weight for Canadian tartans

[Wompet]

Well, as the token American in the SOKS (and potentially charter American in the Dunnvile International Kilt Society), I put my two cents on 16 oz.

I have to ask...just how much time do any of us spend outside in frigid weather that we have to be that concerned about having these heavyweight kilts?

Er, well...

Obviously, the hearty types that decide to go kilted snowshoeing or whatever are excused but then they're the ones buying those 18/22 oz military kilts that go up to their armpits and could shelter an extended family of eskimos in case a raging blizzard blows up during the seal hunt.

Actually, the 18 ouncers and above are a bit warm, just as 13 oz is a bit cool, but 16 oz is just right.

And if it's that cold...maybe you can commit sacrilege and actually wear something underneath...

I can't speak for anyone else, but reducing the bare skin available for heat exchange by even that much makes me too warm, even with a lightweight kilt - the shorts and my base layer shirt would be soaked with sweat.

[Geoff Withnell]

Having lived in the nothern part of Michigan's lower pennsula, which put me north of 90% of Canada's population, here is my reasonably informed take on the issue. Anything lighter than 12/13 oz will be too subject to breezes. Given a good pair of kilt hose, either 12/13 oz or 16 oz will keep one reasonably warm down to about 0 Farenheit (-18 Celsius). Of course strong winds make a heavier weight more desirable. 18 oz is of course even warmer, but may be a bit warm in summer. The Morton Mills PV is also reasonable warm.


Geoff Withnell

[Gryphon noir]

I voted for medium weight, because I find it is the best for most occasions--not too warm to dance in, yet heavy enough to wear in the winter [well, such as it is in this neck of the woods].

[M. A. C. Newsome]

If you don't mind a Carolina boy sharing his opinion, I think that anything less than a typical medium weight (13 oz) cloth is pretty light for a kilt in general.

Also, the Merino wool from F&K tends to feel and behave like a much lighter version of what many of us are used to in a typical worsted Scottish wool tartan.

I've made kilts from F&K's 16 oz cloth and found them to be much more acceptible. Once or twice I've made kilts from F&K's 18 oz cloth and really liked that much more. It was much closer to what I expect from a Scottish heavy weight woolen tartan.

[RockyR]

While much more limited selection, there are 3 UK mills that stock the Maple Leaf tartan (HOE in 13 oz, Lochcarron in 16 oz and Batleys in 16 oz). Also, HOE stocks the Nova Scotia tartan in 13 oz.

I'm making an 8 Yard Maple Leaf kilt for myself right now (Batleys 16 oz fabric)... I have the body done and just have to put in the canvas and the lining. It's coming out very nicely though. I picked their fabroc b/c the colors come out almost as a cross between muted and weathered whereas Lochcarron and HOE's are both darker.

Here's a pic of the cloth (please excuse the water mark):

[ccga3359]

I voted for 16oz. When I ordered my Ontario kilt I wanted 18 - 22oz just to have a kilt for winter. Unfortunately a custom weave from DC Dalgliesh it had to be 16oz.

[NewGuise]

My two 16oz kilts - 5-yd B&S 'casual' and 4-yd Keltoi box pleat - have held me in good stead, keeping me comfortable both in cold and in warm weather, below -20C with wind and above +20C with none. I only wear my PV kilt in the house, now.

[morrison]

I'd suppose it would depend on your intended predominate use. Which style of pleat you would employ and whether you'll be making a great kilt with ALL the trappings or a modern tank, suitable for formal affairs, or availability of certain tartan from the mill.
Living up here north of the 45th parallel I'd go heavy duty, full scale as far as I could afford. Do they make Canada Tartan fleur de lis, About fig leaf size?

[BoldHighlander]

Living up here north of the 45th parallel I'd go heavy duty, full scale as far as I could afford.

Living just 15 minutes south of the Peace Arch Crossing & catching those Fraser Valley winds full bore that come roaring across Whatcom County during the winter I'd personally take nothing less than 16oz

[Ancienne Alliance]

We like heavy weights !


best,

Robert