What about Sport Kilts?

**longshadows** · 28th February 06, 06:48 AM

I just found the web site for "SportKilts" in California. Has anyone had experience with them? They are not all that "cheap;" but the time you add sewn down pleats and fringe, you're getting into the UK range.

I would like a lightweight and casual kilt, but don't want to invest in something that will look like a dishrag after a few washing.

Dose the kilt have good shape and is there sufficient material for fullness and good "swish?"

Thanks,

**646guy** · 28th February 06, 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by longshadows

I just found the web site for "SportKilts" in California. Has anyone had experience with them? They are not all that "cheap;" but the time you add sewn down pleats and fringe, you're getting into the UK range.

I would like a lightweight and casual kilt, but don't want to invest in something that will look like a dishrag after a few washing.

Dose the kilt have good shape and is there sufficient material for fullness and good "swish?"

Thanks,

I have a sport kilt in flannel and I don't think it has any swish to it. I washed it and it came out okay. I had to press it pretty good but it worked...I would prefer a UK over the Sportkilt to be honest with you

**cavscout** · 28th February 06, 07:30 AM

If you want tartan kilts go to Stillwater and look into their Economy and standard models under $90 delivered. You'll get much better deal. USA Kilts at $110 delivered are a great kilt for casual wear.

For solids check out Amerikilts or if you're willing to go up a few dollars more Freedom kilts.

Sport kilts can serve a purpose but I'm finding that if you expect to wear it in public you won't be as happy with them as compared to a Stillwater.

**Richland** · 28th February 06, 07:57 AM

I have a Sportlikt. I have the Irish national plaid. It is what it is. for sport .i use it for truly casual use. It looks pretty good if you iron it and accesorize. But its best use is highland games, it makes a great transition garment for outdoor activities. hiking etc. I use it post kayaking to easily get out of wet clothes. the chicks dig it out and about at the bar. I will wear mine on St pattys day with a t-shirt.

**davedove** · 28th February 06, 08:00 AM

I was thinking one of their tropical print kilts would be great for around the water, or if you needed to throw something on over swimming trunks (or to slip out of them in public).

toadinakilt · 28th February 06, 08:35 AM

I pretty much only use my Sportkilt for hanging out on the hall...at like midnight when i'm writing papers. I have to say that it's very comfortable, but I gave up keeping the pleats pressed ages ago. It's really not good for wearing unless the situation is extremely informal, ie, everybody else is in their underwear...it's miserably lightweight, too, so a chance gust of wind will play extreme havoc.

I like it, but if you're thinking of wearing a lightweight kilt around town, a UK, Stillwater, or a USA Philabeg is a much better choice.

**Riverkilt** · 28th February 06, 08:37 AM

I have three SportKilts...the first two were a waste, the old gathered back, single length, no belt loops. They're less expensive that way but they don't look much like a kilt and if your leg length doesn't match what they cut it'll look weird/bad on you without alterations...why should you have to do alterations?

The last SportKilt I bought after they added the option of custom length, sewn down pleats, and belt loops. A much better look.

They are what they are. Check out their gallery on their website. Go to a Highland games and you'll see some - though most of us remove the big logo they sew on, you can tell from the polyesther look.

I like mine for summer hiking, light weight so cool, almost like hiking nekie. Fabric seems to be okay, all the kilt folks buy from the same mills so they're limited by the poly tartans the mills choose to make. Do a google search for tartan bedspreads and you'll get a site that offers all the polyesther fabric tartans the mills make.

You can also do a search on this board for SportKilt and find a number of similar threads.

Here's a link to some pics of my SportKilts, hope it works for you.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...h&x=1&y=ogh2og

Ron

**Colin** · 28th February 06, 09:22 AM

longshadows,

While there are a few fans of SportKilt on this forum, the majority of feedback has been less than glowing. You would be better off spending a bit more and going for a lightweight kilt in Poly/Viscose for one of the following vendors:

www.bearkilts.com
www.usakilts.com
Canadian Casual Kilts (sorry, I don't know the web address, but you can PM MacHummel the owner)
right now Scottishkilts.net in Scotland has a screaming deal on a 5 yard PV kilt http://scottishkilts.net/products/5_...sual_kilt.html

These companies will make something you would be proud to wear around the house and out and about. SportKilts always get the tag "great for at home" from a lot of people that own them. That's great, but I wouldn't wear my robe to work or the pub either.

**Riverkilt** · 28th February 06, 09:50 AM

Whoa, while I agree with Colin's advice about saving and investing in a better kilt (Wish I would have) I don't think SportKilts are "that" bad...

I think of them as a step above the Stillwater Kilts folks rave about here.

I'd rather have poly fabric than acrylic (that's just me) and SportKilt will at least custom fit my length for me, something Stillwater still doesn't choose to do.

My guess is also that the SportKilt is made here in the U.S. of A so costs more to make it, but less shipping/import costs.

But all that matters not if you're wiser than I was and save for a quality kilt(s) first then back fill later with the "inexpensive" kilts.

Ron

**Colin** · 28th February 06, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

Whoa, while I agree with Colin's advice about saving and investing in a better kilt (Wish I would have) I don't think SportKilts are "that" bad...

I think of them as a step above the Stillwater Kilts folks rave about here.

I'd rather have poly fabric than acrylic (that's just me) and SportKilt will at least custom fit my length for me, something Stillwater still doesn't choose to do.

My guess is also that the SportKilt is made here in the U.S. of A so costs more to make it, but less shipping/import costs.

But all that matters not if you're wiser than I was and save for a quality kilt(s) first then back fill later with the "inexpensive" kilts.

Ron

I think that is were a lot of people here will just agree to disagree. While I don't own either, I tend to think that the Stillwater kilts with a fell line, tapered apron, and higher waistband would be quite a bit closer to a traditional kilt.
I would think you would have a hard time finding many more people that think the SportKilt is a step above the Stillwater, Ron. I don't see how a kilt that comes with an elasticized waistband is a step above a kilt that, while made with an alternate fabric, is cut to look more like a traditional kilt. I have been on this forum for years now and have heard praise after praise of Stillwater's products, and I have seen Jerry implement alot of the changes his target market was looking for (ok, custom length hasn't been done yet), where as I have heard alot of negative feedback about Sportkilt's service and products.
As I said before, there are those of you guys on this forum that have Sportkilts and love them, but their are also guys that have ordered Sportkilts and ditched them shortly after delivery. It's all a matter of opinion I guess.