Kilt Rolls

[Mikilt]

How good are kilt rolls, really?

I am traveling this summer and I've been back and forth about whether to bring a kilt. Now I have a plan to meet up with another Xmarker and I thought it would be a faux pas to show up to meet an Xmarker wearing trousers.

Naturally I'd like it to looks its best, so I am not wearing it for the flight. There have been a few discussions here about the best way to pack a kilt. I am familiar with some of the tricks, I am looking for specific feedback/experience with a kilt roll- the tube that the rolled up kilt slides into.

Thanks in advance

~ Michael

[Jordan]

I have a kilt roll, bought cheap from eBay a few years ago. It's not the best and my kilt gets a little wrinkled but nothing that hanging it up while in the shower doesn't fix.

I have one kilt packed and I'm intending on flying in the other, I'll let you know which survives best.

[John_Carrick]

Have a great trip Jordan. I've never gone far wrong in folding a kilt in half and putting it the case and hanging it up as soon as you get to the hotel, but would like to try a kilt roll.

[kilted scholar]

I have used a kilt roll on a good number of occasions,including two transatlantic air trips, and the result has always been good. On the flights the roll was inside a large suitcase; I cannot imagine what might have happened if it had been checked in as a separate item. There is a thread somewhere here that has a visual demonstration of how to roll the kilt. Providing you do it with care you should experience no problem. One thing to be aware of is that if you have a kilt pin fastened to the kilt it could become a little bent if it is not placed correctly.

I have also rolled up a kilt inside a case apart from a kilt roll with no adverse effects and on one occasion rolled it up inside a leg of an old pair of my wife's tights, again with no problem.

[The Wizard of BC]

I have a kilt roll but use it only to carry the hand-sewn kilt that I am currently working on between the shop and my house.

With the weight restrictions on airline luggage these days I can't imagine an additional piece of luggage inside my normal bags adding to the total weight.

And as I usually travel with 4 or 5 kilts I really need to pack as light as possible.

But yes, they do work. Panty hose work just as well, but I find careful folding to be the best for me. A personal preference only.

[Hawk]

Kilt Rolls, hummmm aren't those good fresh out of the oven with maple syrup on them?.........LOL

Hawk

[WalesLax]

I, too, had something like this in mind.

[WillowEstate]

I've never really had much success rolling my kilts, the shape and high rise on the military seems to make rolling it very uneven - the weight, 8 yards 22 ounce doesn't help either.

Personally, I find it better to lay the kilt flat on the bed, apron up and fold the left side over. This then fits flat on the bottom of my suitcase (first thing packed) with my sweaters packed next. The kilt arrived in perfect shape with no creases, after a UK to Australia flight, where the suitcase was "carefully" handled by at least five baggage crews.

As Steve says, personal preference. Your mileage may vary.

[kilted scholar]

I have used a kilt roll on a good number of occasions,including two transatlantic air trips, and the result has always been good. On the flights the roll was inside a large suitcase -- (my comment, post 4).

I agree, Steve, with your comment (post 5) on present weight restrictions on airlines. My experience of kilt rolls has been of long and repeated transportation by car, with the exception noted where I was going to and from my daughter's wedding, she having requested me to wear a kilt. The point is that on each and every occasion - whatever the mode of transport and whatever the nature of the journey - the kilt roll worked very well, following the guidance provided by the XMTS thread I mentioned.

As others have pointed out there are other methods that can be used. The key is to fold the kilt with particular care, especially with regard to the pleats.

[Riverkilt]

WHATEVER way you choose to carry your good kilt at least wear some kilt when you fly. The comfort is beyond description. Security is well used to kilts. I put my kilt pin (one with short pins, not the long pin kind) through the scanner and reattach it on the plane. Some say you can even get a Utilikilts Workman through the metal detector if you go through sideways.....whatever the boarding hassles; being kilted on a long flight is more than worth the effort.

Kilted: The only way to fly.