Winter Kilt

[Rigged]

Hi Bear!

I'm in Northern California and I'm interested in purchasing a winter kilt. I only own Utilikilts right now, but I want a tartan kilt. My wife and I like the California tartan, which you don't have available. We're willing to order the material to have the kilt made in that tartan.

The winters here aren't particularly harsh. Temperatures rarely get down to freezing, but even my heaviest UK isn't warm enough for the coldest California nights.

Sometimes I make trips back east to Pittsburgh for Christmas and it's bitterly cold there with temperatures below freezing (sometimes down to -15F).

I've worn "woolies" underneath my heaviest UK and that worked ok, but I'd need less covering underneath if I had a warmer kilt.

Pittsburgh Kilts makes a flannel lined kilt, but they don't do tartans -- only plain colors, and I definitely want a tartan this time.

What do you suggest?

[Casey]

Rigged,

Winter - California?

Does not compute.


BUT, California - Vancouver.

Computes. Good choice.

Casey

[Graham]

I agree, I am suspecting you're a big softie

seriously, for cold weather you canna beat wool. But for your area poly vis should be fine, but 16oz wool will keep you nice and warm.

You adressed the question to Bear, so i should apologise for butting in.

[bear]

Hi Bear!

I'm in Northern California and I'm interested in purchasing a winter kilt. I only own Utilikilts right now, but I want a tartan kilt. My wife and I like the California tartan, which you don't have available. We're willing to order the material to have the kilt made in that tartan.

The winters here aren't particularly harsh. Temperatures rarely get down to freezing, but even my heaviest UK isn't warm enough for the coldest California nights.

Sometimes I make trips back east to Pittsburgh for Christmas and it's bitterly cold there with temperatures below freezing (sometimes down to -15F).

I've worn "woolies" underneath my heaviest UK and that worked ok, but I'd need less covering underneath if I had a warmer kilt.

Pittsburgh Kilts makes a flannel lined kilt, but they don't do tartans -- only plain colors, and I definitely want a tartan this time.

What do you suggest?

Hi Rigged,
Given the same yardage, wool will be warmer than poly/viscose. However, an 8 yard kilt in poly/viscose is really warm. I think the layers of fabric provide insulation almost as much as the type of fabric.
I've gone through two winters kilted. The first was in a 4 yard poly/viscose kilt, the second in a 6 yard poly/viscose kilt. I was rarely cold in either winter, but there was a noticable difference.
An 8 yard kilt in poly/viscose or wool should keep you warm enough, but wool will be warmer because of it's insulating qualities.
Hope that helps,
Bear

[Rigged]

Done!

I've ordered an 8 yard p/v in Hunting Stewart. I've also ordered a Ramsay Clan Crest sporran.

Now the waiting... and waiting... and waiting...

[Raphael]

Hunting Stewart? Good choice. It would be next tartan.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Way to go Rigged!!! You won't be disappointed when it gets there.

Just be REAL patient!

Hey Bear... we know that Rigged ain't exactly a Mary Lou Retton figure either. Can you say "carpal tunnel insurance"?

[Casey]

Rigged,

You will like the sporran, too. Nice and light and easy to move around. ie. In and out of the car.

Casey

[Colin]

You won't be disappointed Rigged. Bear's 8-yard PV kilts are perfect for those "crisp" mornings on the west coast. A perfect weight for the Californian climate. Enjoy.

PS Great choice in tartan. I too have a clan crest sporran (the one shown on the site) and I wear it the majority of the time.