Bullet-proof hose?

**Mark's Mom** · 12th June 12, 09:47 AM

Does anyone have any suggestions on which type or brand of kilt hose to buy for Mark. A while back I bought him a pair of Charcoal wool blend ones at a fair here in California. A couple of days ago, he was getting dressed in his Hay tartan kilt for the ash scattering of his grandparents and I looked down at his legs and there were more holes than sock. I tried to darn them, but the wool was evidently of poor quality and very brittle. He ended up wearing his diced hose because that was all we had. I have washed the gray hose number of times, but never noticed all the holes. Does anyone know of a source of high-quality kilt hose that won't break the bank?

**Jock Scot** · 12th June 12, 09:59 AM

In my experience, using the same hose for shooting, fishing and with kilts-----so they live a hard life---- there is only one company that will do the job:" the almost unwearoutable sock company". Not cheap, but not ruinousely expensive either. As to todays price I cannot say as I have not needed to replace them for three, perhaps four years. By that time all my other hose(not cheap either) will have been replaced more than once.

**Cygnus** · 12th June 12, 10:03 AM

Here's the link to their line of solid-coloured shooting hose - Jock is right, they are pricey, but if the claims about their durability are true, it seems they'd be worth it.

**creagdhubh** · 12th June 12, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by Cygnus

Here's the link to their line of solid-coloured shooting hose - Jock is right, they are pricey, but if the claims about their durability are true, it seems they'd be worth it.

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I have several pairs from Almost Unwearoutable in various colour schemes and coquet (chequered) tops. I swear by these hose, both for comfort and durability. Also, I never machine wash any of my kilt hose - never have, actually. Rather, I gently hand wash them (I basically only wash the foot of the sock, as that is where they generally become dirty from sweat) with a wee bit of Woolite in cold water, then lay flat to dry. Works like a charm every time.

Cheers,

**Joshua** · 12th June 12, 10:53 AM

I did notice that the Almost Unwearoutable stockings/shooting socks allow you to adjust for length, I wonder if they would make a fully-fashioned hose upon request for those thunderlegged kilties like myself?

I've been wanting a mustard Bowmore (square checked tops) patterned hose for quite some time... they seem to have a pale golden color hose that might "foot" the bill (HA!). The ones from shootingsocks.co.uk are exactly what I'm looking for, but if they don't offer it in a fully fashioned UK 46, I'm not gonna attempt it.

**creagdhubh** · 12th June 12, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by Joshua

I did notice that the Almost Unwearoutable stockings/shooting socks allow you to adjust for length, I wonder if they would make a fully-fashioned hose upon request for those thunderlegged kilties like myself?

Yes, they do. My coquet topped hose from AU are bespoke, that is, made to my specifications. All you have to do is type what you require in the "comments" section when you are ready to place your order and they'll take it from there!

Cheers,

**Mark's Mom** · 12th June 12, 11:58 AM

Thanks so much to everyone. It sounds like the Almost Unwearoutable ones are what he needs. It's nice that they will make them longer, too, as Mark is about 6'4". Even though they are more expensive, I think it will save me money in the long run if I don't have to replace them so frequently. That inferior pair cost me about $35, so they were not cheap. I do hand wash the hose in lukewarm water and let them air dry.
Even though diced hose aren't the best choice for a memorial service, most people wouldn't know that and I am glad we had them on hand so he could wear his kilt. The service was aboard a rented yacht and we scattered the ashes at sea. Mark stood on the front of the ship as we headed out of the harbor and a number of people were curious about his kilt and took pictures from their boats. Mark is definitely has no qualms about wearing his kilt. It makes me really happy I made it for him.

**creagdhubh** · 12th June 12, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Mark's Mom

Thanks so much to everyone. It sounds like the Almost Unwearoutable ones are what he needs. It's nice that they will make them longer, too, as Mark is about 6'4". Even though they are more expensive, I think it will save me money in the long run if I don't have to replace them so frequently. That inferior pair cost me about $35, so they were not cheap. I do hand wash the hose in lukewarm water and let them air dry.
Even though diced hose aren't the best choice for a memorial service, most people wouldn't know that and I am glad we had them on hand so he could wear his kilt. The service was aboard a rented yacht and we scattered the ashes at sea. Mark stood on the front of the ship as we headed out of the harbor and a number of people were curious about his kilt and took pictures from their boats. Mark is definitely has no qualms about wearing his kilt. It makes me really happy I made it for him.

***

Great choice - you wont be disappointed!

**Tobus** · 12th June 12, 10:09 AM

The problem with most kilt hose on the market is that they're made way too thin, especially any of the 'bargain' ones you'll find at the local Highland Games or festivals. They remind me of thin nylon dress socks. And with the ribbing that most of them have, by the time you pull them up and stretch them a little, you can see right through them! It's no wonder they don't last very long. A couple of wearings and washings, and those thin spots are now holes.

By far, the best kilt hose I've ever purchased which are mass-produced are from House of Cheviot. You can find them through the Scottish Tartans Museum Gift Shop. The description says they're made in triple-ply construction, or some such. Whatever the technical details may be, I've found that they feel thicker and more substantial, and last longer than other mass-produced hose. They're not cheap, but in this case, price and quality go hand in hand.

The reason I make the distinction on mass-produced hose is that the very best quality hose I own are custom made. Two pair are hand-knitted, and one is machine knitted (custom Argyll hose). These are made from thicker yarn and just seem to wear better.

Are you hand-washing them or machine-washing them?

**creagdhubh** · 12th June 12, 10:37 AM

I use to wear self-coloured hose from Gaelic Themes' line, but have since sold them all off, because the material was too thin for my liking. I agree with Tobus and would suggest any style of hose from House of Cheviot's line. Also, Almost Unwearoutable makes bespoke hose that come in 4 ply and 8 ply options. The hose from either company can be rather expensive, but well worth the money in my opinion.

Best of luck,