I need hose help

[Macnut42]

Please help me oh kilted bretheren. I have several pairs of cheap lycra hose which are really no different from regular sport socks, but much more expensive. I keep getting stuck with these because they're the only ones that fit up around my calves. I have bought some pairs of nice thick acrylic/wool blend hose but I notice that all of them seem to have a maximum stretch of about 16 inches. My calves are 18 inches so I can't wear any them. For $25 bucks a pair, you'd think they would fit. I do have one pair of bottle green hose that I bought that are a perfect fit and very comfy, but, stupid me, I can't remember where I got them and I can't seem to find the bookmark in my browser. I know I'm not the only one who has had this problem. I just wonder what the makers of these narrow hose are thinking. Haven't they seen the guys at Highland games who have tree stumps for legs? What do they wear? I would really like to not spend $100+ on custom knits. Someone please help me.

Thanks!

Sean

p.s. My shoe size is 12 and I've been getting the biggest hose pairs I can find.

[Nighthawk]

I really like WB Socks- http://stores.shop.ebay.com/WB-SOCKS...34Q2ec0Q2em322

I have 21 inch calves, and they fit well. Not to mention the fact that they're cheap! They're great, especially for the price.

You could also give these a try:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I've been wanting a pair for a while, and will be getting one soon myself.

[piperdbh]

PM Matt Newsome at the Scottish Tartans Museum. He has some of the Lewis hose in large-calf sizes.

[fluter]

You could also give these a try:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I've been wanting a pair for a while, and will be getting one soon myself.

Those shooting socks are from the same maker as the Lewis hose that so many of us like (from the Scottish Tartans Museum, and elsewhere).

[Macnut42]

Thanks for the replys. This helps a lot. I'll try out the WB Socks store on Ebay. The Lewis hose look very nice, but I can't justify the price right now. I would eventually like to have a more complete ensemble with top quality from head to toe... but I either need a big raise or a winning lottery ticket.

Thanks again guys.

Slainte! Ceol Agus Craic!

Sean

[Rex_Tremende]

I second the suggestion for the fully fashioned Lewis hose. Last time I checked, my calves were a bit more than 17" each, and I've always struggled with the little boa constrictors. I only have one pair of them right now, but they are probably my most comfortable and possibly the warmest ones I own. I don't wear them in the summer much, so I'm looking forward to getting back into them.

Regards,
Rex.

[ForresterModern]

Piper's bobble top hose are also fairly elastic, thick, and from what I've heard tolerant of larger calves, although my calves are only 16s. They are available from Scottishlion for around $30US.

Any of the House of Cheviot hose are very stretchable in thier tops--I have pairs in their Rannoch, Lewis, and several country hose styles which, although a bit pricey should meet your needs, as described above. WB Socks are decent quality but relatively thin and wear out quickly by comparison, and when stretched over your "ten pounds of ham in a five pound bag" calves would likely be stretched very thin to the nearly see through point. But it is probably worth trying a pair or two for the price differential between them and pipers or Cheviots. Good luck.

[mattatacat]

I also have to vote for the lewis hose that mac newsome sells at the tartan museum. I have pretty big calves and the large size fit quite comfortably so Im sure the x larges would work plus they are super soft and comfortable.

[Rex_Tremende]

... so Im sure the x larges would work plus they are super soft and comfortable.

"Fully Fashioned." They come in all sizes. XL was too big for my foot (at US 10.5), but the Large and "Fully Fashioned" is what works on my gams.

Regards,
Rex.

[ChubRock]

You could check your PayPal history or Credit Card statements to see who you may have bought the socks from. Best of luck!