The Effects of Kilt Yardage on Body Heat Loss

[Tartan Hiker]

TH, this is awesome stuff! I'm curious on something, the the standing temp in the 8 yard kilt appears to be climbing right up to the point you begin walking. I wonder how high it would go if you did not start walking.

The temp increase in the 4 yd kilt appears to flatten out just after 5 minutes and the Polly/cotton kilt climbs at a very slow and steady rate.

Just curious if you get a chance to stand around outside in the sub-zero temps if you wouldn't mind measuring how warm the 8 yd kilt will go while standing.

Yep, I noticed that, too. I don't think it compromises the data since I let all three adjust to the outside temp for the same length of time, but it would be neat to see how high it would go. It's 16 degrees outside right now....

[Tartan Hiker]

Now all you need to do is repeat the study enough times to develop an average for each sensor for each kilt type.

Yep, repetition would lend weight, but I won't be volunteering again any time soon.

[Tartan Hiker]

a) collect temperature data while wearing p***s, or
b) compare different kilt weights (22 oz, 16 oz, and 13 oz in wool, 10 oz in PV)

a) Who cares???
b) You're right....the sky's the limit...that's why I'm glad the NSF is writing the checks for this important research.

[Livingston]

Great research TH. However, one does have to ask, based on the statement below:

The Effect of Kilt Yardage on Body Heat Loss in a Cold Environment

<snip>
</snip>
After considerable thought, and several drams of single-malt MacCallum, the principle researcher concluded that once walking was introduced as a variable, the advantage of extra yardage (if there was one at all) would be reduced or totally negated. Further consideration (and at least one more dram) resulted in the proposistion...ppropasishun...propazishun...idea that perhaps the additional lateral pendular movement (hereinafter, “swish”) of the heavier kilt might actually exchange the air within the garment more efficiently, thereby losing heat to the environment even more rapidly than would a kilt with more a modest swish factor. <snip>
</snip>

would it be possible that the swish was somewhat more pronounced due to a minor lack of balance brought on by "several drams of single-malt MacCallum"? This of course would be somewhat releived for the second and third kilts tested due to the known fact that over time the effect of single-malt does decrease.

I would suggest that you repeat this without the single-malt to verify your test results.

[Standard]

Well done TartanHiker. You presented your research techniques, data and conclusions in a very well thought out manner. As Wompet said it would be interesting to see how differing weights of fabric affect the test data. Thanks for sharing your experiment with us.

[Tartan Hiker]

[QUOTE=Livingston;658883]Great research TH. However, one does have to ask, based on the statement below:

The Effect of Kilt Yardage on Body Heat Loss in a Cold Environment

<snip>
</snip>
After considerable thought, and several drams of single-malt MacCallum, the principle researcher concluded that once walking was introduced as a variable, the advantage of extra yardage (if there was one at all) would be reduced or totally negated. Further consideration (and at least one more dram) resulted in the proposistion...ppropasishun...propazishun...idea that perhaps the additional lateral pendular movement (hereinafter, “swish”) of the heavier kilt might actually exchange the air within the garment more efficiently, thereby losing heat to the environment even more rapidly than would a kilt with more a modest swish factor. <snip>
</snip>

would it be possible that the swish was somewhat more pronounced due to a minor lack of balance brought on by "several drams of single-malt MacCallum"? This of course would be somewhat releived for the second and third kilts tested due to the known fact that over time the effect of single-malt does decrease.

Ah, but I was not drinking on the night of the test...that occurred several nights prior. The night of the test I even avoided drinking a cold beverage to avoid any reduction of core temperature and the resulting metabolic "bounce" that would follow, and I partook of no alcohol whatsoever until after the three tests were completed!

[Livingston]

Then sir, I do declare this a valid result.

So, what will be the next experiment? The correct number of drops of pure water added to a dram of MacCallum single-malt to bring out the ideal flavors? Naturally starting with 0 and working your way up.

[Tartan Hiker]

Then sir, I do declare this a valid result.

So, what will be the next experiment? The correct number of drops of pure water added to a dram of MacCallum single-malt to bring out the ideal flavors? Naturally starting with 0 and working your way up.

I've already worked that out...it's a 6:1 ratio of MacCallum to spring water. When drinking blended Scotch, I throttle back to 5:1.

[Mac Daibhidh]

This is a fantastic study, Tartan Hiker.... very Jamie and Adam-Like!

I enjoyed reading your results.

In honor of your study ... I'm offering up our very own "Buster" the kilted mythbuster test dummy!



I've done a little manip to force some resemblance to this desert piccie of our dear Hammish... who may or may not know what Mythbusters is, since I'm not sure if Sky or BBC picks it up across the pond.

None-the-less, i figured us Yanks would get a kick out of it.

Enjoy,
Chris



By the way... the original Buster photo can be found HERE

[David Dubh]

Brilliant study. It was very well presented. I wonder if you were to increase your walking pace and duration, would the increase in body temperature from physical activity eventually bring the temperature under the kilt back up.
I also understand that the highlanders when sleeping outside would get the tartan good and wet, this actually increased the "R" value and the fabric would actually steam dry while they slept and keep the occupant toasty warm.
I think a study of how many drams it takes to increase the temperature under the kilt would be much more scientifically valid