Hillwalker?

[auld argonian]

Someone mentioned the Hillwalker style of kilt recently and it got me poking around looking at possibilities.

I see that Alexis Malcolm does a Hillwalker but the reference was to Hector Russell's Hillwalker which was mentioned as having pockets.

Looking at the Hector Russell website, though, and no Hillwalker listed...I guess that there was some major shake up there but I seem to have missed the finer points of it...can anybody shed any light on why no Hillwalker?

Best

AA

[Carolina Kiltman]

I'm not too sure of the difference between a "casual kilt" and a "hill-walker", but check out this link -- might be helpful.


http://www.kiltscanada.com/different1.html

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

the "Hill Walker" was available from (I believe) Hector Russell about 15-20 years ago. It was a standard "tank" but with the addition of pockets and one or two other details that made it specifically suited to hiking in Scotland. If I can find the brochure I'll scan it and post it. As I recall, they weren't cheap and I doubt many folks placed orders. Perhaps one of our kilt makers has more details?

[McMurdo]

They are still on the Hector Russell Canada site

http://www.kiltscanada.com/different1.html

Hillwalker Kilt
Code: 5600
Price: $650.00
Only available in heavy weight 16oz.

[pdcorlis]

Unfortunately - they are - well - shall we say - vague as to its "difference." If I remember this right - it was the addition of pockets and a slightly different "cut" to make hiking up and down hills easier.

[slohairt]

I seem to remember hearing that, in addition to featuring pockets, the Hillwalker had (on average) nine very deep knife pleats. Does anyone own one to verify this?

[auld argonian]

I also seem to remember that they were a five or six yard kilt and thus not quite as $$$$ as an eight yard kilt.

Best

AA

[kiltimabar]

I have one I got 3 or 4 years ago, and the differences as I see them are:

1. They were only made in 16 oz weight.
2. There were two side pockets reinforced with leather on the outside edges, and the design included a small watch pocket on the front apron that was totally useless that I told them to omit.
3. It has only two buckles instead of the normal three, and did not have a well-defined waist, so it appears to be designed not to be worn with a waist belt. When Hector Russell measured me they recommended a length of 23" instead of the 25" length of my traditional kilt. I asked for 22" because I wanted it shorter. It does have the two large loops in the back supposedly for a sporran strap.
4. There are fewer, deeper pleats than my regular tank has--10 instead of 22; approximately 5 yards of material.
5. It is one of my favorite kilts--despite the heavyweight material, it is comfortable to wear even in warm weather because of the deep pleats and fewer layers of cloth around the waist. I believe it would serve well for hillwalking.

[Riverkilt]

I'd thought Alexis offered the Hillwalker too....?

And, of course, Steve Ashton offers pockets on tartan kilts at Freedom Kilts...or at least he made one up for himself...don't know if that model has a name.

Ron

[pdcorlis]

You are right brother Ron - Alexis does offer a Hillwalker, but I believe its machine stitched, 5 yard, and lighter weight wool.