Lightweight and cool kilt for backpacking

**Bill** · 10th August 05, 05:20 PM

Andrew that is a spectacular picture! Does make me homesick for the mountains (lived for ten+ years in Wyoming never more than 15 miles from a mountain range and bliss). Sigh.

Bill

**boyd32450** · 20th August 05, 10:23 PM

Have you checked out Utilikilts' new synthetic "Spartan" kilt. It may be just what you are looking for.

**James** · 20th August 05, 10:38 PM

Though wearing a regular weight kilt for walking-whilst it might feel heavy to the hand-once on it never feels heavy. Too the close weave makes it waterproof when it rains.

However it is well to wear it no longer then the top of the kneecaps-otherwise there can be the effect of dragging upon one's stride.

However wilst a traditional kilt is ecellent for the British/European hills with their ample rainfall-the thought of a wet canvas or lightweight kilt fill me with horror-for it would be so uncomfortable-dangerous too. However there might be other arguments in a drier country.

James

**davedove** · 21st August 05, 04:31 AM

There's lots of comments here on the proper material to wear while hiking, but it's always with the outlook of the hard-core hiker. Wouldn't a cotton fabric work fine for someone who only day hikes during decent weather?

**Graham** · 21st August 05, 05:46 AM

In my opinion, poly viscose is the best lightweight material for hiking, I do a lot around the Highlands of Tasmania and I find this material just great.

I mostly wear a USA kilt 8 yard PV, it has enough weight to keep it down in the wind, but light enough in hot weather.

I recently wore one in the Rockies up to 10,500 feet on a really hot day.

The only time I've worn heavy wool when hiking is when it's really cold (like snowing).

**Andrew Breecher** · 21st August 05, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by davedove

There's lots of comments here on the proper material to wear while hiking, but it's always with the outlook of the hard-core hiker. Wouldn't a cotton fabric work fine for someone who only day hikes during decent weather?

Yes and no.

Certainly, people wore cotton for years while hiking, before modern fabrics had been invented. Long-distance hikers wore blue jeans; soldiers still wear cotton fatigues out in the field; Boy Scouts by the score go hiking in cotton every year. But now there are other options.

If it's warm out, you're not going above treeline, and you're not staying out overnight, then cotton is probably just fine. Wear your Utilikilt.

If you know it's going to rain, or that the weather can change quickly (above treeline), or it's cold or windy out, I would highly recommend against wearing anything cotton. Being wet when it's warm out is miserable. Being wet when it's cold out is dangerous. You can easily catch hypothermia, especially if it's cold and windy. Wearing garments that keep your core warm even when they're wet is very important. Wool does this, as does poly-viscose. I don't know if acrylic does.

Andrew.

**Dreadbelly** · 21st August 05, 08:59 AM

PV dries faster than wool does... Something to think about. Also wicks away moisture from your body keeping you drier than wool does. It really is an amazing fabric.

**PaulS** · 26th August 05, 04:44 AM

I've hiked parts of the AT in a PV Sportkilt, it worked out great. I agree with Dreadbelly, I think it's a great fabric, especially for activities like hiking.

**Shay** · 26th August 05, 10:52 AM

I'm ordering a Macabi skirt for myself- I do a fair amount of walking and traveling. It's made of Supplex, when I get it, I'll let you know how the fabric is- it's suppsed to be really good.

**Riverkilt** · 2nd September 05, 01:40 PM

Hey Roy, I'm with Andrew. I hike a lot in my SportKilts...they're light weight and readily available... The new construction options offer a more kilt-like look than the ones I paid for. I was impressed...

Ron