Hiking and other such things

[Mindrop]

The weather here in Texas is FINALLY starting to cool off, so I went hiking yesterday at the Hill Country State Natural Area, which is only a couple of miles from my house. It was a nice cool 82 degrees in the afternoon, with dry air. I hiked a quick 4 miles without even breaking a sweat. Man, I love fall weather!

Anyway, I decided to wear shorts this time instead of a kilt, just to scope out the trails and see what I think about hiking kilted in the future (I plan to do a hike at least once a week over the winter). My observations:

1. There is a lot of tall grass to hike through. All I wore on my lower legs were short socks with my hiking shoes, and they ended up full of grass stickers and seed spears. Ain't no way I'd want to do this wearing traditional kilt hose, unless I had some sort of outer protection (like Oddern's in the pictures above). I'd never get the prickly things out of the hose otherwise. But I need something on my legs, to ward off scratches and scrapes from the overgrown parts of the trail.

2. Due to the high overgrowth mentioned above, there ain't no way I'd wear a nice wool kilt on the trail. It would end up full of stickers and would definitely snag on the brush. I'm thinking that possibly the best candidate for hiking is my Utilikilt, being that it's made out of heavy 'duck' canvas that won't snag or pick up stickers.

3. I need a good walking staff! Must search for one. I might just cut myself one from the woods on my property, but it's hard to find the time to make one that would look nice. Anybody got any leads on a place to buy online, or maybe even a cromach maker?

4. Within the first 15 minutes of my hike, I was wishing I had worn my kilt. It would have been perfect. My next hike WILL be kilted.

Hiking in a Utilikit is a good idea. I have hiked several times in my kilt, down here in Texas. It is so much better than pants or even shorts. Though It gets cold in the morning lately. Surpisingly, this morning, my core ws cold, the kilt kept my warm, but my hoody failed.

But yeah, Texas hiking is not built for wool. On the picture, what was he wearing on his lower legs? I need to get some I am thinking.

[Fit2BKilted]

For the circumsised, yes. Others have a natural protector.

Some, fewer and fewer of late (thankfully), have been deprived of comfort in more than kilted-hiking! For those inclined to understand this better. It's a Human Rights Issue that needs to be fully redressed in North America. :-|

[Tobus]

Tobus: Regarding your quest for a walking staff, even in the WalMart sporting goods section there are some fairly good collapsable aluminum walking sticks. Perhaps a search for walking stick or staff may help you find what you are looking for. Mine is a twisted staff that I found and had to buy during a trip to Pigeon Forge, TN a few years back, despite the eye rolling from the missus. The bottom was unfinished as there are different tips for a walking stick that you would use depending on the terrain. I eventually placed a cane / crutch round rubber tip on mine as I'm never quite sure of where I'll be using it and that won't mar up floor tiles like a pointed end would. I hope that this is of some help.

Thanks. Actually, I ordered a 55" hickory walking stick from this company yesterday (I was pleased to find a quality maker here in Texas). It was one of their 'bargains' and was priced at $34. Included in that price was the combi-spike at the bottom, so it can be used with the rubber tip on some surfaces, or the spike tip where needed.

On the picture, what was he wearing on his lower legs? I need to get some I am thinking.

I don't know, but it sure looks great! I'm probably going to end up making my own lower leg protectors or buying some half-chaps to alter for that purpose. They'll be handy not only for hiking, but for when I'm working around the homestead in a kilt.

[Mindrop]

Yeah, i guess that is what they are. Not familure wth them. I was asking about the green things around his lower legs in the picture above.

[Mindrop]

Okay thanks. I will have to look into them.

[Tobus]

Gaiters- a lot of companies make them-various degrees of toughness and breathability as well as height. Usually for hiking/skiing/snowshoeing

Right - but gaiters are usually intended to be worn over pants, to cover the tops of the boots. I've considered getting myself a pair of military surplus canvas ones, but I just don't think they'd be right over bare legs or hose. I'm really interested in where he got his, because they seem different than other gaiters I've seen.

I hadn't thought of checking skiing/snowshoeing sources, though. Glad you mentioned it!

[wildrover]

Those are just gaiters...like any other set of gaiters you'll find anywhere. Gaiters aren't meant to be worn over any particular thing, just on top of the outermost layer, whatever that happens to be (bare legs, for example). They come in many sizes, from low top which are primarily to keep debris from falling inside your shoes while hiking or running, to powder length, to keep crust from falling down one's boots and to provide additional protection for the shins whether busting crust or busting weeds. Oddern's are the latter variety, and there are many sizes in between, made in everything from lycra to neoprene to canvas and Gore-Tex.

Your assessment of seed pods and traditional wool hose is absolutely correct. It takes a good bit of time to pull them all out, afterward. Gaiters would stop that problem handily.

16oz Locharron does not pick up seed pods or other debris. Duck cloth and cotton will retain water if not treated. I'm not familiar with the hydrophobic properties of UKs. I can say that while a wool kilt does get heavier, it also stays warm and comfortable even when soaking wet, even if you put it on cold and wet in the morning. Just don't let it get skirty low, or you'll be looking for a band-aid.

I don't know what sort of outdoor supply stores Texas has, but I know Texas is not wholly city-bound. Try a hunting/fishing supply to start, backpacking stores may have them as well, or at least know what they are. They're far more common up north and out west.

-Sean

[Mindrop]

Not sure where Tobus is exactly in the hill country, but here in San Antonio we have Bass Pro Shops, plenty of Academy's, Sports Authorities, and several others. Cabelos is alos fairly close to San Antonio.

[Woodsheal]

The ultimate hiking/camping kilt: the belted plaid ("great kilt"). The upper portion acts as an extra layer - and even a hood - for warmth or to ward off rain, and it functions as a blanket when night comes on!

Back in the 18th C., highlanders had to deal with N. American underbrush and adopted military gaitors or Indian-style leggings to protect their hose. I own a pair of these (heavy canvas) and just love 'em:

http://www.flyingcanoetraders.com/co...oque=4&Prod=65

[Vegan Scot]

The ultimate hiking/camping kilt: the belted plaid ("great kilt"). The upper portion acts as an extra layer - and even a hood - for warmth or to ward off rain, and it functions as a blanket when night comes on!

Back in the 18th C., highlanders had to deal with N. American underbrush and adopted military gaitors or Indian-style leggings to protect their hose. I own a pair of these (heavy canvas) and just love 'em:

http://www.flyingcanoetraders.com/co...oque=4&Prod=65

I'm looking to see how these are kept up on the leg. Is there a strap that I'm not seeing or...?