walking in kilt

[Blu (Ontario)]

It's nice to see your post there Jack! Hope you're feeling better these days.

blu

[Rob]

How nice itis to be back on line after the absence of a year :razz: It has taken a while but all is now well after my heart attack last September.
Obviously the format has changed somewhat and I have lost contact with
all of my 'old' buddies at Toms, so I hope you lads will all chime in and let me
know how you all are ~ Hamish, Muddy and my pal from Canada, along with many more, I look forward to hearing from you. Its good to be back.
Jack+

It is marvellous to hear from you again Jack, and to hear that you are well again. You will find many of your old friends from Tom's have moved here, together with many who you haven't met before. I am sure that your wise words on kilts and kilt wearing will be greatly appreciated here.

Rob

[James]

For wet and winter walking, have your kilt about an inch shorter than usual-well clear of knee cap--it can cut down any banging of heavy wet edge on leg& water running off kilt and down legs-instead it flicks away.

James

[PaulS]

I've hiked all over in a Sportkilt, and found that all I needed was a rain jacket of one sort or another. I finally settled upon a Red Ledge Thunderlight parka, because it's pretty long and the pit zips are large enough to stick my arms out of if I get too hot inside of it, turning it into a kind of vest/tunic type thing. My kilt did get wet, but the PV material dries very quickly, especially while you're walking. I'm sure a poncho would work out just as well.

[Andrew Breecher]

The advice I'm taking is long hose/socks. Just like the picture on ospreys 18th century highlanders.
I also thought those white leggings the government troops wore that resemble long spats seem like they may have worked just as well.

For regular daily wear the traditional wool kilt hose are perfect for cold days. I've worn them every day in the winters of Boston with no ill effects, and it gets pretty cold here!

While hiking in the winter, instead of wearing kilt hose I wear tall gaiters. Both REI and OR make excellent models for winter hiking. If you were just on a winter walk, you could even wear kilt hose beneath these for additional warmth (though I waded through shin-deep snow for 33 miles one day in only gaiters, running shoes, and ankle socks, and had no problems). These gaiters are essentially modern versions of spats - they're made with waterproof/breathable fabric instead of the canvas of spats.

Andrew.

[bubba]

I just plan to make a pair of gaiters for the snowy weather. That should be more than enough leg covering.

[Andrew Breecher]

Polypropylene works by wicking the moisture away from your skin to the outer layer of fabric, so even though the fabric gets wet your skin stays warm. Wool does the same thing, only it's heavier, so if you wear traditional kilt hose you'll be just fine. Remember that explorers 100 years ago reached the North and South Poles, as well as high in the mountains, wearing wool and tweed.

doesn't wool tend to shrink if it gets thoroughly wet?

Only if you put it in the dryer afterwards. If you let it dry on its own when you get back inside it'll be fine. In fact, the opposite problem may occur if the weight of the water weights the material too much when it's wet - it could stretch. As long as you're wearing it, though, and the pleats hang normally, it again shouldn't be a problem.

Andrew.

[longforgan]

Good idea Bubba,- how long would they be? Reminds me of the folks in the bike club again. Some of them had just the legs of pants made of a fleece material. They were elasticated top and bottom. Some folks would carry these things with them in their packs and only don them if it got cold. Relating to this thread and another older one on underwear; this morning I was out walking and the "nether regions" of me were a bit cold. Suddenly I come up with an idea! We all want to get rid of trousers and encourage kilts, right? Take an old pair of sweat pants and cut them down to the right length (maybe about boxer length) hem them along the cuffs. If you want, take up a tuck so that they will cling to the thighs and keep out the breezes; now open up a fly and they are done. I rushed home to do this and it was done in 15 minutes. Haven't tried them with the kilt yet. Cheers- Alan

[bubba]

Personally, I'd make gaiters to just under the kneecap for winter wear, but you could make them to rise half way up the thigh if you're sensative to the cold. Just depends on what you like.

[Mychael Sporrano]

I walk in a 6 yard woollen kilt from Geoffrey in Edinburgh. The wool is coated in teflon, so it is nearly waterproof. Ive never had a soggy kilt even in very wet conditions.

I also have a 6 yard kilt from Geoffrey/21st Century Kilt, mine in 16 oz wool. I have noticed that the Teflon coating repels water but I hadn't realized that it could be so effective.

Incidentally, 6 yard casual kilts from Geoffrey run abt $360 for heavy weight, $310 for medium weight- if you stick to their range of tartans, all Teflon coated, I believe. Further, if you live in the US and take advantage of Geoffrey's monthly shipments, there is neither duty nor transit charges assessed.

Mychael