Winter kilt

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

OK what I'm going to say is from experience, for me anyway I need something that will keep me warmer than a SWK would provide. Of course a Canadian winter might bea wee bit colder than yours in Maine, but I would think that if there are differences they would be minimal. I wear a 22oz Gordon Highlander Kilt from What Price Glory, and have found it to be perfect for winter wear.

It looks like we have the same taste in winter kilt. I just bought one too. The Heavyweight SWK is 100% wool btw.

[Tiny]

It looks like we have the same taste in winter kilt. I just bought one too. The Heavyweight SWK is 100% wool btw.

is it 13oz or 16oz?

[McMurdo]

is it 13oz or 16oz?

It's 22oz

[Tiny]

It's 22oz

lol sorry I was reffering to the swk heavyweight. he said it was 100% wool I was just wondering if anyone knew the weight.

[Tartan Hiker]

For me a big issue would be the smell...if you hang around smokers your kilt will smell like, well, an old ashtray. I'm very fortunate to live in a town that bans smoking in all public places, including restaurants and pubs, but when we go elsewhere I quickly remember what it was like back in the day.
A synthetic kilt is washable. I think that would be a much bigger plus than the possible "flame on!" that could occur. I'm really conflicted here as I am essentially done with acrylic kilts, but if you are really going to be in a smoky environment and don't want to smell that way in perpetuity, a washable kilt may be the way to go.

[Tartan Hiker]

And if you are concerned about staying warm, you may want to check out this thread:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/e...hlight=effects

[Livingston]

I've worn my Stillwater heavyweight in downtown Denver at -2F, at night, with the wind blowing and my jacket OPEN! I was too hot with the heavy sweater and kilt hose.

[Tiny]

For me a big issue would be the smell...if you hang around smokers your kilt will smell like, well, an old ashtray. I'm very fortunate to live in a town that bans smoking in all public places, including restaurants and pubs, but when we go elsewhere I quickly remember what it was like back in the day.
A synthetic kilt is washable. I think that would be a much bigger plus than the possible "flame on!" that could occur. I'm really conflicted here as I am essentially done with acrylic kilts, but if you are really going to be in a smoky environment and don't want to smell that way in perpetuity, a washable kilt may be the way to go.

Smelling like smoke isn't really an issue. Everything is always washable some just easier then others. Cleaning the kilt wouldn't be my main concern but a kilt that could potentially be a danger around smokers would always out weigh the risk of it smelling like a smokers kilt. Even when I was a heavy smoker people couldn't usually smell it on me unless I just took the last drag. Theres a lot to be said for simply washing your hands after a smoke.

Someone standing outside the pub chatting with a few smoker friends wont have a real risk of their kilt smelling like an old ash tray. The real concern, I would think, would be if they have a kilt that lights off like a oil soaked rag.

[McNulty]

First I'd go with the WPG 22ozer. I got a MacKenzie two years ago and it works great with the proper layering underneath (I wear either polypro or Smartwool boxers) and you'll stay very toasty. Second I would opt for a SWK Heavyweight. The SWK gives you more seasons/times to wear your new kilt whereas the WPG has temperature limitations. But go for the WPG and you'll not be disappointed. I call mine "The Beast" and it works great during the dry cold winters up here on the Western Slope of the Rockies. I can wear "The Beast" from 60'sF to sub zero F. But like I said, proper layering, including proper footwear and sock/hose combos is very important. Either way you'll end up with a fine kilt.

Me and "The Beast" after shovelling the drive.

Nulty

[wildrover]

Tiny - I think this X Marks thread will tell you everything:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/page/material_chart.php

Regards

Chas

Yo Chas...could we get 100% wool added to that table?

BTW guys...plastic of any kind will at least "bead" if a spark hits it. A small area will melt, may burn through a layer, may simply harden under the contact area, or light and spread. Cotton, depending on the weave and how fuzzy it is, may smolder, light and spread, and may leave a hole depending on how large/hot the spark was. In general, natural fibers and flame-retardant synthetic fibers will be more resistant to fire, and do not burn as slow as plastic-derived fibers (I don't see anyone wearing a fiberglass kilt any time soon, tho ). I never, ever wear synthetic clothing when I weld...only cotton, with a leather outer layer, for exactly the burn/stick/fuse-to-flesh risk. Plastics are also at risk of melting or hardening when exposed to high heat, including paint strippers (aka heat guns, and some overly hot hair dryers), campfires, stoves, ovens, candles, fabrication sparks and slag, hot drill bits, and a horde of other hot items. If you plan to wear your kilt around anything particularly hot (like a campfire), maybe you're better off with a natural fiber.

Wool also remains insulating when wet, and will become relatively wind-proof as well. Cotton is a nightmare. Some synthetics are fine in the cold & when wet, others aren't. I have base layers in both, and all my "technical" outerwear is synthetic of one sort or another...just choose what's appropriate, and take appropriate care of it.

-Sean