Box pleats and winter

**possingk** · 1st December 05, 08:08 AM

I have just given myself the OK for 2 metres of the Xmarks tartan (will get wifes OK later) I talked to Matt Newsome about a 4 yard box pleated kilt from him, and will get that ASAP. Now I have a few questions for those of you that own them. I have read that they are very light, does this mean they blow around more than say a 4 yard knife pleated kilt?
How are they for keeping me warm in the winter?
Any other comments you might have are greatly appreciated.

How sad is it that I am asking questions before the material is even ordered, it could be a year from now when all the pieces fall together.

**switchblade5984** · 1st December 05, 10:16 AM

good question! +1

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 1st December 05, 10:33 AM

I wear 4 yard box pleated kilts year round. The X Marks tartan is a 15 oz, if I remember correctly, which is a heavy weight. I, for one, never have any problems with the kilt acting up in a strong breeze, and temperature-wise, there is no difference between a 4-yard box pleat, and 4-yard knife pleat. (Though you will notice it is cooler than an 8-yard knife pleat!).

Aye,
Matt

**Woodsheal** · 1st December 05, 02:38 PM

I have one of Matt's 4-yarders, and love it! It'll feel a lot lighter than an 8 yd. tank, of course, but the front aprons are just like any other kilt - and no more prone to flying up in a breeze than any other. The pleated section has enough fabric and weight to keep you warm, especially with 15 oz. material....

**yoippari** · 1st December 05, 02:42 PM

I have never had a problem with wind that actually became a problem. It has felt like the pleats would be blown around before but they stayed in place.

Tempurature wise it is cooler than my SWK standard which is 8 yards I think (I think I measured it at 7.3 yards or something but that is not too accurate because of of the pleats). Walking to the car from the pub the other night in portland I was somewhat cold. I had soccer socks, the kilt, under shirt, over shirt, and a leather coat on and my legs were chilly. Tempurature was probably around the high 30s.

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 1st December 05, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

... (Though you will notice it is cooler than an 8-yard knife pleat!)...

Is that a 4yd box pleat is cooler than a 8yd knife pleat (which makes sense)? Sorry, just not sure what you are referring to in your comparison, a 4yd knife pleat, 4yd box pleat, or possible an 8yd box pleat.

**Riverkilt** · 2nd December 05, 07:14 PM

Hey PossingK,

Hope you get up another order. I'm loving mine!

Matt, thought it was a 14oz.....? Not sure, but its between my 11oz and my 16oz for sure.

The X Marks Kilt pics on page 8 of my gallery taken out at Pasture Canyon on the Navajo Reservation were taken on a very cold and WINDY day. I was trying to get the wind to sort of pick up the pleats to show them...was even trying to swish them up into the wind...kind of like launching a kite...I could swish them just fine...but they seemed impervious to the wind other than an occasional flutter... And it really was a very windy day, in a wide canyon, next to a large body of water....guessing the gusts were often over 15 mph.

I think if someone put a yard of 14 oz wool in one of my hands and a yard of 16 oz wool in the other I'd be hard pressed to figure out which was the heavier one by two ounces.

It'll hold its own in the wind no matter how you pleat it.

Ron

**Angus** · 2nd December 05, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by possingk

I have read that they are very light, does this mean they blow around more than say a 4 yard knife pleated kilt?
How are they for keeping me warm in the winter?

I have one and love it( 16oz Cameron). I decided since you asked to take mine out in the wind and see what happend. I walked all over the place, next to buildings, getting in and out of my truck, out in the open and the whole time the most I got it to do was a little "flutter" in the back. Maybee I was just lucky but it performed perty well for me.
Its actually nice and warm, I like it so much I'm thinking bout ordering another one.

**GlassMan** · 2nd December 05, 08:42 PM

My spouse says that my kilt flutters all over the place when I have a bad case of the winds!

Oh, that wasn't the question you asked, never mind.

**Sir Robert** · 2nd December 05, 09:16 PM

I have a Mercy polyester kilt (which is thinner than most normal tartan material) and took a walk in the snow.

The skin was fine above the knees under the kilt. Heat rises and is trapped under the kilt.

Good insulated boots and good warm socks made everything from calves down warm too.

The knees were coolish but in weather much below freezing you need a long coat anyway.