while we're on the topic of alternative material

[cloves]

Apparently there's a guy who plays paintball in a kilt made of "cordura." I bet it would be scratchy and stiff to wear....however in his application it might be awesome to play paintball in....as you could just hose the darn thing off in the backyard after playing.
How hard is cordura to work with??? I've ever only associated that fabric with outerwear, bags and packs.

*thinking a cordura kilt would look cool with a matching tactical vest*

[Moosedog]

Cloves,

You can buy Cordura in varying weights and "hands." I have made lightweight hiking kilts out of a small-denier cordura and also taslan nylon that have been washed and sanded. They still are a bit stiff--but not much more stiff than a brand-new P-V casual and they are light and dry well. The heavier Cordura is rough enough it is not too comfortable on the skin. Kinda like a UK Workman's when new...

It's easy to sew but not as forgiving as wool--needle holes are pretty much there once you've made them...I sew in the pleats along the edge for neatness. I was experimenting for a lightweight, relatively durable and quick-dry hiking/backpacking kilt. Basically they have many of the attributes of P-V without the cost of the fabric. I mean, I could also use one of my USAK casuals for the same job but I prefer not to rip 'em up. The manufacturers change colorways frequently so you can sometimes get great deals on closeout colors.

There are many online sources for fabric but unless a name brand it is really hard to tell how the fabric feels and whether you would like to wear it all day...if you can find an outdoor fabric speciality store so you can "fondle the goods" it helps! Be sure to check the "swish noise factor" as that can be annoying. If you find one that is soft enough to wear yet tough enough to hike/work/paintball in get some and kilt away!

Hope this is useful.

Moosedog

[cloves]

cool Moosedog...thanks for the info. Thing is, it' highly doubtful it'd be me doing the sewing. Not that I don't think i'm up for the challenge, but I find I don't ever finsh the things i start! LOL
I gotta try to find pics of that guy's kilt.........

[Bugbear]

Thanks from me too Moosedog. My skills aren't good enough at this time to make a kilt, but this is good info for if I have someone help me make a kilt. You all are great!

[Moosedog]

Cloves, if you find a photo send it to me, I'd be interested.

Moosedog

[OFCJAX]

I usually work with 1000 Denier Cordura as I make tactical gear (more as a hobby) and have thought of this too. I like the idea of this but the practicality of such a kilt is about that of the "Duct-tape kilt"
I just finished a X-Kilt in Poly-Cotton that will have some Cordura parts involved. I call it the "Tacti-Kilt."

[Tartan Hiker]

I believe I'd opt for poly-cotton ripstop rather than cordura.

[cloves]

but will the printed pattern on the cotton hold up to multiple hard washings? I figure that if the garment was cordura...I could hose it off...or even use a scrub brush and the kilt would be none the worse.


I want to see pics of the Tactikilt!!!

[BLAZN]

Cordura is used for a lot of paintball gear. I'm a bit of a paintball fanataic myself. As much as I love wearing kilts, I'm not so sure that sliding along a forest floor in a kilt would be so much fun. I hate wearing knee pads when I play, so you could imagine how messed up my knees and shins could get.

Cordura would be quite an interesting fabric to do a kilt in.

[cloves]

well...i don't do much sliding around anyway. I'm more of a "back" player.
Blazen, what kind of marker do you have?
here's a few pics of kilted paintball