Shorts versus the kilt

[josephkirkpatrick]

I wear a light synthetic kilt when it gets really hot. I'm not sure of the weight equivalent, but it's no heavier than 11oz. Generally, I'm regimental as well.

When it gets really, REALLY hot, I have to wear wicking boxers to keep my... ahems... dry and comfy.

[Jerry]

Around home here on my small country ccerage, I wear lightweight Sportkilts or Stillwater economy models with sandals or sneakers.. Being a Scott, I'm sure you would probably consider either to be more skirtlike than a kilt However, I have worn a full 9 yard 16oz heavyweight kilt along with hose, heavy leather belt and sporran at summer Celtic festival when the temperature was near 100F and humidity near 90%. After 65+ summers in Virginia heat and humidity, I an much more accustomed to those conditions than you or anyone else from Scotland would be. I was hot, but I would have been just as hot in shorts and not nearly as comfortable.

As an example. While working as an instrumentation technician at a large chemical plant, I was assigned to work with a factory technician on installing a new conveyor belt scale. He had gotten on a plane early that morning and arrived at the plant around 9am. It was July and by 9 in the morning it was already close to 90. It had been around 55deg F when he boarded his plane in Minnesota. I didn't have the heart to tell him that it was predicted to reach 100 deg, with very high humidity, or that temperatures in the top of the chemical fertilizer building were already well over 100f. In the plant, neither kilts or shorts were permitted, so we both wore long cotton pants and long sleeve shirts to protect against burns from hot pipes. I thought he was going to die from the heat before we were done. While I was hot, it did not affect me nearly as much as him because I was used to the conditions. Now, in my upper 60s, I play golf every Tuesday. My senior golf group of over 100 members ranges in age from 60 to our oldest at 87 years old. Most are 70 or older. We all handle the temperatures by staying hydrated. I will drink 4 to 7 bottles of water every time I play during the summer. Out of over 100 who play every week, only a few ever miss playing due to the heat. It is all what your body is accustomed to.

[WBurns]

Last July I was in Dumbarton where I purchased the kilt in my profile pic (The picture was taken outside Overtoun House). I did not take a sporran and decided not to purchase one. It was in the 70's and I was actually cool bordering on down right cold at times. Perhaps with the lack of a sporran I wasn't as warm as I'm sure you were, but I know this, shorts can't hold a candle to a kilt in comfort.

[GG]

I feel very comfortable in kilts a most temperatures.

When it is really hot (over 30 C = 86 F) my preference list is:
1. A modern kilt without “accessories” of any kind.
2. Shorts
3. A light weight 4-5 yard tartan kilt and again without “accessories”.


Modern kilts are just perfect for high temperatures. Add to that a better sun protection than will give shorts even when at the same length as the kilt.



10-11 oz, 4 yard poly viscose kilt in Royal Stewart tartan. No sporran. Ordinary socks instead of kilt hose. It beats shorts on comfort on all but the hottest days.

At more reasonable temperatures my choice will be a more accessorized tartan kilt. Next comes a modern kilt and after that shorts.

Greg

[Andy Proffitt]

When its hot its hot, and the kilt is probably better than anything. At the recent Gatlinburg games the temps were between 86 and 90 with humidity around 88% and my 16YD MacLean Hunting is much cooler than shorts, especially when moving, the swing of the pleats creates a nice breeze. I've been in Baton Rouge when the temperature and humidity were keeping close to 100, and neither shorts nor kilt (nor wearing nothing for that matter) would have made it seem cooler. The kilt, though, is definitely out for the days when the mosquitoes are thicker than mud, you don't want a clear flight path for those little vampires.

[northernkilter]

Disagree,I think a lightweight kilt is fine for hot weather like that.

[SoulFyre777]

When its hot its hot, and the kilt is probably better than anything. At the recent Gatlinburg games the temps were between 86 and 90 with humidity around 88% and my 16YD MacLean Hunting is much cooler than shorts, especially when moving, the swing of the pleats creates a nice breeze. I've been in Baton Rouge when the temperature and humidity were keeping close to 100, and neither shorts nor kilt (nor wearing nothing for that matter) would have made it seem cooler. The kilt, though, is definitely out for the days when the mosquitoes are thicker than mud, you don't want a clear flight path for those little vampires.

16yd???? Please tell me you mean 16oz, 8 yard! lol

[Andy Proffitt]

16yd???? Please tell me you mean 16oz, 8 yard! lol

16 yards!?! I really have let myself go. I think my typing and brain were moving at two different speeds.

[SoulFyre777]

16 yards!?! I really have let myself go. I think my typing and brain were moving at two different speeds.

Whew!! I was just trying to imagine the sheer weight..... GEEZ!! lol

[McNulty]

When it gets really warm( we don't have a lot of humidity here in Colorado) I'll pass on the belt, wear lighter wool hose, and pass on the sporran. I'm usually wearing wool kilts and depending on the day stick w/ a 16ozer all the time. I've got my favorite hiking kilts, some in PV, but for the most part stick w/ wool. You need to experiment to see what is comfortable for you in your location

On a trail up on The Flattops last summer. 13oz wool Casual kilt MacKenzie


Nulty