Kilts and cold weather

[beloitpiper]

I just got back from a belated St. Andrew's Day party. It was 6 degrees outside as I walked home. I bit brisk, but I didn't think it required any special clothing.

[Abax]

Having grown up and lived in Alaska for 35 years, I offer that it is foolish to expose yourself to potentially injurious cold (not sure this happens too often in Georgia though). It's also not very comfortable. It is well within the realm of possibility to frostbite parts you'd rather not. I've come close once or twice . . . you don't realize it's happening. Once you incur frostbite, that part will become sensitive to cold and be much more susceptible to frostbite in the future. You pick 'em, but wear enough clothes to keep yourself warm.

With that caution in mind, I wore my Utilikilt to work the mid-shift last week. When I left to go home at 6:00 am, it was minus 20° C with a light breeze. The multiple layers of cotton-poly in the Utilikilt plus normal underwear was quite sufficient for comfort. My upper body was clad in a shirt, wool sweater (incidental to indoor comfort) and a down coat plus scarf. As many others have mentioned, keeping your upper body core warm will help keep the extremities warm as long as the extremities' blood flow doesn't shut down.

I can't wait for my box-pleat kilt from Matt to arrive so I can wear wool on those chilly mornings

Stay Warm!

Abax

[davedove]

Unless you're going to be in Arctic conditions, the kilt should keep the boys warm enough, unless there is a serious wind. That being said, i have found that when it's cold and a bit breezy, my knees get really cold, but only when I'm standing still. If you keep moving, there is usually no problem.

[Blu (Ontario)]

Having grown up and lived in Alaska for 35 years, I offer that it is foolish to expose yourself to potentially injurious cold (not sure this happens too often in Georgia though). It's also not very comfortable. It is well within the realm of possibility to frostbite parts you'd rather not. I've come close once or twice... etc.

True enough. I too have come close once... and that was enough.

There's cold... and then there's raw biting cold with wind chill factors that make trousers your best option.

Under extreme conditions, health and safety should take priority over pride.

[Dreadbelly]

A real Scot curls back his lip and makes a face so fierce that the cold wind shivers.

[Colin]

A real Scot curls back his lip and makes a face so fierce that the cold wind shivers.

That's the frostbite setting in on those parts that Abax mentioned!!!!