what's with the survival UK?

[Minnow]

I've noticed alot of guys here seem to like the original and the denim utilikilts, but what about the survival UKs? How do they compare to the original?

If anyone here has a survival I'd like to know more about it.

-Minnow

[Galician]

I have only the survival, so can't really compare, but it seems to be a lot heftier than the earlier models, and part of its claim to fame is all the pocket room available for loading stuff, so no need for a sporran. (The big draw for some is fitting a six-pack of beer! )

[Minnow]

That's good to hear. In my opinion, heavier is better. I like a kilt to be heavier, makes me confident on a windy day.

I ask about it because I was talking to my wife about getting another UK and she thinks I should get the survival. However, I already have an original UK and the survival is an expensive kilt to buy on a whim. I'd like to know a little more about it before dropping that kind of cash.

-Minnow

[Charlie Mc.]

I have both a survival and an original. The original is much lighter and only has the two cargo pockets. The survival has two cargo pockets which are removable and is noticeably heavier. These cargo pockets have smaller pockets to their outside. In addition it has slit pockets, a back pocket, and a key clip. I feel much more comfortable with my survival in the wind than with my original. The material is different too. I believe the original is a poly cotton mix, and the survival is all cotton. The survival wrinkles much more readily that the original. Wearing the survival definitely feels like you are wearing a lot more material than the original. It is nice to have all that pocket space though. I haven't tried it yet, but i think the survival would be right at home camping or on overnight hiking trips. The original is a good wear it out for a beer kilt to me.

[cavscout]

I liked my Survival while I had it but honestly the weight of the thing was the negative to me. I wore it for yard work and camping/hiking and the cotton material soaked up and retained so much moisture that it weighed a ton.

I also found that I didn't like using the cargo pockets. I prefer side slash pockets hidden in the pleats and or an under apron pocket.

They look great but it just wasn't conducive to what I was wanting a kilt for. I opted for a PK MarPat. PK is no longer in operation but there are several similar kilt makers to check out. Freedom Kilts, Celtic Warrior Kilts, Needle Pimp. There are others but these guys are local to our community and will take care of you.

[Spc. Scott]

I have a basil survival and I love it.

I have two boys (3 1/2 & almost 2) so I end up carrying all sorts of stuff...toys cups and the like. The keyring on the outside is nice because the front slash pockets are so deep that you can lose a set of keys in them and digging them out once you sit down (as I do most of the time) can be a problem.

The fabric is light enough to be cool in most situations. Bear in mind I live on the NY/PA border. And the fabric is heavy enough to take on quite a bit of wind and not really fly away. Think of wind coming across a few hundred yards of open field. ;)

[dfmacliam]

I have the survival too... lots of pockets.. they say you can carry 20 beverages with all the pockets. As stated, the material is heavy, and is a workhorse..
The downside is, large pleats, the apron is small(but is made that way for drape when you sit)and is made to wear at jeans waist.
Its not for everyone.. a lot of people really like them, while some do not... but its like that for anything. I'll probably end up selling mine and get a Freedom Cargo, or something comprable, because I am not comfortable with mine... but again... its my preference on how I want my kilts to fit... and my choices are not the same as others..

[Minnow]

Thanks, all of you. All this info is exactly what I was looking for.

The website can only tell you so much. It's nice hearing from people who do and do not prefer the item in question. That way you get a really unbiased idea of what you're getting before you buy it.

From what I've read, I think I'll be ordering that survival UK.

-Minnow

[McFarkus]

The downside is, large pleats, the apron is small(but is made that way for drape when you sit)and is made to wear at jeans waist.

I tried one on at a recent highland games. I wanted to see what it would be like to wear one at a more traditional height. With the right length I was able to do that and liked it a lot. However, I'm seriously thinking of an Alpha Compass Kilt instead. One of the many things I like is the adjustability of the waist on the Alpha Compass, and the PALS/MOLLE webbing that holds the pockets on (and can accommodate any other MOLLE/PALS accessories. Also, when you take the pockets off, there is no residual flap, so it can look more like a traditional kilt.

[csbdr]

I have 2 survivals, 2 workmans, an original and a corduroy original. Love the survivals for all the reasons above. they are the ones which hang on the peg (like my jeans used to....) waiting to be put on when I come home from work.