"Heavyweight"

[Blu (Ontario)]

When I bought my first kilt 5 years ago, 16oz cloth was the standard weight for kilts and was labelled "heavyweight". A kilt made from 13oz cloth, (medium weight) I was advised, was too light for year round wear and did not have good swing characteristics like the 16oz. As for 11oz or 12oz cloth (lightweight)... I was told that this was pretty much for ladies kilted skirts and fly plaids. I was not even aware at that time that there was such a thing as 22oz military weight kilts.

What is now regarded as "heavyweight" seems to be getting lighter. When I see comments posted about an 11oz or 12oz kilt being "heavy" I have to scratch my head and wonder what it is being compared to. I know there are some unbelievably inexpensive and lightweight kilts for sale out there... some of them being marketed as heavyweight. They are not.

As the price of worsted wool kilt cloth heads for the moon, weight standards seem to be getting blurred and those who have never worn a 16oz kilt or heavier just don't know the difference. A 16oz kilt is now close to 50% more expensive than when I bought mine. Quite out of reach for many people and certainly reason enough to keep it reserved for special occasions only.

My 16oz kilt, and my favorite, hangs like champion and I never had a problem in even very strong winds. I must also admit that my 13oz kilts do an admirable job as well of maintaining my modesty... but I certainly would not take the chance of wearing a kilt lighter than that in "true Scot" fashion.

I'm unsure what the future holds regarding this issue but I can only speculate that traditional wool kilt weights are going to continue getting lighter as worsted wool prices climb and lower cost kilts become more commonplace. Good news, I suspect for the makers of modern and utility style kilts.


blu

[RockyR]

I agree with your (and MANY others) weight characteristics...

16 to 18 oz = Heavyweight
13 to 14 oz = Mediumweight
10.5 to 12 oz = Lightweight

Also, I agree that $500 + is a HUGE "barrier to entry" into wearing kilts. That's why there are companies like FK, USAK, BK, etc out there... to "fill in the gaps" with a high quality product.

For the record... if PV was available in anything HEAVIER than 11 oz, I'd be ALL OVER IT.

[Blu (Ontario)]

... For the record... if PV was available in anything HEAVIER than 11 oz, I'd be ALL OVER IT.

And I'd be first in line, after Hamish of course, to buy a kilt from it! I wonder if the fabric mills are aware of the potential market considering the number of kilts sold world wide?

[Riverkilt]

Ahhh Blu,

That 16 oz. jones. My first hand sewn traditional was only 11oz due to fabric availability. Figured it would work in the Arizona heat - and it does. I didn't "get it" until my first, and only, 16 oz Strome arrived. Now I see the incredible difference.

Still waiting on my X Marks kilt...think we did that in 14 oz (?) so now will have a range of weights in hand sewn traditional kilts.

Can tell you for sure that future hand sewn purchases will be in 16 oz for sure...

Price?? Too late...I'm hooked...

Maybe I can snap all my UKs together into some sort of a tent to live in out in the high desert....

Ron

[Prester John]

Am I wrong, or are there some kilts on ebay claiming to be made from 16oz poly viscose?

[Blu (Ontario)]

Ahhh Blu,
That 16 oz. jones.... Can tell you for sure that future hand sewn purchases will be in 16 oz for sure... Price?? Too late...I'm hooked... Ron

Ron... the deal with 16oz kilts is... if ya wants to play, yagotta pay. If you want it badly enough you find a way to do it.

Don't worry about the performance of the 14oz... I have two 13oz kilts and while not quite the equal of the 16oz kilts they are still excellent + the fabric is a little less prickly. I think you're gonna fall in love all over again when you get it! :grin:

blu

[Blu (Ontario)]

Am I wrong, or are there some kilts on ebay claiming to be made from 16oz poly viscose?

I suppose thats possible... although it doesn't seem to be available to the Xmarks group of kiltmakers. A special run perhaps??

blu

[bubba]

I suppose thats possible... although it doesn't seem to be available to the Xmarks group of kiltmakers. A special run perhaps??

blu

More likely misinformation from the seller.

[auld argonian]

I agree with your (and MANY others) weight characteristics...

16 to 18 oz = Heavyweight
13 to 14 oz = Mediumweight
10.5 to 12 oz = Lightweight

Also, I agree that $500 + is a HUGE "barrier to entry" into wearing kilts. That's why there are companies like FK, USAK, BK, etc out there... to "fill in the gaps" with a high quality product.

For the record... if PV was available in anything HEAVIER than 11 oz, I'd be ALL OVER IT.

Yeah...and respectfully, I don't get the tone that some posters seem to be conveying that "you just gotta get that tank or you're just piddling around with the kilt thing". I guess that $500 is about the average that a gen-u-ine kilt costs but an awful lot of us don't start out willing to drop that kind of disposable income on a kilt no matter what kind of life-changing experience it's going to provide. I'm certainly trying to work my way up the ladder and will hopefully acquire a few more from various of the kiltmakers that contribute to the group as well as trying my own hand at putting one together. A tank is a ways off but I can see how the fabric weight would essentially define the quality but thank god for the kiltmakers who are providing more modestly priced product.

best

AA

[flyv65]

Yeah...and respectfully, I don't get the tone that some posters seem to be conveying that "you just gotta get that tank or you're just piddling around with the kilt thing".

Now, now, now-I don't think that most of us who rave about the 16 oz kilts *have* that "piddling" attitude...but I do think that there is a more than noticeable difference between the heavyweight stuff and other materials. I'll get to see the difference between the 13 oz and 16 oz stuff this winter: I've got a second 16 oz tank due November/December, and a midweight due in January.

Bryan...don't know if I can wait...