I have a hose question

**The Kilted Reverend** · 26th June 08, 11:05 AM

Hey Gang,

I have a ?. My legs are larger and need to know where I can get some hose to fit. I like the price that Rocky has on his hand knit hose. Is it true that hand knit are better for big legs.

Thanks for the help.

TKR

**Brian F** · 26th June 08, 11:09 AM

Hand knits are better for big legs because they can be custom shaped for the size.

I think Matt Newsome (at the Scottish Tartan Museum Gift Shop) used to carry some hose made for bigger legged guys.

I also think that Hamilton Dry Goods hose are stretchy enough to work for big legs.

My $0.02. Hope it helps.

~Yeti

**cavscout** · 26th June 08, 11:14 AM

HDG's hose are perfect for casual wear (all though I wore the off-white to a wedding when I first started wearing a kilt. No one noticed anyway)

Matts are very nice and could be worn at various levels of formality.

Freedom Kilts has Heritage Hose that are almost handmade (made by an antique knitting machine I believe). PM WizardOfBC or Email him at the shop (link at top of page).

Also look at the Pipers hose carried by several vendors here. Those fit my 19" calves very well.

**Brian F** · 26th June 08, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by cavscout

HDG's hose are perfect for casual wear (all though I wore the off-white to a wedding when I first started wearing a kilt. No one noticed anyway)

Not to steal the topic, but what is wrong with HDG's hose? The three pair I have from them are very nice cabled hose.

~Yeti

**Splash_4** · 26th June 08, 11:32 AM

To put my $0.02 in.... the hose in the attached photo are from HDG.... They are the cable knit hose and work well on my 20" calves..

**MacHummel** · 26th June 08, 11:37 AM

I've got fairly large calves also and I find the best hose for are the pipers hoe with popcorn tops, and the Lewis kilt hose that we cary at CCK , I have worn the hamilton dry goods ones there a good alterntive.

**James MacMillan** · 26th June 08, 11:39 PM

Here lately, I've become a fan of the piper hose with popcorn tops. I have 19" calves, and they fit fine! Severla shops have had some sales on them, and I now have five pair.

**ForresterModern** · 27th June 08, 05:08 AM

Another choice I have that are very accomodating of larger claves due to their stretchability are the "country" hose collection from Scotweb. They have some plain varieties as welll as some with lovely patterned turnover tops, and some even with old style tie garters. I find them to be very well made, sturdy, and very elastic in their tops.

http://www.scotweb.co.uk/browse/mens.../country-socks

I also have several sets of pipers hose from scottish lion (best price I have found on the net) in a variety of colors. The white are mostly acrylic but all the colors are actually 70-80% wool, despite what their website description says. In my book, these are the best value for the looks and quality.

**cavscout** · 27th June 08, 06:38 AM

Originally Posted by Yeti

Not to steal the topic, but what is wrong with HDG's hose? The three pair I have from them are very nice cabled hose.

~Yeti

I didn't say anything was wrong with the HDG hose. I'm a huge promoter of them. They were actually my first good pair of kilt hose. When I wanted a brown pair of hose, I bought the HDG's and used Rit dye on them.

Same with Black (ended up Charcoal, oops)

I stand by my statement that they are perfect for casual wear. They can be worn formally if you so choose.

If you want pro's and cons, here they are:

HDG Pros

Price!!

Fit large calves without constricting (usually. Some have reported they've received socks that were a little snug but I just received some pipers hose that are that way. Just a fluke sometimes)

Several Colors

Offered in Ribbed and Cable Knit

Quick delivery

HDG Cons

made of cotton (not a big deal to me but you have to wash them like you would wool or they will shrink like wool)

My ribbed hose are uncomfortable to stand on for long periods unless I wear a liner ankle sock inside them. I've not had the issue with the cable knit.

A little thin when stretched around my calve. Your calve may be different. Some may not want to be at a formal dinner in black hose with their white calve shining through.

Your Mileage May Vary

**barbaratx** · 28th June 08, 09:10 PM

The one's that Highland Moon carry are made by Gaelic themes and are great for men with larger legs. As with all kilt hose they should be washed in cold water and line dries.

Barbara