Last year I asked Robert at RKilt to build a kilt specific to paintball with many innovations. What he created exceeded expectations and I could hardly wait for the snow to melt so I could put it to the test. Unfortunately I lost my job that spring so with paintballing was put on hold for financial reasons. Since that time my team (all workmates) and I drifted off into different directions and we lost touch. A couple of months ago I was able to reconnect with some and we set up a game. Today was that day for the big game, I was determined that I wear this kilt.

I was able to find most of my gear, run around like an idiot and and even hit a couple of things (mostly rocks and tress). I also realized that a middle aged man thats spent a year on his butt probably should take a a more suitable game like full contact tidily-winks, but as usual I digress. Needless to say that although I looked the part with all my high tech gear I was generally less than stellar, my tactics predictable. My team lost more than we won.

My kilt on the other hand won the day. The pleats, as hope did indeed seem to slow the balls down enough that they wouldn't break. The one ball that did break was directly below my sporran. Typically a critical hit that usually results in hopping around, with expletives spewing out faster than a fully automatic marker firing 15 balls a second. This shot I didn't feel except for noticing that my apron shifted. Were I wearing pants I'm sure it would've been the scene I've just described.

There was one shot that the vulnerable area just below the hem and it was at an angle that it found the only exposed flesh on my body. A half inch either way would missed me or hit the knee pad. It found me, broke the skin and left a lump the size of an egg. A rubber chicken sporran might've actually saved me in this instance. Oh well It made me look tough (the sweat hid my tears and my blubbering sounded like a war cry)

The biggest surprise of the day was the reactions. There were many groups there, about 100+ people. Everyone noticed my kilt, there were so many comments from "cool" to "thats the way to do it" not necessarily to me but to others in their groups. Some came up to me to talk about it but I heard not one negative comment. Hearing others discuss it not even my own team had anything smartass to say and these guys were my former co-workers! Even my 11yo son wasn't embarrased to play with his 'skirt wearing' dad. Yep a kilt in paintball is to be respected. It speaks volumes for intimidation. And intimdation is half the battle, that's a good thing because my tactics sure sucked.

Robert you are a genius, I thank you, the 'boys' love you.