How to keep yourself Dry

[billsides]

My first real kilt experience was almost 50 years ago when in school cadets. We had an annual camp in mid winter, rain sleet, living in trenches, you name it. First year I wore standard army battle fatigues, they wicked up moisture from undergrowth, chafed and were plain horrid. The next year I was kilted, what a revelation, no chafing, no wicking and in the trenches I had about 8 extra layers of heavy wool so had 8 extra blankets, I was warm despite continous drizzle and wind, it never got through all those layers but the kilt did get rather heavy. No wonder the highlanders loved the thick wool wrap and not trousers.
Bill Sides

[Chas]

These are a favourite with many bands:

He sells three types - Standard, Bandspec and Ultimate.

TheStandard and the Bandspec will fold up and can be worn in a pouch on your belt. The Ultimate is like the tank - bulletproof! It will not fold and the best you can do is carry it under an arm or over a shoulder. But it is the best.

http://www.misterantony.com/

Regards

Chas

[Tobus]

Overcoats and Inverness capes are probably great for normal stuff, but honestly, I wouldn't want to lug those around for hiking, which is what the OP was doing. That's a huge burden for a hiker.

If it were me, I'd invest in a lightweight poncho or rain jacket (something like this) that can be rolled up and carried in a small pouch or rucksack. Hiking in the woods isn't really the place where one need be concerned with being authentic to Highland tradition, especially if it's going to weigh you down and make the rest of your hike less pleasant.

Most ponchos are long enough to cover a kilt, and you can find jackets like the one I linked to above that will be long enough too. The advantage to a poncho, too, is that it can cover a backpack if you're wearing one. And many can double as an emergency shelter.

Hikers should always carry a minimal amount of emergency gear that's relevant to their environment. If torrential rain is a regular occurrence in your area (oh how I envy you!), then you should probably make a light but effective piece of rain gear part of your standard load-out... even if you're only going out for an hour or two.

[WillieMacG]

Will rain harm my kilt?

The wool coats sheep wear don't seem to suffer any harm from foul weather.

[PEEDYC]

I have a lightweight Inverness cape that comes with a detachable hood, and it folds away into a belt pouch about 8" x 6" . I wore it last New Year walking home about 3am and even although it was freezing it kept me warm. I have worn it in heavy rain too and it is ideal.

[robbiethepiper]

EVERY pipe band that I know of in the UK issues "Bandspec" capes. They are cheap, light. roll up into a small belt pouch and are proof against a monsoon!.....Robbie

[saxandpipes]

The wool coats sheep wear don't seem to suffer any harm from foul weather.

Exactly!

Just as long as one doesn't agitate or heat the sheep...

see thread: "Wanted: good vegetarian recipes"

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ml#post1000808

Cheers!

Michael

[Riverkilt]

Its Mr. Antony's Ultimate for me. Headed out with it today, ready for the Arizona summer thunderboomers.



And a traditional wool Inverness Cape is still on my wish list.

And, wool trench coats are good in cold weather - too much in summer though.

[Jay]

Ahem, the wool kilt hails from Scotland which is rather well known for rain! Rain/wet(hot water is not good!) will not harm a wool kilt in any way. Yes, an Inverness cape is traditional and very effective, particularly so, when used in conjunction with a good umbrella.

This^

Wool is known as a premiere fabric for getting wet while still keeping you warm. Aside from highland farmers, think of hundreds of years of sailors wearing wool coats in every kind of wet.

[AKScott]

I think the main take home here for all of us is to lay the tank flat and let it dry before hanging should it get soaked.

Thanks for the Mister Antony link. I am wondering if the ultimate might be suitable for other field uses. Does anyone know how much noise the all cotton ultimate makes walking in uderbrush in the rain? My current oil cloth duster tends to make rattling noises when it smacks against bushes.