Sporrans - I don't get it.

[Smayniac]

Sporrans are actually pretty comfortable and functional...I often wear one with jeans just to have the extra "room for my stuff"...looks better than a f*nny pack.

Dead animal skin...has been used for years for all sorts of things. Given it's flexibility and durability it would probably end up having a smaller carbon footprint than anything else that could do the job. Personally, I try to avoid exotic furry stuff but look upon bovine leather as re-using the bag that my last hamburger originally came in.

Best

AA

I love the emphasis added line above, I'll try to use that one myself. I am working on a "recycled" badger sporran cause I've always loved the look. My eight year old, Scooby, is jealous that it only has one head and I get it. He's quite an environmentalist in general, but his science teacher wears a head on sporran, so it must be OK.

Bob

[GDub]

I just don't get sporrans. Their placement seems awkward...

The sporran is the first line of defense against intruders!

[The Wizard of BC]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the most obvious reason for the sporran and the original reason they we invented in the first place.

Traditional Kilts Do Not Have Pockets!!!

It's the only place to keep your car keys.

[Southern Breeze]

Traditional kilts do not have pockets!!!!

It was worth repeating.

[auld argonian]

So where did all those Jacobites put their car keys and cell phones?

In their sporrans!


Best

AA

[Bugbear]

I could be completely wrong, but I don't think traditional trews have pockets either...
Makes you wonder...

[Sir Robert]

Originally nobody had pockets, leather bags, called purses, were attached to one's belt this became the sporran over time just as the kilt was originally a wool blanket.

[Carolina Kiltman]

I'ii add another tuppence worth.

The sporran, if worn high enough (about 4" below the belt" is quite comfortable. As for such things as cel phones, car keys, and the like. I can't hear very well, so I set the cel phone on vibrate, and use a clip type pouch, and put on the top of the underapron against me. I'll feel it if it goes off.

As for the car keys, I have only the key + house key, so I use a small closed hook on the ring, and clip it to the chain - "D" ring on the back of the sporran, it is generally out of sight and is no bother.

I also agree that if what you have won't fit in a regular sporran, you are carrying too much stuff around.

Slainte

[Rex_Tremende]

Generally, at least in my opinion (and in the experience of others), a sporran is vastly superior to an over the shoulder bag, or even a rather large clutch purse. I suppose it's a guy thing, like not wearing fishnets and stilettos with a utilikilt...

Seriously, if you've got more stuff than will fit in your sporran, you are probably carrying too much junk around with you. [...]
I can't imagine needing to carry around more than that, but if I did I'd probably strap on a fanny pack.

I've carried some form of (for what is for today's discussion best called) a "man's bag" for more than 20 years, so I'm going to have to disagree. I have found them to be highly utile and not at all inconvenient.

I will agree that it tends to accumulate more than one would ordinarily schlep around, but somehow what I have someone invariably needs (it's often me), and I'm always glad I had it with me.

I do agree, however, that bags are just not a man thing. Too easy to mislay, and they don't leave your hands free.

My latest version sports a long strap that goes over one shoulder and under the other arm - I always have my hands free and I always know where it is.

In all the years I've carried a bag, I've only misplaced one once, but I got it and all the contents back within an hour or so after someone turned it in.

I also agree that if what you have won't fit in a regular sporran, you are carrying too much stuff around.

You are probably right. Tonight here is what was in mine:

It is the best thing for keeping close to me what could possibly be the second most expensive thing I own (not counting the house or my copy of the transcript of my ex's deposition), my Lafont spectacles and case.

However, even I said recently:

A man should only carry in his wallet a credit card (1), his driver's license or ID, maybe an insurance card, and a few bank notes.

And so, on many occasions, the only things are carry, whether in my sporran or on my person, are these:

My actual wallet follows my rules.

As for why the sporran? Well, I think bags are really handy.

Regards,
Rex.

[Bugbear]

Oh, I didn't think of that. I do often have a pack with me if I'm traviling in a car or with someone, and it would usually stay in the car. There is a first aid kit and a good sized bottle of water.. those type of things. The water is a must, but the other things have been handy so often that it is probably worth lugging it around.

Before I wore kilts, when I worked in the city, I had a briefcase that was a little wider than most, and had a retractable hidden shoulder strap.

When I worked as a musician in bars I started wearring a simple sporran on my hip. Fit in fine, and held a lot of what I needed; before kilts on that too.