Kilts in a hot climate

**JonathanB** · 13th March 13, 03:52 AM

I've already seen a bit here about wearing kilts in cold temperatures - not surprisingly as they were designed for the Highlands which is not noted for its high temperatures.

What about wearing them when the weather gets warmer, or by English standards hot? Does all that wool around the upper thighs become uncomfortable?

(For the benefit of those of you living in large continental land masses, the weather is England is not dreadful - it it is rarely exceptionally hot or cold, it's just completely unpredictable and so an endless topic for conversation. There's no point in talking about the weather in Antarctica or the Sahara. I've only been to Scotland in the summer, and the weather is a bit cooler than in southern England, and the nights much shorter.)

**Nik** · 13th March 13, 04:15 AM

Well if you are in warmer weather get the appropriate styled kilt. A lighter tartan, 13 oz or maybe 11. Then pick how to pleat it, a 5 yard knife pleat or 4 yard box pleat. I have what I belive is at least 13 oz 5 yard knife pleated kilt. Here is muggy Michigan its actually very comfortable.

The reason being that wool can trap cool air as well as warm, you also have a nice vent to allow for better air circulation then with pants or shorts. I will say this the only issue caused by mine was that I have a cheap nylon lining and well its great for winter, summer it tends to get a bit hot.

The other choice you can make is to have a light weight PV kilt. I've read that they are great for summer and breath extremely well. On our side of the po d we have USA Kilts, I'm sure that there is a kilt maker in England that either does or can make you one if you wanted.

-Nik

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 13th March 13, 04:40 AM

The only times I have found the wool of the kilt to be uncomfortably hot have been when I was sitting, so that the wool was lying directly against the skin on my legs, and the sun was beaming down on my lap. Things can heat up rather quickly!

But ordinarily the kilt itself is not the problem, even when made from heavy weight wool. I find that if you simply accessorize according to the temperature you will be ok. So in the warmer times of the year, perhaps your 6 ply wool kilt hose are not the best choice. A 2 ply or 3 ply wool blend will be better. You will be more comfortable without the wool Balmoral bonnet on your head.

And heavy tweed jackets? Forget them in the tropical summers! A light weight linen is much more suited to the climate.
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/linen_jacket.html

**be da veva** · 13th March 13, 04:49 AM

I wear my wool kilts all year long. I find that wool kilt are the most comfortable for me. Even in Cuba. Tried the PV and Acrylic,
but much more comfortable in wool.

**Geoff Withnell** · 13th March 13, 04:52 AM

Well, living here about 50 miles south of the Mason Dixon line, and being a full time kiltie, I can give you the true scoop! I don't have a problem, even with a tank, with "all that wool around the upper thighs". Air circulation is a wonderful thing. The only place a heavy kilt is uncomfortable is around the waist. Close fitting, multiple layers of wool. Even in a good kilt with the extra fabric in the pleats trimmed, in hot humid weather the waist gets warm. Of course, if you are wearing a belt, it is even worse. This is where "casual" kilts with a less constructed waistband shine. USAK Casuals are perfect for a hot summer day. I am certain Rocky ships to the UK!

**piperdbh** · 13th March 13, 06:54 AM

In my little corner of the sky summer temps often reach the mid-90s F (30s C) and warmer. The top half of me gets much warmer than the lower half.

**Nathan** · 13th March 13, 07:18 AM

I have worn the kilt on stage in very hot bars as well as marching under the hot summer sun. Although many people know Canada for its cold winters, summers can be quite hot and humid (over 30 degrees Celcius and much higher with the humidex) in many parts of the highly populated southern parts of the country and even some places in the north, albeit for shorter periods. It's a place of extreme temperatures not just cold.

I have been quite comfortable in my very heavy military weight wool kilt in these temperatures but the lining gets sweaty. I air it out before hanging but as the kilt was over 100 years old when I got it, I have since replaced the lining. As Matt points out, it's the hose more than the kilt that can be a factor. I find the acrylic blend hose quite a reasonable compromise for most days although I have been known to forgoe hose altogether and wear the kilt with *gasp* sandals, a golf shirt (polo) and a baseball cap (to prevent sunburn). That said, in my military days, as long as I had plenty of sunscreen on, I was even reasonably comfortable in a wool bonnet. Wool is an amazing fabric really. It's breathable so it's not very uncomfortable at all, even in the heat.

**Tobus** · 13th March 13, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by Geoff Withnell

Well, living here about 50 miles south of the Mason Dixon line, and being a full time kiltie, I can give you the true scoop! I don't have a problem, even with a tank, with "all that wool around the upper thighs". Air circulation is a wonderful thing. The only place a heavy kilt is uncomfortable is around the waist. Close fitting, multiple layers of wool. Even in a good kilt with the extra fabric in the pleats trimmed, in hot humid weather the waist gets warm. Of course, if you are wearing a belt, it is even worse. This is where "casual" kilts with a less constructed waistband shine. USAK Casuals are perfect for a hot summer day. I am certain Rocky ships to the UK!

As a resident of south-central Texas where summertime temps are usually over 100 degrees F (and winds off the Gulf of Mexico keep humidity levels so high that sweat won't evaporate), I've found it to be pretty much as you describe. The only part that bothers me is around my waist. And even then, I don't think it's so much about the thickness of material as it is about the fact that it's in constant contact with my body, preventing sweat from evaporating. I find this to be true also with denim bluejeans, although they trap in a lot more moisture than a kilt. The kilt is definitely more comfortable in the heat than bluejeans!

I used to own a PV casual kilt, but even in summertime I prefer my wool kilts. I really didn't feel enough of a difference in the lighter PV to make a difference. In fact, PV feels "stuffy" to me and doesn't seem to breathe as well as wool. So in summer, I will wear a 4-yard box-pleat kilt (still 16 oz wool). I know we have had this discussion before, but I do think the box pleats have more circulation than knife pleats, due to their billows-style action. It still doesn't help much around the waistband area, but I can definitely feel more air movement below.

**BCAC** · 13th March 13, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by JonathanB

I've already seen a bit here about wearing kilts in cold temperatures - not surprisingly as they were designed for the Highlands which is not noted for its high temperatures.

What about wearing them when the weather gets warmer, or by English standards hot? Does all that wool around the upper thighs become uncomfortable?

(For the benefit of those of you living in large continental land masses, the weather is England is not dreadful - it it is rarely exceptionally hot or cold, it's just completely unpredictable and so an endless topic for conversation. There's no point in talking about the weather in Antarctica or the Sahara. I've only been to Scotland in the summer, and the weather is a bit cooler than in southern England, and the nights much shorter.)

You can wear your 8 yard 16 oz "tanks" in England without any problems. It never gets hot enough for it to be a problem.

I'm actually living in the south of France and I've worn my kilts in all sorts of weather (even in the summer when it gets over 40°C) without any problems, and I only own 8 yd 16 oz wool kilts. So you shouldn't have problems with it.

**chewse** · 13th March 13, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

As a resident of south-central Texas where summertime temps are usually over 100 degrees F (and winds off the Gulf of Mexico keep humidity levels so high that sweat won't evaporate), I've found it to be pretty much as you describe. The only part that bothers me is around my waist. And even then, I don't think it's so much about the thickness of material as it is about the fact that it's in constant contact with my body, preventing sweat from evaporating. I find this to be true also with denim bluejeans, although they trap in a lot more moisture than a kilt. The kilt is definitely more comfortable in the heat than bluejeans!

I used to own a PV casual kilt, but even in summertime I prefer my wool kilts. I really didn't feel enough of a difference in the lighter PV to make a difference. In fact, PV feels "stuffy" to me and doesn't seem to breathe as well as wool. So in summer, I will wear a 4-yard box-pleat kilt (still 16 oz wool). I know we have had this discussion before, but I do think the box pleats have more circulation than knife pleats, due to their billows-style action. It still doesn't help much around the waistband area, but I can definitely feel more air movement below.

Living in Texas when the weather is 100+ is tough no matter what you are wearing; a kilt or pant (especially, if you are a "full bodied" man as I am). However, I have found that wearing a 13 oz. kilt instead of a 16 oz. kilt does provide more comfort in hot weather.