Backpacking In A Belted Plaid - A Question Revisited

[Clockwork]

Hello Rabble. I must admit that I've grown increasingly fond of the belted plaid/great kilt because of its great versatility; so much so, that I have ordered one which I hope may be used when backpacking/camping. I did a search on here to see if this topic had been discussed before, which yielded a thread with great points made regarding this idea.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...d-plaid-72296/

There were some points made regarding less-than-ideal situations one might encounter when attempting this: fabric in the rear being uncomfortable or interfering with the backpack waist strap, and rain-soaked wool causing hypothermia if it becomes wet and not dried. These were good points I had not thought of when I conceived this idea. However, I did some thinking for solutions to these scenarios and was wondering if anyone has thoughts regarding the plausibility of them.

The first is bunched-up-fabric issue. Would it be possible to box pleat a great kilt instead if knife pleating it? This seems like it would eliminate any edges against the back and keep the bulk laying flat, possibly allowing a proper fit of the hip belt/support of the backpack while providing wearer comfort. A second step to this would be to use paracord or rope to secure the plaid instead of a belt, having it tied above or below the backpack hip support. Alternatively, a thin, flat nylon belt which secures by Velcro might work too. Woolsheal's ruck-sack idea is good too.

The next possible solution is aimed at the issues of a wet wool kilt. The wool tartan I ordered for my great kilt is of the House of Edgar Nevis line, which is treated with Teflon (PTFE). This should, in theory, repel water and therefore keep the kilt dry. Has anyone had experience with the HoE Nevis line? Does it work well at doing this, or does it have its limitations? An alternative/addition to this fabric could be a lightweight iverness cape, perhaps made of a waterproof nylon.

What are your thoughts on these things? My aim is to pack lightly and the great kilt seems to fit the bill, since it's a blanket and kilt all in one.

Cheers,
-Jake

[Woodsheal]

I reiterate my point from the other thread, in terms of a pack. Or, if it's just an over-nighter go 18th C. highlander style: carry your meager rations in a haversack and the "pockets" of your plaid.

As for getting wet, a 100% wool plaid or blanket will actually retain MORE heat when wet than dry. That's been scientifically proven, and I found out the truth of it at a Civil War reenactment. A vicious cold front came through and wrought havoc on our camp. My tent blew down and all my gear got soaked. Temperatures were low that night. I rolled up naked in my soaked wool blanket and was quite warm ( I had to strip off my damp cotton shirt which was making me cold, but after that was very toasty in my wet wool cocoon)....

[Clockwork]

I reiterate my point from the other thread, in terms of a pack. Or, if it's just an over-nighter go 18th C. highlander style: carry your meager rations in a haversack and the "pockets" of your plaid.

As for getting wet, a 100% wool plaid or blanket will actually retain MORE heat when wet than dry. That's been scientifically proven, and I found out the truth of it at a Civil War reenactment. A vicious cold front came through and wrought havoc on our camp. My tent blew down and all my gear got soaked. Temperatures were low that night. I rolled up naked in my soaked wool blanket and was quite warm ( I had to strip off my damp cotton shirt which was making me cold, but after that was very toasty in my wet wool cocoon)....

That's pretty amazing. Plain wool sounds quite nice, but don't think I'll be to disappointed with the Nevis wool. I think its only trade off might be less warmth when wet in exchange for ease of cleaning. I do want to ask though, have you ever box pleated a great kilt?

Cheers,
-Jake

[Woodsheal]

Timeframe of use: mid 1500s (first definitive description 1594) to late 1700s. Even after the small kilt became the norm, plaids were carried for overnight use when out "in the sticks", even by lowlanders.

I've never box-pleated a great kilt, and am not sure how I'd go about it. The form shows up clearly in this early image, but how did they do it? Drawstring? Beltloops?

[Clockwork]

That shows it can be done at least. Maybe, instead of pulling and overlapping like we often see in demonstrations, a person could tuck the fabric underneath every alternative pull. In other words, you could pull-tuck-pull-tuck. Each pull would meet edge to edge, and each tuck would meet edge to edge. As I'm envisioning this, proper box pleats would be created. Let me test this on a small scale and I'll post pictures if it works.

Cheers,
-Jake

[Sir William]

I reiterate my point from the other thread, in terms of a pack. Or, if it's just an over-nighter go 18th C. highlander style: carry your meager rations in a haversack and the "pockets" of your plaid.
....

I agree with Brian. First, if you're going to wear a belted plaid to backpack and camp in, go the full measure and do it "authentically" with minimal gear. Less gear and less weight will virtually eliminate the problem associated with extra fabric in the rear. Carry a haversack for food, and a small snapsack or single-strap knapsack to carry your cooking and eating gear. My "mess kit" consists of a small pot (less than two cups), a spoon, and a metal cup. I heat water for tea in the cup, fix my meal in the pot and eat it out of the pot with my spoon. I carry a spare shirt and pair of hose which I use to sleep in which avoids the problem of sweat from wearing during the day making me chilled at night.

Personally, I either go "period" or "modern" when I backpack/camp. However, I find that I take less junk along when I go period.

[TheOfficialBren]

Whatever floats your boat, mate. :-)

Either way POST PICS OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

[Clockwork]

I agree with Brian. First, if you're going to wear a belted plaid to backpack and camp in, go the full measure and do it "authentically" with minimal gear. Less gear and less weight will virtually eliminate the problem associated with extra fabric in the rear. Carry a haversack for food, and a small snapsack or single-strap knapsack to carry your cooking and eating gear. My "mess kit" consists of a small pot (less than two cups), a spoon, and a metal cup. I heat water for tea in the cup, fix my meal in the pot and eat it out of the pot with my spoon. I carry a spare shirt and pair of hose which I use to sleep in which avoids the problem of sweat from wearing during the day making me chilled at night.

Personally, I either go "period" or "modern" when I backpack/camp. However, I find that I take less junk along when I go period.

That would be ideal, and if it can happen, then it will. The only thing I differ on is being at one extreme or the other, either period or modern. I much prefer to mix and match accordingly to what I feel will serve me best.

Whatever floats your boat, mate. :-)

Either way POST PICS OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

I most certainly will oblige to this request . I should have a portable solar charger by that time keep my phone charged (happens to be my only camera). Maybe a tripod and waterproof cover too.

Cheers,
-Jake

[Guinness>water]

Clockwork,
go for it buddy! I wore a greatkilt out deer hunting/camping last year. I didnt wear a backpack so cant really talk about that much other than if I had worn a pack, I wouldnt use the hip belt (Infantrymen never do anyway).

I found it to be much more comfortable than pants. I was warmer and could move around soooo much better. I used it as a blanket when I went to bed and as a shawl when standing around the camp fire. It was great!

About the pleats, I have read and believe it to be true that the great kilt wasnt "pleated". To put it on, I hold it against my shoulder with my chin, put my belt on and then pull the inner and outer aprons around to front. Leave the back how it is, not pleats but bunched. I can put it on in this fashion in under a minute and do believe this is how a Highlander would have done it as they werent too concerned with looks anyway.

[Clockwork]

Great news! Maybe this will be useful for future reference; my idea did work. I tried it on a towel since I don't have a great kilt.

After laying it out like a great kilt would be before pleating, I first did a regular pull.







Then, I did a tuck instead of a second regular pull.







And voila; now you have a box pleat! Now repeat the for the additional box pleats.








(I ran out of towel)

You could, in theory, start with either an overlap or tuck for the first pull. Of course, it may be a bit more difficult to pleat to the sett or stripe. I personally don't care what it looks like in the end, as long as it functions.

Thoughts?

Cheers,
-Jake