Usa Kilts vs. Sport Kilt

[Nolan11]

Thank you for sharing your experience and information about the companies I am considering. I already own a couple of utility kilts, but this will be my first wool tartan kilt. I kind of was leaning toward a USA Kilt already but wanted to get some first hand knowledge. Thank you all again.

[Stan]

Hello, I am looking at purchasing a budget-friendly 5-yard wool kilt in a Galway Irish tartan. From doing some research online Usa Kilts and Sport Kilts would run about $400 total. Have any of you had experience with these two manufacturers as far as finish quality? The whole Velcro closure on the Sport kilt seams very nontraditional, but not a deal breaker if the quality is there. Thank you in advance for any help.

I'd pass on the sport kilt. At a trot. It's my opinion that they are very light weight, and typically purchased by individuals who aren't serious kilt wearers, or simply didn't have the resources to find more options for buying a kilt.

In the past, I have purchased two sport kilts as gifts for friends, and I did so only because I didn't know their measurements, and sport kilts have an elastic back on them. I also knew that these "friends" WEREN'T (and have't become) kilt wearer's. Again, I made the purchases primarily because of the "expanding elastic" on the back of them.

Frankly, (to me) while they have a place in kilted community, they are simply "costume quality"....

I own 17 kilts, 13 are wool. Most of those were purchased from a vendor who advertises on this (Xmarksthecscot) web site. ScotWeb.co.uk. AND I couldn't be happier.

You might check out "Casual kilts" on the Scotweb.co.uk web site. They have nice 5 yard , 16 ounce wool kilts that should (more then nicely) fit in your (stated) budget.

[McGinley]

USA Kilts all the way! Great workmanship. I have sometimes taken my USA 5 yard wool kilts out and just marveled at how precise the pleats are. I would not hesitate one second to purchase from Rocky and his crew.

[BjornBsrkr]

I own both a USA Kilt off-the-rack casual kilt and two Sportkilt Ultimates (and a "comfy", but that is a different bird all together!).

In my opinion, the quality of both are compairable. All are well manufactured, good quality fabric and deliver good value for the price. On the other hand, they are definitely made aiming at a different audience.

The USA Kilt has crisp pleats and a semi-formal air to it. While it is washable and very hard wearing encouraging casual, "fun" wear, it can be dressed up. I recently wore my Gwyndwr with a jacket and waistcoat and attended a semi-formal evening event. It looked great.

The Sportkilts are more sport(y). Worn with a polo or sweater you are well turned out. I wore one to a very hot, humid outdoor afternoon wedding this summer with an open collar. It looked sharp. I wouldn't push it to the level of semi-formal though. I wouldn't hesitate going for a hike in a Sportkilt and I have worn it camping. I likely wouldn't do that with the USA Kilt (although it is capable).

In either case, you money will be well spent. I will definitely be buying more of each in the future.

Paul

[Woodsman]

I own both a USA Kilt off-the-rack casual kilt and two Sportkilt Ultimates (and a "comfy", but that is a different bird all together!).

In my opinion, the quality of both are compairable. All are well manufactured, good quality fabric and deliver good value for the price. On the other hand, they are definitely made aiming at a different audience.

The USA Kilt has crisp pleats and a semi-formal air to it. While it is washable and very hard wearing encouraging casual, "fun" wear, it can be dressed up. I recently wore my Gwyndwr with a jacket and waistcoat and attended a semi-formal evening event. It looked great.

The Sportkilts are more sport(y). Worn with a polo or sweater you are well turned out. I wore one to a very hot, humid outdoor afternoon wedding this summer with an open collar. It looked sharp. I wouldn't push it to the level of semi-formal though. I wouldn't hesitate going for a hike in a Sportkilt and I have worn it camping. I likely wouldn't do that with the USA Kilt (although it is capable).

In either case, you money will be well spent. I will definitely be buying more of each in the future.

Paul

I normally don't hike with my USA Kilt but I have and it was superb! It was appropriately a St. Patrick's Day hike in my Murphy/Tara tartan. Plenty cool and comfortable with plenty of swish! If you can only buy one, USA Kilts is the way to go -casual, yet you can dress it up and take it out.