best kilt for hiking

**Andrew Breecher** · 13th August 04, 06:59 AM

Only the one Bear Kilt. It definitely has some wear under where the belt pouch (a bum bag instead of a traditional sporran) hung, and the colours have faded just a touch, but the pleats stayed in place beyond my wildest imagination; I didn't iron them at all, after washing or after walking in the rain or after fording waist-deep rivers. In fact, if the pleats ever started getting "soft", they would sort themselves out the next time the kilt got wet and dried while I was wearing it.

Andrew.

**GMan** · 13th August 04, 02:01 PM

Andrew,

That is really great to know about the durability of your Bear Kilt. It does amaze me that kilts are not more widely worn on trails, etc. they are just wonderful, but I am preaching to the choir.

**Andrew Breecher** · 14th August 04, 08:52 AM

Each year there's a festival for hikers on the AT called Trail Days. Sport Kilt sold out their entire stock there, going so far as to sell ill-fitting kilts to people because that's all they had left. There are three people I know of who started out wearing Sport Kilts, and a few others who started out in the Mountain Hardwear Hiking "Kilt". Two people that I know of got the MHHKs after starting. The AT culture is certainly more open than normal, and I doubt most of those kilted hikers will continue to wear the kilt after their hike, but on the Trail, there's definitely a concensus of "if it's comfortable, it doesn't matter what it looks like." You're hiking 2,000 miles; you want to be comfortable.

Andrew.

**Graham** · 15th August 04, 07:44 AM

That's good to hear Andrew, and yet I still constantly come across the misconception that to be comfortable and warm, one MUST have the legs covered with trousers of some variety.

I guess that idea will never go away until people try kilts for themselves, even then some will not be convinced.

I find it takes time, to appreciate the freedom of kilts and also to acclimatise the legs to being uncovered. Most will not give it that time.

**Andrew Breecher** · 17th August 04, 06:32 AM

Here are some kilted hikers:

Andrew.

**Graham** · 17th August 04, 07:05 AM

Inspiring piccie Andrew, thanks, they look a fine and varied bunch of lads!

**GMan** · 17th August 04, 11:39 AM

What a great shot Andrew! Thank you for sharing, you and the other lads are doing a great service for kiltdom.

**bikercelt1** · 17th August 04, 06:19 PM

What a great picture! What occasion brought this band of kilted hikers together in an urban setting though?

Jamie

**Andrew Breecher** · 18th August 04, 06:02 AM

This picture was taken at Trail Days, a festival for thru-hikers in Damascus, VA. It wasn't a planned kilted get-together either - there were a bunch of hikers sitting around eating (as hikers do) in the local cafe and we realised there happened to be a lot of kilts in there, so we all trundled outside and got our pictures taken.

Andrew.

**akaussie** · 21st August 04, 03:15 AM

Graham, your right.I am have fun trying to get my legs used to being uncovered. I get home from work and think of putting on my kilt but usually dont as to the cold. I will try to get into it a bit more. I am unfortunately allergic to pure wool so cant wear the proper kilt hose but have found some pretty good footy socks. Cheers Andrew