Poly/viscose in the clammie summertime

**g koch** · 15th May 04, 01:33 AM

I work outside. How comfy is this poly/viscose material in humid heat? I've always heard these materials were hot in the summer and cold in the winter.
I'm asking for responses from folks who've spent time working in the summer weather in kilts of man made material.

**bear** · 15th May 04, 01:56 AM

Originally Posted by g koch

I work outside. How comfy is this poly/viscose material in humid heat? I've always heard these materials were hot in the summer and cold in the winter.

I find them just the opposite. Warm in winter, cool in summer.
But then, I make poly/viscose kilts.
I'm sure some of the other guys will agree with me.

**Blu (Ontario)** · 15th May 04, 02:24 AM

Originally Posted by g koch

I work outside. How comfy is this poly/viscose material in humid heat? I've always heard these materials were hot in the summer and cold in the winter.

I don't find it hot at all. Made into a kilt, the motion of the fabric creates air movement. Also it is very light. Great for summer but not too good for the deep cold of northern winters. Poly-vis is fine but I still like worsted wool better.

**phil h** · 15th May 04, 10:55 AM

works fine for me.TFCK black watch.
most pepole tend to think of it as the old polyester pants in the 70's that where like wearing plastic.
it's not like that anymore, it's very nice stuff.

**g koch** · 15th May 04, 11:15 AM

I'm old enough to remember those clothes and hearing my elders speak of same. That must be what has colored my thinking of synthetics.
I've been wanting something with a traditional cut but lighter so this is good news.

**GMan** · 15th May 04, 11:52 AM

I have no problems with poly-vis. I received mine while the weather was still a bit cold, and found no problems with the warmth, in fact I was rather toasty. When the weather warmed up, the comfort level was still high. In other words I find the fabric very comfortable. Since I live in a semi-arid area humidity has not entered into the factor. I am very impressed with mine. Go Bear!

Glen

**phil h** · 16th May 04, 11:50 AM

I chose polly/v coz I can't wear wool, way too itchy, and maybe VERY hot in the summer I think.
while at a local tartan shop, the owner showed me a photo of his customers in hawaii,poor bastards,most of them from scotland, hired their outfits here in Canada, then went to a wedding in Hawaii. they all had very red faces and looked miserable. I think it depends on where you live as to how you wear a kilt.
full monty in Hawaii, not a good idea,but in Scotland, why not !

**Graham** · 17th May 04, 07:06 AM

Poly/vis is great in summer, I wore mine all the time, nice and cool and not itchy at all. It's the best to wear down under when Down Under

**Colin** · 17th May 04, 08:29 AM

Poly/viscose is awesome in the summer. I picked up my first Bear Kilt from Bear at the local highland games in Junes. As it was in the mid 30's (C) that day I was wearing shorts, but still sweating my butt off. As soon as I put that kilt on I felt great. The poly/viscose kilt lowered the temperature but at least 5 degree.

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 17th May 04, 09:06 AM

In the simplest of terms...

If you're only wearing a shallow-pleated casual kilt, it's no problem at all in the heat. In the cold, it tends to let the breezes "do their thing".

If you're wearing it in a deep-pleated traditional, it "can" be a bit thick in the summer... but great in the winter.

Remember that the more you wash it, the thinner it will get (as with virtually every fabric). The material is treated at the mills, and this stuff washes off easily. If you're getting a kilt from Bear, he pre-washes the material... so you won't see the treatment.

As for the "itch factor"... there really is none. If you do have a reaction, it's either due to the chemicals in the viscose or something that needs to be addressed in your "social" life.