Any suggestions for best kilt to hike around southern Europe?

**kilted2000** · 25th February 24, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by Pleater

A plaid is a really good thing to have - a real one, not a square of fabric over one shoulder.

By real plaid do you mean a so called lairds or day plaid similar to what is discussed in this old thread? I've been thinking of getting something like it. What size would you recommend? https://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/...y-plaid-54361/

**AndrewJohn** · 26th February 24, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by Troglodyte

Myself, as a regular kilt-wearer in France for more than 15 years, I feel I can speak with the voice of experience.

I strongly urge you to avoid man-made fibres and cotton - wool is insulating and is good protection against the sun as well as keeping out the cold. The fanning movement of the pleats keeps the air circulating, and the free movement of the front aprons of a kilt also give considerable comfort, even in temperatures higher than 40C.

Black Watch is one of the most popular tartans, and finding a kilt in it is easy - eBay.co.uk often has listings for ex-army kilts for very reasonable prices (remember British army kilts are made to NATO quality specifications) and are extremely robust - ideal for hiking. These also have sizing labels that give the hight, waist breech and length of the intended wearer, so finding a good fit is straight-forward.

If you prefer to go for a kilt in ancient colours, you may be lucky and find an off-the-peg kilt to suit, but there are excellent kilt-makers already well-established in France. I know the work of Chrystel Amyot (Lady Chrystel Kilts - www.lady-chrystel-kilts.com) who is at 18260 Vailly-sur-Sauldre, and can thoroughly recommend her highly skilled work. You can speak to her in English if necessary.

As for choice of fabric weight, for a man's kilt it is a great mistake to go for a material less than a medium-weight (13oz/400gsm) as the lighter weight cloths fail to hold their pleats and crumple easily. Even in high temperatures, a heavy-weight 16oz cloth is preferable, and the difference in weight when being worn in imperceptible and it gives a better hang or drape.

Do not be fooled into thinking a light-weight cloth is necessary for warm climates - remember the Highland regiments stationed in India wore their heavy wool kilts in great heat, and the military records show they suffered from the heat less than their trousered coleagues.

Feel free to ask if you need more information.

Just out bid on a Black Watch ex-army kilt on eBay. Unfortunately my £200+ bid was not enough!<Thanks though, I will try again!

**Pleater** · 26th February 24, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by kilted2000

By real plaid do you mean a so called lairds or day plaid similar to what is discussed in this old thread? I've been thinking of getting something like it. What size would you recommend? https://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/...y-plaid-54361/

Or maybe a 'drummer's plaid' in military terms.

I have the luxury of a large stash of fabric, so to make my things to take on holiday in the campervan - no more long hikes left, I'm afraid, I can find a length of good cloth left from cutting off a kilt length in one piece, so for a cosy plaid I might have 27 inches or even more in width, and enough length so I can tuck one corner at the waist, by the buckle on the right side, wrap right around at waist height then up and around the shoulders or over the head and still be long enough to protect the right arm and hands.

Anne the Pleater

**Kylahullu** · 29th February 24, 03:28 AM

About hiking or travelling kilt.
Wool is fine, but...

Why I use USAkilts casual.
When travelling or hiking carrying your stuff the weight matters. That casual weighs about 600g. A Woollen 16oz(?) 8-yard kilt weighs about 2700g and a woollen 5-yard box-pleated about 1600g. The size of the packed kilt is an issue too. That 8-yarder in a carry-on package does not feel good.
The material USAkilts use in those casuals might be different from many other PV kilts. Anyway, it is a lot better than my first kilt, Buyakilt 8-yard PV. The casual has seen a lot more service than the first one and still looks about pristine.
In the casual, no straps interfere with the backpack hip strap.

If the weight, or size packed, does not matter then the woollen 5-yard (box-pleated?) is a fine option. More yards make the back of the kilt a bit too heavy to be comfortable.

An eight-yard heavy one is fine if you are going to sit on cold surfaces, like rock, on the 1st of May celebrations in Finland. You have several layers of fabric between you and the COLD surface.