Spats

[Raptor]

I kind of like the theory that they REALLY highlight the diced hose tops

[Robin]

Maybe nice for a piper, but that's about it

[beloitpiper]

As a piper, I can relate to Nervous Jock. Spat are a pain. Not only are the difficult to get on and off, but they require a lot of maintainence. Luckily, my pipe band uses white spats with white buttons...it makes things a little easier.

[Nick]

Not only are the difficult to get on and off, but they require a lot of maintainence.

Do piper's spats have real buttons, or are they snaps? If they're real buttons, a buttonhook works wonders, and the short hooks men used to use for their spats (not the long-handled ladies ones) can be easily had cheap. I use one when putting on mine. Otherwise, yes, it takes unnatural contortions of the body to button them.

[Nervous Jock]

Do piper's spats have real buttons, or are they snaps? If they're real buttons, a buttonhook works wonders, and the short hooks men used to use for their spats (not the long-handled ladies ones) can be easily had cheap. I use one when putting on mine. Otherwise, yes, it takes unnatural contortions of the body to button them.

Spats should be tailored to fit you correctly, this means moving the buttons, I couldn't see "snaps" working purely because you couldn't have the spats tight enough, my opinion only of course.

Agree 100% on the button hook though you do need to be carefull using it though a) not to scrape all the blanco off and b) not to rip the button off!! You need to be a pretty strong guy too

[beloitpiper]

I've seen some spats with velcro, but mine are all buttons.

[PiobBear]

Mine are Velcro. I like them because I can wear heavily padded socks and really cushy shoes underneath them, and all you can see are the toes (properly bulled, of course). The very last thing I want to do is march a long parade in ghillies; makes my feet hurt just to think it!