Help from the hikers

[robthehiker]

I'm looking for some advice from the hikers on the forum. What type of kilt do you recommend for multi-day hikes? And, um, underneath... recommendations?

[RobertParker]

Probably depends on where you hike. Most of the places I hike end up having a considerable amount of brush and under growth, so kilts are just not practical. If it's relatively open, groomed trails, then I'd just say whatever you like and don't mind getting dirty.

[Arlen]

I agree that it depends where you are hiking. (Even if it is a multi-day hike.)
I have fairly tough legs and good hose, so I don't mind going through brush or thorns or nettles particularly. And if I am I make a point to wear one of my casual kilts.
If I am hiking in inclement weather I'll wear one of my tanks.
If I were really expecting to get terribly scratched up and messy it'd be my denim unionkilt.

Find a kilt that you are comfortable in and you think will go well against the area you are hiking in.

I'd probably recommend a medium to heavyweight Acrylic kilt so that you have warmth and good pleats when you need them, but it can get a bit dirty and work hard without you worrying.

[MuffinMan]

Now I just own Alpha Kilts, so I can talk about different styles, but you also ask what to wear underneath. When I take long backpacking sessions, I don't go anywhere without BodyGlide. It looks like deorderant but its for friction of our big ole thighs and any place you chap. Since I do alot of this with the Scouts a good pair of hiking underwear makes to end of trail quite pleasant.

MM

[McNulty]

Similar answers like from Arlen and Muffinman. I'll wear my WPG hose 'cause they are the hardest wearing, one of my SWK standards, and underneath I'll wear my REI midweight polypro boxers. The boxers rinse out easily and dry fast plus they are great to wear in any weather. If the SWK kilt gets really dirty I'll wash it when I get home.

Indy and I on one of the trails near the home in Colorado. Temp 70's humidity 20-25%


Nulty

[Spc. Scott]

I have to agree on the Bodyglide. That stuff is great.
I generally wear an AK when I'm hitting the trail. But most of the local trails are fairly well groomed or just plain walked on a lot.

[robthehiker]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the advice.

The trails I hike are typically fairly clear and well-defined. To give you a sense of the terrain, here are a couple of pics from a 3 day 100 km hike I did last year. It's Killarney Provincial Park.

Oh, those things I'm wearing in the second picture are called "shorts".







Right now I have 3 kilts I could wear: a medium weight wool (Ferguson tartan), an SWK heavyweight (black Shadow tartan) and an SWK economy (Blackwatch). I think a casual kilt may be a good addition...

[gseven1]

I prefer a good utilikilt. They wear really well, and hold up under a beating. The only problem that I've ever encountered is that they don't dry out very quickly, but that typically hasn't been too much of a problem.

[robthehiker]

I prefer a good utilikilt. They wear really well, and hold up under a beating. The only problem that I've ever encountered is that they don't dry out very quickly, but that typically hasn't been too much of a problem.

I'm a bit of a minimalist when it comes to packing so it's important to me that my clothes are able to dry fairly quickly. For that reason I'd avoid cotton blends and especially cotton twill. I'd usually only bring one pair of quickdry shorts and some polypro long underwear for emergencies. I don't usually bring long pants at all.

[ChromeScholar]

I wear any of my SWK kilts when hiking. I do wear underwear, to avaoid the chafing problem.