Winter kilting in Pacific Northwest?

**knotty** · 17th June 12, 03:06 PM

I live in the Cowichan Valley 20 minuted north of Victoria. I have been wearing nothing but kilts since mid February. I have been warm enough in my 13 oz. 8 yard on the few cool days we have had. I would like to continue my kilt adventure through the winter.
I am planning to get a 16 oz, specially for winter. Is there a preferred style (8 yard, 5 yard, box pleat) for staying warm in winter?

Craig

**Paul Henry** · 17th June 12, 03:23 PM

The only preferred style is the one you want or like,there isn't any requiste winter outfit other than your own choice! For cold weather and snow I'd always go for an 8 yd 16oz yard.

**Father Bill** · 17th June 12, 03:25 PM

Simple. More cloth is warmer than less cloth. Heavier weight is warmer than lighter weight. More comfortable too. And box pleats, it seems to me, blow up more than deep knife pleats.

Did you ever see a sheep shiver?

**unixken** · 17th June 12, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by father bill

did you ever see a sheep shiver?

*** lol

**SlackerDrummer** · 17th June 12, 03:26 PM

Winter weather sounds like a good excuse for a tank to me.

How about one the red Maclean tartan?

**knotty** · 17th June 12, 03:35 PM

LOL. Im still not sure if I like the "red". Maybe a weathered??? I have a tie in weathered, which I like to look of. Im leaning toward the ancient or maybe Black Isle, but that could change before I pull the trigger.

**Spc. Scott** · 17th June 12, 04:21 PM

I seem to remember a test that was done on this very subject...

And if I recall correctly the heavy weight box pleat came out on top. Due to the knife pleats beloved swing creating more air movement.

Anyone else remember this?

**MacSpadger** · 24th June 12, 04:33 AM

Originally Posted by Spc. Scott

And if I recall correctly the heavy weight box pleat came out on top. Due to the knife pleats beloved swing creating more air movement.

Having worn a Ministry of Defence box pleated kilt for some years, I can say that the box pleating does create an extra bit of padding around the kidneys, which is handy, and it makes absolutely sense of the higher cut waistband.
The bottom end of the kilt had two very heavy elastic straps under the pleating that restricted the "swing" to quite a degree. This helped keep the shape, but also prevented warm air loss. The coldest I have ever been out in a kilt was minus 23 celcius in the evening rising to a balmy minus 7 degrees centigrade by noon. I was posted near Inverness for a year. That was in the winter of 1978.
When you are young it seems like an adventure, but I couldn't hack it now.

**jhockin** · 24th June 12, 11:36 AM

there is also the option of "kiltJohns" , see:

"http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f115/long-johns-under-kilt-13941/index5.html"

(post #42)

**Pleater** · 17th June 12, 04:34 PM

That was some years ago now, and my memory isn't good enough to recall the results.

My personal solution to winter weather is to add a plaid. A long one that wraps around and falls fore and aft. It can be worn various ways acording to the weather.

The extra layer seems to solve the problem of flying pleats and it is warm, keeps the rain off and can be used as an extra blanket.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: