Winter in a Kilt

[Rufus]

Rhino,

Maybe a 16oz. tartan kilt would keep you the warmest. I bet you'd be nice and cozy, but only if it was tartan.

Sorry, just read the thread where we were blamed for the oncoming tartanness.

Rufus

[Robbie]

Re Graham's query about wool weights, 10/11oz is generally considered the lightest weight for a kilt (more to do with the way it hangs/swings/"lifts" in a breeze rather than warmth), 13/14oz is the currently most popular weight and is considered a good all-rounder, 16/18oz is heavy weight and generally considered a bit warm for extended indoor wear, and 20oz upwards is military weight. However, given enough wind and in the right (wrong?) direction, even a military kilt will "lift", as was demonstrated in the well known photo of the soldier at the flag ceremony in, I think, Hong Kong.

[Graham]

Thanks Robbie, Rufus and Rhino (RRR)

I was also referring to wool quality and warmth. I guess there are cheaper wools that do not provide the same warmth.
I understand that Australian Merino wool is considered among the best.

Welcome back Robbie, how was your trip away?

[Robbie]

Thank you Graham - I had a great time touring round the St Malo area of Brittany - St Malo itself, Dinan, Dinard etc and along the northern coast, plus some visits into Normandy - Mont St Michel, Dol, Saint Mere Eglise (featured in the film "The Longest Day") and Carantac (of "Band Of Brothers" fame).

However, to go back to your original question it is the weight and not the quality of the wool that decides warmth - basically the heavier (thicker) the warmer although perversely a lightweight (10/11oz) can be warm on a cold winter's day provided there's little or no penetrating (or upward) wind, which is the real deciding factor. The quality of the wool is reflected in the quality of the kilt - the better the wool (and the quality of the weaver and the skill of the kiltmaker) the better the kilt in terms of appearance, longevity etc.

[bear]

The heavier the wool, the warmer the kilt will be. I think also the quality of the wool plays a part in warmth, especially in the tighness of weave.
My 8 yard poly/viscose kilts are very warm because they cut the wind and hold in heat quite well. Not as well as wool, of course, but enough for at least -10 degrees.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

I can personally guaran-freakin'-tee that a kilt made with the 22 ounce wool is one of the warmest things ever created!!! The machine cussed at me the entire time I made it... but it was worth it!

I've tested it MANY times, and it's the only times that I was begging for GoldBond in the winter!

I made it into a traditional Scottish Kilt (blind stitch, three strap, etc) and it's a TANK! I HIGHLY recommend it to those in the nether regions of the sunshine.

[Blu (Ontario)]

I can personally guaran-freakin'-tee that a kilt made with the 22 ounce wool is one of the warmest things ever created!!! The machine cussed at me the entire time I made it... but it was worth it!...

How do you find the tightness and surface finish on the 22oz. I've seen picture of 22oz wool and it looked rough. My 16oz worsted wool kilt has a very slight prckly feel to it but my 13oz worsted wool kilt is almost as smooth as poly-vis. Many of the kiltmakers it seems don't even offer (at least publicly) kilts in 22oz fabric. Curious.

blu

[bear]

I can personally guaran-freakin'-tee that a kilt made with the 22 ounce wool is one of the warmest things ever created!!! The machine cussed at me the entire time I made it... but it was worth it!

I've tested it MANY times, and it's the only times that I was begging for GoldBond in the winter!

I made it into a traditional Scottish Kilt (blind stitch, three strap, etc) and it's a TANK! I HIGHLY recommend it to those in the nether regions of the sunshine.

Jimmy,
Trust me. Bodyglide. It works.

[Graham]

What is Bodyglide? some sort of cream or lotion?

[Casey]

Bear,

I'm contemplating an 8yd Bearkilt for the fall. Probably a Black Watch. My wife likes that tartan (me too).

Casey