Kilt Hose in the U.S.??

[Zardoz]

I've had pretty good luck with J.Higgins; http://www.jhiggins.net/ I guess they don't have every possible color, but their prices are reasonable, and the service is great.

[Riverkilt]

Thanks New Kilt...ironically, I have some hose on order from Matt, and my size/color were not in stock, so I'm midway in a four week estimated wait for them.

Sometimes we get lucky....sometimes we wait.

Thanks Zardoz, will check what jhiggins has.

Would think if someone was going to invest in a large inventory of kilt hose to serve the market that they would advertise that fact very prominently. My guess is that the profit margin on kilt hose is nil and they are carried more in an effort to be of service than to make any money off of...hence the predominence of being drop shipped from overseas or from the stateside warehouse. But just guessing...'cause I don't know.

Ron

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Hey, Ron... your hose went out US Mail to you one day last week -- I think it was Thursday (I can check the shipping records when I get to work). Anyway, I just wanted to let you know they were on their way.

I don't know how other places do it, but in the summer months we try and keep a pretty good stock of kilt hose in the popular colors on hand in all sizes. We get a lot more walk-in traffic in the shop during the summer and fall. And this is also Highland Games season for most of the country. So we want to be able to have them ready to either pick up or ship out pretty quick (of course, this is no guarantee that someone couldn't have walked in and bought the last pair in the size and color you wanted 5 minutes before you ordered yours!).

But in the winter we don't stock near as many. Our walk-in traffic is way down, and after Christmas our mail order slacks off somewhat, as well. And we are operating under a much tighter budget. So we don't reorder stock as often. All this means is that if you order kilt hose in the winter, there is a greater chance that we might be out of what you need and it might take a few weeks to get it to you. But if you are in a rush, we can always call our supplier and have what you need drop-shipped directly to you in most cases.

I imagine most shops in seasonal locations will be similar to us.

Aye,
Matt

[macwilkin]

I've had pretty good luck with J.Higgins; http://www.jhiggins.net/ I guess they don't have every possible color, but their prices are reasonable, and the service is great.

I used to order frequently from J. Higgins, since they are just up the road from me in Lenexa, Kansas, but not anymore. My experience with them in regards to customer service is not "great" by any means -- It hasn't been since Tom left (?) and is no longer taking phone orders.

I'd much rather order from the Museum and support their efforts with my purchases.

For kilt hose, though, the Almost Unwearoutable Sock Company in Northumberland (I know, the thread is about US suppliers!) has my vote:

www.almostunwearoutable.com

Cheers,

Todd

[cavscout]

Ron, you may want to check these guys out.

http://www.hamiltondrygoods.com/sock.html

I bought a pair of them, and even though they are cotton, they fit and stay up great on 17" calves without garters. His web site only shows 3 colors but give him a call because when I spoke with him he told me about some in brown which had a braid pattern on them. The ones I have are the cream and they have a heavy ribbing that looks very nice and come far enough up the leg to allow a beefy cuff at the top. And for $8...

[Kilted Taper]

I've only ordered from them once, but my mother in law has as well, and right at Christmas time and had no problem getting hose:

http://www.kilts.com/hose.htm

[Tartan Hiker]

Any suggestions for really heavy weight hose that would stand up to hiking duty? Mine are a bit thin and I have to double sock with hiking boots.
Bill

[macwilkin]

Any suggestions for really heavy weight hose that would stand up to hiking duty? Mine are a bit thin and I have to double sock with hiking boots.
Bill

Bill, try the aforementioned Almost Unwearoutable Sock Co. in England -- you'll pay a bit more, but they're worth every penny.

Cheers,

Todd

[Riverkilt]

Thanks Matt,

I have two packages down at the post office to pick up, bet that one is the kilt hose, thanks.

Have ordered from Rocky, hit him at a bad time too and he had to drop ship from Scotland and they shipped me the wrong color - not his fault...kept them, can always use kilt hose.

Appreciate the other tips too. Thought I'd heard other cautions about jhiggins, and know the other sites.

My dream, of a "Kilt Hose Are Us" or a "Kilt Hosearama" or a "Kilt Hose Mart" probably just doesn't exist.

Ron

[mudd]

and even though they are cotton,

Do they HAVE to be wool? How do you wash 'em? I just got three pair of wool hose and my Wife if afraid to wash 'em. She says they will come out like baby socks. ??: