Lighter weight Kilts

**LKM** · 12th June 17, 02:27 PM

It depends on several factors as far as material weight, yardage, and type of material. A kilt made with a lighter weight material or less yardage can feel cooler as it is less insulating. More layers (added my pleating with more yards of material) will normally add more insulation then a heavier material. Simply put: If you are choosing between a 16 oz 5 yard kilt or a 13 oz 8 yard kilt the 16 oz will most likely feel cooler yet not as cool as a 13 oz 5 yard kilt. As I understand it, wool wicks away moisture better then PV, so some people will feel cooler in wool while others will feel cooler in PV. There is no best answer for everyone when looking for the best kilt to stay cool in during hot weather as there are a lot of personal and climate factors involved.

**Todd Bradshaw** · 12th June 17, 09:10 PM

As one who used to own part of a chain of backpacking/mountaineering/ski shops, I can tell you that garment insulation is a product of dead air space, where that air is being divided up into tiny, non-moving bits. It's pretty hard to find a lower-body-garment with more moving air ventilation than a kilt, so though you might be able to make a theoretical case for a slight difference in fabric thickness, I don't think insulation is really going to be much of a factor out in the real world.

**Barb T** · 13th June 17, 02:51 PM

When I make a 4 yard box pleated kilt or a 5-6 yard Kingussie, I always put in stabilizer, canvas, and lining, so it's not true that all shorter yardage kilts lack interior construction. And a 4-yard box pleated kilt really needs heavy weight tartan in order to not look like a skirt.

Unless I missed it, no one has mentioned the possibility of an 8-yard kilt in 11 oz tartan. That's what Highland dancers wear, and these kilts are built just like any kilt and have all the interior construction of a 16-oz kilt. The lightweight tartan does wrinkle more easily, but, if you want a full 8-yard kilt, it's an option. D.C. Dalgliesh has the nicest 11 oz tartan around. They stock a boat load of dress tartans, but they also have quite a few non-dress tartans in 11 oz (https://www.dcdalgliesh.co.uk/fabric_finder). I would not, however, go with anything lighter in weight (e.g., 10 oz. tartan that other mills sell - it's really too light).

**Barb T** · 15th June 17, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by Manu

...in a 5 yarder because the pleats don't need to be cut out since less material equals less volume on your back, so the pleats add stability and strength to the garment.

The fact that the pleats are not cut out does not add strength to the garment - it just adds bulk. When you buckle on a kilt without a stabilizer, it puts stress directly on the pleat stitching regardless of whether the extra fabric behind the pleats is cut out or not. So a kilt is no stronger for having un-cut pleats.

**Barb T** · 15th June 17, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by Todd Bradshaw

As one who used to own part of a chain of backpacking/mountaineering/ski shops, I can tell you that garment insulation is a product of dead air space, where that air is being divided up into tiny, non-moving bits. It's pretty hard to find a lower-body-garment with more moving air ventilation than a kilt, so though you might be able to make a theoretical case for a slight difference in fabric thickness, I don't think insulation is really going to be much of a factor out in the real world.

I totally agree. A kilt is hot under the kilt belt, and the hose are hot, and both are the same regardless of whether you're wearing 11 oz or 16 oz. The air circulates under the kilt. I do find, though, that light and medium weight tartan is less scratchy/itchy than most 16 oz, so some people find it more comfortable in hot weather. If you're going to wear bike shorts under your kilt, it doesn't really matter.

**David Dubh** · 17th June 17, 07:46 AM

So if I wanted to go with a 5-6 yard kilt who makes them with all of the internal stabilizers.
Also I'm a little leary about how many yards I should go with my natural waist is about 36 inches so would I have enough material in a smaller yardage kilt so that it would look alright?
Thanks David

**Barb T** · 17th June 17, 08:09 AM

Other people will have different opinions, I'm sure, but a 4-yard box pleated kilt looks terrific, as do 5-6 yard Kingussie or Reverse Kingussie kilts. I much prefer them to knife pleats for shorter yardage kilts. 16 oz tartan looks particularly good, and, in fact, with a 4-yard box pleated kilt, you really need 16 oz, or it starts to look skirt-like.

I'm sure other people will chime in, but I make lots of kilts like the above with all of the internal construction that I put into an 8 yard trad kilt.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ed-kilt-90859/
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...iceland-88664/
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ie-kilt-84115/
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...t-woman-75461/

**David Dubh** · 17th June 17, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by Barb T

Other people will have different opinions, I'm sure, but a 4-yard box pleated kilt looks terrific, as do 5-6 yard Kingussie or Reverse Kingussie kilts. I much prefer them to knife pleats for shorter yardage kilts. 16 oz tartan looks particularly good, and, in fact, with a 4-yard box pleated kilt, you really need 16 oz, or it starts to look skirt-like.

I'm sure other people will chime in, but I make lots of kilts like the above with all of the internal construction that I put into an 8 yard trad kilt.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ed-kilt-90859/
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...iceland-88664/
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ie-kilt-84115/
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...t-woman-75461/

Thanks Barb
I have to ask what is a reverse Kingussie, I have/ had an 8 yard kingussie from John at Keltoi, in fact it's there for repairs but I've heard nothing from him and I'm worried both about him and my kilt.
Thanks David

**Barb T** · 17th June 17, 08:41 AM

In a Kingussie kilt, the central box pleat forms a tail pleat on the outside of the kilt, and the pleats fold in opposite directions away from the tail pleat toward the apron of the kilt. In a Reverse Kingussie, the central box pleat is hidden, and the pleats fold toward it from both sides, kind of like a bird's wings.

**Liam** · 17th June 17, 08:19 PM

I have 3 kilts made from light weight material. The first is an 8 yd kilt 11-12 oz merino wool made from tartan woven by the former Fraser and Kirkbright. The kilt maker used a 3-4 inch hem which gives it considerably more substance.
The next kilt is a 4 yd. box pleat 11oz PV kilt, but I had the kilt maker edge stitch the pleats which also keeps the pleats from wrinkling. (My favourite for hot weather and travelling btw).
My third light weight kilt is also 11 oz woven by Locharron 4 yd knife pleat kilt also with the pleats edge stitched.
I love all three, but they are very different.
The first is the most comfortable, the second the best for hot weather and travelling, and the third the easiest to wear as it has Velcro instead of buckles. It is also good for hot weather, but not easily washable. (Although I find as long as you do not have a serious accident such as a red wine spill for example simply hanging and airing out a kilt is sufficient for a kilt).
The 8 yd. kilt definitely looks the the most traditional but the others are by far more practical in high heat high humidity weather.
Cheers...