best kilt for hiking

[Graham]

Yes Larry, I'm a kilted trekkie, of sorts

[Kilt'n'Khuk]

Graham Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 10:19 am Post subject:

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Yes Larry, I'm a kilted trekkie, of sorts

I believe we prefer to be called TREKKERS

[The Kilted Chef]

Graham Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 10:19 am Post subject:

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Yes Larry, I'm a kilted trekkie, of sorts

I believe we prefer to be called TREKKERS

Trekkers is the word.

[Graham]

Pardon Me

well I'm not a full-fledged Trekker, so Trekkie might best suit me

[Casey]

Being an outdoors type of person I would suggest that you stay away from the cotton in the cold and damp.

Wool or synthetic still insolate when wet. Wool up to 60%.

My suggestion with the wool is to wringe it out and carry one.

My kilt is just at the top of the knee and it seems to do less rubbing.

Casey

[Robbie]

I agree with those who say a wool kilt is best. Only problem with the lighter weight ones is if you get it really soaked the pleats tend to loose their sharpness.

[Woodsheal]

The ancient Highlanders knew best: the ultimate kilt for a cross-country trek in foul weather is the belted plaid (great kilt) in 100% wool. As a reenactor, I've worn these garments for 48 hours at a stretch, and they are easy to don, comfortable, and versatile. The upper section can be utilized as a warm wrap at need, and even a hood (plus, you are wearing an emergency blanket if for some reason you're forced to spend the night in the open!).

Wool will retain body heat when wet because the fibers "bulk" up. When you are warm and dry, it breathes, so it is the ideal fabric.

There is a 1720's account by an English army officer on a winter march in Scotland, with a group a group of native Highlanders. As the men prepared for sleep on the frosty ground, he was astonished to see the clansmen dip their plaids in a nearby creek and wring them out before wrapping themselves up and lying down. They informed him that they were warmer that way. Modern science confirms what these 18th century Scots knew with regard to wool: it's thicker and warmer when wet...!

[Alaskan Celt]

[Blu (Ontario)]

...don't know of any polypro/goretex kilts and I don't have a clue as to how the pleats would hold up.

... Also, and I think importantly, other fabrics just can't seem to compete in the "hang and swing" category either. The surface texture of worsted wool has a slight bristley feel to it which I suspect is probably responsible for allowing the pleated layers to move easily past one another. Wool also tends to remain supple. Stiffer fabrics, clingy or soft surface fabrics are "swing" handicapped a bit due to the characteristics that makes them superior in other ways. No question in my mind, the Scots got it right... wool is king.

blu

[Graham]

This is an interesting topic, as a bushwalker I have bought over the years a number of "thermal" garments, from underwear to trousers (or track pants, as we call them).
Yes, they are light and warm, but I've been rethinking these synthetic fabrics lately and returning to wool (sometimes a blend) for both undergarments and top layers.

When I hike now I prefer a woollen kilt and a woollen jumper.
I'm sure that natural fabrics are better for the skin and overall health.

The one exception is that I do like the poly/vis kilts for summer.