USA kilt vs sport kilt

**Larry124** · 5th August 08, 11:02 PM

Still no win between two sponsors.

Damning SK with faint praise, or no praise.

Based on mine*, SK is more worthy than some say.

How long do you have to wait for those USAKs?
How much do the solids cost?
Climate must be cooler for some than in my local.
And occasions more high casual than low casual.

*Three poly-cotton solids and one Hiker.

**RockyR** · 6th August 08, 05:20 AM

Wait time is about 6 to 7 weeks right now. With a rush charge ($25), it's out the door within 1.5 weeks right now.

**beowulf67** · 6th August 08, 05:44 AM

I don't have a USAK yet but am planning to get one after hearing all of the good things about the kilts and about Rocky here. So I can't compare them but I have owned 3 Sport Kilts, have 2 now, and love them. I have the basic model for when I was competing in Highland games or for just knocking around and it's perfect for that. I've got a Works model that's a little more "dressed up" than the standard and if I wear it out on the town I think it looks fine.
Besides the vast majority of the population doesn't know the difference between the SK and a hand sewn wool kilt anyway unless they inspect it very close. (And if they want to be that close they better buy me a drink first-I'm not that easy)

I do have my eye on a couple of the semi-trads from Rocky and really need to go ahead and order some.

**Birddog** · 6th August 08, 05:49 AM

Larry, I think you might be falsly thinking that many of us are damning our sport kilts. I shall only speak for myself; I very much like my SK, but for me, just doesn't compare to an SWK or a USAK when it comes to a more formal or traditional appearance. Who knows, maybe I might change my mind a bit when I get it back from Seamus. Goes somewhat to what Riverkilt said-roses or orchids? It is not faint praise or no praise as you say, to tell it how we see it. All of the sponsors here fill their own niche. If my saying that I wouldn't order another one seems harsh, then chalk it up to the lack of ability to convey thoughts on this infernal box. It is as simple as my wants in a kilt have changed. To say that I would never buy a UK isn't damning them, just telling how I feel. But a whole lot of people love them, and good on 'em for it.

**646guy** · 6th August 08, 07:56 AM

I have a few SK and one USAK (that I've now lost too much weight to fit into). The SKs with sewn down pleats are perfect for me since I do get to wear kilts to work. When I am having to set up one of my trade shows adn I have to start lugging boxes around, SKs (sans sporran) are really great and are perfect for the lugging that I do. Even better with them being so light weight, even if I do get sweaty, it's not a heavy fabric holding in extra, unnecessary heat.

As Rocky said before, it's all in the actual use and on show day, it's great to wear when setting up. Then I slip into a heather grey mocker from UK for showtime.

**Nighthawk** · 6th August 08, 08:34 AM

I'm not damning my Sport Kilt. I don't even dislike it. I just feel like I paid $125 for a $65 kilt. It was nowhere near worth what I spent on it. If they were to cut the price in half, then I would get one. But to pay the same for Sport Kilt that I would spend on a USAK casual? There is simply no brainwork involved there.

**IrishBLE** · 6th August 08, 06:32 PM

Rocky, you just sold 2 more kilts....rush order charge and all....1.5 weeks? Very nice. I've just learned that due to some funky ailment I have a special diet...long story short, all 6 of my other kilts no longer fit. 1.5 weeks is music to my ears!

**CameronTaylor** · 7th August 08, 12:14 PM

I like Levi's better than Wranglers.
My XMTS fits better than my HBC (both made by FK).
The southern Redhead has had my maroon SK since the one night I wore it to dinner with Kent and the OC rabble, the only other SK I don't wear is the acid washed denim (in theory it was good, in reality not so much. I need to bleach it or dye it a darker color before I wear it again. Nothing against SK on that one, my idea - my fault.).
James (Seamus) has always done right by my friends and I (he even gave me his fabric connection's address so I could do my own shopping)

These threads don't change anything about either kiltmaker and they'll both still be in business tomorrow.

CT - wear what you want, nobody gets out alive anyway

**Alan H** · 7th August 08, 12:50 PM

An awful lot of the Heavy Athletics athletes wear SportKilts at the Games here in California.

I don't, but a lot, do.

**O'Callaghan** · 7th August 08, 07:06 PM

The consensus seems to be that the USA casual kilts are better made for about the same cost. However, they are made of PV and Sportkilt use poly cotton blend. Looking in the 'warmth' column in the 'material comparison' chart on this site, PV says 'good', but poly cotton is the only material in the chart that says 'poor'.

'Poor warmth' is a virtue if not even a necessity when summer weather can be over ninety for weeks on end and that's also the humidity and not just the temperature.

As USA Kilt don't seem to offer 'poor warmth' I'd say maybe they lose the contest after all. For winter wear you can get an acrylic kilt for less than you'd pay for either one. I admit I'm a cheapskate.

Of course, if you live somewhere colder and/or less humid in summer than the mid-atlantic then you would probably disagree.