Winter Hose Advice

[piperdbh]

You might also consider a pair of hand-knit hose, made to measure to match your legs. They can be made of thick yarn for extra warmth, and can also be made to match your tartan.

[ccga3359]

Hearing all this--and other mentions--has forced me to purchase a pair of Lewis hose today at the Stone Mountain Games. I also got a pair of the traditional garters.

You've just made your feet two very happy individuals.

[McNulty]

When the conditions get really cold, I'll put a pair of synthetic ski socks under my other heavy hose and stay toasty all day long.
Nulty

[thescot]

You might also consider a pair of hand-knit hose, made to measure to match your legs. They can be made of thick yarn for extra warmth, and can also be made to match your tartan.

What he said.

And as to added socks, when you are in hiking boots (as I sometimes am when on the park or hiking) you can add a pair of crew socks of the same color and fold them down to the top of the boot.

(I still wear kilt hose to the knee; I just add the added socks over the hose. Makes a nice look and adds both warmth and cushion to the foot. I only wear boots to the ankle, not the combat style.)

[Nighthawk]

I have a pair of the Lewis Rich hose, and three pair of Locharron. The Lewis hose are awesome- and I mean awesome!! They' re the most comfortable things I have ever had on the lower part of my legs, and also are very warm. The Locharrons are almost as warm, but not as comfortable.

[Peregrine]

Thanks to everyone who replied for clearing up my concerns. I now feel ready to make informed purchases.

The Lewis hose will definitely be on my shopping list; they sound like great socks in the widest selection of colors I've seen.

To Jock and the others who suggested Almost Unwearoutable, thanks for reminding me. I intended to ask about those, one of the reviews here mentioned that they where a rather open knit, which doesn't equate to warmth in my mind. With your recommendations, I believe I can lay that concern to rest. They don't offer the color I'm looking for at the moment, but a good option to keep in mind.

Regarding hand knit hose, it has occurred to me I should take up knitting! Though socks might be an ambitious first project.

I've tried two pair of my regular hose, green then red (coordinated when wearing my Maple Leaf). Makes for a new look when you fold the cuff over.

A practical suggestion if you don't have an appropriate liner, though the extra color coordination required might overload my brain! Panache I'm not.

When the conditions get really cold, I'll put a pair of synthetic ski socks under my other heavy hose and stay toasty all day long.
Nulty

Liner socks under good wool is the best way to keep your feet warm and dry I know, and having spent time in the forests of Michigan and sailing the Great Lakes, I've learned a bit about that out of necessity. I just want to make sure I'm purchasing a good outer layer.

And as to added socks, when you are in hiking boots (as I sometimes am when on the park or hiking) you can add a pair of crew socks of the same color and fold them down to the top of the boot.

That hadn't occurred to me. While I was thinking of more formal occasions, that's worth filing for future reference.

[calanacrafts]

I've just knitted 3 pairs of what my cousin called really warm kilt socks, He is a wee man with thin legs and wanted them to look chunky for his son's wedding so I knitted him a pair, his son and his grandson, that was my gift to the wedding party, now just a pair for the 5 year old grandson to do......they are delighted with them, I used a double thickness for the calf part using a 6ply wool/nylon blend and 1 strand for the foot, but here the guys wear a pair of ordinary socks under their hose if they want warmth, that usually does the trick especially in boots......

[beloitpiper]

Heritage Hose from Steve Ashton. These things are indestructible and WARM. Check them out. They're easily my favorite kilt hose.

[Peregrine]

Heritage Hose from Steve Ashton. These things are indestructible and WARM. Check them out. They're easily my favorite kilt hose.

I've run across a couple of recommendations for those. I'll be interested in looking at them, when the accessories portion of the FK website is up. Unfortunately right now no information is available.

[The Wizard of BC]

The Freedom Kilts Heritage Hose are hand knit on an 1880's hand cranked circular sock machine right here in Victoria.



They are available in these colors.

Ecru


Oatmeal


Smoke


Gray


Forest Green


Lovat Green


Lovat Blue


Coffee Brown


And here is a side-by-side comparison of

The Heritage Hose (top)
Gaelic Themes Pipers Hose (middle)
Gaelic Themes Wool Rich Hose (bottom)


This are we believe the longest and thickest Kilt Hose currently on the market.

Price is $68.00 Canadian per pair. Shipping in N. America included.

You can contact me here via PM or via email steve@freedomkilts.com