Utilikilt Olympian running kilt.

[tundramanq]

Utilikilt has finally produced another running kilt, the Olympian. As of yet it is available to those of us who signed up on their waiting list. I got my e-mail notification and ordered two - one of each color - Royal/Cardinal and Royal/Silver. About $178 each.

I gave these some run time for about a month around and about. In wet and in windy. They are heavy weight microfiber nylon. Wind resistance is pretty good, closer to the regular Utilikilts than the fly weight Sportkilt Hiker.

Front view with both colors -


The "apron" is just a flap attached at the waistband. It doesn't flop around too much unless there is wind.


Under the apron is a complex pleat setup that works but for which I have no name for.


This inside out picture is for the front pleat layout and the uni-pocket that runs between the side slash pocket openings. Things in the pocket ride well and tend to stay on the side where I left them when putting them in.


The rear pleat arangement is standard Utilikilt - reverse kingiese ( I know I butchered that spelling but my head won't cough up the correct one now )

[Tarheel]

1) I will take a shot at the "complex pleat setup" and dub it the "Greek pleat". 2) In the photo of the Plie (squat), are the bulges at the hips where the pockets are located? If so, I see the utility in the balance of carrying things during the run. Let us know if you find a improvement in your over-all timed events.

[tundramanq]

Greek works here - as in Greek to me.
Yes, the vertical slit pocket openings are at the hip bulge at the second knife pleat out from the apron. There is a black knit bias tape stripe at this pleat edge on the Royal/Silver and white on the Royal/Cardinal. I think to give more structure to the pocket entry.

This fabric, though heavy, slides very well on itself and on my thighs. In running any kilt will plaster to your thighs and the aprons have to slide on them for the long running strides. This one, due mostly to the wild Greek setup, doesn't need to slide much. It pretty much adjusts its thigh position to the current stride and stops sliding and only the apron pleats "work".
I don't time run with bad feet and knee issues but this kilt will have a whole lot less (rub me raw) friction and resistance to leg motion than a wide apron kilt.

[Alan H]

Interesting.... I'm not sure what to think, since I stopped running any significant distances many years ago.

[tundramanq]

I found out today they still have all the colors and sizes in stock. Just call them. They aren't going to put these on the web site due to the limited run. Phone: 206-282-4226 I think they open 10AM PST ( Seattle )

[cessna152towser]

Looks striking, you would certainly cut a dash running in one of those but is it not on the heavy side for distance running?

[Pleater]

The front is a mirror imaged double box pleat with adjacent rear facing knife pleats - we really need a nomenclature for pleats similar to the one able to describe heraldry with precision.

How is that kilt got on and off?

I am assuming that it is not wrap around but tubular.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[tundramanq]

WOW Anne, that is dead on accurate - and a mouthful
The kilt is a step in.
It has 2.5 inch ( 6.35cm ) exposed elastic waist band.
The pleats stop 5.5 inches below the waist band aft of the pockets. I stretched the elastic out to see and this intervening piece is truly tubular and gathered at the top by the waist band.
( Just realized I forgot a rump shot.. )

[tundramanq]

Got another one. A Purple and gold prototype.

This one gives loud a new definition.