Hi there, and greetings from the Golden State.

I've been wearing kilts since I was a teenager, although the theme of it seems to be "the wrong fit!"

My first Kilt I ordered from the Celtic Craft Centre when I was but 16 (I believe, it's hard to remember). They sized me at the Pleasanton Highland Games, and I had it several months later. It is a wonderful piece of work, everything you ever heard good about them is true. I selected the commemorative Fraser Gathering tartan (to my grandmother's chagrin), and though it's not traditional, it looks great. Though they tried to tailor it so it would fit both then and in the foreseeable future (they compared my build to my father's) I believe that it is now slightly too small for me. I do only break it out for weddings, although I'm thinking this may change (it's hard to convince yourself to bring a $700 kilt out of the closet!).

The second was a Black Workman's Utilikilt. I've worn this thing hundreds of miles backpacking in the Sierra Nevada, although I must admit it too has some sizing issues. I wear about a 33 (and as you know UKs use normal US sizing), however my kilt I believe is a 35-36. This creates the need for a serious belt, and when I slim down the kilt nears un-wearability. It's also a tad longer than I'd like, a product of my own fault. Never let your teenager size his own Kilt!

The third is a simple black canvas kilt from a small Brentwood, CA Kiltmaker. I thought that this kilt would be a replacement backpacker for my heavy UK, however the fit just isn't there as it would be in a tailored kilt or even the UK. It now sits in the closet.

Fourth, and the savior, is an ElKommando Kilt from Mountain Hardwear, which I ordered from REI's online store. Although this too was not without some sizing deliberation (I wondered if I should in fact order a large rather than the medium I currently have), in the end I think that this kilt is the right one for me. I'm waiting to break it in this season (I forgot it on a recent trip to Yosemite). Although not traditional kiltmakers, I've been quite impressed with the thing. For $80 or so, it fits as well or better than a well-fit UK (you can feel it in the small of your back), is ultralight, has handy pockets, is machine-washable, and even has a generous apron & knife pleats. Finally, the (near-)perfect backpacking kilt!

For the future, I'm looking for either another UK or nicer modern kilt, or an afforable 4-yarder in a hunting fraser tartan.

Anyway, I digress!