To sporran, or not to sporran, that is the ??

[Raphael]

If you are wearing the kilt for hiking/dog training/skeet shooting. Leave the sporran at home. It is more pratical to wear a hip/waist pack or nothing at all.

But. I will wear a sporran when drinking with the guys.

[UmAnOnion]

Sporran. A traditional kilt (at least) is a tight fit and hugs the front, and the sporran is nice to have to cover the location of your private parts physically but also visually.

Made the switch from heavy canvas UK-styled kilts to a more trad style recently & felt very exposed by not having suitable coverage down there so a sporran is DEFINATELY in order!!!

[cessna152towser]

Definitely a sporran - for Modesty; for convenient pocket; and to put it beyond the doubt of the uneducated that you are wearing a kilt and not a certain article of clothing formerly worn regularly by women.

[davedove]

If you decide to go with a sporran you might consider something that is more flexible. Perhaps you can find a inexpensive one which doesn't get in the way with physical activity such as bending to pick something off the ground. I spent a little more to get a casual style which is softer and bends somewhat with my body. Easier on me and the material of the apron. Also, leather belts instead of the metal will help to save your kilt. (thanks Hamish)

The Buzz Kidder Country Sporran is real good for this. It's made of heavy, but very flexible leather. You can get them from USA Kilts or the Scottish Tartans Museum, and I'm sure from other places.

[GMan]

What everyone else said. A tartan Kilt just doesn't look right without the sporran while being out in public. Oh and make sure that is a leather belt, no chains.

[Bob C]

Sporran, definitely. You can find plenty of inexpensive, perfectly functional sporrans on eBay.

I don't like the soft sack-like sporrans, but some guys prefer them. They certainly look better than no sporran at all.

[Retro Red]

I second Aggie's recommendation of a more flexible sporran. Many sporrans have a stiff backside that can be uncomfortable or just plain in the way when engaged in more physical activities. Other things I wish I'd known when I first started wearing a sporran -

• as others have mentioned, replace the chain with a full leather sporran belt to reduce wear on your kilt
• don't let the sporran hang too far down, which looks sloppy (& I think just gets in the way when walking) - rule of thumb is 2 or 3 finger width between bottom of belt buckle & top of sporran
• run sporran belt through the kilt belt loops, on top of the kilt belt (prevents riding up)
• once your sporran is properly fastened & hanging just right, don't unfasten it via the buckle in back, it's easier to unclip it in front
• and you don't always need to unfasten the sporran when nature calls; often times just sliding it around to the left side of the hip is all that's needed

When you wear a casual kilt with external pockets (like UtiliKilts) a sporran is optional.

[Iolaus]

As long as you're getting a Nightstalker kilt, why not take a look at the Nightstalker sporran?

[MacSimoin]

I'd agree with the previous suggestion if you're looking for something inexpensive or something you really won't be bothered by if you're doing a lot of repetitive bending at the waist or knees (as your activities/hobbies suggest).

After watching that 5-second clip of the Nightstalker Sporran in action, I'd have to say it's the last place I'd keep a handgun: "Excuse me, Mr. Insert-Criminal-Element-Here, sir...just let me whip this out..." BAM!! "Uh-oh, there go the family jewels..."

[David Thornton]

Flair, welcome to the forum. I do not wish to disagree with the esteemed gentlemen of the board, but they apparently they did not read your question.

For skeet, I wear a vest, so the sporran is definantly not necessary. There are some very nice wool shooting vests if you are concerned about fashion. More imprrtantly, what are you shooting? I am currantly shooting a 1910 Charles Ingram.

For training I typically have a vest or belt with side pockets. Either is better than a sporran. English Setter and a chocolate lab right now, looking at a red setter, you?

Now you will need a drinking sporran, I mean a casual sporran for you other activities. My favorite for that is the freelander, except I would prefer more bone on mine. Maybe you can buy mine & I'll order another from David.

Good training.
David