Underkilt

**Paul** · 1st February 10, 07:36 PM

Hi guys. I'm trying to order an underkilt for some freezing travels this year.
I've tried emailing info@jdez.com to order but I get a failure of delivery notice and they don't have any other method of contact on their website. Does anyone know how I can contact them, or if I can buy an underkilt elsewhere?

Thanks,
Paul

**CMcG** · 1st February 10, 08:05 PM

I hadn't heard of J'Dez before but have heard of using a basic Sport Kilt or Stillwater Thrifty as an underkilt.

I did some real cold weather kilting this year too (-20 Celcius) and wore both fitted boxers and long johns that I rolled up so you couldn't see them under my kilt.

Or take this advice from the Wizard of BC:
"Take one standard pair of long johns.
Two lengths of elastic long enough to just go around the lower thigh (2-3 inches above the knee.
One pair of scissors.
A needle and thread or one sewing machine.

Put on the long johns and make a mark on the leg at mid-knee.
Take the long johns off.

Cut the legs of the long johns off at the mark you made.

Find your lengths of elastic and sew them into a loop just tight enough to stay in place by themselves. (Or about the tightness of a pair of flashes.)

Place the loop of elastic over the cut-off leg of the long johns.

Fold up a hem in the cut-off long johns and sew the elastic inside the hem.

You have now created KILT JOHNS.
congratulate yourself on a job well done with a wee dram."

**Canuck** · 1st February 10, 08:14 PM

Wimps!

Pull up your hose and keep moving.

**NewGuise** · 1st February 10, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by Paul.

Hi guys. I'm trying to order an underkilt for some freezing travels this year.

How cold, dare I ask? I've been out at -20C and lower, with windchill, and the worst is a little redness on the top of my knees where the kilt hits. I honestly feel warmer in a 4-5 yard wool kilt and wool hose than I do in trousers. My hands feel colder, in leather gloves, than my bare knees do - seriously. If your upper body is warm enough - wear layers! - and your extremities are well covered, the rest of you should be fine. An underkilt won't add much if anything to the insulating value of wool.

**Jock Scot** · 2nd February 10, 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by NewGuise

How cold, dare I ask? I've been out at -20C and lower, with windchill, and the worst is a little redness on the top of my knees where the kilt hits. I honestly feel warmer in a 4-5 yard wool kilt and wool hose than I do in trousers. My hands feel colder, in leather gloves, than my bare knees do - seriously. If your upper body is warm enough - wear layers! - and your extremities are well covered, the rest of you should be fine. An underkilt won't add much if anything to the insulating value of wool.

I could not have said it better myself.

**Paul** · 2nd February 10, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by NewGuise

How cold, dare I ask? I've been out at -20C and lower, with windchill, and the worst is a little redness on the top of my knees where the kilt hits. I honestly feel warmer in a 4-5 yard wool kilt and wool hose than I do in trousers. My hands feel colder, in leather gloves, than my bare knees do - seriously. If your upper body is warm enough - wear layers! - and your extremities are well covered, the rest of you should be fine. An underkilt won't add much if anything to the insulating value of wool.

I've been out in around -15 with a kilt on and I've been numb from the thigh down. Otherwise I could wear a pair of jeans with cotton trousers underneath... which keeps me warm, however I'd rather have a way to wear my kilt and remain warm.

**CMcG** · 2nd February 10, 03:49 PM

While everyones' advice may be valid, what would make it more valuable is context. If one is going to spend a few minutes outside shoveling the snow or walking briskly to the pub, it is quite different from spending an afternoon/evening exposed to the elements. I'm assuming if Paul is concerned with numb legs, he's talking about spending a decent amount of time outside that may not involve constant movement?

The name of the game when it comes to cold weather clothing is layers. It's always better to be overdressed and have to take off a few items of clothing than to be stuck in sub-zero temperatures and be underdressed. There's nothing wrong with two pairs of hose, an underkilt or kilt johns, and/or thermal boxers if necessary. Frostbite and hypothermia are not cool.

**Paul** · 2nd February 10, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by CMcG

While everyones' advice may be valid, what would make it more valuable is context. If one is going to spend a few minutes outside shoveling the snow or walking briskly to the pub, it is quite different from spending an afternoon/evening exposed to the elements. I'm assuming if Paul is concerned with numb legs, he's talking about spending a decent amount of time outside that may not involve constant movement?

The name of the game when it comes to cold weather clothing is layers. It's always better to be overdressed and have to take off a few items of clothing than to be stuck in sub-zero temperatures and be underdressed. There's nothing wrong with two pairs of hose, an underkilt or kilt johns, and/or thermal boxers if necessary. Frostbite and hypothermia are not cool.

Thank you!
That's exactly what I'm talking about. I'll be out and about, but may not be walking the whole time. We'll be out for at least 12 hours each day and its likely to be extremely cold.
I plan to wear 2 pairs of hose - one thin under a thicker pair as well as plenty of layers on my top half. I'll probably redo 2 t-shirts, thick jumper and waterproof jacket - which worked before, though, my bottom half was considerably colder. A 16oz kilt isnt enough to keep my upper legs from freezing and I've had a few recommendations for an "under-kilt", which will be shorter than my kilt and will not be visible at all.

**xena** · 1st February 10, 08:51 PM

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I've heard warnings about the J'Dez website before. Don't expect much from them.

I'm not sure how much of an insulation value you'd get from one of them things anyway. You'd be much better off with boxers or cut-off longjohns. Underkilts are basically just women's slips marketed to kilt wearing dudes.

**auld argonian** · 1st February 10, 09:06 PM

Yeah...why search out exotic things when a simple solution is as near as the local Walmart or whatever. If the need is there, there's no disgrace in wearing some conventional undergarment under your kilt. If it's going to be an obstruction later on when you reach your destination just excuse yerself to the loo and slip them off and stuff 'em discretely in yer coat pocket. One of the good things about wearing a kilt...accessibility.

Best

AA