SportKilt - USA Kilts Casual Comparison Part II

[Riverkilt]

Okay, I now own one of each of a new SportKilt (Black Stewart) with all the options (except fringe) and a USA Kilts Casual model (MacLean Hunting).

Gotta tell you, this is like trying to say which is more beautiful, roses or orchids. They're both beautiful flowers in their own right. I'm sure that if I've overlooked anything, or made a mistake, the wise folks on this board will point it out.

Both companies are successful and have their followings. Guess what I present here is just to provide information for the curious to make their decision from, depending on what is important to them. Me, I own both.

Rocky already posted some fabric comparison details on the previous thread (second post). The USA Casual is heavier by weight, but not enough I could tell by holding one in each hand.

The SportKilt poly cotton has a softer feel to it, which I take to be from the cotton content. It also has some of the drape of cotton.

The USA Kilt poly viscose (rayon - synthetic cotton made from cellulose) has a firmer,slicker, feel to it.

Under the textile glass both have loose fibers poking out. The SportKilt has a lot more fibers sticking out from the threads, probably why it feels softer to the skin.

Held up to my eyes like a blindfold, I can see just a little clearer through a single layer of the SportKilt than I can the USA Kilt Casual. Not enough difference to be significant. The lighter the fabric the easier to see through it.

The tartan on the USA Kilt is a bit larger than on the SportKilt, but that has more to do with the tartan and the mills that made the cloth. The tartan size is fine for the kilt.

Including shipping the SportKilt cost $130.95 (FedEx) and the USA Kilt price is $110.00 and I believe that includes shipping (USPS at my request). Smaller size SportKilts are less. Think I'm barely under the first price break for size for USA Kilts.

Extra cost for SportKilt customizing, included in the $130.95 was $10.95 shipping, $10.00 for a custom hem length, $18.00 for sewn down pleats, and $12.00 for 3" wide belt loops. Don't remember fringe being an option when I ordered it. It is now $12.00 to add fringe, which would bring the total to $143.45 for the SportKilt if I'd opted for that.

All those SportKilt options were included in the USA Kilt Casual price.
I did have to ask for wider belt loops on the USA Kilt Casual, but there was no charge to make them.

Shipping time was good for both. Know that's seasonal and fabric availability etc. effects it. SportKilt came ten days after ordering, USA Kilt Casual came 9 days after ordering.

Both companies sew an embroidered patch on their kilts. SportKilt up at the waist on the top right of the outer apron (2 1/4" x 2x3/4"). USA Kilts Casual (2 1/2" x 3") on the lower right of the outer apron, sort of like a kilt pin. Just me, I removed them both. Prefer the cleaner look. Having a residual beer belly the SportKilt patch kind of dug in. Both patches are easy to remove with a seam ripper and a little care. Also, I'm not a Christian and the USA Kilts Celtic Cross just doesn't work for me...(Ironic since the Christian cross is part of my clan badge too).

The SportKilt is cut to fit a range of waist sizes. They used 160 inches of cloth. The USA Kilt was cut to my size and they used 166 inches of cloth.

Both lengths were ordered at 21 1/2" and that's what I got.

The right hand side of the outer apron is folded back 4" and sewn at the bottom on the SportKilt. The USA Kilt Casual has a tapered apron starting with about 3" fold back at the top and ending with 1 1/2" at the botton. It is not sewn down on the bottom. Obviously, the tapered apron hangs better and looks better.

The SportKilt has 14 pleats. Pleat depth is 2" and the pleat show is about 2 to 2 1/2" depending on the pleat. There is some effort to match the pattern, but its difficult to do due to the 1/2" elastic sewn into the waist.

The USA Kilts Casual has 20 pleats, with 2" pleat depth and 1 1/2" pleat show. The pattern matching is perfect as you can see in the photo.

The SportKilt apron is 18" wide. The USA Kilts Casual apron is 23" wide at the top and 25" wide at the bottom (from the taper). On a big guy like me that extra wrap around, and tapered apron, helps the kilt look good...less like I'm stuffed into it.

Belt loops were ordered at 3" for both, and are. There are five 1/2" wide belt loops on the SportKilt. The ends are sewn down inside the loop. The pattern is random, not even close to matching the tartan under them. There are also five USA Kilt Casual belt loops but they are 7/8" wide and the tartan matches exactly. They are sewn down on top of the belt loop, attaching two layers of belt loop fabric instead of one. USA Kilt puts two of the belt loops on the outer apron. Seems to hold the apron in place better for me...due again, to my latent beer belly effect.

The Sportkilt treatment of the waist is to have it two inches wide and gathered with a half inch strip of elastic sewn inside. USA Kilts Casual is sewn so that the pleats carry all the way to the top of the three inch wide waistline. Looks sort of like a great kilt effect but belt covers it.

SportKilt pleats are sewn down 3 1/2 inches from the bottom of the waistline (if you order that option). USA Kilts Casual pleats are sewn down 4 1/2" from the bottom of the waistline as a standard feature.

SportKilts does not sew seams into their pleats. Inside and outside pleats are folded. USA Kilts Casual has the outside seam of each pleat sewn down to the hemline. The inside pleat seams are folded.

Both use Velcro to close the front apron. SportKilt uses two 4" strips of the fuzzy side on the outer apron waist and a long 18" strip of the hook side on the inner apron. USA Kilts Casual has two 5" strips of the fuzzy side on the outer apron and two 5" strips of the hook side on the inner apron. Don't see too much difference, both are able to hook up for me. The long hook side on the SportKilt does filter out more lint in the laundry and sometimes, if I don't cover it right, can scratch my beer belly.

Hem finish on the SportKilt is serged and turned up 1/2" and sewn down. USA Kilts Casual fringes the hem. Again, fringing is an option for SportKilt for an extra $12.00

SportKilt adds a tartan fabric pocket on the inside of their outer apron sized at 4" long by 5" wide. I've never found a use for it since my belly gets in the way of access. Would be a pick pocket safe place for valuables, but I've always had to undo the kilt to get access. USA Kilts Casual does not include such a pocket.

SportKilt offers six size ranges for men. USA Kilts Casual offers custom fit to waist, hips, and length.

Some intangibles. USA Kilts Casual offers more back support from its 3"wide waistband, its like a belt. The SportKilt elastic gives at the waist. So its up to what someone needs or prefers in that area.

Cloth used in the SportKilt measured 160 inches. Cloth used in the USA Kilts Casual measured 166 inches.

The SportKilt has a triple layer outer apron. This gives four layers of fabric in your lap when you sit down, including the underapron. It also explains why both kilts are made from nearly the same length of fabric, but the USA Kilts Casual has more pleats and tighter pleats. The USA Kilts Casual has a single layer outer apron and single layer under apron.

Tarten selection varies with owners decision of what to carry in stock and mill availability.

Hope that helps folks somehow. Happy to answer any questions.

Here are pics of the front and back of the kilts. If they don't come through your firewall they're in my gallery.

Ron



Black Stewart SportKilt, see how the apron edges center on the legs.





The Sportkilt pleats are fewer and don't hang as tight as on the USA Kilts Casual.





USA Kilts Casual MacLean Hunting. See how the apron wraps around to the side on both sides.



Check the quality of those pleats - aligned so well you can't see them. Its almost like I'm wearing the kilt backwards.

[UmAnOnion]

thanks for that very indepth analysis. now i feel very well informed about the differencs between thiose two kilts!

Great pics too!!!

[Southern Breeze]

Thanks for the very excellant review and pics.

[MacSimoin]

Thanks for the impromptu 'sticky', Ron...this is sure to be a big help for those looking for a casual kilt. Great post.

[toadinakilt]

Hmmm...honestly, I have to say that I think Rocky wins...

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Ron, great review. And I love that Maclean Hunting. I have been jonesing for a new kilt and I think I have my answer...

TIAK, I think that I agree. While both have their places, for the prices, I think that Rocky provides a superior product and wind hands down. The sewn down pleats alone are a huge advantage in daily wear and care of a kilt. And his quality is top notch. Not knocking SK's (well, just a little bit), but the price for the value is not there for me. When I can get a USAK for less money and it is custom made to my measurements, I have to go with it. The only slight advantage SK might have is including the underapron pocket, ala PK's, which I really like. However, for Ron it is a non-value added item as he can't use it.

Thanks again Ron.

[andyfg]

Very helpful and full analysis. I am going to buy my son a kilt for his birthday. I think I'll get a Rocky (which I was leaning toward anyway). Thanks.

[Chris Webb]

Incredible analysis!

I can only add a little, but it has significant implications for those who do more that just walk about in their kilts.

I work in construction every day in a SportKilt. I've tried other kilts, but the SportKilt, 4 layered, narrow apron is the most practical design I've tried. The 4 layers provide ample protection from materials, nails, etc... and the narrow apron falls between your legs to provide coverage with out any help from your hands.

When the apron covers past the center of your thighs it simply will not fall between your legs by itself. Of course, the SportKilt is designed with 'sport' in mind.

The SportKilt is damned near windproof in the front, keeps it's pleats even when wet, and washes back to near original color time after time after time. Except for Cammo, which fades noticably wash after wash.

The waist band of the Sport kilt allows for expansion and contraction of your waist, not just because of weight loss or gain, but also due to shirts tucked in or out, waist folded over to allow the kilt to be shorter and cooler, and VERY easy removal in case of an emergency (intrusion of ants into kilt, unexpected receipt of toxic or flamable liquids and, of course, the unexpected arrival of your amourous girlfriend).

I have put SportKilts through just about the most extreme tests available in the field and they have won the right to be my single supplier of work kilts. In terms of comfort and cost they are even better at work than a Utilikilt, although I usually wear a Utilikilt Workman to Chamber of Commerce functions and the like ... it's the Levi's of kilts, after all, and the business ladies just go nuts over it.

Anyway, mine is not near the analysis provided, but I have come to really appreciate SportKilt as a company, kilt, and even a friend. As many of their kilts as I buy and wear, well, they just treat me great.

Kilt On!

Chris Webb

[Yaish]

Just a correction to the gent who mentioned the SK underapron pocket, being similar to the PK.

It's not. The PK pocket is on the outer side of the under apron, and is easily accessable. The SK pouch (not really a pocket) is on the inside of the waistband, between the outer and underaprons and is actually closed off when the velcro is closed. Like Ron, I have never been able to use it, as you just cant get to it. Maybe if you had shorts underneath and could partially undo the apron...

[Riverkilt]

Some good points Chris, thanks. Nice to have feedback from day-to-day wearing of the kilts.

The weight of the triple top apron on the SportKilt has helped me when I'm seated too ( I sit for a living)...reminds me of the even narrower Utilikilt aprons that I don't even think about anymore when sitting or seated.

One thing the SportKilt does when I sit is sort of pull away on the left side of the apron...where the USA Kilt and most kilts have sort of a reverse pleat that opens up, the SportKilt has that huge run of fabric. Think of a backwards Z where the fabric that is making the pleats is pulled across as the apron, then doubled back and folded back again....kind of diffuclt to describe, but result is three layers and an open left side...not open in terms of exposure, but open in terms of expansion.

I just received the USA Kilt today, but of course have tried sitting in it. One thing I noticed is that the underapron drops between my legs and covers the boys well when I sit. Important to me since I often wear a vest or jacket instead of a sporran. That gave me confidence.

And, thanks for the tip about "rolling" the waistband down to shorten the SportKilt. I mostly wear mine for hiking and had not thought of that. Good idea.

Roses and Orchids....they're both beautiful in their own way...people choosing one, doesn't belittle the other.

Ron