Bear Kilt: Grizzly or Classic?

[KMacT]

I have on order a 8-yard Classic Cut kilt from Bear Kilts. It will be in the Maple leaf tartan. The main reason I chose 8-yard was because the Maple Leaf polyviscose is a rather light fabric (8 oz, I think), and I thought the extra fabric would help to give the kilt some needed heft.

For a million reasons I'm thinking of switching my order to a 4-yard Grizzly Cut (the Grizzly Cut is not available in 8-yards). Bear says that ther Grizzly is actually more of a 6 yard kilt, but I guess it depends somewhat on my particular measurements.

My question: Would those with experience with Bear Kilts recommend the Grizzly Cut with the lighter Maple leaf tarten, or should I stick with the full 8 yard Classic Cut? I'm trying to figure out if one or the other best suits the light Maple Leaf tartan material.

Any and all comments appreciated. Address issues like the weight of the material, it's likelihood to fly in a wind, whether the extra cloth makes any difference in that regard, as well as general comments about the cut and hang and general appearance of the two styles (e.g. does the Classic Cut hang better?).

Kevin

[sav]

I don't personally own a Bear, but I have seen several up close and have seen many worn. My impression is that with a lightweight fabric, such as the Maple Leaf you have on order, would hang better with an 8-yd, rather than the 4-yd Grizzly. Again, I don't have a Bear to speak of, but this is my opinion based on the many Bear Kilts I have seen. Hope that helps some.
~Sav

[Colin]

The maple Leaf fabric is indeed quite light (lighter than the clan tartan fabrics). Personnally I would stick with the 8 yard Maple Leaf. Mind you I don't own a Grizzly cut kilt from Bear, only 3 classic cuts (2 - yard, 1-8 yard). I do however have one of the lighter fabric kilts, and it would be better if it were 8 yards instead of 4. The 4 yard in the ligh tfabric is perfect for the hot summer, but not so good for the cold. If it were in the 8 yards, I t would be a better most-weather kilt.

[bikercelt1]

I have a classic cut in Gordon and I love it. I only have the one Bear Kilt but it compares most favorably with my other kilts, in fact it's fast becoming my daily wear choice. The "fly factor" is just fine. It will fly a bit more readily than my wool tank but no where near as easily as my other poly-v kilts which is odd because the fabric of my Bear feels lighter to the touch than my others. I even wore it to a recent "Tall Ships" festival in Tacoma and had absolutely no trouble climbing on and off the sailboats in spite of a fair breeze that was blowing. Maybe it has to do with the unique design, but it stays down very well unless you want to spin and make it fly on purpose and oh-boy-howdy will it ever do that!

Go for the classic, I predict you'll love it too!

Jamie

[Raphael]

Trust me, you don't want to get a maple leaf in 4 yard. The material is far too light to make a sharp looking kilt.

I don't have a Grizzly cut yet, but the Grizzly cut's Apron isn't as wide as the Classic cut. If you want a wide apron, stick with the Classic Cut.

[Hamish]

Bear is making me an 8 yard, woollen, Classic cut kilt in the British Columbia tartan, which I will be picking up at the start (I hope) of The Gathering fortnight in Vancouver in a couple of weeks.

This will be my first BearKilt, so I have no previous experience of this or the Grizzly cut styles, I am afraid. However, because of Bear's fine reputation, I am so looking forward to wearing this tribute to my host Province as I go about the city for those two weeks. Additionally, of course, it means there will be a BearKilt in my Kollection, at last!

Sorry, this doesn't help you - but I could not help mentioning it!!