Cracking Hardy

**Grouse Claw** · 9th April 14, 05:57 AM

In my year's experience on this distinguished site I have read about how certain persons wear the kilt in most weathers. I have read these posts with some scepticism, (sp. Brit, NZ Eng.) especially the North American winter testimonies. A few days ago I wore the kilt in the damp start to the New Zealand autumn, when the temperature was down around 11 degrees C. After a couple of hours of this I was chilled, and back home took several hours to return to normal core temperature. I was wearing two layers below and wearing four layers on my upper body. We have a phrase down here with which you may or not be familiar, "cracking hardy." It certainly does not describe me!

**Chas** · 9th April 14, 06:16 AM

Not quite sure that I understand. Are you saying that even with two layers your hardy is cracking?

**Calgacus** · 9th April 14, 06:32 AM

Hi Grouse Claw,

I would happily wear a kilt around town in pretty much any temperature to be found in Scotland (roughly -5°C to 25°C with the odd exception). For heading in to the hills, I find the kilt to be a 'three seasons' garment. That means spring, summer and autumn only. I've worn a kilt in the hills in falling snow but found it prudent to stop going regimental. Much colder and my knees start to seize up, so my rule of thumb these days is to wear trousers when hillwalking if there is going to be snow.

It should be noted however that when hillwalking (hiking) the body is generating a lot of heat internally. The kilt is ideally suited to keeping that heat on the cooler days, yet being able to dissipate it on the warmer days making it, at least in my experience, to be an ideal garment for three seasons walking.

On a damp day at 11°C I'd happily wear a kilt, regimental or otherwise, with a pullover, tweed, or maybe a Barbour jacket.

**Tobus** · 9th April 14, 07:10 AM

11 degrees C is about 52 degrees F. That should be plenty warm for wearing a kilt, especially if you're actively walking or hiking. I've done plenty of hikes in that sort of weather (damp too), and found myself actually getting hot and sweaty. The only time I'd get chilled is afterwards, when I had cooled down.

**Riverkilt** · 9th April 14, 07:36 AM

We should probably clarify what kind of kilt you were wearing. Was it a 16 ounce 8 yard wool tank or an inexpensive kilt made from synthetic fibers? Thanks

**Hawk** · 9th April 14, 08:16 AM

Good point Ron and Tobus......in addition, a photo of what you were wearing would be nice as the rabble could comment and give suggestions.....

Hawk

**TheOfficialBren** · 9th April 14, 11:37 AM

I have found that my lightweight P/V is fine down to the low 60s F and too hot over about 85*F. I have found that my 5 - yard 16 ounce wool is comfortable down to the high 40s, low 50s F and too hot over about 80*F. Then again, I hate the heat and for me anything over 70* is too hot.
I never go regimental.

For my area the kilt is, indeed, also a three season garment: Autumn, Winter, and Spring.

Way too hot in the summertime (it gets 110*F here). I've tried it. I wear shorts on those days.

**Grouse Claw** · 10th April 14, 02:48 AM

Down here, when someone is said to be cracking hardy, it means that they are putting on a show of being tougher than they are, like machismo. As I said, not me, but perhaps some real tough guys live in North America. Answering queries, my kilt is an 8 yard, 16-ounce wool garment by Scotweb. Tartan: Campbell of Argyll. I wasn't hiking, just wearing it round the city, so I wasn't generating much heat. Although I like the heat, I wouldn't wear the kilt in some of our summer days. I have visions of my great grandfather in India.

Click image for larger version.

Name: My kilt wool 8 yard 16 oz by Scotweb.jpg
Views: 2
Size: 13.4 KB
ID: 17709

**Tobus** · 10th April 14, 05:23 AM

Originally Posted by Grouse Claw

Down here, when someone is said to be cracking hardy, it means that they are putting on a show of being tougher than they are, like machismo. As I said, not me, but perhaps some real tough guys live in North America.

I don't think it has anything to do with being "tough guys" or faking machismo. It's just a matter of the weather your body is acclimated to. Folks in North America have lived in cold weather long enough that their bodies have adjusted to it. Just as the original Scottish Highlanders were renowned for their ability to endure brutally cold temperatures whilst wearing their great kilts. Living in it their whole lives makes their bodies adjust.

Being a Texan, I'm acclimated to warmer temperatures. When it starts getting cold in winter, I get a chill that takes about 3 months to shake off. Generally speaking, I haven't adjusted to the cold until it starts to warm up for spring! We had our local Highland Games last weekend here in San Antonio, and the day started off around 53 degrees (F), only warming up to about 62 degrees by mid-afternoon. I was wearing an 8-yard wool kilt with shirt, tie, and tweed jacket. My body was warm enough, but my hands were fairly cold all day. This likely wouldn't have bothered someone visiting from, say, Canada, who was used to much colder temperatures.

**JohntheBiker** · 10th April 14, 06:01 AM

Tobus has got it right. While we get warm summers (temperatures will get into the high 30C's) we also get winter temperatures down to -20C or more. A temperature of 11C would make for a rather nice early spring or late fall day and a kilt and tweed jacket would be an ideal outfit. No "cracking" about it, it's what we are used to.

That having been said, I find southern US summers to be unbearable.