Cold weather redux

**Kiltedingeorgia** · 3rd January 16, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by freep

I'll check 'em out.

Meanwhile, try these, brilliant:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/cabel...tt=wader+socks

Matter of fact, I like them so well I ordered 4 more pair when I got this link.

There is a Cabellas store that opened up 2 miles from my house last yr. Need to go there and check these out. I have the real tall ones from Utilikilts. I have a 37 inch inseam on my legs, and they go all way up to almost "crotch" level. They stay up also. They seem to expand on the material when stretched out which does let some air though, so they may feel cold on some people.

**freep** · 3rd January 16, 08:42 PM

These don't do that expand and get cooler thing. They're designed to keep you warm while wearing waders in a stream composed of water that was snow about an hour before it got to you. They really are pretty terrific.

I will check out the the UT Kilts socks though.

**joek** · 4th January 16, 11:49 AM

Double boxers, wader socks . . . If you're going through all that you may want to look at www.runningwarehouse.com. They have running apparel including insulated running tights (mens and womens), some of which are rated to 0 degrees F. Quite candidly, if it gets that cold (5 F here tonight) I wouldn't be wearing a kilt, the swish of which would have a cooling effect.

**Thekiltedmohawk** · 4th January 16, 06:51 PM

I'm here to report my kilt survived the 4 degree night on last Thursday for the NYE. The one and only location that got cold was my knees which was fine with me. I considered it as if to ice my knee without using my hands to hold it on. Hassle-free!

**freep** · 5th January 16, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by joek

Double boxers, wader socks . . . If you're going through all that you may want to look at www.runningwarehouse.com. They have running apparel including insulated running tights (mens and womens), some of which are rated to 0 degrees F. Quite candidly, if it gets that cold (5 F here tonight) I wouldn't be wearing a kilt, the swish of which would have a cooling effect.

I've since found the double boxer briefs don't make that much difference. The wader socks do. Also what's worn up top does as well, <30* I wear a long sleeve t-shirt, flannel shirt and either a double insulated hoodie or heavy jacket. No worries down to about 20* haven't worn it below that I think.

**jthk** · 5th January 16, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by freep

I've since found the double boxer briefs don't make that much difference. The wader socks do. Also what's worn up top does as well, <30* I wear a long sleeve t-shirt, flannel shirt and either a double insulated hoodie or heavy jacket. No worries down to about 20* haven't worn it below that I think.

I've worn a "8-yard" wool kilt with over-the-knee boot socks made of merino wool with Carolina Linesman boots. Under Armour boxerjocks, 9 inches, under the kilt. On top, long-sleeved Ibex merino wool t-shirt, wool hoody, and jacket. I have successfully used this arrangement with moderate hiking in 18 F weather. Chilly but definitely tolerable.

Jonathan

**FinnKilt** · 14th January 16, 08:34 AM

I'd like to agree with the comments about knees not being a problem – mine are getting a bit creaky, due simply to the accumulating decades of use, but haven't really ever been a problem with the kilt. What does matter, I agree, is that a) the lower legs and b) the torso are properly warm. Actually my calves seem to be getting tougher and tougher, so down to +5 C (~40 F) I'm often wearing short socks or kneesocks scrumped down where a couple of years ago I'd've probably wanted warm kneesock pulled well up.

But to go back to the beginning of the thread: thighs. Yes, outdoors in cold temperatures – I'm thinking -10 to -20 C, in Finland, that would be approx plus 10 to minus ten F – it's the thighs that get really really cold. I've tried a hiking kilt under a woollen kilt (but I don't own a tank), plus boxers, and even that doesn't help all that much if there's a chill wind. So the idea of 3/4 compression tights sounds promising – have to see what I can find here in the UK.

**Mike in Dayton** · 14th January 16, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by Tartan Hiker

OK, so since there may be some newbies here that haven't seen this bit of research yet....

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...at-loss-44833/

Enjoy the winter in your kilts!

Here in Dayton we have a weekly lunch group called "Lunch With The Geeks". This is mostly a group of Ham Radio operators. One of the specialties of some of the members is measuring things. Mostly time and frequency. If you were in Dayton you would fit right in with our group.

Mike

GG · 15th January 16, 10:37 AM

It must be pretty cold before I think I need covering my knees.

28F/-2C, and feeling fine in my USA Casual

Slightly colder is OK, too:

23F/-5C and windy, wearing a casual kilt, 5 Yard heavy weight PV/acrylic, MacLeod of Harris tartan, Heritage of Scotland.com

Two days ago I walked for about three hours by 27F/-3C, wearing a black, 5 yard heavy weight casual PV/acrylic kilt, Heritage of Scotland.com

I do prefer kilt hose, but by temperatures lower than that I a few years ago surrendered, and will now often wear some protection, not just because of wind and temperature, but also because I’m tired of being asked if I’m not cold. People tend to regard bare knees weirder than tights or leggings, it seems.

Around 14F/-10C, leggings under the MacLeod of Harris above.

Running tights by H&M, worn under a black Utilikilt

Tights under my olive Amerikilt

Tights supplied by kilt hose under the olive Amerikilt. It might be the better solution, compared to just tights or leggings?

At this time of the year I will on most days wear boots.

**MacConnachie** · 15th January 16, 12:35 PM

A couple of tricks that I have learned through the years, standing in ranks with the pipe band on cooler days, which may help.

Layering up top definitely makes a difference. Thermal undershirt, overlaid with a flannel shirt or a wool sweater, with a decent coat over that

As for the knees, thighs and nether region, it depends a bit on the body type as well as the vagaries of weather.

Standing with one's knees close together, with a bit of the under-apron tucked between them in order to impede airflow both laterally and upward can really assist.

Silk boxers are a wonder, or silk under wool if it comes to that, and if you can find some that are long enough in the leg, you can alter them for freedom of leg movement, if need be.

However, if you are marching northward into a stiff breeze and it's around 15 deg. F. (just drummers, 'cause pipes wouldn't play under those conditions), you hope for a short parade, a wee dram, and a quick warmup inside ASAP.