Kilting in the cold

[Graham]

I hope that's not you under one of those mounds of snow!

wow that looks cold!

nice photo

[cormacmacguardhe]

Living in the Pacific Northwest as I do, and in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, it gets down to the low 20'sF. I have not yet worn my kilt in that cold, but it is only a sportkilt light weight one, so I am not sure how it will do. Also, it is damp and cold here, not just cold. Hopefully after I have either made or purchased a heavier weight kilt I will be able to answer your question.

[bubba]

I wore my kilts all last winter with no problem. Temps got down close to -10F and I found the kilt more comfortable than jeans and the kilt hose did great keeping the lower legs warm.

[possingk]

Bubba, living in central PA, it doesn't get to -10 much, but I was wondering what type of kilt you wear in the cold weather. Do you have a couple of "tanks", just curios.

Thanks

[GMan]

I have actually worked up a good sweat while kilted in freezing weather. The kilt does seem to work as a mitten as opposed to a glove on the lower body.

[flyv65]

Bubba, living in central PA, it doesn't get to -10 much, but I was wondering what type of kilt you wear in the cold weather.

I can't speak for Bubba, But I usually wear my 16 oz tank whenever possible-works pretty good in the summer, *great* in the winter.

Bryan...got another one on order...

[bubba]

Bubba, living in central PA, it doesn't get to -10 much, but I was wondering what type of kilt you wear in the cold weather. Do you have a couple of "tanks", just curios.

Thanks

I have a three 14 oz wool kilts I wore last year. This year I've added a 22 oz military kilt from What Price Glory. Most of the winter even my poly vis from USAKilts would be good enough, the sub zero stuff doesn't last that long. btw, my 14 oz wool kilts are home made.

[James]

Graham,

At the temperatures you mention, a regular kilt is just fine-the key areas are head, ankles, wrists and stomach-all catered for by wool hose, kilt and bonnet-you can sort out wrists.

The advantage of kilt over trousers is that a bubble of warm air is trapped under it and withing pleats-super insulation.

The knees never seem to get cold so you will be fine.

The only snags can be if there is a high wind chill factor--then you might need four hands--there is no need to draw a picture!

However the hat is essential-something like eighteen percent of heat loss is through head-and at temperatures well above those you mention-no hat is a risk factor.

Also remember climbers trick-keep toes moving-that keeps circulation going.

James

[Lee]

My personal cold-weather record, here in Ottawa, Canada, is -32 C (minimal wind-chill effect, mind you).
I found my 8-yd wool 'tank' quite comfortable, with 3/4 length leather coat, standard kilt hose, and 8" leather boots. Much warmer than any of the dress pants I would have worn in my previous incarnation.

Lee

[Freedomlover]

My question is this, what kind of kilt do you find the most comfortable in cold weather?
I refer to material (pure worsted wool/ blends etc), weight and perhaps accessories such as woolen kilt hose.
What are you really warm and snug in?

I hike the Blue Ridge Mountains year round and when the temperature falls below 40F the best choice is, by far, wool, and the more the better. I have a variety of "modern" kilts in all sorts of materials and they are just the thing for warm weather but none of them are habitable when it gets really cold. 24+ feet of fine wool gets it done. Last winter I hiked the Art Loeb trail up Cold Mountain (yes, the one the movie was named for, which is 10 mile from my home) with the temperature at the top -5F. No problem. Of course heavy gauge kilt hose and good upper body and head covering are essential to retain core heat.