[Panache]

This is quite a belated review

When I headed back to Victoria this Fall for the "great handoff" kilt night of xmarksthescot.com from Hank to Steve I was given strict instruction from my lovely Flame-Haired Celtic Amazon Goddess to not buy another kilt

And I did

However Steve sells some rather wonder kilt hose in his shop and in the end I left with two pair of them!

His "Heritage Hose" are a very thick wool blend that are knitted on an antique hose machine for Freedom kilts by a local craftswoman. Several colors are available and I chose the oatmeal and the brown. The more I wear highland attire the more I realize how often hose are looked on as an afterthought. However not only do good quality hose really compliment and improve an outfit they are much more comfortable than the lesser alternatives. Something very nice about the Heritage Hose is that they have a simple pattern and rely on the quality of the yarn and their construction instead of intricate patterns to look good. making them perfect for day wear.

Here are a few pictures

Brown hose

These particular photos were taken at Natural State Beach on an excursion to view the Monarch Butterflys







Close ups





(I think these work really well with the traditional garter ties that Matt Newsome sells)

Oatmeal hose




Close up




By the by, for all you Stillwater Weather Lamont Heavyweight kilt owners out there these two colors will look Fantastic with your kilt!

Here is the brown hose with the SWK WLH at our SCD class Halloween party



See what I mean?


The Heritage hose aren't cheap (the good stuff never is) but they are very handsome, well made, and I imagine are going to last me a long time.

Unfortunately I don't believe they are currently on the Freedom Kilts website, perhaps Steve would be willing to post prices, colors, and sizing on them.

If not I suggest sending an email or PM to our resident Wizard of BC, the main Freedom Kilts email address is service@freedomkilts.com (make sure to address them to "Stevie Baby", he really likes that! )

One thing is for certain, they get my recommendation!



Thanks Steve!





Cheers

Jamie

[Bugbear]

Good to know another source for brown hose.

Especially if your tartan has lots of coco brown in it...

[Oddern]

Very nice hoses Jamie. I really like the plain look and the thick yarn. Wear them well.
Skål!

[Old Hippie]

Having a pair myself, that get worn on cold Interior BC days, I can say these suckers are warm!

[Panache]

Originally Posted by Old Hippie

Having a pair myself, that get worn on cold Interior BC days, I can say these suckers are warm!

Amen!

Today was an amazingly cold one in San Jose. There was snow at the top of the Los Gatos foothills! Not to mention the summmit of the Santa Cruz mountains (very, very cold for this part of the world). I couldn't think of a better bit of kit to wear than my heritage hose.

Cheers

Jamie

[Macman]

Looking good, Jamie! I must add that these hose are the best I've ever worn. They are beautifully made, and are my go-to hose of choice. This thread has made me add another pair to my Christmas list!

[GDub]

Thanks for the review! (And yes, it's COLD here in the Bay Area! Cold enough to warrant the comfort of toasty warm kilt hose.) I almost bought a couple pair the last time Steve posted pics of the colors available--but it was 80 degrees in the shade on my patio. The time is nigh!

[The Wizard of BC]

OK Jamie, I got your PM.

Here are the details on the Heritage Hose.

The hose are made from a 80%/20% Wool/Nylon blend.

As you can see they are perhaps the longest and thickest hose around.



On to top are Heritage Hose
In the middle are "Pipers Hose" from Gaelic Themes.
And on the bottom are the standard 'Wool Rich" hose from Gaelic Themes.

I wear mine with a double fold over. Down over the Garters and then back up. It gives a nice thick top to the hose.




the colors available are;

Cream or Ecru


Oatmeal


Coffee Brown


Lovat Blue


Lovat Green


Forest Green


Smoke


Gray


The Hose are available by emailing me at the shop.
steve@freedomkilts.com

Price is $68.00cdn per pair

Small = US shoe size 8-9
Med = US shoe size 10-11
Large = US Shoe size 12-13

[Panache]

Thanks Steve!

Cheers

Jamie

[Kiltman]

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

That photo says it all. I have all three and love the top two very much. They are just simply good kilt hose and worth the expense.
Thanks for the review Jamie