Differences in Kilt Hose

[ShaunMaxwell]

Once I acquired my first pair of House of Cheviot Lewis hose, I quit buying cheaper hose. I also own a few pair of the HOC Rannoch hose, which are virtually identical to the Lewis hose, but are available in earthier colors.

I can’t speak to the other lines, but I have the aforementioned Lewis and Rannoch, plus argyle topped and diced hose from HOC. They aren’t inexpensive, but in this case at least, you get what you pay for.

Cheers,

SM

[McMurdo]

I'll agree that you get what you pay for, some of my Lewis hose have lasted a decade or more and that is with regular wear. I do have a pair of the SHETLAND (Highfell) hose that I love but they were a bit of money. If you can get hand knit that is about as good as it gets but House of Cheviot is not far behind.

[The Wizard of BC]

The primary difference in all the models offered by HOC is just style. Which style of cuff do you like or if you prefer a different pattern.

The primary difference in the cost is because the HOC hose are wool where the Sock Dream socks are primarily cotton. The world has seen a huge increase in the cost of wool over the past 10 years. The cost of almost anything made of wool has almost doubled in that time. Merino is the redheads of the wool world with the thinnest, finest fibers.

Yarn spun primarily for socks will usually be a blend of wool and usually between 10% and 25% Nylon for strength. Specifically in the heel and toe. Some socks are a blend of many different fibers such as Acrylic and even elastic.

[Tobinn]

The primary difference in all the models offered by HOC is just style. Which style of cuff do you like or if you prefer a different pattern.

The primary difference in the cost is because the HOC hose are wool where the Sock Dream socks are primarily cotton. The world has seen a huge increase in the cost of wool over the past 10 years. The cost of almost anything made of wool has almost doubled in that time. Merino is the redheads of the wool world with the thinnest, finest fibers.

Yarn spun primarily for socks will usually be a blend of wool and usually between 10% and 25% Nylon for strength. Specifically in the heel and toe. Some socks are a blend of many different fibers such as Acrylic and even elastic.

Oh yes, I agree with regard to the difference between sock dream socks and HOC. There was never a question in my mind on that - the sock dream socks are cheap-n-cheerful (as my dad would say) and I bought several pair pretty much to bum around in and for the heat and so have a few colors form which to choose while I get better quality socks.

With regard to the difference in the HOC products I noted, I had a feeling it was going to boil down to mostly style but I thought perhaps there'd be something else such as better reinforced heels and toes or something.

Thanks for the responses!

[Riverkilt]

Wandered the same kilt hose maze. Wound up enjoying the Lewis hose best. Long lasting. Got mine from Matt at the Scottish Tartans Museum.

Should add that I also like the really thick ones from Rocky at USA Kilts.

[Tobinn]

OK - so I see on HOC shipping is about $16-ish and there's a note about paying duties and such. From those who have ordered directly from HOC what does all that add to an order? I've got my my eye on the Reiver line but if shipping and duty will add another 50% it makes more sense to go ahead and order the Lewis hose form a domestic supplier such as USAK. Does anyone know of a domestic supplier of the Reiver line? I've looked on Amazon (keeps trying to send over to anything named "River").

[ThistleDown]

Torbinn, always keep in mind quality and longevity, if those two virtues are even mildly important to you. To put it another way, it's not all about today's expenditure. My brother and two of my cousins still wear those knitted by my grandmother 80+ years ago. I'm fortunate in having a wife who knits mine -- in her spare time. In some future post I'll flash her many and diverse answers to her own call for new hose for me.

In the meanwhile, House of Cheviot is my vote for an alternative to handknit, and your choice of pattern is mine, too.

[ShaunMaxwell]

OK - Does anyone know of a domestic supplier of the Reiver line? I've looked on Amazon (keeps trying to send over to anything named "River").

https://www.scottishtradingcompany.c...x&cPath=32_178

Or you can get Lewis hose from Matt Newsome on Amazon with free shipping.

SM

[Baeau]

...OK - so I see on HOC shipping is about $16-ish and there's a note about paying duties and such. From those who have ordered directly from HOC what does all that add to an order? I've got my my eye on the Reiver line but if shipping and duty will add another 50% it makes more sense to go ahead and order the Lewis hose form a domestic supplier such as USAK. Does anyone know of a domestic supplier of the Reiver line? I've looked on Amazon (keeps trying to send over to anything named "River")....

I've done lots of importing from the UK, both personal & business. If memory is correct, under $750-$850 is allowed in without duties. I recently had a large box of Range Rover bits sent over (misc. bits, & a pair of front fenders), DHL was about $35. I thought it was a bargain. And, no duties. When I was in the race spares business, everything came in from England. We managed to get duties down to 13%-15%. It varied based upon what the item was. Sometimes one had to be judicious with the truth. A transaxle gearset (2 gears) would come in at +/-18.5%. My clearing agent called me one day, & said the gearsets were 'machine parts'. I asked what made the (transmission) gearsets, machine parts. She replied with, "6% less duty!". With shipments up to £280,000, any percent saved was usually a sizable amount. Sadly, it was normally take away due to the, then, grossly rising exchange. About that time it was £1 = $2+.

[jthk]

Wandered the same kilt hose maze. Wound up enjoying the Lewis hose best. Long lasting. Got mine from Matt at the Scottish Tartans Museum.

Should add that I also like the really thick ones from Rocky at USA Kilts.

Hey there,

I have noticed that you live in the south-west. What hose works best for you in that heat, may I ask?

Thank you,
Jonathan