Kilting in the cold

[Donnie]

I agree with the mitten vs glove theory. I am much warmer under a kilt, even a light sportkilt, than I ever am in trousers!

[bubba]

The only thing about the mitten theory that's a bit off is if the wind is blowing. Cold plus wind equals chill factor. It can be 10 above zero but when you add in the wind it can effect the skin as if it were -10 or colder. When the temperature is below 30F I'm wearing heavy jeans outside. Having been frostbitten on several occasions I refuse to take the chance of a repeat if I can help it. Once you've had frostbite you become much more sensative to cold and more easily frostbitten again.

[Vince]

I am deeply impressed with our friends in Canada. It gets more that just a might cold up there. The coldest I've had the opportunity to wear my 13 oz. is -3 °C. I topped it with a t-shirt and a heavy duty sweater. My only other accessory (in addition to boots and thick socks) was a pair of warm gloves.

[Raphael]

The key is to keep on moving. I have worn my kilt in near freezing temperature and If I am walking I am fine. If the weaher is really cold, a Cup of Warm Bervage is always good to warm up your body.

[Robbie]

Hi Graham

Although the climate in the UK is much more temperate than in some other parts of the world, nevertheless the second most common question I get asked here in winter is am I not cold in my kilt. My usual reply is that I’m wearing heavy leather shoes or boots on my feet, long thick wool socks up to the knees, knees are slightly odd in that they are one of the few parts of the body that don’t have temperature-sensing nerve ends so don’t actually “know” whether it’s cold or not, and from the knees to the waist I’ve got 8 yards of wool wrapped round me – how can I possibly be cold! However, I have to admit that this is often then followed by “But if you’re not wearing anything underneath……..??”

In what passes for cold temperatures here the key is to keep your extremities warm (feet, hands, head) – the major heat loss source in a (clothed) body is the top of the head - so stout footwear, long thick socks, gloves and headgear of almost any kind should keep you cosy.

As others have said, the real problem is not low temperatures but wind, as even a medium weight wool kilt can easily keep you warm down to 15-20 degrees below. My own solution to wind is to wear a longer parka length windproof jacket which only leaves the bottom 3-4ins of kilt showing – no wind-lift problems and I stay nice and warm!

With regard to your other problem of sitting on an uncomfortable bundle of kilt when driving, knife pleats should lay flat when sitting so could I suggest that possibly you have not as yet fully mastered the art of getting into a car when kilted – however I have a vague recollection of reading somewhere that due to the way the pleats lie this is easier in a RHD car than a LHD one, and I know from personal experience that I am more comfortable on the right rather than on the left side of a car.

[bubba]

Well Robbie, around here the only RHD cars you'll find belong to the Post Office

[caig]

Just before I post this reply, I have my TV on and there is a kilt-wearing Buddhist with a Scottish accent, called Nagarajah, giving an interview. Kilts get everywhere !

I wear a 4 yard hillwalking kilt all year round. But it is a bit cool in the depths of winter, so I usually put on a full 8-yarder, as the thick pleats keep the warmth in much better. As with Ham, I prefer to go "Commando" whatever the weather and this does not cause me any discomfort.

However, between Christmas and New Year I went for a walk on the nearby North Yorhsire Moors in my 6 yard kilt. The temperature was well below freezing, there was a gale blowing, a foot of snow on the ground, and on an exposed moor, this was not ideal weather for a kilt. I met a couple walking the other way who were clearly shocked to see a man in a kilt in such conditions. Because I go " Commando" I have to confess that when I got back to my car, my private parts were aching with the cold, and took some time with the car heater on full blast to restore the comfort.

But I will go back next winter and do it again!

[al' Sporrano]

I wear a 4 yard hillwalking kilt all year round. But it is a bit cool in the depths of winter, so I usually put on a full 8-yarder, as the thick pleats keep the warmth in much better. As with Ham, I prefer to go "Commando" whatever the weather and this does not cause me any discomfort.

However, between Christmas and New Year I went for a walk on the nearby North Yorhsire Moors in my 6 yard kilt. The temperature was well below freezing, there was a gale blowing, a foot of snow on the ground, and on an exposed moor, this was not ideal weather for a kilt. I met a couple walking the other way who were clearly shocked to see a man in a kilt in such conditions. Because I go " Commando" I have to confess that when I got back to my car, my private parts were aching with the cold, and took some time with the car heater on full blast to restore the comfort.

But I will go back next winter and do it again!

Hi Alan

I was kilted in the wilds of Northumberland, Christmas and New Year - well below freezing at New Year. I walked to a party in a blizzard!! I can empathise with the 'freezing of the privates' but, like you, I'll be doing the same thing next year.

The wind chill off the North sea was also a little bit uncomfortable whilst having a strole along Bamburgh beach. No problem in keeping the kilt under control though.

Al

[Blu (Ontario)]

... I have to confess that when I got back to my car, my private parts were aching with the cold, and took some time with the car heater on full blast to restore the comfort...

All things considered, I would think that given those circumstances, an undergarment might be considered a bit cheap insurance. Frostbite could prove costly... "discretion being the better part of valor" as they say.

[Graham]

I agree, in fact I'm preparing for winter by searching the stores for comfortable wool or thermal underpants.

I can't see how going commando brings us closer to heaven, what is there to prove?
I've said before, in the interest of hygiene, underpants are easier to wash than a kilt, no matter how many changes of kilt we have.