a little uncomfortable discussion about kilts for backpacking

[Andrew Breecher]

I bet you were wondering when I'd chime in.

Body Glide. Don't leave home without it. Apply to the inner thighs and you won't have to worry about chaffing.

My hiking kilt is a 4-yard P/V kilt that fastens with velcro. I've never, ever had to worry about flashing anyone, although there were a few times when I had to boulder scramble and I suggested to my hiking partners that they might like to go ahead of me. I've forded creeks up to my waist, I've been along wind-swept mountain crests, and I've glissaded down snowy slopes. The kilt might whip around my legs, but it's never just flown up - that's more of a city thing where the wind gets channeled between buildings and hits you as you go around a corner. Maybe your fear of the wind lifting your kilt is because it's so light and has so few pleats? With deeper pleats and a slightly heavier cloth, it might behave better.

As for chaffing under the waistband, I've never noticed it. My pack rarely weighs more than 30 lbs, even with food and water, so maybe that's it.

These observations are from about 5,000 kilted backpacking miles.