When I last climbed Mt. Whitney at the end of my John Muir Trail hike, I wore a Sport Kilt. It did just fine for the job, and I had no complaints, other than the fact that it's just not constructed like a traditional kilt.

I did indeed hike the entirety of the Appalachian Trail in a four-yard Bear Kilt, and I will wear the same kilt this coming spring when I thru-hike the PCT (including Whitney again). The Velcro closure of the kilt was indespensible for my weight loss over the course of hiking a long trail. I have worn a traditional wool kilt with a backpack for short hikes, and haven't found any problems with the leather straps beneath the hip belt of the pack, but I wouldn't want to do that for any length of time. I plan on making my Bear Kilt an 8,000 mile kilt before I send it back to Bear to hang on his wall.

If you're just hiking straight up from Whitney Portal/Lone Pine, then you shouldn't have to worry about any long-term chaffing (other than the hours you spend climbing switchback after switchback!), no matter what kind of kilt you get. Like I said, I've had great success with a Bear Kilt, but if you need one on short order, you may do better with a USA Kilt. I've heard they have a good turn-around time on orders, but I don't have one of their kilts myself to comment on them other than that.

If you have any questions about hiking kilted, feel free to send me a PM, or post them here.

Andrew.