The Effects of Kilt Yardage on Body Heat Loss

[Weasel Mender]

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.

In reference to a. unfortunantly there are many of us who are required to care about this issue because we are forced by unreasonable people to wear P#*&s at our place of employment. With empirical research such as you have provided for kilts, if the same research were done on P#*&s we would have the data required to argue in favor of the comfort and protection from cold that kilts provide rather than freezing our nads off in those damnable P#*&s

Weasel

[Tartan Hiker]

In reference to a. unfortunantly there are many of us who are required to care about this issue because we are forced by unreasonable people to wear P#*&s at our place of employment. With empirical research such as you have provided for kilts, if the same research were done on P#*&s we would have the data required to argue in favor of the comfort and protection from cold that kilts provide rather than freezing our nads off in those damnable P#*&s

Weasel

[staticsan]

So I guess that means that in hot weather, a PV or poly/cotten kilt is cooler?

Wade.

[meinfs]

This is indeed a real and significant contribution to the art and science of kilt-wearing. Well-done sir. It is well-designed within its own restrictions. The fact that it supports apparent anecdotal wisdom is part of its contribution to the body of knowledge of kilt-wearing.

The results of this most recent research will arm the ordinary and not-so ordinary kiltwearer with information that can calm and inform the curious minds of non-kilt wearers when in the winter they ask - "Are you not cold in that?" or "Isn't too warm to wear that?" in the summer (the answer to the second question will be explored in the proposed follow-up research). And also to inform the wearer and assist him or her in decision-making for a future or current purchase - which kilt design; what length, etc.

May I add a couple of suggestions?

- Perhaps you can perform the same experiment indoors to simulate temperatures that are closer to ambient room temperatures as a first approximation to a more summer-like weather? In lieu of waiting for the summer. Or with external funding, perhaps fly to the southern hemisphere to conduct research there? Additionally, performing indoors has the added benefit of eliminating or reducing the less controllable meteorological variables.

- I would also like to suggest extending the walking data acquisition with an extra 5 minutes (or longer) to allow for a minimum of 10-minute temperature equilibration period.

- Attach a temperature probe to the selvedge of the kilt on the inside of the inside apron - to approximate the temperature near the knees. Attaching to the apron section will perhaps eliminate or reduce the "swish" factor on the edges of the kilt.

- There are more variables that can be thought of which can increase the complexity of follow-up research; realizing what the current materials and equipment is able to support. The point is that this is just one more variable that I believe may be relevant to the wearer.

What is the science method but the the ability to reproduce the results, so I also recommend a duplicate or triplicate experiment. It will only strengthen the paper.

Overall, a very fine study. Thank you for sharing your results with us.

[puffer]

GREAT RESEARCH>

The "swish factor was of special interest to me. One of the things, I have observed, wondered about (in my un-scientific observations) is that my "regimental issued" (18-20oz) kilts are warmer when walking than my WPG 22oz kilt ( sim. style) IMHO, the reason is that the "regimental issue" is more fitted in the hips & therefor fits closer to my thighs.& do not "open up as much at the bottom. ??????

Puffer

[Cherub]

I congratulate you on a finely executed and well-presented study.


You have contributed much new knowledge to the worlds of science and kilting, and I'd like to be the first to raise a glass to your honor. May you take your place among Kepler, Galileo, Newton, Bunsen Honeydew, and other great thinkers of the ages.

Now, good luck getting that equipment back to school before the principal reads this.

Bah on Bunsen, Beaker is the true genius.

[McFarkus]

Brilliant job! Thanks! For those who haven't done the conversion, the temperature -2º C is equivalent to 28º F which we would look on as a relatively warm winter day here in Chicago.

[Tartan Hiker]

Yeah...I wanted to do it the night before when it was 5 F, but the wind was blowing too hard.

[Vagabond_Aero]

Well done study, sir! I agree with the suggestion to submit the study for publication in the Annals of Improbable Research

[David Dubh]

Hi Tartan Hiker et al. I'm in Winnipeg Canada tonight, affectionally known as WINTERPEG, don't know why. I arrived in last night and wore my jeans and appropriate attire when I walked down the street to a pub fo supper, it was very cold. Tonight I put on my "tank" 16oz 8 yard. I have to say that my impression was that I was warmer than last night. Except my knees were very cold indeed. the temperature here as I write this is -26C -36C with the wind chill. Now this is obviously extremely cold, however I was fine except my knees at this temperature exposed skin freezes in less than 10 minutes!
I have to say I was not uncomfortable but am glad the walk was not more than 10 minutes. I would like to see results in both jeans and wool trousers, to see what the differance would be.