Backpacking in a Belted Plaid.

**tartanartist** · 21st February 12, 12:15 PM

I have been planning a week long backpacking trip for this coming August, and I got this crazy idea in my mind that I want to try doing it all in a belted plaid (great kilt or whatever you may wish to call it). I am going on 3 years of wearing only the kilt now, so it would be strange for me to wear anything but a kilt on this trip. The part I need advice on, is the great kilt. I do not own one and I have never worn one. Would the belted plaid be at home in the Rocky Mountains for a week? Or am I just crazy? What is the best fabric for a great kilt? Fabric Weight? Source of fabric? etc.

**Thorina** · 21st February 12, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by tartanartist

I have been planning a week long backpacking trip for this coming August, and I got this crazy idea in my mind that I want to try doing it all in a belted plaid (great kilt or whatever you may wish to call it). I am going on 3 years of wearing only the kilt now, so it would be strange for me to wear anything but a kilt on this trip. The part I need advice on, is the great kilt. I do not own one and I have never worn one. Would the belted plaid be at home in the Rocky Mountains for a week? Or am I just crazy? What is the best fabric for a great kilt? Fabric Weight? Source of fabric? etc.

http://youtu.be/TlFfJTzc7XM

Here's video. Along the right side, there are many, many more examples of fellas donning a great kilt and their opinions, etc.

**Tobus** · 21st February 12, 01:03 PM

I just want to know how you're going to get a belted plaid (with all the extra material at the rear) to work with a backpack. It seems to me that all that material would really mess up the fit and function of the hip belt, and probably the shoulder straps too.

I dunno, man. The idea sounds romantic and all, but I think it would be a "gear nightmare".

**Guinness>water** · 21st February 12, 01:07 PM

Sounds like a great idea! I wish I could go with you, great kilted of course.

I love the belted plaid and would wear it more often if people didnt think I was a hobo. Thats the great part about wearing it hunting, backpacking, what have you, looks dont matter.

The belted plaid I had was in a 13oz. tweed, Braveheart (movie) tartan. A little too light for my liking, I'd rather have 16oz. and it in one of the weathered tartans. I plan on buying a couple in the future after I win the lotto. I wouldnt get anything but wool tartan, thats kinda the whole idea. Repels water, warmth, durability ect.......

I've worn mine camping/hunting a couple of times and it was perfect. Far better than pants and it made the trip that much more enjoyable!

Good luck and have a good trip. Please take lots of pictures!!

*Funny, Tobus and I generally think along the same lines*

**Tartan Tess** · 21st February 12, 01:38 PM

What better time to try it out.If......
If you want to wear your sleeping bag instead of carry it try a 16 oz. or more tartan weight.
Sounds good if the time of year is cool for the Rocky Mountains.But if it is hot or you have tried on your backpack with straps over your great kilt with layers and it is too bunchy. Hike by day in your now kilt and crawl into a bag of tartan at sunset.

**Burly Brute** · 21st February 12, 01:52 PM

It is something I have mentioned on here before and have been met with some serious caution as the climate might play a huge factor. I would suggest trying it out on a shorter trip prior to commiting to the full 4 or 5 days. And it definitely depends on the weather as to what fabric you should choose. Keep us posted on how it works out should you so choose to venture the process.

**Kiltedinkansas** · 21st February 12, 02:11 PM

You know, I thought that was the whole point of the belted plaid, nearly infinitely malleable to adjust to your situation. All down, half down/half up(rainy/chilly), half down/half tucked up (warmish), all pulled up/back (hot). I would think that a simple length of tartan like a belted plaid would be darn near the best piece of clothing that a person could take into the wilderness (with a belt or sturdy length of of rope at least).

I'm sorry, I just think that a good 16oz or so belted plaid would be wonderful for this and just don't understand the nitpicking.

Also, pardon me for the fact that I may have imbibed a bit much, as tomorrow is my day off.

**Tobus** · 21st February 12, 02:22 PM

I'm sorry, I just think that a good 16oz or so belted plaid would be wonderful for this and just don't understand the nitpicking.

I'm not sure if anyone is "nitpicking", necessarily. Just offering the advice the OP was asking for.

The belted plaid was a darn good article of clothing in its day, and for its home environment. It was versatile enough to cover a wide variety of conditions (and one might add that the people who wore it were acclimated to it!). It might very well do fine in the American Rockies. But the Highlanders of the 17th and 18 centuries did not wear our modern backpacks. And for the life of me, I can't figure out how a modern outdoors backpack could possibly work with all that material gathered up on the wearer's back. Even if the hiker were to let the extra material hang down loose, all the gathered pleats that are cinched up by the belt would be in the way of the backpack's hip belt.

I could be completely wrong, and if someone has done an extended backpacking trip wearing a belted plaid successfully, I'd love to see how it was done!

**tartanartist** · 21st February 12, 02:43 PM

Thanks for all the great advice so far! Keep it coming.

Since I have never worn the belted plaid I had not considered the bulky pleats problem. I have worn my pack over a heavy coat in winter without any issue, but I have no idea how thick the pleats will feel on my back. Those of you who have worn the belted plaid how thick is the material on your back? Has anyone tried one on with a pack before?

The advice to try a small scale excursion first is very wise. I think I will do just that in the early summer.

All of the comments about the versatility of the belted plaid are what got this idea planted in my head in the first place. Reading about how useful they are as a garment made me really want to put one to the test.

**Burly Brute** · 21st February 12, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by tartanartist

Thanks for all the great advice so far! Keep it coming.

Since I have never worn the belted plaid I had not considered the bulky pleats problem. I have worn my pack over a heavy coat in winter without any issue, but I have no idea how thick the pleats will feel on my back. Those of you who have worn the belted plaid how thick is the material on your back? Has anyone tried one on with a pack before?

The advice to try a small scale excursion first is very wise. I think I will do just that in the early summer.

All of the comments about the versatility of the belted plaid are what got this idea planted in my head in the first place. Reading about how useful they are as a garment made me really want to put one to the test.

As Tobus noted, the difference in time and climate is a huge factor and was the same advice I received when I asked a similiar question.

I will say this, I have purchased many items before that were for and not for backpacking, which at the end of the trip I either kept because it worked or tossed/re-fashioned for other purposes because it didnt. So really the best way is to try it out. And, as always, take pictures!!!!

And I definitely think the small scale excursion tip is a dandy one, that poster must really have it together

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