Lightweight Contemporary?

[jrmiller]

I wore my khaki colored UK "Original" model kilt all day Sat while visiting Baltimore's Inner Harbor. This is a reclaimed waterfront area which has several old ships, a museum, lots of T-shirt and trinket shops and food.

The temp was hovering around 90 all day and there was a nice breeze.

I wore the kilt over a standard set of cotton boxers.

Here's the question: I was fairly cool up to knee level and pretty much up to the thigh area, but it was kind of hot under the boxers.

So, the question -- I want to run cooler, the obvious option is to go regimental, but I am not willing to do that. What other options are there? For instance, would a lighter weight fabric do the trick? Does anyone make a light weight contemporary kilt? Are the better underwear choices that would be cooler?

What works for you in 90 degree weather?

Thanks,

[ChattanCat]

Try tighty-whites?

[george7]

Hmm... probably easier to change your mind on going regimental than changing the laws of thermodynamics. Otherwise try boxer-briefs or change the weather.

[Ozman1944]

The basic Sportskilt is very, very light. Stillwater Thrifty is still light, but a bit more substantial. Maybe those 'silky' type boxers? Regimental is really the simplest way. The weight of a Sporran helps preserve modesty.

[kmehrtens]

Try finding a boxer that is NOT cotton. I do alot of backpacking & rock climbing in the summer and cotton is a killer. Find a synthetic fabric, like a polyester. Try an Under Armour product or something similiar. I know that they may be a bit more expensive but try it and you will never go back.

And you better believe that I backpack in my kilts!

Here are a few of my favorites:
http://www.underarmour.com/shop/mens...rt/1000668-001

http://www.underarmour.com/shop/mens...-T/1000084-600

http://www.underarmour.com/shop/mens...-T/1000039-400

[Makeitstop]

Sportkilt makes some contemporaries. The boulder and commando models might be what you are looking for.

For underwear, something shorter like briefs or short trunks may be better in the heat. I know my local walmart sells some unusual silky (I think it was microfiber) briefs which are extremely lightweight and breathable. They're a bit odd, as they have sculpted pouch instead of the usual fly hole, but once you get past the fact that they are essentially man panties, they are quite nice.

[LANCER1562]

I would also recommend the Underarmor products. I wear the T-shirts under kevlar body armor at work and in 90 degree heat things can get a bit sticky in a regular cotton t-shirt. I haven't tried the briefs yet; but I have heard good things about them from my co-workers.

[auld argonian]

I have to agree with the previous posters: cotton isn't the best material for shorts. Cotton absorbs perspiration and keeps it in contact with your skin. Wool is ideal because it wicks the moisture away from the body but wool shorts...? Many of the modern synthetics are engineered to mimic the wicking property of wool and are just the ticket.

Best

AA

[Rex_Tremende]

Wool is ideal because it wicks the moisture away from the body but wool shorts...?

I read once that the US military was looking into wool underthings for not only their insulating and moisture-wicking properties, but also because of its resistance to burning. The problem, of course, has always been the itch-factor. Well, it seems that they figured out that they could chemically remove the outer layer of the fiber, which caused it to curl, and then spin it into a soft textile that would feel good next to the skin and still retain its desirable properties. Don't know if this product is available to the public yet or not, though, or even commercially viable.

Regards,
Rex.

[JakobT]

I read once that the US military was looking into wool underthings for not only their insulating and moisture-wicking properties, but also because of its resistance to burning. The problem, of course, has always been the itch-factor. Well, it seems that they figured out that they could chemically remove the outer layer of the fiber, which caused it to curl, and then spin it into a soft textile that would feel good next to the skin and still retain its desirable properties. Don't know if this product is available to the public yet or not, though, or even commercially viable.

Regards,
Rex.

Itch-free wool has actually been available for years - it used to be a favoured material for cycling jerseys, until it was eclipsed by modern technical fabrics. In the past few years it's been making a comeback, although it's on the expensive side.