Kilt wool weight comparison

[staticsan]

I've finally got my finance in place to buy another wool kilt. I'm looking at a so-called "Casual" kilt - i.e 4-5 yards, machine-sewn - made from a proper worsted wool. However, I am uncertain as to what difference the various wool weights make to the end garment.

My current sole wool kilt is a StillWater heavy kilt. So that's my reference point. Unfortunately, there is no information I can find which says what wool weight it is. Is it 10oz? 13oz? Something else? Everything else I own is not wool and considerably lighter.

Wade.

[SmokinScotsman]

What's the weather like there? I have a buddy who has one of the SWK real wool kilts, and he wears it fine in Az. I personally have an 8yd 13oz tartan kilt, and in Az I could not do a 16 or higher in the summer. My problem is that it does get cold enough for us desert rats that I couldn't go lower than 13oz.
Your looking at a pound and a half weight difference between a 13 and 16oz kilt(for an 8yd) or about a pound in a casual.

Looking at my buddies SWK I would guess its an 11oz

[Tobus]

I am uncertain as to what difference the various wool weights make to the end garment.

Others can describe the difference in construction, resistance to wear, resistance to wrinkling, or other factors. All I will say is that I have a very lightweight casual kilt as well as a heavy (16 oz) 8-yarder. The difference is huge. After wearing the 'tank' for a while, I can put on the lightweight casual kilt and it feels like I'm not wearing anything. I've come to prefer the substantial heft and feel of the heavy wool. That's personal preference, I admit, but it was totally unexpected. I live in a hot climate (South-Central Texas), and I was expecting to be turned off by the heavier wool. So I have shocked myself by taking a fondness to it. YMMV.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I recommend a 16 oz weight for a 4 or 5 yard kilt. 13 oz would be ok if you want a really light kilt, but my personal preference is 16 oz, especially with the lower yardage kilts.

[azwildcat96]

I've worn my 8yd, 16oz wool tank in the Arizona desert heat with no problem. For reference we get up around 100-105 degrees (f) in the Summer, with very little humidity.

If you're going with a 4-5yd casual but still want the weight and feel of a heavier kilt, go with the 16oz...if you're looking for a lighter kilt, go with the 11 or 13oz. (not my choice, but I'm not the one paying for or wearing it).

[Snowbear]

I love my 16oz kilt, but it can be hot in the summer.
Some time ago I did a comparison on 3 of my kilts on this link.

The weight was somewhat different:
16oz kilt : 1,72kg
SW kilt : 1,45kg
5yrd kilt : 1,15kg

[Kiltboy]

I recommend a 16 oz weight for a 4 or 5 yard kilt. 13 oz would be ok if you want a really light kilt, but my personal preference is 16 oz, especially with the lower yardage kilts.

Have to agree with Matt. For a 4 yard kilt, go heavy. It's perfect for warmer climates. In fact, I havn't worn a 8 yard kilt since June. Now that fall is arriving, I can dig them out.

[denmcdough]

For the shorter yardage kilts, definitely go with the heavier weight. I just purchased a 5 yd., 16 oz. kilt from Tartan Web. It's great, but still doesn't match the weight of the tank, or even my 6 yarder. The swing on the 5 yards is still pretty decent, though.

[staticsan]

Thanks all for the responses.

Sydney has a moderate to hot climate. We average 35C peaks in the summer and 10C in the winter. It doesn't snow.

I have four kilts: a PV Neokilt, a cotton (!) SportsKilt, a "denim" Union Kilt and a wool SWK. I love the Union Kilt because it has pockets, but it's looking a bit loved and I'm not really happy with the pleating. The Neokilt is, unfortunately, now too small, but I loved it for the time I could fit in it. The Sportskilt is for very warm days only, I have to say (think NYC in July), but is very comfortable.

My black-shadow SWK heavyweight is the heaviest kilt I own and SnowBear's numbers match my own. So it's probably an 8-yard 13oz. That would make a 16-oz 5 yard about the same weight. I like the hang and fit of the SWK but I don't think it's worsted wool.

I was eyeing up Burnett's and Struth Casual because the price is nice, but there was another maker I can't find now who also uses the same fabric. And their 8-yarders are a better price. If I can only find them again...

Wade.

[Howard Clark]

Does the wind blow gusty ? If so then definitely the heavier fabric. I also agree with Matt about the kilt fabric, expecially the low yardage ones benefit from heavier material. I really like my four yard box pleat kilts in 18oz.