Warm Climate Kilts

[AllenJ]

I live in SC which has arguably higher temperatures than NC. I only have med and heavy and dont have problems with either. Be aware that the lighter the weight the cheaper it looks. I've never been so hot that I wished I was wearing a lighter weight tartan.

[auld argonian]

Ya can't go wrong with the PV kilts...USAK being one of the suppliers...great material.

Best

AA

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Most of my kilts are 4 yard box pleated kilts in 16 oz wool. I find myself comfortable in those year round.

I have a 4 yard box pleated kilt in 13 oz wool that is a little cool for the cold winter months, but is really great in the summer.

I have a couple of 4 yard Harris Tweed kilts. One is super thick and great for winter wear, but I'd never wear it in hot weather. The other is a bit lighter and ok for all year.

My 8 yard kilts I'll also wear year round and find them comfortable.

I'm thinking of making for myself this summer a 5 yard knife pleated kilt from a 12 oz wool for something lighter to wear.

I find what makes the kilt hot or cool is not so much the kilt itself but the accessories. In the summer I wear short sleeves, no bonnet. I tend to wear my hose pushed down more, and sometimes no hose at all, with sandals.

Aye,
Matt

[Kilted Christian]

Thanks Matt and others.

Yesteday I was out and about (about 90 degrees out) with the 13oz 8 yarder, Chacos, sporran, and a t shirt, and it was a wee bit warm in the lower back under the cotton shirt after about 3 hours in and out of the car - so, sitting on the leather seat, no breathing didn't help things.

I was still thinking of some type of cotton work kilt like a Carhartt that would be casual, for sure, but not cheesy. Having said that, I haven't seen a poly kilt and there seems to be feelings on both sides with some people enjoying them just fine and others feeling like they are only for home, not for "in public."

I guess eventually you just develop a collection and then see what you gravitate towards on certain days and occasions.

Matt, I'll take my dimensions today. I think I like the Ulster tartan in the first image your site.

[cavscout]

others feeling like they are only for home, not for "in public."

I'm not quite sure where you're getting this information? Unless you are assuming that the sport kilts are PV. They absolutely ARE NOT. That's the only context I've heard someone say "it's an around the house kilt" The PV kilts USAK is producing are definitely something to be worn out and about and they will look great.

[davedove]

I have worn both 11 oz. and 16 oz. kilts in the summer, and I haven't noticed a significant difference in the heat.

I think you'll find that's it's not so much the material of the kilt that make it hot. The real culprit is the way a traditional kilt will fit and what's worn with it. I have found that what gets hot is right where the kilt fits to the waist, especially with the shirt tucked in. You don't get any air flow to this particular spot of the body, and it will get hot. There's plenty of ventilation to the legs, so that's not a problem, except maybe if you wear really heavy hose. The only other thing you can do is make shirt you shirt fits a little loose to allow air flow there.

[Riverkilt]

Ahhhh yes...heat....

In my younger days did a LOT of long distance cycling in the desert heat around Phoenix and a LOT of hiking in the desert heat around Tucson. The experts tell us to cover up, like the Arabs in North Africa. I never did.

I have worn leather kilts and 16oz wool kilts in the summer heat here in the canyonlands with no ill effects (our temps usually run about 5 degrees F less than Phoenix due to a bit of altitude).

What I prefer in the heat are my USA casual kilts or my Utilikilt Originals or my historic tiger stripe camo AmeriKilt - all light weight fabric. Will wear my SportKilts in the heat too sometimes...usually to hike in.

And, as Matt noted - sandals, no hose or if at work or hiking pushed down hose. Bare chested, super lightweight shirt, or tank top for knocking around.

The bifurcated guys and gals are in sandals, shorts, tanks themselves so it doesn't seem out of place in the heat.



UK Tan Original at Lees Ferry, AZ on the Colorado River



USA Kilts Fraser Casual with lightweight shirt. Navajo Nation, AZ near Square Butte.



Utilikilt Denim Original with tank top. Paria River Canyon, AZ

And, OF COURSE, the key to staying COOL in the heat is to be regimental. When the boys are free to adjust themselves to the weather all is well.

Ron

[cavscout]

Be aware that the lighter the weight the cheaper it looks.

I'm not sure I agree with this. While a light weight wool will absolutely not hang and swing like a heavy weight wool, if it is made well it will look fine. Would one of us be able to tell the difference when put side by side with a HW wool, probably. The average person would not though.

And of course, PV would fall into the "lighter" catagory and I don't think they look cheap at all. Noticeably different from a HW wool but not cheap.

For hot weather, PV is the best solution. I love my USAK casuals in the Georgia summers. I still wear my Stillwater HW in the summer with no issue though, but I like the overall lighter weight of the casual kilt when the weather warms up.

All in all, temperature is not that big of a factor to me on kilt choice. How much money I have to spend is