New Kilt - question about kilt hose for large calves

[Joerg_Mosthaf]

Hi, here comes my first question, hope this is the right sub-forum.
When I bought my first kilt saturday, I hade some trouble with the kilt hose. I couldn't find even one pair that would fit my "soccer calves" (as my dad used to call them ;)). I could not pull them up far enough, as all hose available at the Kilts&More shop were seemingly without elastic thread. So I looked around online and couldn't find any kilt hose that mentions either elastic capabilities or maximum calf width.
I looked today in a sports shop, but they only had long hose with logos on them (and adidas doesn't quite mix with kilts ;)).
Any tips where I could order correct (kilt) hose online or in a store around Heidelberg that fits my prodigious calves?

[cavscout]

Look for the Pipers hose from Gaelic Themes resellers or the Scottish Tartans Museum sells some full leg Lewis hose. Hamilton Dry Goods sells some decent hose for daily wear at about $8 /pr but I don't know if they ship internationally.

My calves are 19" around and I have the same difficulty finding hose that will fit and look good. The Pipers hose are my preferred kilt hose. Costs range from about $30 to $50. Just make sure you are getting the ones marked 70% wool / 30% Nylon.

[Zardoz]

I'll second the piper hose, I've been wearing some lately too. You might also try W.Brewin Co. http://stores.channeladvisor.com/wbsocks/Kilt%20Hose/
Their hose are a little lighter weight than most, but are quite stretchy and reasonably priced.

[davedove]

the Scottish Tartans Museum sells some full leg Lewis hose.

I can vouch that these are great hose. I have several pair.

[McFarkus]

I have several pairs of the fully-fashioned Lewis Kilt hose from this page at the Scottish Tartan Museum website. You want the ones at the bottom of the page. These are made-to-measure, so they ask you to include the circumference of your calf with the order. I really like these.

[Joerg_Mosthaf]

Damn - that quick reply widget doesn't seem to work - typed that reply 3 times
Ok, here goes again:
Thank you all for the great info.
I have measured my calves and they are 48cm (aprox. 19") around.
Would the kilt hose from W.Brewin Co. (http://stores.channeladvisor.com/wbsocks/Kilt%20Hose/ ) fit?
The fully fashioned kilt hose from the Scottish Tartan Museum gift shop look great, if a bit pricey. But they have a delivery estimate of 4-8 weeks and I would like to get at least a pair for my upcoming birthday (scottish themed party ).
I also mailed Hamilton Dry Goods and asked about international shipping.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Damn - that quick reply widget doesn't seem to work - typed that reply 3 times
Ok, here goes again:
Thank you all for the great info.
I have measured my calves and they are 48cm (aprox. 19") around.
Would the kilt hose from W.Brewin Co. (http://stores.channeladvisor.com/wbsocks/Kilt%20Hose/ ) fit?
The fully fashioned kilt hose from the Scottish Tartan Museum gift shop look great, if a bit pricey. But they have a delivery estimate of 4-8 weeks and I would like to get at least a pair for my upcoming birthday (scottish themed party ).
I also mailed Hamilton Dry Goods and asked about international shipping.

We don't keep a full stock of all sizes and colors on hand in the large-calf "fully fashioned" version of the Lewis hose, hence the delivery time.

BUT we do keep some in stock, so depending on what size and color you want, there is a chance we have something to your liking we could ship out immediately.

You can either call the gift shop to place your order by phone, and the person you talk to could tell you right then what is in stock (be sure you say you want the wide calf style), or if you PM me your shoe size, I can check the inventory and let you know what colors we have on hand in your size. I won't be in the museum today (Tuesday), though, so my reply would have to wait till tomorrow.

[escherblacksmith]

Twin City Knitting (at your local soccer shop, usually) has some black ones that work well. and cheap.

I'll have to see about my greens I think they were from one of the advertised folk here.

[Joerg_Mosthaf]

We don't keep a full stock of all sizes and colors on hand in the large-calf "fully fashioned" version of the Lewis hose, hence the delivery time.

BUT we do keep some in stock, so depending on what size and color you want, there is a chance we have something to your liking we could ship out immediately.

Thanks for the kind offer. I now have ordered "samples" from a few of the recommended shops to look if they fit me. If some don't I have a kilt-wearing friend with more "normal" calves who could probably use them
I will PM you, if all of them don't fit (my shoe size is EU 45 -> US 11). Thanks.
One question - are your shipping rates also for hose? Because $35 shipping for a pair of kilt hose seems a bit steep.

[Wolfgore]

Damn - that quick reply widget doesn't seem to work - typed that reply 3 times
Ok, here goes again:
Thank you all for the great info.
I have measured my calves and they are 48cm (aprox. 19") around.
Would the kilt hose from W.Brewin Co. (http://stores.channeladvisor.com/wbsocks/Kilt%20Hose/ ) fit?
The fully fashioned kilt hose from the Scottish Tartan Museum gift shop look great, if a bit pricey. But they have a delivery estimate of 4-8 weeks and I would like to get at least a pair for my upcoming birthday (scottish themed party ).
I also mailed Hamilton Dry Goods and asked about international shipping.

I also have 19" calves.
Yes, the kilt hose from W.Brewin Co. will fit your calves just fine.
I have no issue with the comfort of them, they seem comfortable enough to me.
As for the quality, I admittedly have nothing to compare them to.
I bought 4 pair of them just last month and they are the only kilt hose I own.
I have only worn them a few times.
So far I am happy enough with them.