kilt wearing in -12 Celcius (10F) weather

[pugcasso]

Now that winter is upon us here in Halifax, Nova Scotia, there have been some days when the temperature has reach well below the freezing point. One day this week it was stated as "feels like" -12 Celcius (which apparently is 10 F) - I think the actual measured temperature was around -6C. There was no real wind this day but some time ago a similar day had some strong winds and I believe I reached the limit of kilt wearing on such a day.

It's not as bad as viewers may think (I have talked to some people and mentioned how jeans are probably the coldest things to wear in winter and they seem to freeze) but the thighs can get pretty chilly.


Perhaps it's a sign of obsessive compulsive disorder to wear a kilt on such days but I want to make it through the winter and thus all year (might have to cave and get some red long john's for underneath ... I'm not going around 'regimental' anyway).

Anyone else going around outside in "feels like" -12 C(10F) weather? Or am I the only crazy person here?

[KenB]

I've been out in -20C. It's the wind that is the problem. I do however wear heavy woolen hose, togue, gloves and a warm jacket. The apron on the kilt and the pleats in the rear give some added protection. No reason not to wear a kilt in cold weather, but I might draw the line when the wind chill gets to much lower than -20C and it is howling.

[PatG]

Not worn a formal at those temperatures but I have worn a modern with long johns and high Sorels while out in the country. No one to offend with the look other than a few close friends and the cows on the farm next door.

I recall from grade school that one of the Highland units in Canada in 1812 or earlier did a long winter march on snowshoes with extra "leg wrappings" to keep the bits warm so there is historical precedent.

[McMurdo]

The coldest I can remember ever donning my kilt was a -40c night we were meeting up for a kilt night in St. Catherines Ontario. Of course I was lucky to be wearing a 22oz kilt from What Price Glory and was thus as ready for the elements as could be. I don't have any outdoor photos from that night, but the pub was nice and warm, here is a photo of the brave bunch who showed up:

[wepollard]

Three days ago temperature here in northeastern PA got down to 4 degree farenheit. I walked 6 miles wearing a 16 ounce acrillic. I did wear a pair of long johns cut off above the knees and hose that i was able to pull up over my knees. I walk for exercise every day and don't wear hose or the long johns untill temperatures get into the teens or theres a strong winds blowing.

[thescot]

The coldest I can remember ever donning my kilt was a -40c night we were meeting up for a kilt night in St. Catherines Ontario. Of course I was lucky to be wearing a 22oz kilt from What Price Glory and was thus as ready for the elements as could be. I don't have any outdoor photos from that night, but the pub was nice and warm, here is a photo of the brave bunch who showed up:

Well, I can readily see why McMurdo was not cold.

I, too, have the Gordon from WPG, and I've worn it on a windy 25 F evening with no problems. Warm, heavy woolen hose and a good heavy jecket will keep one warm in the coldest of climes, at least most of the time. If the wind doesn't get you, you'll be fine, I think.

However, I wouldn't recommend spending the whole day out there in anything, though.

[brewerpaul]

Nice thing about a kilt in the cold is the warmth trapped under it keeping the .. well keeping everything warm. I walk daily to work and back in a kilt and find it much warmer than jeans. For me as long as my hands and ears are warm Im warm. As a runner it has to be below freezing or windy for me to use running tights of any sort. A kilt is like any garment that has some thickness to it. Pants are thin and keep little to no heat in. If you were to wear pants in sub freezing you should wear fleece. Fleece acts like a good heavy wool and insulates you by trapping your warm air in the nap of the fleece or wool. For me a kilt does the same. I start walking, get warm and Im quite comfy. I always get asked "Arent you cold like that." My answer is always, "No I have my gloves and hat on Im just fine thank you." I then smile and keep walking.

[Geoff Withnell]

Here's the link for a previous discussion. Kilts are definitely a lot warmer than jeans, if you are talking a heavy weight weave.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ng-cold-57083/

[O'Searcaigh]

Temperatures not that cold; it only gets down to just below freezing here but I "accidently" found out that wearing a wool kilt (8 yarder) is warmer than a pair of jeans. Wind could be a problem I suppose if it "lifts the kilt" but the heavy wool actually seems to keep the warmth in and cold out better (don't have any heavy woolen trousers to compare). I wear heavy woolen hose, don't go "commando" (in that kind of weather at least) and wear appropriate "top wear" for the weather -- oh yea, ' also found out that knitted sweaters are useless in the wind unless covered by a tight weave jacket of some kind. Seems to me the Scottish highlands aren't known for warm and balmy days?

[Nighthawk]

I've been out in -15f weather in my 16 oz tank, and have been just fine. As stated, it only suck when there's wind. And in that case I have an ankle length leather duster and a heavy wool hat/scarf to break the wind.