Lightweight and cool kilt for backpacking

**Alan H** · 10th August 05, 10:17 AM

Y'all have got me thinking. I'm going to have 4 yards of canvas material left over when I make my "contemporary kilt". maybe I should turn out my version of the ideal backpakcing kilt.

I have to say that I seriously like the idea of a kilt for long-distance hiking. I just haven't tried it.

Yet.

**Andrew Breecher** · 10th August 05, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by Alan H

Y'all have got me thinking. I'm going to have 4 yards of canvas material left over when I make my "contemporary kilt". maybe I should turn out my version of the ideal backpakcing kilt.

The problem with canvas is that it's cotton, and as every backpacker knows, "cotton kills" - that is, when it gets wet it stays wet, and when the temperature drops the cotton gets cold. Wool is traditionally a great outdoors material, because although it takes a long time to dry, while it's wet it remains warm, holding in your core temperature. Poly/viscose material works the same way, remaining warm while wet. It also dries while you wear it; usually I found it dry an hour after it stopped raining. I wore my P/V kilt through blizzards (three of them), rainstorms (too many to count), hailstorms (generally only last half an hour or so), river fords (deep enough to make all men equal), bitterly cold, and blisteringly hot weather. I certainly wasn't any colder or warmer (respectively) than anyone else I was hiking with, and I convinced several others to change to the kilt (mostly the Sport Kilt, because of its non-existant wait time, and cheap price).

In terms of weight, a kilt is always going to be heavier than shorts, or even trousers. There's no way around that. But worn weight distributes itself very well, as opposed to carried weight, or weight on your feet. I'm always amazed at how many people fret about how much weight they have in their pack, and then wear five-pound hiking boots. I'll never hike in anything but running shoes. And a kilt.

Andrew.

**Bill** · 10th August 05, 05:20 PM

Andrew that is a spectacular picture! Does make me homesick for the mountains (lived for ten+ years in Wyoming never more than 15 miles from a mountain range and bliss). Sigh.

Bill

**boyd32450** · 20th August 05, 10:23 PM

Have you checked out Utilikilts' new synthetic "Spartan" kilt. It may be just what you are looking for.

**James** · 20th August 05, 10:38 PM

Though wearing a regular weight kilt for walking-whilst it might feel heavy to the hand-once on it never feels heavy. Too the close weave makes it waterproof when it rains.

However it is well to wear it no longer then the top of the kneecaps-otherwise there can be the effect of dragging upon one's stride.

However wilst a traditional kilt is ecellent for the British/European hills with their ample rainfall-the thought of a wet canvas or lightweight kilt fill me with horror-for it would be so uncomfortable-dangerous too. However there might be other arguments in a drier country.

James

**davedove** · 21st August 05, 04:31 AM

There's lots of comments here on the proper material to wear while hiking, but it's always with the outlook of the hard-core hiker. Wouldn't a cotton fabric work fine for someone who only day hikes during decent weather?

**Graham** · 21st August 05, 05:46 AM

In my opinion, poly viscose is the best lightweight material for hiking, I do a lot around the Highlands of Tasmania and I find this material just great.

I mostly wear a USA kilt 8 yard PV, it has enough weight to keep it down in the wind, but light enough in hot weather.

I recently wore one in the Rockies up to 10,500 feet on a really hot day.

The only time I've worn heavy wool when hiking is when it's really cold (like snowing).

**Andrew Breecher** · 21st August 05, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by davedove

There's lots of comments here on the proper material to wear while hiking, but it's always with the outlook of the hard-core hiker. Wouldn't a cotton fabric work fine for someone who only day hikes during decent weather?

Yes and no.

Certainly, people wore cotton for years while hiking, before modern fabrics had been invented. Long-distance hikers wore blue jeans; soldiers still wear cotton fatigues out in the field; Boy Scouts by the score go hiking in cotton every year. But now there are other options.

If it's warm out, you're not going above treeline, and you're not staying out overnight, then cotton is probably just fine. Wear your Utilikilt.

If you know it's going to rain, or that the weather can change quickly (above treeline), or it's cold or windy out, I would highly recommend against wearing anything cotton. Being wet when it's warm out is miserable. Being wet when it's cold out is dangerous. You can easily catch hypothermia, especially if it's cold and windy. Wearing garments that keep your core warm even when they're wet is very important. Wool does this, as does poly-viscose. I don't know if acrylic does.

Andrew.

**Riverkilt** · 2nd September 05, 01:40 PM

Hey Roy, I'm with Andrew. I hike a lot in my SportKilts...they're light weight and readily available... The new construction options offer a more kilt-like look than the ones I paid for. I was impressed...

Ron

**Shay** · 6th September 05, 03:11 PM

I got the supplex skirt, and at least at this weight, it's way too light for a man's kilt. The whole thing, down to my ankles, is about 10 oz*- great for me, (and they do make a men's macabi if you care) but if it were shorter I'd be pulling a very rugged and outdoorsy Marilyn Monroe at random gusts of wind.

Still, if you could find the fabric in a heavier weight, (or think the pleats would hold it down) it dires nicely as advertised, since my son spilled juice on me and I had to spot wash it- cleans up nice too.

*Yes, I managed to fold into the pocket as advertised and weighed it on our food scale.