Kilting in the cold

[flyv65]

When the temperature is below 30F I'm wearing heavy jeans outside.

That's interesting-when the weather is particularly crappy and cold, I find my kilt warmer than jeans. My thighs get really cold from the wind and wet blowing across them, but the kilt keeps me nice and toasty. Throw in kilt hose, and my legs are more covered than I used to be in the winter snows.

Bryan...gettin' soft in my old age...

[cormacmacguardhe]

Living in the Pacific Northwest as I do, and in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, it gets down to the low 20'sF. I have not yet worn my kilt in that cold, but it is only a sportkilt light weight one, so I am not sure how it will do. Also, it is damp and cold here, not just cold. Hopefully after I have either made or purchased a heavier weight kilt I will be able to answer your question.

[bubba]

I wore my kilts all last winter with no problem. Temps got down close to -10F and I found the kilt more comfortable than jeans and the kilt hose did great keeping the lower legs warm.

[possingk]

Bubba, living in central PA, it doesn't get to -10 much, but I was wondering what type of kilt you wear in the cold weather. Do you have a couple of "tanks", just curios.

Thanks

[GMan]

I have actually worked up a good sweat while kilted in freezing weather. The kilt does seem to work as a mitten as opposed to a glove on the lower body.

[flyv65]

Bubba, living in central PA, it doesn't get to -10 much, but I was wondering what type of kilt you wear in the cold weather.

I can't speak for Bubba, But I usually wear my 16 oz tank whenever possible-works pretty good in the summer, *great* in the winter.

Bryan...got another one on order...

[bubba]

Bubba, living in central PA, it doesn't get to -10 much, but I was wondering what type of kilt you wear in the cold weather. Do you have a couple of "tanks", just curios.

Thanks

I have a three 14 oz wool kilts I wore last year. This year I've added a 22 oz military kilt from What Price Glory. Most of the winter even my poly vis from USAKilts would be good enough, the sub zero stuff doesn't last that long. btw, my 14 oz wool kilts are home made.

[James]

Graham,

At the temperatures you mention, a regular kilt is just fine-the key areas are head, ankles, wrists and stomach-all catered for by wool hose, kilt and bonnet-you can sort out wrists.

The advantage of kilt over trousers is that a bubble of warm air is trapped under it and withing pleats-super insulation.

The knees never seem to get cold so you will be fine.

The only snags can be if there is a high wind chill factor--then you might need four hands--there is no need to draw a picture!

However the hat is essential-something like eighteen percent of heat loss is through head-and at temperatures well above those you mention-no hat is a risk factor.

Also remember climbers trick-keep toes moving-that keeps circulation going.

James

[arrogcow]

Basically the kilt provices a "mitten" effect. Warm air is trapped around your body as long as it is not too breezy.

I find that my tank and my lined PK are the two best in winter, but I have worn a UK original in 17F degree weather.

The coldest time to actually be kilted (for me at least) is when the weather is about40F, raining and windy.

Below freezing the relative humidity drops so it becomes less of a problem.

The only other key is do wear regular kilt hose and if it is windy, a long coat.

Adam

[yoippari]

How well does that mitten effect work when you are getting gusts of wind? I don't remember the wind from last winter (wasn't that important) but just today the wind was playing with my kilt while walking around school. I didn't get any air conditioning but I imagine that you could quickly loose that pocket of warm air with enough wind.

Also when you say long coat, do you mean full length or 3/4? I have a 3/4 length leather coat that would definetly hold my kilt down but I'm not sure it would look right.