Long Distance Hiking

**ratspike** · 9th December 14, 02:51 PM

I love working with nyco. It makes a really fantastic kilt for sure, I just wish I could get it in solid colors. I desperately want ranger green and coyote.

**Tartan Hiker** · 9th December 14, 03:09 PM

I just cruised through the SportKilt site (for the first time in years) and see that they are now offering a hiking kilt in microfiber. They come in several tartans, and the best part is that you can order longer lengths,,,up to 26". Now that is a real interesting option. If I didn't make my own I'd be very tempted to try one of these.

**Bo On The Go** · 9th December 14, 06:07 PM

@brewerpaul, Sweet looking kilt! Sadly, i am not skilled with the thread injector or I would be all into it.

Originally Posted by brewerpaul

I would agree that if you have the sewing machine and abilities making your own is a good way to go. Rockywoods and other fabric stores have performance fabric of all types. I run and hike in a variety of kilts from a Stillwater acrylic Economy kilt to ElKommando kilts. The one I like best for hiking is the one I made of quick dry nylon. The main reason I like it best is that I made it to fit like a traditional kilt should, high up on the kilt waist. The ElKommando and I would think other sport type and even USA economy level kilts fit at the jeans waist and with your hiking experience Im sure you know how a pack strap will ride on shorts or pants. To me this is annoying and Im always pulling my shorts/pants back up. I find the same with the ELKommando. A kilt with a traditional waist fits nicely under the pack strap and seems to stay up nicer. I can cinch my pack strap around my wasit and the kilt stays up no problems. I do like the ElKommando because of the side cargo pockets but those could be put on a kilt you make yourself. Below is a couple photos of my running/hiking kilt I made with quickdry nylon.

I used 1 inch webbing and flat fastex buckles for the apron.

**Bo On The Go** · 9th December 14, 06:20 PM

@ratspike, what kind of kilts do you make?

Originally Posted by ratspike

This. I've sent several kilts out to ultralight hikers and GORUCKers, and the fabric choices were always 50/50 nylon or poly cotton ripstop. It tends to be around 6.5oz, so not terribly heavy, it breathes well and dries pretty quickly. These fabrics tend to be mil-spec, as mentioned, so they're very durable. The feedback I've received on the fabric has been hugely positive for this type of use.

**Bo On The Go** · 9th December 14, 06:27 PM

@Tartan Hiker, I have seen those, but do not understand the details of microfiber. I was also noticing where Rocky (USAK) has in stock casuals on sale now as well. Would you know the difference between the two? I have a Semi from USAK and really like it, but don't know much about the SportKilt line

Originally Posted by Tartan Hiker

I just cruised through the SportKilt site (for the first time in years) and see that they are now offering a hiking kilt in microfiber. They come in several tartans, and the best part is that you can order longer lengths,,,up to 26". Now that is a real interesting option. If I didn't make my own I'd be very tempted to try one of these.

**Benning Boy** · 9th December 14, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by ratspike

I love working with nyco. It makes a really fantastic kilt for sure, I just wish I could get it in solid colors. I desperately want ranger green and coyote.

If you can find some decent coyote for a hiking kilt, I'll buy one from you.

To others: microfiber is another name for polyester. Polyester became so associated with tackiness and cheapness, in both senses of the word (remember the '70s?) manufactures started calling it microfiber to give it new allure, I guess.

**ratspike** · 9th December 14, 07:06 PM

@Benning Boy and @Bo On The Go, sending you guys both PMs.

**Tartan Hiker** · 9th December 14, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by Benning Boy

If you can find some decent coyote for a hiking kilt, I'll buy one from you.

To others: microfiber is another name for polyester. Polyester became so associated with tackiness and cheapness, in both senses of the word (remember the '70s?) manufactures started calling it microfiber to give it new allure, I guess.

True, but it's a very different manufacturing process resulting in cloth with a very different character than typical "pilliester".

**ChuckTN** · 10th December 14, 12:40 PM

I weighed several of my kilts this morning to have a comparison of materials.

13.6 oz - Sport Kilt hiking kilt with hidden pockets (from their website 330 grams or 11.6 oz)
14.4 oz - Mountain Hardware Elkommando (from their website 417 grams or 14.7 oz)
29.6 oz - Stillwater standard acrylic kilt
34.4 0z - UTKilts modern

**Alan H** · 10th December 14, 02:06 PM

I have a kilt from ratspike and the thing is The Bomb. It's built like a tank, but doesn't weigh in like a tank. I love this thing, I wore it to work yesterday.

Now, to be honest, for my taste it's actually over constructed for a hiking kilt. However, if you absolutely can't or won't sew your own, and you want to work with someone who turns out a solid product and will listen to your ideas and try to execute them....and especially if you don't want tartan.... then ratspike is your man. Absolutely.

As an aside, I'd never hike in a Stillwater kilt. Not ever. Hey, I love Stillwater, I've worn their kilts, I've bought stuff from them.....but for hiking? No. Not a chance.