Pittsburgh vs. Utilikilt

[cavscout]

Its designed for highland athletes to wear during the games, or for for people to wear while changing in public, etc.. Its not a bad kilt to have in your collection, especially if you get it for its intended use.

If I understand, the sport kilt is more cosmetic and to provide a bit of "concealment" but not a garment that will be trully "used" when worn (ie. carrying loads while working, squatting, kneeling...)

I also think there will be times when I just need the pockets and from what I've read the pocket on the sport is not large or functional enough to work like a pants pocket. Am I on the right track?

[Raphael]

So are you looking at the Boulder model from SPorts Kilt?

Here is my SPorts Kilt experience.

I got on in 96, and i have only worn it a couple of times. I wasn't really plased with it. It was very light weight and the slight of wind can blow it up.

AFter a few years of sitting in the closet, it was donated to the Charity.

It was not missed.

[arrogcow]

The snaps that pull out were only on the first edition of the Survival kilt, not on any other models, and that has been corrected in the second edition of the Survival as well.

As for the jones, if it is in stock UK will have it to your door in about a week. If it is not in stock, I have never waited more than 5 weeks, but others here have waited 8+. PK's are all made to order (but Jeff is not dealing with UK's volume) so take about 4 weeks (at least mine did).

If price is a factor why a Mocker and not a UK Neo-trad? They are much cheaper, and I have worn them to many places that I would wear "Business Casual" (ie. Church, the theater, art openings).

I'm not pushing anything, just trying to give accurate feedback.

Adam

[cavscout]

I looked at the boulder, but also considered the Special Selection Kahki or OD. I appreciate your review.

[Raphael]

I assume that you picked th mocker because you are not a cargo pockets kiind of guy?

Either way it is all good. But let me tell ya, those cargo pockets are huge!!

[arrogcow]

Completely unrelated, but I finally noticed your name and avitar. I too was Cav, and while I was Army, and you are obviously a Marine, the only thing I can say is, "If you ain't Cav, you ain't..."

Adam

(Which goes nicely with, "If it's not Scottish, its crap.")

[Hamish]

Ron's snap problem was rather untypical of most UK owners. Out of the many many UK owners, the problems have been very few and far between. It doesnt make you feel any better when YOURS has a problem, but it doesnt seem to be an issue overall.

I'll second that! Yaish, I have nine Utilikilts, having bought my first in 2000, and I have not experienced any problems at all with the snaps, stitching or anything else. (OK, so I'm touching wood as I write this!) In fact such is my faith in Utilikilts that I propose picking up one or two more in August when I come over to Vancouver and Seattle.

That being said, I would say DONT get the Sportkilt as your first kilt choice. I think you'll be horribly dissapointed in the experience. Its not that they make a bad product, because they dont. Its just that the sportkilt is really not designed to be an everyday wearing kilt. Its designed for highland athletes to wear during the games, or for for people to wear while changing in public, etc.. Its not a bad kilt to have in your collection, especially if you get it for its intended use. I dont think its a good first kilt though. Its a poor example compared to the PK, UK, or FK type of everyday kilts.

Oh, and I'll second that one as well! I requested samples of the SportsKilt fabrics a while back and I'm not even sure that I would even use them for floor/furniture polishing cloths! Personally, I would not spend good money on such rubbish! I can see their value perhaps when put on for garment changing at sporting events, but I could not envisage any participant in Highland Games in Scotland daring to wear one of those things - he'd be laughed out of the arena!!

[cavscout]

The neo-original is nice but as Raphael said I'm not sure about the cargo pockets. Do they effect the movement of the kilt when loaded or unloaded?

I spent 4 years active with the Marines and then went inactive reserve for 3 years then missed the action so much I reupped for my last year with the Army Guard. That was a great job, I wish I had spent my entire time in that billet.

[Raphael]

The neo-original is nice but as Raphael said I'm not sure about the cargo pockets. Do they effect the movement of the kilt when loaded or unloaded?

Not that I can tell but I don't usually carry lots of stuff. I usually use my right pocket for wallet and cell phone. sometimes, I would stuff a paperback novel in my left pocket. So Far, so good.

[Rigged]

For doing outdoor stuff, I'd have to recommend the Workman's style Utilikilts. The caramel is very stiff and will remain so for a very long time (unless you wash it with rocks and lots of fabric softener a few times to break down the fibres).

The other Workman's styles are more like denim, and soften nicely with wear and a few washings. They are also very rugged. You're not going to get the kind of sway (or "swish" as some call it) you'll get with a more formal styled kilt.

The Original Utilikilts move nicely and the pleats don't flare out as Workman's kilts tend to do, but they're not as rugged.

I own six Utilikilts and wear them almost every day. They hold up under a lot of abuse, including moving heavy furniture, 90mph desert storms, and getting bloodied in a vehicle accident (not a scratch on the kilt and the blood washed right out).

I had a snap come out on one of the kilts, but I was being a bit rough, yanking the snaps apart. I had some extra snaps and some felt and fixed it in about ten minutes.

I've got a Bear Kilt on order (any day now) and my next one will be a Pittsburgh Kilt. After that, I'm considering a Freedom Kilt. I also like the leather Union Kilt and I might get a Mocker and a Survival Kilt when they get the bugs worked out.

I guess my point is that for a first kilt, it's hard to go wrong with a Utilikilt. If you don't like it, you can always sell it on eBay and get most of your money back.

Whatever kilt you get, it probably won't be your last. You'll want them all!