Canadian Winter

[Mathew MacKillop]

Greetings All,

I am hoping there are some here who can give me a good idea of what I'm getting into. So far, I have had a kilt for 4 days and a few hours, and have worn nothing else. Yesterday, however, was the occasion of a BBQ, with the weather hovering around 7 degrees Celcius. While not cold, I was on the edge of becoming uncomfortable.
I was wearing a 5 yard 16oz kilt, and now know that this particular model is NOT going to be acceptable for use on any but the warmest winter days here in Montreal. While I know that a full 8 yard model would indeed be warmer, I wonder by how much? Should I be looking into even heavier weights?
Let's keep in mind that I won't be doing anything exciting in Winter, mostly walking down badly cleared sidewalks (when they are cleared at all). The types of offices I work in are normally underheated in winter, too, so I'm not overly worried about overheating indoors because of a heavier weight kilt.
Also, how much effect is putting on much warmer jacket going to have; does it compensate at all for the fact that the legs are more exposed? As in, does wearing a really warm coat allow me to get away with wearing slightly less warm lower-body garb?
I'm very used to Canadian winters, but not at all used to them wearing anything but pants, and somedays long johns, too!

[Father Bill]

I have both a 4 yard box pleat and two tanks, all in 16 oz. I don't honestly notice a lot of difference, although the tank is indeed a bit warmer. Getting a heavier weight will be both difficult and expensive.

Warm, thick hose and a good jacket, and never mind the stuff about going "regimental" I'd wear warm boxers underneath, but black so that they don't show as much if you do flash accidentally.

Cheers from the banana belt in SW Ontario!

[McMurdo]

8 yard 22 oz wool Gordon Highlander kilt from What Price Glory in a Toronto winter, I was so warm I had to take my jacket and hat off.

[JohntheBiker]

Mathew,

Having lived in both Ottawa and Montreal, I do appreciate the kind of bitter winter weather that you are talking about.

However, I am going to suggest that bare knees and updraft are of more concern than the amount of wool around your waist. An 8 yard kilt of 16 oz fabric will potentially be a bit warmer than your 5 yard kilt (I have a 4 yard 16 oz box-pleated kilt that I wear all year round, but my "tanks" are somewhat warmer).

Remember, however, that more yardage and more weight means a bigger mass of wool to sit on all day.

[CMcG]

Wearing a kilt for walking in the dead of a Canadian winter requires some fortitude and being bundled up. A warm jacket, toque, scarf and mitts are essential, as are thick hose, insulated shoes, and something under the kilt; you can make "kilt johns" by hemming long johns just above your knees.

A heavyweight wool kilt on the bottom is also required but there is some room for variation on style. A fellow Xmarker did some scientific tests a while back... can't find the thread at the moment. Basically the heavier weight wool the better, but low yardage box pleats are suited for walking while high yardage knife pleats are better for standing. Apparently the swish and swing of an 8-yard knife pleat kilt tends to force warm air back out, but the extra yardage keeps you warmer if you're not moving, while a 4-yard box pleat seems to hold more warm air under the kilt while hustling about out in the cold.

My experience is that my knees can still get cold and that loosening the waist of my kilt so the hem covers my knees and/or pulling my hose tops over my knees can make a big difference when the temperature drops below -20C.

[Liam]

My solution is to wear a wool overcoat.

[freep]

While it's not going to be a Canadian winter, I'm going to Moab, Utat November 7-8 and if the USPS treats me right, will be doing so in my first kilt--a UT Utility II.

My plan is, given the er, modernity? of the kilt, to wear wondrously traditional Merrill hiking boots, REI hiking socks, a 4 Corners Motorcycle Rally t-shirt and whatever jacket, hoodie or whatnot seems appropriate. Oh an a Historical Caps Scots Bonnet in dark grey (again, if it gets here in time), probably with a clan badge even though it's wildly inappropriate to the period of the bonnet. Failing that a lovat blue balmoral with badge.

But that's not what I wanted to talk about. . .

Has anyone tried these socks? I used them for cold weather motorcycle touring and like them a lot. They come up over my knees but I fold them down below the knee as they end up there anyway.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/cabel...tt=wader+scoks

[Pleater]

As I can make just about anything I need, I have long tunics of woven stuff, long jerseys, knitted, and jackets, coats, cloaks, caps, hoods, hose, leggings, plaids - with enough layers to keep the heat in and the cold wind out even the coldest temperatures are bearable in a kilt.

I have been spotted wearing open shoes on hard packed snow having failed to realise that other people thought they were were risking frostbite in boots.

If I put on my heavy cape and it chances to rain or snow, it will begin to steam due to the amount of heat it holds. It isn't really relevant if the kilt is light or heavy, though I'd always wear wool as it is warm even if wet through.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: