Lightweight and cool kilt for backpacking

**Shay** · 6th September 05, 03:11 PM

I got the supplex skirt, and at least at this weight, it's way too light for a man's kilt. The whole thing, down to my ankles, is about 10 oz*- great for me, (and they do make a men's macabi if you care) but if it were shorter I'd be pulling a very rugged and outdoorsy Marilyn Monroe at random gusts of wind.

Still, if you could find the fabric in a heavier weight, (or think the pleats would hold it down) it dires nicely as advertised, since my son spilled juice on me and I had to spot wash it- cleans up nice too.

*Yes, I managed to fold into the pocket as advertised and weighed it on our food scale.

**James** · 6th September 05, 08:54 PM

A major question must be the prevailing weather-here in the UK much of my walking seemed to happen when it was raining-just stopped or just about to start.

For this I found a regular kilt [not sure of the actual weight-16-18oz] ideal: the rain tended not to get through-even when for days on end: and wool when wet is much warmer than cotton. I tried walking breeches-much less comfortable and really needed waterproof overtrousers-so rain outside condensation in.

Also if walking for several days in rain-breeches could chafe horribly.

Too when walking in braxcken/heather, even on dry days the legs could get wet from dew-residual water-and it is easy to change socks.

The windchill/wicking effect made cotton/jean type garments an absolute no: a real killer on the hill.

However if the prevailing weather had been hot and sunny-then maybe a light cotton kilt would have been the answer.

I suppose the only real answer would be a chain of porters carring a range of kilts to suit the weather of the moment. However there is no real answer-for so much depends on the moment-for the weather changes so much in the hills: and I cannot comment upon the USA-but for here in the UK the kilt is certainly the best all round option.

James

**Alan H** · 17th September 05, 03:11 PM

Just checking back in with this thread.... Right, Andrew, the canvas I have is cotton and you are spot-on. On a nice day, no problem. But if it should rain, that kilt is going to feel like ice in short order, and it's also going to triple in weight..

Good thinking. Hmmm. PV is sounding better. Even a wood/poly blend is sounding better.

**Magnus Sporrano** · 6th April 06, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by Shay

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.

(Resurrecting an old thread)

I just ordered mine a few minutes ago, now that I see they have Big Man sizes (i.e. 3XL) This is going to be primarily for hiking/backpacking. I'd love to wear a kilt but my polyviscose kilts give way too easily in the wind and I don't want to moon folks hiking behind me.

Shay, now that you've had your Macabi awhile, what are your impressions?

I picked the "Stone" color because they are significantly discounted right now.

**Riverkilt** · 6th April 06, 01:52 PM

I have two Macabi river skirts (my term). Nice folks make them up in Salt Lake City. Wear mine for knocking around.

Pics in my gallery if it helps.

Ron

**MacHummel** · 6th April 06, 02:24 PM

Just to put my two cents in PV is great for hiking for all the reason everyone else spoke of it does dry faster and takes a good beating. I prefer to wear 8yrd kilts but I have worn my 6yrd denim kilt hiking. Right now my favorite kilt is my 8yrd army green kilt there is a pic of it on my website on the front page, seems to take the abuse and keep on going, it all depends, on what your expectations for hiking in a kilt are durability , comfort, style, or just plain function, for me if its hot I would try a 5yrd PV kilt, and from there maybe move up to an 8yrd.

**Magnus Sporrano** · 6th April 06, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

I have two Macabi river skirts (my term). Nice folks make them up in Salt Lake City. Wear mine for knocking around.

Yeah Ron I noticed you on their web site. I figured you might chime in.

You looked like you were having a good time out there enjoying nature in your macabi.

**Riverkilt** · 8th April 06, 11:06 PM

Know you asked about a lightweight kilt Roy....SportKilts do look more kilt-like with the sewn down seams now....

For foul weather, think someone on another thread mentioned that they wore a SportKilt UNDER their main kilt - though don't recall what the outer kilt was. That seemed like a great foul weather idea for warmth, wicking, and staying dry.

Don't know if the Macabi skirt would work for long hikes...it is a skirt...and long, unless you rig it up with some of the snaps or straps...has an East Asian look to me when its done up like that. I don't use that strap thing, take it off.
Ron

**Shay** · 17th April 06, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by Magnus Sporrano

Shay, now that you've had your Macabi awhile, what are your impressions?

Well, I bought two more, so pretty darn favorable. They pack up well, dry off quickly, and wash really nicely- I wear them in the garden all the time.

I also have a flannel skirt I wear under them in the winter- they really cut the wind and the flannel keeps me insulated. I have stone, and olive green, and sand. Whenever I wear them I get compliments, too. And the pockets are huge- the zippered one is great for my cell phone since I rarely if ever carry a purse. I can keep almost a whole skein of yarn in the big pocket and use it like a crochet bag!

My only slight problem with them is that I seem to show more people how they snap up onto 'pants' than I ever actually do it for practicality's purposes, but that's more a function of not hiking as much as I used to than anything else.

Are you liking yours?

**Magnus Sporrano** · 17th April 06, 01:36 PM

For knocking around the house, I like it just fine.

I tried actually going out somewhere in it and turned around before I got to my car to go back inside and change. Reason: it kept falling down on me. The belt loops are pretty much non-functional for men, especially for shrek-sized men such as myself that need a full 1.5" wide belt.

I talked to Carol @ Macabi and she is VERY receptive to feedback about the men's model, and appears to be considering making some changes to differentiate the men's model from the women's model (right now there is no difference). The belt loop issue was the only one I was interested in changing. She asked a lot of questions about the length, asking if I wanted something more kilt-like in length, and I told her that actually I specifically bought this because of the length as it is easier to maintain my modesty during outdoor activities.

So I do look forward to using it but regret that the pockets are useless for me as it is currently constructed. My wife is quite the seamstress herself so I will probably get her to take mine with her to the fabric store to find something that matches in color and make me up some proper belt loops for it. I think that if I could wear something like a military-style web belt with it, I would be set for backpacking because then I could use standard load bearing gear to distribute some of the load out of the backpack and onto my chest, a butt pack, etc.

I very much like how light and breathable it is. Very comfortable when it is hot out since I get good ventilation & breathing with it, even though it is full length for modesty & protection from the brush.

When it starts getting cooler out I may actually try a Great Kilt hoping that the weight of the wool will help with modesty issues, and then wear the wool kilt hose with it plus some gaiters to protect my lower legs.