PV vs. Acrylic in Terms of Warmth?

[keith_b]

I'm sure this topic has come up before, so I do apologize, but I'm looking for a new synthetic fiber kilt for the cooler Southern Ontario seasons. In terms of an 8 yard kilt, in your humble opinion, what would be warmer - 8 yards of acrylic (like a Stillwater standard) or 8 yards of a PV-type material (like a Buyakilt.com 8 yard budget kilt)?

I'd love some feedback from possible owners of the above listed synthetics.

K.

[Laird_M]

My kilt is a PV, and have worn it in Briritsh winter weather - going out for New Year's Eve dinner, and also walking around our local lakes on a cold and wet New Year's day, and found it warm enough.

Can't comment on acrylic as never owned one, but know acrylic pills.

[Chas]

If I have to drive any distance, then I usually wear my MacLeod Hunting in PV. Summer or winter, my car is always kept cool as I find that heat in a car makes me drowsy. I have never felt cold when wearing my PV.

I have a lightweight Black Stewart in acrylic and a heavyweight Loud MacLeod also in acrylic - I always feel too hot in both of them.

[keith_b]

Thanks for input you two! Much appreciated.

[rmccool]

As with Martin, I can't comment on acrylic as a kilt material, since I don't own an acrylic kilt. I can be found regularly in a semi-traditional PV kilt from USA Kilts, however, and I've not felt cold in it -- even when I've worn it out on snowy winter evenings with temperatures in the 20s F (-5 to -1 C). From comments that others have posted I suspect that acrylic is slightly warmer than PV, but I'd think that either would make a reasonably warm 8 yard kilt.

[Tobus]

From comments that others have posted I suspect that acrylic is slightly warmer than PV

I have owned both acrylic and PV kilts, and I would agree. It likely depends on the quality/weight, as there are variations in acrylic fabrics (and apparently many makers falsely label their acrylic as PV). But it has been my experience that acrylic tartan fabric as used in el-cheapo kilts is a bit thicker and warmer than the 10-11 oz Marton Mills PV fabric.

[keclea]

I've never worn either an acryllic or poly-viscose kilt, but I've worn my cotton utility kilts out in the cold weather a lot. As long as you have on warm socks, good boots, and a warm coat, you should be ok.

[O'Callaghan]

I've a number of acryllic kilts, and IMHO how warm they are is a function of how thick they are. Unfortunately, advertised weights of fabric can be calculated a number of different ways (including incorrectly, LOL!) so it is hard to tell in advance. What they do have in common is that they don't 'breath' much, and the 'pilling' effect, which looks bad but goes away over time, usually, and varies in extent from one brand to another. I have a black acryllic kilt from Pakistan that has never shown any discernible pilling atall. FWIW, Stillwater acryllic is thick (as in warm in winter and a real liability in summer) and pills badly until it is 'run in'.

Someone here insists that only Marton Mills PV is true PV, but IMHO it is a blanket term that covers a lot of different fabrics, not all of which may be as good as eachother, but people seem happy with the Marton Mills variety as used by USA kilts.

[AKScott]

I own a couple wool tanks and a couple synthetics. Honestly don't know if my synthetics are PV or acrylic.

I can't tell a huge difference between wool and synthetic. I can tell a huge difference between standing still and walking around.

I think the real variables are your basal metabolic rate/ cold tolerance and your anticipated exposure time.

When it is cold enough that I would be cold if I wore one of my synthetics, it is also cold enough for me to be cold in a wool tank.

I encourage you to buy the synthetic you like, knowing that it will be relegated to mowing the lawn and operating the outdoor BBQ grill when your wool tank comes in.

Oooh, I hardly ever make it back in time to edit a post. You might - if you are OK with the tartan choice- look for used or surplus military kilts or replicas. About two years ago I was drooling over a new tank in Black Watch with military pleats and 22 ounce wool for about US$230.

[Liam]

For warmth you can't touch a "What Price Glory" 22 oz kilt. We had some wicked weather this past weekend here in Southern Alberta, so I kilted up in my WPG Cameron and shoveled the driveway.

Cheers...Bill