Help :(

[macneighill]

OK, I'm in the process of ordering my first kilt . . MacKay Modern, a Lochcarron 8 yard heavyweight.

At the same time, I would like to order a 2nd one . . and, considering I am a 19 year veteran Fire Officer, I thought the Firefighter Tartan would be . . well, an appropriate choice :mrgreen:.

As I "googled" Firefighter tartan & kilt, the results were 2 sites: SportKilt has one (click here) and USA Kilts has one (click here). These were the only "online" kilt companies (or stores) that were listed (besides a ton of fire department pipe bands and, fire department history sites). But, if you look at the kilts listed on these 2 sites, they are different. I'm not sure which one is right or not? Any suggestions?

[ardchoille]

The one at USAK is the tartan I have always seen associated with Fire Fighters. I'm not sure what the SportKilt tartan is that is shown.

UPDATE: I think I found out why the USAK and SportKilt Fire Fighter tartans are different:

(From the USAK website)
"A portion of all sales of these kilts will be donated to the Leary Firefighters Foundation and therefore this tartan is ONLY available through USA Kilts and may not be reproduced anywhere without the expressed written consent of USA Kilts.

This tartan was designed by: Kelly Stewart, USA Kilts, 2007.
The name "Firefighter’s Memorial Tartan" and the tartan pattern itself are both ©2007 by USA Kilts"

This tells me that all the folks I have seen wearing this tartan purchased it from USAK.

BTW, beautiful tartan, great job Kelly

[pdcorlis]

I'm sure the Sportkilt tartan is very nice but to my eye the memorial tartan by Kelly is both beautiful and important.

USAKilts get my vote if it matters.

[beloitpiper]

I'd take a USA kilt over a Sport Kilt any day.

[SteveB]

I agree with BeloitPiper on this one. USAK. Go for the Semi-Traditional, the quality is the best.

[Nighthawk]

I'd take a USA kilt over a Sport Kilt any day.

Heartily seconded!!

Hands down USA Kilts. I own a sport kilt, and although it is very comfortable, it's lack of pleats and weird front under apron, I would definitely suggest USA over SK anyday.

Rocky at USA kilts has a great product and will show you some great customer service as well.

This is exactly where I'm at. The one and only thing that would tempt me to spend money on another Sport Kilt is the fact that they have the Clare County tartan, which is where my mother's family, being Leddy's, is from. Otherwise, I would never buy another one. My wife has two of their skirts and loves them, so I would buy more womens clothes from them, but for me? I'd get a USAK casual. Same price, vastly superior product.

[Ayin McFye]

Heartily seconded!!



This is exactly where I'm at. The one and only thing that would tempt me to spend money on another Sport Kilt is the fact that they have the Clare County tartan, which is where my mother's family, being Leddy's, is from. Otherwise, I would never buy another one. My wife has two of their skirts and loves them, so I would buy more womens clothes from them, but for me? I'd get a USAK casual. Same better, vastly superior product.

I looked and I didn't see the Clare Tartan that you referenced. I see the Cork but not the Clare. Where did you see it?

[beowulf67]

I looked and I didn't see the Clare Tartan that you referenced. I see the Cork but not the Clare. Where did you see it?

That's what I saw too, I thought maybe I was going crazy.

I picked a bad day to stop sniffing glue....

[Nighthawk]

I looked and I didn't see the Clare Tartan that you referenced. I see the Cork but not the Clare. Where did you see it?

Ach!! Crap!! I saw Cork, but read Clare.

That's what I saw too, I thought maybe I was going crazy.

I picked a bad day to stop sniffing glue....

And I picked a good one to start apparently.

[LANCER1562]

I agree. Go with the USAK especially since a portion of the proceeds go to a worthy organisation.

As a 23 year member of the Law Enforcement Community, if I could afford it, I would buy a USAK in the Law Enforcement Memorial tartan.