Hose Dilemma

[Mathew MacKillop]

Greetings Noble Rabble,

I know this is a topic that has been discussed quite a few times, however there are a few special considerations that I want to keep in mind. So:

I will be needing to order a few pairs of hose in the next month or so. Currently I have only the one pair, and with frequent washings over the past 3 months, they're not in the best shape anymore (they were cheap ones from Stillwater). I figure with 3-4 pairs in rotation I should be able to make them last a while longer, and have a variety of colours as well. Eventually, I will add a few pairs of Lewis hose, but for the moment their cost obliges me to look into other options.

My main concern is that, being in Canada, I am extremely limited in which merchants can provide me hose without me having to pay customs, so sadly amazon.com orders from New House Highland are not feasible.

I have found that the Wool Rich hose from Freedom Kilts @ $24 a pair are a reasonable price. Another option is for the "Gaelic Themes" hose from another merchant @ $29.95 a pair, as suggested by a member here. The Gaelic Themes ones are rather limited in colour choices, though.

Other than these, I cannot seem to find anything that ships from Canada and are under $30 a pair. I would love to give the Glenmore hose from HoC a try, but there do not seem to be any Canadian sources for them.

What does the rabble think? How is the quality of the options I have? Can I expect them to last longer than the $20 pair I got from SWK?

Thanks in advance!

Mathew

[The Wizard of BC]

Matthew,

There are a few options here in Canada

I carry the Wool Rich hose by Gaelic Themes in seven colors,
The Pipers Hose also by Gaelic Themes in six colors,
And the House of Cheviot, Lewis Hose in twelve colors.

You may also wish to check with Keltoi - A long time X Marks sponsor.

And Burnett's & Struth - another X Marks sponsor.

All three may be found on the top banner of X Marks.

The House of Chevoit themselves may be found on our lower banner.

[416 Rigby]

https://www.landmhighland.com/produc...ear/kilt-hose/

L&M Highland is in Canada.

You might contact a pipe band in your area and see where they get their stuff. There may be a shop near you.

[Mathew MacKillop]

Matthew,

There are a few options here in Canada

I carry the Wool Rich hose by Gaelic Themes in seven colors,
The Pipers Hose also by Gaelic Themes in six colors,
And the House of Cheviot, Lewis Hose in twelve colors.

You may also wish to check with Keltoi - A long time X Marks sponsor.

And Burnett's & Struth - another X Marks sponsor.

All three may be found on the top banner of X Marks.

The House of Chevoit themselves may be found on our lower banner.

So am I understanding correctly that the Wool Rich hose you offer are likely the same ones as the slightly more expensive Gaelic Themes hose that I found here? http://scottishandirishstore.com/mys...roductID=23155
If so, that simplifies things, I'd say...
Is there any chance of you being able to get your hands on the Glenmore hose from HoC?

[Mathew MacKillop]

https://www.landmhighland.com/produc...ear/kilt-hose/

L&M Highland is in Canada.

You might contact a pipe band in your area and see where they get their stuff. There may be a shop near you.

Sadly, the only shop offering this sort of thing in Montreal is a little tiny place that offers $30 hose that seem to be rather cheap, about the equivalent of the $20 ones I got from SWK when I ordered my kilt. The in-store markup being the price difference, so far as I can tell. The shop is also located in a suburb that is very impractical to reach; It is certainly geared towards the slightly more affluent residents of the area, who likely only kilt up for Burns Night and the Highland games. A custom-made kilt from them in 16oz wool was quoted at over $800 when I stopped in. I was not impressed.

[The Wizard of BC]

-Yes, I believe my Wool Rich and what others call Gaelic Themes are the same hose.

And yes, I have an account with HoC and have access to all of their hose.

[Mathew MacKillop]

-Yes, I believe my Wool Rich and what others call Gaelic Themes are the same hose.

And yes, I have an account with HoC and have access to all of their hose.

Well then, I believe you'll be receiving an email from me in the next week or so requesting a pair or two of Glenmores...I figure that if I get a few of those, and a few of the Wool Rich, I'll be able to compare. It makes a big difference being able to get everything from the same place, and supporting your business as opposed to one unaffiliated with Xmarks is important to me, as well.

Thanks!

[Katia]

An idea slightly to the side of what you were asking, but do you wear socks under your kilt hose? This might lessen how often they need to be washed and make them last longer, as well.

[Mathew MacKillop]

An idea slightly to the side of what you were asking, but do you wear socks under your kilt hose? This might lessen how often they need to be washed and make them last longer, as well.

Given that I have only been kilted since about mid-May, the weather here has not really permitted me to wear anything under my hose; this is something that I did read about here and intend to do once the weather permits in a few weeks.

To compensate, I've been gently hand-washing them, as well as keeping them on for as little time as possible; as soon as I get home the hose would come off, even when the kilt remained on.

I suppose I could have just been less stubborn and reverted to pants or shorts and worn normal socks instead, but quite honestly I much prefer the kilt, now that I've experienced it. I find that the comfort factor, as well as the look, is just so much better than bifurcated garments.

[Dale-of-Cedars]

Even in hot weather, a pair of short thin dress socks under the hose will help a lot to extend the 'life' of your more expensive purchase.
Just for example: http://r.ebay.com/wvDNil