Mountain Hardwear Logan Canyon 3/4 Pant

When you want a little more protection than shorts, but a little more ventilation than full length pants, these are the ticket. Comfortable and hard-wearing in a variety of conditions all year round.

A couple of years ago I decided to try something new, and purchased a pair of Mountain Hardwear AP 3/4 pants. Though the "man capri" look was a little different for me, I found myself wearing them all the time... not just hiking, but pretty much all summer long... wine tasting, hanging out by the beach, and more. So I decided I should order another pair, but alas, they were discontinued.

However, MH does make a similar pant, the Logan Canyon 3/4 pant. 

Fit: I actually like the fit of the Logan Canyon a lot more than the AP. The stretchy ripstop fabric hugs the contours of my waist and hips really nicely, and never sags (a problem which I did have with the AP). My waist size is a 37, but these size 38 pants hug nicely. Extra security is provided by a series of belt loops, utilizing the belt of your choice (I am a fan of stretchy Arcade belts).

My only very minor quibble here is while the AP 3/4 have two belt loops in the center of the back which feels really secure, the Logan Canyon has only one. It's a small thing, but it feels a bit more secure for me with two loops.

The inseam of the Logan Canyon 3/4 pants isn't specified by the manufacturer, but my measurement puts it at 15 inches. On my shortish legs, that puts it slightly higher than mid-calf which is just where I like it. 

Also... for those who might not be into the 3/4 pant look, MHW makes full length Logan Canyon Pants (30", 32", 34" inseam sizes) and Logan Canyon shorts (7", 9" inseam sizes). The Logan Canyon line does not come in a women's model, but the Dynama/2 Capri appears to be very close.

Comfort/Breathability: I have worn these on a couple of multi-day backpack trips, and found them to be comfortable day after day. The ripstop nylon is nicely breathable, so I never find myself wishing for shorts in warmer weather. But if it gets a little chillier, they provide enough warmth to stay comfortable.

Moisture control is excellent, and if they get wet, they dry very quickly. On a multi-day backpack trip at Mount Rainier last year, I experienced everything from warm bluebird weather, to chillier damp days and a bit of rain. I never felt myself wanting a different pair of pants, but found them perfect in all conditions.

Construction/Durability:  While the AP 3/4 is a heavier, sturdy cotton/nylon fabric, the Logan Canyon is a lighter 85% recycled nylon/15% elastane ripstop blend. Though much lighter, this fabric wears really well, and with eighteen months of use on them, they still look and feel new. Sitting down on rough Sierra granite or Cascade igneous?? No problem... they stand up to it all. 

The stitching is very clean and there are no loose threads showing anywhere. The button is a nice metal rivet style button, though the button hole seems a little bit large for the size of it, and the button comes through the hole easier than I think it should.

One of the things I've always liked about MHW pants, is that most of the time they use metal zippers instead of nylon, which amps up the durability (the AP 3/4 pants have a metal zipper). These have just a fairly standard nylon zipper, which feels a little less sturdy to me, though I haven't had any problems with it.

These pants are machine washable (cold water on gentle cycle, tumble dry on low setting) so are easy to clean and dry.

Other features:The pants have five pockets. There are two zipped pockets on the rear, two side pockets, and a smaller pocket on the right thigh with a snap closure. I like this small pocket for keeping my car keys safe when I'm out on the trail. 

The interior of the rear pockets is the same ripstop nylon as the main body of the pants, though the hip/thigh pockets are a polyester mesh. 

The pockets all ride fairly high on the pants, which Mountain Hardwear describes as "harness compatible." Since I've never used a harness, I can't speak to that. 

The knees and crotch area are fully articulated and gusseted, and had plenty of room and stretch on the big steps and rocky scrambles I have often encountered in the mountains.

The Bottom Line: In all but the hottest conditions, I always reach for the Logan Canyon 3/4 pants when heading out for a hike. They are well made, super comfortable, nicely fitting, hard wearing, and look great, when you want just a little more protection than traditional shorts. They are an excellent choice for hiking, backpacking, trekking, rock climbing, travel, and wine tasting, in a variety of conditions.

Background

Dozens of all-day hikes in the Sierra Nevada, Three Sisters Wilderness, Sierra Foothills, California Coast, plus multi-day backpack trips in Mount Rainier and Point Reyes. AND enjoying a nice Mendocino County Pinot Noir on a summer's day!