best kilt for hiking

[Graham]

What fabric is considered best for hiking in a kilt in cold/wet weather?

I guess wool has to be the warmest, but would be very uncomfortable when cold and wet, I have heard they absorb a LOT of water.

How are the poly/vis and blends for warmth and water resistance?

I've done a bit of hiking in a kilt, but not much in the rain. When I was last in rain I had a raincoat that almost covered the kilt, only the edge got wet.

I'm preparing for winter

[Kiltedmusiclover]

How cold and how wet are you talking about?

Just curious? I’ve hiked & camped in many conditions
in my wool kilt. It is somewhat water resistant.
If you have that rain coat with you for huge
downpours I think you can use either type kilt
with out any problem. I would suggest the
wool kilt on days when its close to freezing.

[al' Sporrano]

I've hill and beach walked in my kilt and found it to be great, except perhaps for the length. Taking this into account, I think a Breacon type kilt - 4 to 6yds which lies on the hip and comes to just above the knee - would be ideal. Kinloch Anderson make them.

Al

[Graham]

Nelson, I'm thinking fairly heavy or long downpours. I've been in light showers with a raincoat that comes within a couple of inches from the bottom of the kilt.

When even that edge gets wet it becomes heavy and slaps the back of the legs and can cause chaffing.

I'd like to believe and claim that kilts are good for hiking in all conditions, but I want to have all the facts before I make such a claim.

How about a kilt in thermal, quick dry material such as fleeces are made of? (in tartan of course!!!)

[bubba]

Fleece tartan? Neat idea for this climate.

[Raphael]

Mountain Kilt?

[Blu (Ontario)]

I have used a 3M scotchguard spray product with positive results. Although it doesn't make the wool waterproof, rain does have a tendancy to bead and roll off. Important also to spray between all of the pleats. Just a thought.

[Chris]

I have used a 3M scotchguard spray product with positive results. Although it doesn't make the wool waterproof, rain does have a tendancy to bead and roll off. Important also to spray between all of the pleats. Just a thought.

Any concerns about damaging the fabric?

[Jimmy Carbomb]

What fabric is considered best for hiking in a kilt in cold/wet weather?

Been there... done that. Pennsylvania tends to get mighty frigid and wet too.

The wools are fine... until the snow and freezing rain hit them. Then, you're walking around with a 15 pound kilt on your ankles.

A WELL-MADE cotton-duck kilt with deep pleats and with a reliable water-repellant coating is outstanding!!! I've done it as a test, and it's really quite comfortable too!

[Graham]

Thanks Jimmy for your insight.

I assume you refer to your own kilts, do you do any tartans in that cotton duck material, or are they all plain?

I guess wool would be OK if you can keep the rain off it with a long raincoat.