11oz, 13oz, or 16oz?

[BoldHighlander]

My very fist kilt, years ago, was an 8 yard, 11oz. custom-made kilt.. I still have it and I love it.This kilt has served me well over the years and I have acquired other kilts of the same yardage and weight. I also have 6 13oz. 8 yard kilts and I love them too. My 11oz. kilts and 13oz. kilts are all comfortable during the year - though the 13oz. kilts can be a bit warm in the hot summer months. I don't own any 16oz. kilts because I assumed they would be too hot in the summer. Would this hold true? How comfortable are other folks in their 16oz. kilts during the warmer months?

Your in Seattle my friend, and I'm north of you in Bellingham. I know it can get warm here during July & August, but I've never had a problem with my old heavy weight Black Watch.

And I'm currently awaiting a 16oz Modern Mackay from our own Matt Newsome

Personally I prefer 16oz, but wouldn't wear anything less than 13oz.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I find the difference in temperature between light, medium, and heavy weight cloth to be slight. I find the greatest thing that makes a kilt outfit warm or cool is how I accessorize it.

I wear mostly four yard box pleated kilts, and live in NC. And I find a four yard kilt from 16 oz wool to be a great choice to wear year round, accessorizing appropriately for the season.

I have also had four yard kilts made from 13 oz wool, and did find those a bit light to wear in the colder winter months.

Regardless of whether one is getting an 8 yard kilt or a 4 yard kilt, or anything in between, my advice is always to go with the heaviest weight that is available within your budget, as it really makes a nicer looking, longer lasting kilt.

~M

[RockyR]

My $.02:

It all depends on your climate and your "body temperature regulation" and what you like.

I see you're in Seattle. Lots of rain and "cooler" weather year round (as opposed to Ron in Arizona). I would think that a 13 oz would suit you for "year round" wear and that 16's would be nice for year round wear or at least 3 seasons (MAY be too hot for summer).

Body Temp Regulation: What I mean is that some people tend to always be HOT or they sweat a lot. These are the people that sleep on top of the covers in winter. ;) If that' you, then the 16 oz would probably be too warm in mid-summer. Depending on you climate (like Arizona), it may even be too warm for some other seasons or any day above 70 degree F. THAT BEING SAID, if you're skinny like Matt Newsome, you may WANT the extra warmth of the heavier wool even in a warmer climate (like the Carolinas).

What you like... if you can borrow someone's 16 oz kilt to wear for an hour or two, try it! See if you like it.

FOR ME PERSONALLY: I LOVE 16 oz (8 yard) kilts, but tend to wear them much more in the winter as I DO tend to be hot all the time and I live in PA... we have warm summers and cold winters. I wear my 13 oz kilts year round. I don't have any 11 oz wool kilts. My 11 oz PV kilts are great for spring / summer / fall and I sometimes wear them around the house in winter (why wear it out in winter when I have a 16 oz wool?).

Now if you want to get into 5 yard kilts, I would say 16 oz fabric HANDS DOWN, but I DO have some 13 oz 5 yarders that are nice as well...