best kilt for hiking

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 1st July 04, 12:58 PM

For "interests sake" you might want to head over to the PittsburghKilts site and see what's going on over there. Some interesting thoughts on the cold weather and inclement environments situation with his offerings.

**Woodsheal** · 1st July 04, 02:28 PM

A further thought: if you're going to be anywhere near a campfire, you definitely want to be wearing wool, or risk a polyester "melt-down" in your lap and on your upper thighs!
Wool, like other many other natural fabrics, will smolder, not melt....

**bubba** · 1st July 04, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

A further thought: if you're going to be anywhere near a campfire, you definitely want to be wearing wool, or risk a polyester "melt-down" in your lap and on your upper thighs!
Wool, like other many other natural fabrics, will smolder, not melt....

Good point. Natural fibers are more comfortable and don't melt.

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 1st July 04, 04:10 PM

Wow Brian... that was a difficult response to read! It paints a picture that's NOT pretty!

Good (but painful) point!

**richardljohnson** · 1st July 04, 04:35 PM

Graham the camo kilt I was wearing in the pic (to the left) was a 6 yard cotton duck printed camo. The Temp outside was in the mid 20's, wind in the 10mph area (sorry on the conversion) and we walked the block. The Terrors (spelling intended) were soaked in heavy snow (4-5 inches). I was comfortable but with feet soaked. This was a home made and tight duck material. No real swing to it but I was quiet comfortable.

I don't know if that helps.

RLJ-

**bear** · 1st July 04, 04:43 PM

On the other hand, Haiku is getting close to the end of the Appalachian trail, having hiked the distance in a poly/viscose kilt.

Haiku has had only two complaints so far. The normal length of the kilt is a bit long for hiking on rainy days and tends to chafe the back of the knees. And even the 4 yard poly/viscose kilt was too hot on the hottest days.

I think the quick drying aspect of poly/viscose, the lightness of the fabric, the way it holds its pleats, make it the ideal fabric for hiking.

Wool in that weight would lose its pleats in that mugginess and rain. Heavier wool would add weight and be too warm for hot weather hiking. It would be even warmer in the rain.

A 4 yard poly/viscose kilt is the best kilt for hiking.

**Graham** · 1st July 04, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by Jimmy Carbomb

For "interests sake" you might want to head over to the PittsburghKilts site and see what's going on over there. Some interesting thoughts on the cold weather and inclement environments situation with his offerings.

I had a look, couldn't see any info on warmth and weather, couldn't any real kilts either, only plain ones

**Miah** · 4th July 04, 08:12 PM

I think the lined kilts over at Pitsburg may be great for winter type outing, I would love to see a polypro lining on a wool kilt.
In the Marine Corps when we were out in the bitter cold i would use polypro under shirt and "wooly pully" and a field jacket liner (satin with synthitic inside) and then my blouse. The poly pro stuff is great, i love the stuff if it is nice and thin it is a great 1st layer.

**macwilkin** · 7th July 04, 07:47 PM

I'm going to post this message here, as well as in the "Off-Topic" section, since this does relate to the thread:

For all of you hikers & hill-walkers out there, can you recommend any good "beginner's guides" to hiking? I was "inspired" by Haiku's expedition to get out there and hike in my kilt, and I wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions about books, web-sites, etc.

Cheers!

T.

**Daneel** · 21st July 04, 02:55 PM

Having hiked Craogh Patrick a couple of weeks ago 765m on a clear but very windy day. Wind from the west straight off the Atlantic. I can only say that my kilt was very warm and comfortable See my web site for more info. The only time wearing a kilt that day was difficult was in the cafe afterwards. I was sweating like a pig and all that wool did not help.