Sporran alternative

[OldMonklander]

My preference stems towards the newer hard leather style this is one I made a few years back, it is moulded leather with thistles and the Cameron crest burned in the flap with a laser.
IMG_0074.JPG
Mind you I do have plans in the works for to make one in the Rob Roy style sometime in the near future

[lschwartz]

Also, keep in mind that the sporran is NOT supposed to be worn so low that it bounces off the family jewels. It should be in between them and the belt.

I wear mine in front, or sometimes I wear it on the side. I also have used a belt pouch in front or on the side instead of a sporran and sporran belt/chain.

Larry

[OC Richard]

Also, keep in mind that the sporran is NOT supposed to be worn so low that it bounces off the family jewels. It should be in between them and the belt.

All I know is that I have hundreds of vintage photos, and in the old days it was common to wear the sporran fairly low. This is seen in the military too, which one would think would be a bastion of proper wearing of things.

The exact relationship of the sporran and groin is guesswork due to the kilt covering that stuff.

Here are two Victorian Highland soldiers.



And a very dapper Victorian civilian.



I'll leave the "should" and "supposed to" to others to decide.

[kingandrew]

I understand where you are coming from. But I also have found that the sporran has much to recommend it, too.

The one time I do not wear a sporran with my kilt is with my Sport Kilt when I'm going to run a race. The kilt is great for running, since it is loose and provides good ventilation. But wearing a sporran would definitely interfere in this athletic situation. I can see that participants in Highland Games, Highland dancers, or the people reeling at the Caledonian Ball would likely take off their sporrans (or move them to the hip) for similar reasons.

My Sport Kilt has pockets, but one could just wear a sporran to and from the race, using a sporran chain or belt, which is easy to remove or put on. For such purposes I actually McGyverr-ed a sporran chain out of a dog leash I picked up for just a couple of dollars.

Most of the time I wear the kilt, I use my large Rob Roy style sporran (made by the late Thorfinn Custom Sporrans). I wear it on my belt, using sporran hangers. There are a couple of really great things about a sporran. One, your stuff is really safer in a sporran. Pickpockets might slip unnoticed into your trousers, but nobody will reach into your sporran unnoticed. Second, it is much bigger than any pocket. allowing you to carry all manner of things beyond your keys and wallet (I often carry a paperback book to read on the subway, or my sunglasses when I'm hiking). Finally, the sporran will prevent you from unintentionally flashing people Sharon Stone style when you sit down. This last is a very real benefit for everyone.

I do recommend getting a sporran with decent cargo room, like the Stillwater Kilts Night Stalker or any of the Rob Roy style options out there. A nice black leather version, with or without tassels, should probably be your starter model. My first was a cheapo job from a Ren Faire and it was barely big enough to hold a pack of cigarettes or a couple of cassette tapes. You want one bigger than that.

I also find that a nice sporran becomes a subject of interest in itself. But when you're wearing a kilt, you will find that you are always of interest to everyone you meet--especially the ladies.

Your mileage may vary, but you may find you quite like the sporran if you give it a try, at least for non-athletic situations.

Andrew

[sailorruss]

Forgive me if this is a naive question, but are there any alternatives to the sporran? I love kilts, but am not a fan of the sporran. I would rather not have a bag banging about in the front of my kilt.

I feel the same way.I have found a guy in Canada. Greenman leather.. He is capable of making near anything, including side or hip pouch in different sizes. I'm not opposed to the sporran if needed to give it "the look" but I'm more comfortable with the idea of one of these.

You can google him. Heck of a nice guy too.

Thanks for reading.