Amerikilt vs UT Modern/Deluxe Kilt

**jayhawk** · 5th October 13, 08:49 AM

OK folks, thanks for all the advice on saffron kilts. I'm now after an olive drab/green modern utility style kilt. Right now, I'm vacillating between the UT modern (or deluxe) kilt and an Amerikilt.

I honestly like the look of both - the AK being slightly more formal but the UT being nice and workman like. I like that the AK is sized to length, and I'm a 20" using AK's measuring system for the length.

I notice UT is either 22" or 23" (for the deluxe) in length...that seems a bit odd to wear a pure modern kilt higher up. On standard kilts, I'm a 24" wearing it right at/above the navel. What do you all think? I assume I'd have to wear the UT halfway between normal jeans waist and a true kilt waist. Would that annoy you all? Is it even possible to wear a kilt inbetween like that? I don't want to spend all day pulling it back up!

The AK seems to get great reviews for sturdiness, and the newer material seems to wrinkle less than reviews I read of the old material.

For a pure modern/utility kilt, any concerns with the AK?

Overall...just curious what everyone thinks about the durability of the UT vs the AK...I want a kilt that will last, will require minimal care, etc. Cargo pockets vs. the matching sporran is not an issue for me...both will work.

Thanks,

Eric

**dutchy kilted** · 6th October 13, 01:57 AM

I never owned a UT, but my first kilt ever was an AK (one of the first 50 or so they ever sold, so it was the old material.) I can attest to their durability, especially for a "cheaper" kilt.
I gave it away after about 8 years. long before it ever wore out, since I was moving up to more expensive kilts. After about 50 washings or so it had faded to a nice dark gray.
Hope this helps!

**James Hood** · 6th October 13, 06:29 AM

Realizing they are the new kilt on the block for the genre, personal preference is the 5.11 Tactical Duty Kilt.

Tough 5.11 construction, inexpensive, gobs of pockets (including detachable, compartmented cargoes)...

...okay; pleating design is downright weird.

As of Friday last, 'own 2 more, now 4 in 3 colours and use them as cargo non-trousers, as for the past year and a half.

**jayhawk** · 6th October 13, 06:39 AM

James - are the 5.11s still available? When I googled and looked at their site yesterday, the site I found said "Item no longer available". Do you have a link? I'd consider them as an option.

Thanks,

Eric

**jayhawk** · 6th October 13, 06:49 AM

James - do you have a link to the 5.11 site? The site I went to yesterday when I googled them said they no longer carried the kilts, so I must have not been looking at the right page (it was a link from an earlier thread about the 5.11s on this site).

Thanks,

Eric

**James Hood** · 6th October 13, 07:16 AM

The 5.11 "kilt story" is a two-year thing.

2012, April 1, 5.11 posted a video on their site of a black-cargo-kilted, fit, athletic young man thoroughly exercising a "Tactical Duty Kilt."

'Turns out, this was an April Fool's Day prank which backfired on 5.11; they immediately received thousands of orders for the TDK.

Being rather classy (and good businesspeople), 5.11 promptly manned-womaned up, custom-accepting orders, creating an immediate "urban legend" product. Condition of sale; orders were prepaid and delivery was five months later, September.

2013 April, 5.11 again made the offer, same terms, pre-order only, featuring more fabrics, not tongue-in cheek and received again, thousands of orders.

The 2013 TDKs are in process of being delivered as this is e-penned.

Only thought is, watch the 5.11 site late next March to see if they make the annual offer-preorder again.

Or you might as The Rabble, if anyone wants to sell one in your (jeans/cargo pants) size.

**Geoff Withnell** · 6th October 13, 03:32 PM

I believe for 2013 Scruffy Wallace challenged them to re-run the kilts and make a donation per kilt to Wounded Warriors.

As far as the Amerikilt vs the UT, I don't have any UTs, but the Amerikilt is a great, well made choice, and a good bit less expensive.

Originally Posted by James Hood

The 5.11 "kilt story" is a two-year thing.

2012, April 1, 5.11 posted a video on their site of a black-cargo-kilted, fit, athletic young man thoroughly exercising a "Tactical Duty Kilt."

'Turns out, this was an April Fool's Day prank which backfired on 5.11; they immediately received thousands of orders for the TDK.

Being rather classy (and good businesspeople), 5.11 promptly manned-womaned up, custom-accepting orders, creating an immediate "urban legend" product. Condition of sale; orders were prepaid and delivery was five months later, September.

2013 April, 5.11 again made the offer, same terms, pre-order only, featuring more fabrics, not tongue-in cheek and received again, thousands of orders.

The 2013 TDKs are in process of being delivered as this is e-penned.

Only thought is, watch the 5.11 site late next March to see if they make the annual offer-preorder again.

Or you might as The Rabble, if anyone wants to sell one in your (jeans/cargo pants) size.

**jayhawk** · 12th October 13, 07:41 PM

Thanks everyone...I'm sitting here at home wearing my new olive drab Amerikilt. I really like it - casual yet with a bit more of a traditional look than many modern kilts I've seen out and about.

I also received it two days after ordering, and Michael answered several questions for me before I finally ordered. Great customer service all around!

Oh, I can't recall who posted about this, but Amerikilt does have one fantastic belt...I bought the dark brown belt, and it's one well make piece of leatherwork!

Eric

**GRKilt** · 13th October 13, 05:58 AM

I think you made a good choice. I started with the UT deluxe, myself. There are 2 major things that bug me about it. First, the pleats wrinkle very easily. Second, the standard sizes are definitely a problem. The drop was ok, as I just hiked it up to the right spot. But the waist is awful. I followed the measuring instructions, and since I was right on the edge of 2 sizes, went for the bigger one. I am not wearing it much since I got other kilts with better fit.

After you've worn the Amerikilt around a while, can you comment on the wrinkle factor?

**jayhawk** · 13th October 13, 07:18 AM

Sure thing. I haven't given it its first washing yet. Michael's instructions indicate it will soften up and wrinkle less when washed with fabric softener and line dried. The material reminds me of jeans in the old days, and those always softened up and wrinkles less with a few washes.