Lightweight and cool kilt for backpacking

[AlaskaRoy]

I recently hiked up Mt Whitney (at 14,494 ft, the hightest mountain in the Lower 48 U.S. states) and am planning to hike up again at the end of this month. I had seriously thought about hiking it last month in my Workman's Utilikilt, but decided that I literally didn't want to carry that weight. Now I'm looking for a lightweight, cool, comfortable kilt to backpack and camp in. Additionally, I'd prefer it be inexpensive and available on short order.
I know! I'm putting so many qualifications on it that my chances are reduced to very few, but I'd appreciate what the kiltmakers have to say, particularly about which models and materials are best for backpacking in warm weather.
Thanks.
Roy

[Colin]

I don't know what size kilt you wear, but check out the Kilts in Stock section from Bearkilts http://bearkilts.com/kiltsinstock/kiltsinstock.html

[Alan H]

Mount Whitney is a great hike. I did it a few years ago. My wife and I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary in Evolution Valley, just over the ridge from Whitney in a couple of weeks.

Now, regarding a lightweight kilt for backpacking, specifically, I'm not sure there IS one, yet. However, if I were to make one I know some things about how I'd go about it.

NO SEAMS over the hips!! There's nothing like a bulky seam under a hip belt with 50 pounds riding on it to give you abused skin in no time. So any pleats would end at a pleat-less, 3-4 inch wide waistband.

A narrow apron. Say, perhaps about like a Freedom Kilts apron.

Built like a tank, but the material has to be lightweight. A solid sotton/poly twill would work. Stitch that baby down good. Build it out of material that doesn't show the dirt too easily. Medium-dark gray works well.

A "sporran" that can hang below the packs hip belt in front, but doesn't have to wrap around like a regular sporran, or a fanny-pack worn backwards would be great. I'm not sure how to carry that off, though.

Side slash pockets like pants pockets, great. Big mondo pockets on the outsides of the legs, banging around??? NOT. Butt pockets would be fine. Just keep them well below the level of that pack hip belt.

I could go on and on and on.

[GMan]

I know that Andrew Breecher hiked the Appalachian Trail while wearing a Bear Kilt. So I know that it is feasible, but have yet to do it.

[James]

There is probably no direct comparison in view of the climatic differences: but I've walked a lot both here in the UK and in Northern Europe wearing a traditional kilt and backpacking.

Finding that the hipband on the pack worked well with the top of the kilt-a sort of combined padding. Too the kilt is ideal for river crossing-and is ideal for keeping out the rain/snow--much better than waterproof trousers, for it obviated the condensation problem.

James

[Andrew Breecher]

When I last climbed Mt. Whitney at the end of my John Muir Trail hike, I wore a Sport Kilt. It did just fine for the job, and I had no complaints, other than the fact that it's just not constructed like a traditional kilt.

I did indeed hike the entirety of the Appalachian Trail in a four-yard Bear Kilt, and I will wear the same kilt this coming spring when I thru-hike the PCT (including Whitney again). The Velcro closure of the kilt was indespensible for my weight loss over the course of hiking a long trail. I have worn a traditional wool kilt with a backpack for short hikes, and haven't found any problems with the leather straps beneath the hip belt of the pack, but I wouldn't want to do that for any length of time. I plan on making my Bear Kilt an 8,000 mile kilt before I send it back to Bear to hang on his wall.

If you're just hiking straight up from Whitney Portal/Lone Pine, then you shouldn't have to worry about any long-term chaffing (other than the hours you spend climbing switchback after switchback!), no matter what kind of kilt you get. Like I said, I've had great success with a Bear Kilt, but if you need one on short order, you may do better with a USA Kilt. I've heard they have a good turn-around time on orders, but I don't have one of their kilts myself to comment on them other than that.

If you have any questions about hiking kilted, feel free to send me a PM, or post them here.

Andrew.

[Shay]

Mountain Hardware sells a Mountain Kilt- a couple people here have said it's a little skirtlike, but you may want to check it out.

http://www.mountainhardwear.com/acti...layStyle?id=39

[Riverkilt]

Know you asked about a lightweight kilt Roy....SportKilts do look more kilt-like with the sewn down seams now....

For foul weather, think someone on another thread mentioned that they wore a SportKilt UNDER their main kilt - though don't recall what the outer kilt was. That seemed like a great foul weather idea for warmth, wicking, and staying dry.

Don't know if the Macabi skirt would work for long hikes...it is a skirt...and long, unless you rig it up with some of the snaps or straps...has an East Asian look to me when its done up like that. I don't use that strap thing, take it off.
Ron