Favourite hose (style/make, not colour)

**OC Richard** · 7th March 19, 08:53 PM

I have those 18" calves too so extra-chunky isn't a good thing.

I love my Cheviot hose. I have them in ancient blue, royal blue, claret, and "bison" (taupe).

Here's the Bison Cheviot

**imbrius** · 8th March 19, 06:52 AM

So it looks like the HoC Lewis hose is the clear winner here. Thanks, all!

**Karl R** · 8th March 19, 08:44 AM

Since I live in a warmer climate, I prefer cotton kilt hose. Design-wise, I prefer cable knit or diamond knit over ribbed. Both Scottish Trading Company and USA Kilts make good pairs. The only downside is that there are very few colors to choose from.

Sock Dreams adds some color variety, but they usually have some other drawback, as they weren't designed to be kilt socks.

**DyerStraits** · 8th March 19, 11:01 AM

Love, Love, LOVE my House Of Cheviot Highland Black Lion hose (I own two pairs). Distinctive and well-made; I get compliments--from men and women (but mostly women)--each time I wear them. I don't think they're in production any longer, so get 'em if, while, or where, you can:

https://www.heritageofscotland.com/i...-lion/charcoal

I'm equally fond of my "popcorn" or "pebble" top shooting hose, like these:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Jack-Pyke-P...CoFr_3QPI63lBA

**Tobus** · 8th March 19, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by Karl R

Since I live in a warmer climate, I prefer cotton kilt hose. Design-wise, I prefer cable knit or diamond knit over ribbed. Both Scottish Trading Company and USA Kilts make good pairs. The only downside is that there are very few colors to choose from.

Sock Dreams adds some color variety, but they usually have some other drawback, as they weren't designed to be kilt socks.

As a fellow denizen of that warm climate (I lived down in Seabrook before moving up to the Hill Country), I have tried both. I own a couple of pairs of cotton Sockdreams socks, as well as a slew of wool and wool-blend hose, not just as kilt hose but also for hiking/backpacking socks. Wool really is superior in the heat, IMHO. It doesn't make a lot of sense to people who have always thought of wool as being primarily for warmth, but it is a very breathable and natural fiber that doesn't turn mushy and clumpy when you sweat like cotton does. The hiking community tends to be fairly unanimous that wool is superior sock material. I've certainly put it to the test, and concur wholeheartedly.

Of course, if you've tried it both ways and still prefer cotton, more power to you. Just offering my proverbial 2 cents on the cotton-wool subject. I'll take wool any day, and twice on Sundays. And the less synthetic blended content, the better.

**imbrius** · 11th March 19, 08:50 AM

I'd like to buy a pair or two of HoC hose. Where does everyone go to get them? The HoC website has much higher prices than some of the resellers and that makes me uneasy as the resellers could end up sending inferior hose and claiming they're from HoC.

**ShaunMaxwell** · 11th March 19, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by imbrius

I'd like to buy a pair or two of HoC hose. Where does everyone go to get them? The HoC website has much higher prices than some of the resellers and that makes me uneasy as the resellers could end up sending inferior hose and claiming they're from HoC.

J. Higgins has a good price:

https://www.jhiggins.net/hose-lewis/

Or you can get them directly from Matt Newsome (HoC US Rep) on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/House-of-Chev...gateway&sr=8-2

USA Kilts:

https://www.usakilts.com/lewis-hose.html

Scottish Trading Company:

https://www.scottishtradingcompany.c...oducts_id=1684

They're pretty easy to find, and I've had good experiences with all of the above.

Cheers,

SM

**OC Richard** · 12th March 19, 05:37 AM

Originally Posted by imbrius

I'd like to buy a pair or two of HoC hose. Where does everyone go to get them?

I've picked up mine at our various local Highland Games. There's always a kilt shop (or two or three) that have them.

**Fedgunner** · 13th March 19, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by imbrius

I'd like to buy a pair or two of HoC hose. Where does everyone go to get them? The HoC website has much higher prices than some of the resellers and that makes me uneasy as the resellers could end up sending inferior hose and claiming they're from HoC.

I get mine fro the Celtic Croft. That said, they get them from Matt Newsome, as he us the U.S. distributor.

**SunriseEarth** · 14th March 19, 07:03 PM

My favorite are the Lewis HoC hose, because they are so versatile. I have 16" calves and they work well for me. The Rannoch are great if you need a bit more warmth. As for the Glencoe, they're a bit thinner and don't turn down as much as the Lewis, but a great option if you want something lighter.