The Kilt Hose Quandary

[Panache]

...here in southern England, I practically always wear boots and rolled/pushed down hose when walking/hiking - whether it be summer or winter - and I do not recall suffering cold legs.

Perhaps I need to walk more briskly or more often (to add a little more muscle to keep me warm)

Cheers

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

And take this the right way, but I would have to agree with you Jamie! You need a little more meat on your bones! Get out there and hike up a storm. Its good for your circulation and overall health, and also keeps those legs warm.

[Blu (Ontario)]

In the depths of winter, I tend to dispense with the fashion dictates of warmer weather and go with what makes sense. Going bare legged in the arctic temperatures of deep winter does not make sense... neither is it something to be trifled with. Temperatures in Ontario can be downright dangerous at times.... no "winter wonderland" I assure you.

Safety before fashion.

[Chef]

Well I must admit I think the idea of whether hose are worn up or down while hiking is a somewhat silly question. I realise that it is fashion...I also remember when we wore knee high tube socks for gym...but fashion is bloody silly if your legs are cold. When I was young we always wore our hose up (the fashion of the day I guess) unless we got to warm and then we pushed them down. So I am sure the fashion police faint away if you pull them up because your legs are cold.

[Robin]

And what about "ankle height" shoes?

I own a pair of brown ankle height brogues and my hiking boots are also not that bulky...lightweight ankle height Timberlands.


The Timberlands


The ankle height brogues


Timberlands in the mud with hose up

I personally think the brogues look perfect with hose up...in fact it will look really silly to wear them with hose down. And since my boots are sort of low profile I think they look ok also with hose up.

[LoftGuy]

Hi Robin,

I must agree with you, both brogues and boots look fine with hose pulled up. And, good choice wearing hose the same colour as the mud.

Bob

[Macman]

I'll wear hiking boots with hose up if it's cold. It's just more comfortable for me sometimes. I remember seeing old pictures somewhere of guys in "hiking kilted" attire, with hiking boots and socks rolled down, and with their hose and flashes as well (i.e. two pairs of socks) and I thought it looked fine and presented a balanced look.