Cold Weather Kilting?

[Roan Carter]

I'm looking around at different kilt weights and I was wondering what you guys felt was the lightest weight you would wear in cool or cold weather. I live in TN for the time being and it doesn't get horribly cold here, but I don't think I can wear my Sport Kilt or phillabeg in December. Is a 16 oz weight fabric (the frugal corner) apppropriate?

During the cold months I essentially wear my What Price Glory kilt nearly every day since it's the heaviest. I want a 2nd cool weather kilt, but I don't want to drop another 300$ for a new kilt this coming Autumn or Winter. I just want something wearable and warm enough that I can switch to it on ocassion for the sake of variety.

Surprisingly, the people in town actually recognize when I wear the same tartan several days of the week. I was really happy when Summer rolled around, just so I could have more variety.

[Graham]

Hi Roan, our winters are fairly mild here. We rarely get snow on the coast where I live. It drops to maybe 1 deg. Celcius.

If I go to the highlands in winter where there is lots of snow I will wear 16oz wool. Most of the time I can get away with 13oz wool or PV and be quite comfortable all year round.

The more kilts you have, the more options you have available to you.

[GMan]

I will agree with Graham. I have never had problems with a 130z PV. The only thing I might do different is to wear heavier socks as I find if I keep my toes and fingers warm, I am OK.

[McMurdo]

I only wear 16oz wool for winter kilting, in fact I only have one P.V. kilt, I guess thats what you get for living in Canada.

[TheSp8]

I've been comfortable in my SWK heavyweight which is not 16oz with good socks. The only time I felt I needed the 16oz was with alot of wind and it was spitting sleet/rain. If you normally put out a good bit of heat then a kilt in the 13oz range would be fine for TN.

YMOS,
Tony

[turpin]

I live in Atlanta and wore both 13 oz and 16 oz kilts all winter comfortably. Same for winter trips to Memphis. Key are warm feet, hands, and torso/head. A 13 oz will be plenty warm enough for Nashville if you like the lighter weight generally. the waistband keeps your belly warm in winter, and that's a large part of your torso. I've also got no problem wearing 16-oz wool in 80-85 degree weather either (as long as the humidity is reasonable).

[ccga3359]

I'm new to kilting (this January). I wore my heavyweight SWK for smoke breaks in -25C. It was quite bearable whereas jeans I would've froze my assets. A heavy wool sweater would help considerably as it is the torso that you have to keep warm, that and your noggin. Realize as hyperthermia kicks in, blood is shunted away from your appendages to try to keep your organs warm. A good kilt will block wind and hold heat in somewhat so move from heat vent to heat vent, nobody will know why your smiling but at least you'll be the only one that is.

[Dreadbelly]

Remember the ogre's lesson about onions.

Layers! Multiple insulating layers. Once you have a good system of layers in place that works for you, you are golden. Keep your ears, toes, and fingers warm. When those get cold, your body thinks it is cold. Wear a good hat.

[Tattoo Bradley]

Remember the ogre's lesson about onions.

Layers! Multiple insulating layers. Once you have a good system of layers in place that works for you, you are golden. Keep your ears, toes, and fingers warm. When those get cold, your body thinks it is cold. Wear a good hat.

Someone's been to see the new Shrek movie.

[beowulf67]

I've worn my Sportkilt out in the winter with no problems. I'm in North Alabama if that helps.

Oh and TheSp8, I love the avatar!