Heavy weight, 5 yard vs Medium weight, 8 yard

**Angstrom** · 21st October 16, 10:26 AM

I think some of it depends on your size. For a fixed yardage, as waist size decreases more fabric ends up in the back as the aprons shrink.

With a 33" waist, I chose a 5-yard 16-oz kilt and find it to be very comfortable. A 7-yard kilt certainly had more "swish" but felt a bit unbalanced.

**Angstrom** · 21st October 16, 02:01 PM

For a truly lightweight kilt, there's the option of polyviscose fabric. See this current thread: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...fabrics-91532/

I have a couple of the casual kilts from USA Kilts that I wear when I know I'm going to be sweating. They can be machine-washed with no ill effects, and look much nicer than cheap acrylic.

I think heavyweight wool looks and feels better, but the PV kilts fill their role well.

**Geoff Withnell** · 23rd October 16, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by Angstrom

I think some of it depends on your size. For a fixed yardage, as waist size decreases more fabric ends up in the back as the aprons shrink.

With a 33" waist, I chose a 5-yard 16-oz kilt and find it to be very comfortable. A 7-yard kilt certainly had more "swish" but felt a bit unbalanced.

But kilts do not have a fixed yardage. The actual yardage in an "8 yard" kilt will vary considerably, based on the hip size it is made to, and the sett of the tartan.

**WillowEstate** · 23rd October 16, 11:21 AM

Hi Matt,
for what it's worth, I have two kilts, one an heirloom, ex-military, about 7.5 yards in heavyweight (22 ounce military) wool and an 8 yard P.V. general knockabout kilt. There really is no comparison, the heavyweight is better in every respect and I've worn both here in SE QLD in the summer quite comfortably - an 8 yard 16 ounce wool would be just perfect (saving my pennies!). I wore the heavy one last Friday all day, temperature peaking at 34 degrees C (in the shade, as you know our Australian weather forecasts quote).

As has been mentioned in a few of the earlier posts, with which I would definitely agree, it is very important that a heavyweight kilt fits correctly, otherwise, you'll forever be pulling the back up. I had mine altered to fit properly and can wear it without a belt and it never slips more than half an inch in a full day.

**aj555** · 23rd October 16, 03:33 PM

Definitely 8 yard. Unless there is snow, having a medium weight won't make that much difference (except being lighter weight). As far as 8vs5 yard. 8 yard looks better, and is traditional. You will almost never make the argument in your head whether you should of gone heavy over medium weight. If you wear a 5 yard kilt, and look at everyone else in 8s. You will regret not getting an 8 for your first one.

**Reiver** · 24th October 16, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by aj555

Definitely 8 yard. Unless there is snow, having a medium weight won't make that much difference (except being lighter weight). As far as 8vs5 yard. 8 yard looks better, and is traditional. You will almost never make the argument in your head whether you should of gone heavy over medium weight. If you wear a 5 yard kilt, and look at everyone else in 8s. You will regret not getting an 8 for your first one.

I agree. I have a 5 yd. med. weight and an 8 yd. hvy. weight and can tell no difference heat wise wearing either. I can feel the heft more with the 8 yd. but I do not seem any warmer/hotter.....and this on hot 80ish days in Az.
I never wear the 5 yd. anymore.....the 8 is too nice.

**ForresterModern** · 28th October 16, 11:35 PM

I am a firm believer in the "more yardage is better" school of thought. I have owned a couple 5 yeard kilts, but they were not so well or substantially constructed (aka 5 yard casual kilts). So I shed them from my collection, despite them being made of 16 oz Strome or similar heavyweight tartan. Same with PV vs wool. Had 5 yd and 8 yd PVs and just did not like them so let them go a while back as well.

In my current stable of 17 (I think) kilts I have only one that is less than 7.5 yds (essentially the traditional 8 yard kilt) and that is a 6 yd Kingussie pleated kilt in a 16 oz strome. That is my go to lightweight hot day kilt more because the Kingussie pleating lends to improved air flow and pleat movement when walking at any sort of pace. It just seems to catch the air and self ventilate. The other 16 are all 8 yard kilts (give or take) and most are 16 oz heavyweight with only I think 4 or 5 in 11-13 oz tartan. I can tell the difference in weight on my hips, but just barely, and I sweat no more or less around the waistband based on tartan weight. The 8 yarders just have more fabric, more and deeper pleats, and just more substantial movement and hang than any 5 yard kilts I have owned or seen.

The only exception I might consider would be one of Matt Newsome's 4 yard box pleated kilts. Half the tartan, but still nicely pleated and overall about half the weight of a comparable tartan "tank". I have never examined one up close, never worn one, only admired their looks from a short distance away at some games.

**bikercelt1** · 29th October 16, 10:18 AM

I have 8 yard 16 oz. kilts, a Matt Newsome box pleat, one of his Kingussie kilts, 10 oz. kilts, Poly V kilts, and Utilikilts. In my experience there is negligible difference heat wise but a huge difference appearance wise, of coarse I don't live in your climate so I can only speak to my experience. I always recommend starting with the "real deal" 8 yard 16 oz. and save the alternatives for future purchases. You'll get a more positive experience and have a better frame of reference for evaluating the alternatives. I wasted a lot of money trying "cheaper" lighter weight kilts before I got my first "tank". Don't waste money, get the real deal first.