When it comes to the clothes I’ve tested (like in my latest review) it comes down to three things:
1. Comfort, 2. Durability, and 3. Value for price.
I tested both Mountain Hardwear’s Men’s AP pant and Mountain Hardwear’s AP Active pant with these three objectives in mind.
Comfort
It’s hard to find pants long enough for guys who are tall like me but to find a pair that also looks and feels good takes another step. I’ve mentioned it before, but finding pants that fit right yet are comfortable enough to wear all day long can be difficult. Mountain Hardwear makes very “liveable” products from my experience. Their gear gets the job done and is made to last, yet listens and responds to the needs of the consumer.
The AP Active pants specifically provide more flexibility and stretch. While the extra maneuverability is nice, these pants are naturally a slimmer cut and run small from my experience. I tried on a few different sizes and determined you’re safe to order up one number from your typical jeans/denim waist size.
The AP pants are more of a traditional straight cut. These pants are still comfortable and are a great option to pair with fall outfits. They do give some more breathing room than the Active pants and thus run more true-to-size.
Durability
Sure finding a great deal on clothes is great. Who doesn’t like a good deal? But there’s nothing worse than purchasing a product and then after a couple of uses realizing why it’s on sale. I’ve flown through jeans and pants over the years while I was working in retail, stocking shelves, running across the store, mopping, and unloading trucks. After a while of doing all of these things for a while, my clothes would start to fray, rip, and tear.
Thankfully, Mountain Hardwear is known for clothing to withstand extreme sports and extreme conditions. I specifically tested both the AP Active and the AP pants for an extended period of time, longer than most product tests, to see how their durability held up over time. I had no complaints about the durability of either pair and both feel built to last active use and work.
Value and Conclusion
I don’t like the term price when it comes to reviews. Price is so subjective. It changes from product to product. My pocketbook is different than yours! So a term I prefer instead is value. What’s the next question someone always asks after they ask you how much something you bought was? “Was it worth it?”
So if you’re looking for a quality pair of multi-purpose pants that look good enough to wear with a buttoned shirt but also comfortable enough to dress down Mountain Hardwear’s AP and AP Active pants are a great option.
At the retail price of $90.00, I would say these are good pants but not the best for their price point. However, these pants are on sale on sites like Amazon, Backcountry, and other retailers. At the current sale price of $40.00 (approx.), the AP and AP Active pants are one of the best deals out there for men’s pants this fall. They provide excellent value for guys looking for a rugged, yet comfortable look for their fall wardrobe.
Note: Our reviews are always 100% independent but Gearadical receives a small affiliate amount if you purchase the product on Amazon or Backcountry.
