Lightweight and cool kilt for backpacking

[Shay]

Shay, now that you've had your Macabi awhile, what are your impressions?

Well, I bought two more, so pretty darn favorable. They pack up well, dry off quickly, and wash really nicely- I wear them in the garden all the time.

I also have a flannel skirt I wear under them in the winter- they really cut the wind and the flannel keeps me insulated. I have stone, and olive green, and sand. Whenever I wear them I get compliments, too. And the pockets are huge- the zippered one is great for my cell phone since I rarely if ever carry a purse. I can keep almost a whole skein of yarn in the big pocket and use it like a crochet bag!

My only slight problem with them is that I seem to show more people how they snap up onto 'pants' than I ever actually do it for practicality's purposes, but that's more a function of not hiking as much as I used to than anything else.

Are you liking yours?

[Magnus Sporrano]

For knocking around the house, I like it just fine.

I tried actually going out somewhere in it and turned around before I got to my car to go back inside and change. Reason: it kept falling down on me. The belt loops are pretty much non-functional for men, especially for shrek-sized men such as myself that need a full 1.5" wide belt.

I talked to Carol @ Macabi and she is VERY receptive to feedback about the men's model, and appears to be considering making some changes to differentiate the men's model from the women's model (right now there is no difference). The belt loop issue was the only one I was interested in changing. She asked a lot of questions about the length, asking if I wanted something more kilt-like in length, and I told her that actually I specifically bought this because of the length as it is easier to maintain my modesty during outdoor activities.

So I do look forward to using it but regret that the pockets are useless for me as it is currently constructed. My wife is quite the seamstress herself so I will probably get her to take mine with her to the fabric store to find something that matches in color and make me up some proper belt loops for it. I think that if I could wear something like a military-style web belt with it, I would be set for backpacking because then I could use standard load bearing gear to distribute some of the load out of the backpack and onto my chest, a butt pack, etc.

I very much like how light and breathable it is. Very comfortable when it is hot out since I get good ventilation & breathing with it, even though it is full length for modesty & protection from the brush.

When it starts getting cooler out I may actually try a Great Kilt hoping that the weight of the wool will help with modesty issues, and then wear the wool kilt hose with it plus some gaiters to protect my lower legs.