kilt for the appalachian trail

**Woodsheal** · 27th February 11, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by Andy Ternay

Are you looking for a tartan kilt or a "modern" kilt?

I would not subject a wool kilt to that hike (regardless of what our ancestors subjected them to) simply because of the cost of the kilt. I'd consider a PV kilt if it must be a tartan kilt.

Actually, wool is a premier "outdoors" fabric - it breathes in the heat, is warm when it's cold, and retains body heat when wet. Plus, it won't result in a polyester "meltdown" around the campfire! I'd take wool over synthetics or cotton/canvas any day.

But, as Andy states, wool kilts generally equate to expensive kilts. A solution might be one of Stillwater's "heavy weight" wool kilts. They're not really heavy weight, but are 100% wool - and not alot of money....

**swampfox** · 27th February 11, 03:33 PM

i was thinking of a SWK heavy wool or a lighter weight khaki one like either and alt kilt or something similar

**Andy Ternay** · 27th February 11, 03:34 PM

If money were no object it would be great to purchase a tank especially for this hike and accept that it will need cleaning and mending at the end.

Unfortunately money is usually an object.

**cavscout** · 27th February 11, 04:17 PM

If it were my Thru-Hike, I'd be doing it in a PV kilt. The best all-around mix of options. Light
Machine washable
Easy to adjust it down in size with the velcro
Drys quickly
Without buckles and straps, nothing to rub under your pack belt (if your pack has a belt)
Will look great without a lot of effort

The other option if your heart is set on wool, is to buy a lighter wool fabric (10 oz.) and make an X_Kilt.

**NewEnglander** · 27th February 11, 08:12 PM

My gut reaction is a PV kilt, ie one from USA Kilts. That being said, I'm sure you'll want to take whatever kilt you decide upon out for a few miles of testing on the trail with full pack before you commit to talking down (or up) the Appalachians.

**Woodsman** · 27th February 11, 10:43 PM

Mountain Hardwear Elkommando definitely for the weight, comfort and pockets. I have done many miles of the AT in this already and even on cool days I still stay warm hiking. Folds up easily to pack and dries quickly. Also the back of the waist is made smooth for a backpack resting comfortably on the small of your back. You could also fit something underneath on really cold days.

**Iain Robb** · 28th February 11, 06:42 AM

Here's another vote for Sportkilt. I always wear mine when I go backpacking. I believe it is PV (older ones were acrylic, I believe), which breathes well and is light enough for summer hiking, yet not too cold for chilly mornings and evenings.

**Spartan Tartan** · 28th February 11, 07:23 AM

I saw someone else mention the velcro closing on a Sportkilt or other Casual styled kilt. Definitely worth considering. I am not enough of a hiker that a thru hike of ANYTHING would be likely to happen this century, but carrying a rucksack over more "traditional" kilt buckles is most certainly something to consider.

**gary meakin** · 28th February 11, 07:42 AM

The Sportkilt sounds like it might be the way to go.
I don't own one but it seems like it would be more adjustable which will be helpful because you'll probably be alot skinnier at the end of your hike than you are at the beginning. I'd think about Underarmour instead of bike shorts if you're going to be hiking 10-15 miles a day.

**cavscout** · 28th February 11, 08:45 AM

Check out Andrew Breechers web site referenced in this thread. He is a long time member, though I've not seen him around in a while. He is a long distance hiker that "Thru'd" in a Bear Kilt back in 2004. His trail journal could be a valuable resource for you. Also if you haven't heard of http://www.whiteblaze.net/ lots of info there for planning a thru-hike.

His web site is

http://www.breecher.com/blog/
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=53980