Kilt Hiking ?

[Jeff Hunter]

I am new to kilts. We were hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail in So.Cal. Along came a male and female group, all were wearing kilts. Only a hiker or backpacker could appreciate how comfortable they must have been with the unrestricted ability to wade streams, step over rocks and logs, and with great ventilation. I spoke with them briefly and they told me how long they had worn kilts and how comfortable they are. I decided then and there, "I gotta get me one of those." I have ordered a Mountain Hardware kilt, but would like to find a group or club to join up with as I am a bit shy about going it alone. From time to time I have met men wearing kilts but have only spoken with a few so as not to impose on them. I would think a kilt would be great for driving. I recently drove to and from Las Vegas, which is a five hour drive. I am surprised professional drivers haven't discovered kilts for their big rigs.

I hope I can find others to hike with. I am here to learn and find out more about kilts and people who wear them.

Jeff

[Geoff Withnell]

I believe you have come to the right place. This post will probably get a fair amount of response from the large number of West Coast hikers on this board. Welcome. And you are right, kilts are a whole bunch more comfortable.

[HootinHoller]

Hiking your kilt could be considered rude ;)

Don't worry about the first time out in a kilt, just do it, it will be fine.

I don't care to drive long distance in a kilt, mainly because it's too hard on the pleats.

[Tenmiles]

I'm a relatively recent entrant into the kilted world, but it seems once you start down that slippery slope, you start finding as many opportunities as possible to wear one.

I am going on a backpacking trip with some old friends in June in the North Cascades, and intend to wear my utility kilt as much as I can manage on that trip (I will have pants available as needed for 'weather').

Mine is not a purpose-built hiking kilt; it's just a deluxe utility kilt from UTKilts (about the same price).




The thing about the Mountain Hardware Elkommando kilt is that it sits at the jeans waist, just above your hips, while this one has a higher rise and I can wear the top of it just below my navel, closer to a traditional kilt waist.

This has an advantage when using a large pack with big hip belt which you're going to rely on for weight support.
Because I wear my kilt higher than my hips, I have less "top hem fabric" to be bunched up beneath the hip belt, meaning 'smoother' comfort. For me, when lugging a 40 lb pack for a week, that turns out to be a very meaningful consideration.

However, this kilt does not have the advantages of quick drying, light weight, etc, which are found in a purpose-built hiking kilt.

[ASinclair]

Hello Jeff!

[Liam]

Welcome from Western Canada!

[JohntheBiker]

Welcome from Toronto, Canada!

[Tarheel]

Well met Jeff. Don't worry about talking to other kilted folks after you don you own and start a trek. The info will freely flow from one hiker to the next but even more when kilted. Welcome from Oxford, MS.

[dougle]

[Tartan Hiker]

I guess my screen name says it all...

Been hiking in kilts for years. Get yourself a copy of the X-Kilt instructions and make your own when you're ready to step up from the MH kilt.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ownload-20085/