kilt weights

[Kilts_Knave]

I live in Las Vegas , [and] all my kilts are 11 oz

What is it like to be "used" to that kind of heat and to be wearing this weight? Here in SE Florida it feels like it is 105 many months out of the year. I have read both that heavyweighted material is ideal for hot weather and also that it is unbearable in hot weather. I am curious to hear from another hotblooded individual's opinion about it.

[macgreggor]

Sorry guys,

I guess i didn't make my self real clear. When you put the entire kilt on a scale what would the weight range be for say a 16 oz. 8 yard kilt?I sorta worked it in my head last night and the total weight should be in the 3-4 pound range. Is that a reasonabel thought?

It seems that when asked many sellers reply "it feels like a heave fabric". Rather vague.

I have my eye on an "ex-militatary" kilt. However it looks to be in , my personal dream, MacGregor tartan. I didn't think there was such a beast. Military weight perhaps.

Trying my best to realize my fondest wish. Trying not to get burned real bad.

macG

[M. A. C. Newsome]

You are right. An 8 yard kilt, made from 16 oz cloth, would end up weighing slightly more than 4 lbs. (The wool itseld would weight 4 lbs, assuming the kilt uses exactly 8 yards -- then there would be the additional weight of the straps, buckles, lining, etc.).

In general, when a reputable kilt maker says "heavy weight" they mean 15/16 oz per yard. "Medium weight" means about 13/14 oz per yard. "Light weight" means anywhere from 10/12 oz per yard. And nothing lighter than a 10 oz wool should be offered. "Military weight" or "Regimental weight" typically means anywhere from 18 to 22 oz (though I know some regiments, such as the London Scottish, have recently gone to 16 oz cloth).

The problem is when you get a non-reputable dealer, or someone selling a kilt on ebay who really doesn't know what they have.

For instance, if they are selling a kilt as ex-military, but it is in the MacGregor tartan, something is wrong, because no military regiment, to my knowledge, ever wore that tartan. What it could be is a MacGregor kilt made in a military style. I have one that I got off of ebay years ago. It's the MacGregor tartan, made from a very nice old heavy weight cloth (probably 75+ years old), pleated to the stripe, etc. Looks like a military kilt, but more than likely it was worn in a pipe band or something similar.

Post a link to the page and I'll take a look at what they are selling (or PM me, if you don't want the masses trying to outbid you!)

Aye,
Matt

[macgreggor]

Thanks matt,

Here is the link, perhaps I just don't know the questions to ask the owner or they don't know the answers. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEBI%3AIT&rd=1
thanks,

macG

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Unfortunetly, that's not a very good picture, so I can't tell too much about the quality. It would be nice to see a picture of the back.

It's not an ex army kilt, though, that's for sure!

[RockyR]

Unfortunetly, that's not a very good picture, so I can't tell too much about the quality. It would be nice to see a picture of the back.

It's not an ex army kilt, though, that's for sure!

MacGregor... I'd trust Matt on this one. If he says no regiment ever wore a MacGregor kilt, believe him!

It IS the MacGregor tartan (or at least is VERY close by the blurry pics he posted). What may have happened is that the person may have been told that it is "MILITARY PLEATING" and took this to mean that the kilt is a "Military kilt".

Ask to see pics of the back... if the kilt is done to the stripe, it's probably what happened... "to the stripe", "Regimental Pleating", "Military Pleating", "to the line".... I've heard all of these terms and they all mean the same thing. Can get a bit confusing to the layperson.

[Archangel]

MacGregor... I'd trust Matt on this one. If he says no regiment ever wore a MacGregor kilt, believe him!

It IS the MacGregor tartan (or at least is VERY close by the blurry pics he posted). What may have happened is that the person may have been told that it is "MILITARY PLEATING" and took this to mean that the kilt is a "Military kilt".

Ask to see pics of the back... if the kilt is done to the stripe, it's probably what happened... "to the stripe", "Regimental Pleating", "Military Pleating", "to the line".... I've heard all of these terms and they all mean the same thing. Can get a bit confusing to the layperson.

Just for fun: As far as an absolute statement of no regiment wearing a McGregor kilt, it might be possible to make one exception. Hint: as a McGregor, there were very embarassing elements but it was also very important for us. Again, it's just a possible exception, we could argue over it but let's not.

Aside from that one occasion, no, no McGregor tartan has never been attached to a military context.

I do have one made to the military pattern. It is very heavy, and does not look like the one in the picture.

[prattw]

What is it like to be "used" to that kind of heat and to be wearing this weight? Here in SE Florida it feels like it is 105 many months out of the year. I have read both that heavyweighted material is ideal for hot weather and also that it is unbearable in hot weather. I am curious to hear from another hotblooded individual's opinion about it.

"But it's a dry heat" is a charter member of "Famous Last Words", but it does make a difference. Some people never adapt to the dryness; Suzy and I love it; we both feel uncomfortable at 50 percent humidity at any temperature. There's no question, though, that 115 is HOT, regardless of humidity, about as uncomfortable as 95 with 95. At 10 percent, 90 is blissfully cool in the shade and 100 is quite comfortable, for the adapted. Which includes most people, after a year or so. We have come to regard our months of 100+ as our region's period of inclement weather, equivalent to the winter of colder climes, which we escape.

Heavy weight kilts may be fine for brief exposure, as from parking spot to (air conditioned) destination, offering insulation from the heat during the relatively short period. They're hell to wear all day long outdoors in 100+ temps at a games or festival. Especially the rise encasing your mid-torso. The rise on an 11 oz kilt is less insulating, and the wicking effect and evaporation offsets more of the heat gain. (Not ALL the heat gain, mind, it's still too d__n hot. But survivable.) 100+ weather, incidentally, is likely, even probable, from the Las Vegas Games in April through the RenFaire in early October.

As to specifically what it's like in a (light weight) kilt: under the kilt is as cool as anything is going to get, like wide legged shorts but not so confining. The part of the torso encased by the rise is less comfortable, but that's true of any kind of waistband. Sweat tends to evaporate as it forms in our climate, but still the rise of your kilt can get sweaty and for that reason I generally wear a "wash and hang dry" fabric, such as Poly viscose or acrylic for outdoor occasions in summer.

Will Pratt

[cavscout]

Reading a description like that I realise the amount of knowledge I have gathered from this group. A few months ago I would not have questioned much about that kilt but today I'm so much more informed thanks to our discussions.

[billmcc]

I agree with Will Pratt. A lightweight (11 oz.) kilt is much cooler than a heavyweight (16 oz.) kilt.

Also, a kilt with a lower pants-type waist, such as a USA Kilt's Casual, is even cooler than a kilt with a higher traditional waist because there is less torso contact.