Hawick Hose Review

**NorCalPiper** · 23rd January 10, 03:31 PM

Hi All-
I had needed a pair of hose quickly for a 12th day gathering, and since the waiting line for my own store brand hose was way past my time frame, I decided to support one of our vendors Keltoi for this item. Since I was wearing a Royal Steart Tank I got of eBay, I decided to go with oone of the 4 choices of Argyll top that Hawick (house of Chevoit???) make. John was helpful, but the hose ended up taking almost 6 weeks to arrive, thus I didn't receive them when I needed them. The sale was a relay sale, so John can't be faulted for the delay, anyway-My review-

I absolutely ADORE my Lewis hose that I bought when MAtt did my Box Pleat. So I was expecting something along those lines. The hose look good, and match my kilt perfectly. That was a huge relief.

The cons for these hose are 2 things-1.) For me, these are too tight at the calf (Even though I ordered an XL) 2.) The actual hose are too thin for my taste (They are just a smidgen fuller than cheap kilt hose i ordered fron WB for about 50$ less)-I actually felt my calfs getting cold today in the Bay area.

Now I have to point out that I wear 98% of the time my store brand custom hose that are made from a thicker wool. Kinda like asking someone who drives a Jaguar to drive an economy car and give an unbiased opinion, but the hose do look good. For the price though, I'm just not sure I'd ever buy another pair.

Also a thanks to John for keeping me updated and getting me the tracking # once they were sent.

**Highlander31** · 23rd January 10, 07:01 PM

Nice look. Thanks for posting the review.

**ForresterModern** · 23rd January 10, 07:24 PM

Sorry, Josh, but I have to disagree with the comparison to WB hose. I wear both, and usually wear a lightweight sock liner beneath them for comfort and to help make the kilt hose last longer. My calves are only slightly smaller than yours (remember I bought a pair of the photoshoot hose made for you for your website pics) I wear the same XL in Hawick and in WB and the liners show through the WB like a glowing light bulb, but not through the Hawick. So much so with the WB hose that I have relegated them to the "boots and scrunch" mode wear only, and now wear almost exclusively my Hawick/Cheviot, pipers, Lewis/Rannoch, or handknit hose when wearing full length kilt hose. Much bigger difference in wear and wearability between the WB and Hawick/Cheviot, although I agree a good pair of custom knitted are the best of all.

jeff

**OC Richard** · 25th January 10, 05:36 AM

Are these hose available with turnover cuffs to match Isle Of Skye tartan?

**McMurdo** · 25th January 10, 06:49 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Are these hose available with turnover cuffs to match Isle Of Skye tartan?

I use this pair to wear with the Isle of Skye

I have to disagree with Josh though as I do have the same pair of hose, these to my mind are the best commercially made kilt hose on the market, nothing like WBrewins which I also own.

**ForresterModern** · 25th January 10, 10:22 AM

Not specifically the IOS althought the ancient scot do a decent match. Hawick do make a cream hose with very large purple and green thistles around the turnover (three per sock) which looks great with the IOS. Similar solid construction.

j

**English Bloke** · 25th January 10, 11:49 AM

I have a few pairs of WBrewins too. Although they are a great starter hose, they are pretty thin and I don't like the see through look that tends to result in pictures. If I wear them now I tend to put two pairs of the same colour on to avoid this. Even with two pairs they still don't feel as thick as my Hawick/Cheviot hose. I'll probably not get any more WB's because of this.

**NorCalPiper** · 25th January 10, 01:45 PM

Like I said, they are IMHO just a touch fuller than WB. I could fill the windy day on my calfs which also happens with my WB (Which I can't even wear anymore). this may have something to do with my large limbs. Strange thing is, When I compare my Lewis hose next to these, they are knit the exact same way, but my lewis hose seem a hair thicker, and are definitely wider fitting. I'm wondering if the stretching is giving it a "thin" feel....

**csbdr** · 25th January 10, 02:29 PM

Oddly, I had the same shipping issue....missed a wedding deadline too. great service from Keltoi, but same problem.

**Mael Coluim** · 26th January 10, 04:14 PM

Yesterday, my Hawick Hose arrived from Scotland purchased from the Dunadd Trading Company. I had placed the order with Chris Taylor (Redshank) on Saturday, 1/16th. Chris notified me they were in stock and I paid for them the next day, Sunday 1/17th. Chris shipped them out Monday, 1/18th and I had them Monday, 1/25th. Super! Unlike some recent experineces with other vendors where I placed the order and paid, only to learn later they were out of stock and my money would be refunded. With DTC, I paid knowing they were available.

The hose are beauts and an outstanding quality. I'll post pix as I wear them with my kilts.