Long Distance Hiking

[brewerpaul]

No one has mentioned the option of making your own yet. Start with the X Kilt instructions available elsewhere on the forum. Use some milspec camo in light poly/cotton and you'll have a garment that you made yourself that will last for years of hiking.

I would agree that if you have the sewing machine and abilities making your own is a good way to go. Rockywoods and other fabric stores have performance fabric of all types. I run and hike in a variety of kilts from a Stillwater acrylic Economy kilt to ElKommando kilts. The one I like best for hiking is the one I made of quick dry nylon. The main reason I like it best is that I made it to fit like a traditional kilt should, high up on the kilt waist. The ElKommando and I would think other sport type and even USA economy level kilts fit at the jeans waist and with your hiking experience Im sure you know how a pack strap will ride on shorts or pants. To me this is annoying and Im always pulling my shorts/pants back up. I find the same with the ELKommando. A kilt with a traditional waist fits nicely under the pack strap and seems to stay up nicer. I can cinch my pack strap around my wasit and the kilt stays up no problems. I do like the ElKommando because of the side cargo pockets but those could be put on a kilt you make yourself. Below is a couple photos of my running/hiking kilt I made with quickdry nylon.



I used 1 inch webbing and flat fastex buckles for the apron.

[Tartan Hiker]

I would agree that if you have the sewing machine and abilities making your own is a good way to go. Rockywoods and other fabric stores have performance fabric of all types. I run and hike in a variety of kilts from a Stillwater acrylic Economy kilt to ElKommando kilts. The one I like best for hiking is the one I made of quick dry nylon. The main reason I like it best is that I made it to fit like a traditional kilt should, high up on the kilt waist. The ElKommando and I would think other sport type and even USA economy level kilts fit at the jeans waist and with your hiking experience Im sure you know how a pack strap will ride on shorts or pants. To me this is annoying and Im always pulling my shorts/pants back up. I find the same with the ELKommando. A kilt with a traditional waist fits nicely under the pack strap and seems to stay up nicer. I can cinch my pack strap around my wasit and the kilt stays up no problems. I do like the ElKommando because of the side cargo pockets but those could be put on a kilt you make yourself. Below is a couple photos of my running/hiking kilt I made with quickdry nylon.

This is exactly why I make all my own hiking kilts. Having the pack belt on the kilt rather than above it is a huge comfort booster.
And I've also used light nylon (Army digital camo ripstop) which is great if the weather is warm.

[Benning Boy]

There was a time when nyco fabric was all the rage amongst the outdoorsy set. That's a 50:50 blend on nylon and cotton. The US
Army used it for a long time in things like field jackets, field pants and such -- not the everyday fatigue uniform, which was all cotton, although later some of the woodland camoflage BDU uniforms were nyco. Tighty woven nyco is light weight, very wind proof and doesn't soak up water too badly on misty, drizzly days, although it does get as wet as anything else in a downpour. I used to have my field jackets pressed and creased, and the nyco fabric seemed to stay fresh looking in garrison for a long time when done that way. One General even asked me how I did it, he wanted the division honor platoon to look as sharp. However, after prolonged wear in the field, in mud and rain and snow, the nyco defaulted to the rumpled look. It's harder to find nowadays than poly-cotton, but I'd consider it for something like a hiking kilt with the edges of the pleats sewn down to keep them sharp.

[ratspike]

I love working with nyco. It makes a really fantastic kilt for sure, I just wish I could get it in solid colors. I desperately want ranger green and coyote.

[Tartan Hiker]

I just cruised through the SportKilt site (for the first time in years) and see that they are now offering a hiking kilt in microfiber. They come in several tartans, and the best part is that you can order longer lengths,,,up to 26". Now that is a real interesting option. If I didn't make my own I'd be very tempted to try one of these.

[Bo On The Go]

@Tartan Hiker, I have seen those, but do not understand the details of microfiber. I was also noticing where Rocky (USAK) has in stock casuals on sale now as well. Would you know the difference between the two? I have a Semi from USAK and really like it, but don't know much about the SportKilt line

I just cruised through the SportKilt site (for the first time in years) and see that they are now offering a hiking kilt in microfiber. They come in several tartans, and the best part is that you can order longer lengths,,,up to 26". Now that is a real interesting option. If I didn't make my own I'd be very tempted to try one of these.

[Benning Boy]

I love working with nyco. It makes a really fantastic kilt for sure, I just wish I could get it in solid colors. I desperately want ranger green and coyote.

If you can find some decent coyote for a hiking kilt, I'll buy one from you.

To others: microfiber is another name for polyester. Polyester became so associated with tackiness and cheapness, in both senses of the word (remember the '70s?) manufactures started calling it microfiber to give it new allure, I guess.

[ratspike]

@Benning Boy and @Bo On The Go, sending you guys both PMs.

[Tartan Hiker]

If you can find some decent coyote for a hiking kilt, I'll buy one from you.

To others: microfiber is another name for polyester. Polyester became so associated with tackiness and cheapness, in both senses of the word (remember the '70s?) manufactures started calling it microfiber to give it new allure, I guess.

True, but it's a very different manufacturing process resulting in cloth with a very different character than typical "pilliester".

[ChuckTN]

I weighed several of my kilts this morning to have a comparison of materials.

13.6 oz - Sport Kilt hiking kilt with hidden pockets (from their website 330 grams or 11.6 oz)
14.4 oz - Mountain Hardware Elkommando (from their website 417 grams or 14.7 oz)
29.6 oz - Stillwater standard acrylic kilt
34.4 0z - UTKilts modern