J. Alex Swift hose/socks

[OC Richard]

I came across this English firm, who appear to make quality hose/socks suitable for kiltwearing at a low cost.

https://www.jalexswift.co.uk/product/british-wool-tot/

Does anyone have experience with these socks? They look very nice.

I do wonder about the fit for big-calf people like me.

[Father Bill]

Nice! Anyone have conversions for N.A. sizes?

[Jock Scot]

I have probably----must have?----- seen them unknowingly, but I know nothing about them. In truth I have never heard anyone discussing socks/hose whilst on a shoot, or fishing, or kilting, or anywhere in the UK! We wear what we have from wherever and get on with life. This website seems to have an almost un-healthy fixation about them!

[Pleater]

They are unlikely to be very wide - relying on the elasticity of knitting only for the fit. It could mean that they will stretch, but not be the most comfortable in wear - just going by the photo, but it looks as though they are straight up and down for the leg part.

Anne the Pleater

[OC Richard]

Yes Anne that was the concerning part.

18 inch calves I have.

[Troglodyte]

I came across this English firm, who appear to make quality hose/socks suitable for kiltwearing at a low cost.

https://www.jalexswift.co.uk/product/british-wool-tot/

Does anyone have experience with these socks? They look very nice.

I do wonder about the fit for big-calf people like me.

These look pretty good to me, although they are being sold as wellie socks (a country-wear sock suitable for pulling on over thinner socks, and worn with Wellington boots or gum-boots) they should adapt well for with the kilt.

Their range also includes a kilt-hose line of fairly 'standard' styling.

The village of Hathern (I know it well, from being based in the area about 30 years ago) on the Leicestershire/Derbyshire border has a long history of hosiery-making. In the way that Northampton is known for top-quality shoes, Sheffield for top quality steel, Leiceter is the centre of hosiery in the UK. This is one of the few firms that seems to have survived the mass-closure of such small, specialist producers in the 1980-90s.

As for quality, I would say that 90 per cent wool is probably better than 100 per cent, as the ten per cent nylon adds a certain amount of durability, stretch and shrink-resistance, and the price seems about right.

[Pleater]

Yes Anne that was the concerning part.

18 inch calves I have.

Yes - me too - which is why I make my own hose - I use an 80/20 wool Nylon mix which is very comfortable and hard wearing. Even if wet through they do not feel cold. If using English 4ply I need to add around 38 or 40 stitches to the count between ankle and knee in order to get a good fit.

Although I don't get about like I used to there are still days when I need heavy hose and boots. It makes such a difference to know that whatever else might happen, aching feet and blisters will not be a factor.

Anne the Pleater