Quote Originally Posted by bubba View Post
I imagine the quality of the chain really makes the difference. If it's properly welded and smoothed links with good plating it shouldn't be much of a problem. If it's a cheap one chances are there'll be rough spots to snag the fabric.
You know, it seems to be more than just the smoothness of the chain. Our band had sporran chains with our previous set of kilts, and the chains felt smooth but, over the years, they really wore the kilts. I think one of the things that happens is that, as the chain flexes, the little hairs in the wool are caught between the links and pulled out or broken, even if the chain is smooth enough that the join between links doesn't actually catch on the kilt. We've worn leather straps (no chain portion) with our new kilts, and there's no evidence of wear, and some of the kilts are 15 years old.

Having said that, our band kilts are worn for parades and competitions a couple times a week from May through September every year. That's a lot of wear. I wouldn't worry about wearing a sporran chain for dress on occasion, but, if I were planning to wear a kilt a lot, I'd get a leather strap.

But, it can be tough to find leather sporran straps! When our daughter was married last spring, I made kilts for several family members who ordered their own sporrans. Each one came with a sporran chain. I thought I'd just order a half dozen leather sporran straps and replace them. The first place I ordered from sent me straps that were chain in the front and leather in the back - their catalog had listed them as "leather sporran straps". I actually had a hard time finding a place that sold plain leather straps, no chain section. So, I have to agree that the trend is toward chain.