a different color next time - it's always so hard to tell in photos - but I think I would like a darker one better (mine are the "Mushroom" color - shown in photo below.)

They also are GREAT for drying quick.  I may have had to wade in a lake looking for a camera I may have dropped, and despite the sun behind the clouds, I was pretty much completely dry within 20-30 minutes.  They did stretch out a considerable amount, but that is typical and after a wash were good as new.

Atmosphere Organic Corps Hat ($19.95)

Basic corps hat, but cute and functional!

Mountain Miss Organic T-Shirt ($17.95 on sale!)

Again, a basic T-shirt, but I love the design (it makes me long for the mountains) and washes and wears well (gotta love that Organic cotton! :))

Pssstt: If you go to the Mountain Khakis site, you can help promote clothing you love via social media sites and earn $5 off your order.

Giveaway!
Congratulations to Colorado Mountain Mom - email me to claim your prize!
Mountain Khaki has very generously offered for one of you to win a $30 gift card to their online shop.  To enter (leave a comment for EACH thing you do - a total of 4 entries possible):
1. (Required) Leave a comment on this post about where you feel most comfortable (mountains, water, on your couch, etc. ;))
2. (extra entry) Like us on Facebook and comment that you do/already did.
3. (extra entry) Like Mountain Khakis on Facebook and comment that you do/already did.
3. (extra entry) Follow us on Twitter and comment that you do/already did.
The giveaway will be open until May 22nd at 8 pm MST.  The winner will then be announced on this blog post and via Facebook.  Make sure to leave an email address in your comment so I can get ahold of you!

Mountain Khakis provided me this clothing free of cost for a review on our blog (before we became Ambassadors.)  However, as always, the opinions expressed here are completely and honestly my own!