hiking kilt suggestions

[gary meakin]

I wear a 13 oz acrylic kilt for hiking. Coupled with a tekwik shirt i've been comfortable enough when the temps hit the 90s.
I've heard PV is much more fire retardant than acrylic so I would probably go with that for sitting by the campfire.

[Tartan Hiker]

Just a few comments from someone who hikes in a kilt literally daily in the summer and very often in the fall/winter/spring:

1. Hiking in acrylic in temps over 70 F is miserable.

2. Hiking in acrylic in temps less than 45 is miserable.

3. Hiking in Poly/Cotton in temps over 45 is wonderful.

4. Hiking in Wool in temps below 45 is wonderful.

5. High-waisted kilts are a great advantage if you are using a "real" pack with waist belt. The belt rides on the kilt, not above it, and so the belt doesn't try to shove your kilt down a you walk.

6. PV is a wonderful alternative to the above, assuming that the temps are reasonable. I've used them with good success in the past, but of the 9 hiking kilts I own right now none are PV. Interpret that as you will.

[Joshua]

I'm glad to hear from you Bill, for more than a few reasons. One of which is that as an Asheville native (born at mission hospital on easter sunday 1978 with 6" of snow), I love hearing from those from Ashevegas. Two, I was looking forward to anyone near the Appalacian Trail as my wife and me have a goal to hike the family in and around the App trail as well as Looking Glass, Coleman Boundary, and Devil's Courthouse with my son.

So far the opinion is... PV is nice, Wool is better?

Does anyone have the "Hiker" sportkilt (made from wicking lightweight synthetics)?

[flyrod6057]

Allow me to break with the masses:

I own a number of kilts, ranging from 13oz wool, to the full range of Utilikilts, a P/V kilt, and a sportkilt. My primary hiking kilt in the summer is either my UK 'survival' or 'mocker.' They're cool and roomy, although being cotton and cotton/poly respectively, I don't think they'd be good when wet. They're also naturally fire resistant, being made from natural fibers.

For fall and/or winter hiking (or skiing, for that matter) I don't see any reason that a no-kidding wool tartan kilt wouldn't be fine. The wool breathes, yet stays warm even when wet. I've worn mine in Arizona in August as well as the pacific Northwest in the damp of fall and winter. Furthermore, wool doesn't burn, so you won't go up in flames from a spark. However, the price point of a traditional wool kilt would be enough for me to avoid sitting too close to potential embers...

My vote for P/V: pass. I don't prefer the weight or "hang" of P/V.

My vote for Sportkilt: pass. Again, way too light for my taste.

With regards to Utilikilt: you could always go with their "workman" kilt. It's almost bulletproof, but I can attest to the fact that 13oz. ring spun cotton duck doesn't breathe very well when things heat up. Again: pass.

Just my $.02

Best of luck to you!
Cheers!

[Pleater]

Depending on how rough the terrain is you might consider, whatever kilt you settle on, using some kilt liners.

A sturdy liner can stop vegetation intruding, gives you something to sit on if you don't want to sit on the pleats, and you can swap them easily, and carry several so you have fresh clean fabric against your skin, plus you can wash one and spread it over a pack to dry out next day.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Mikewood]

Kilt liners? This is new to me. But then it's all new to me...
So I got to ask...
When is a kilt liner not a petticoat?