Sport kilt

[saecoman99]

I was wondering about the quality of the sport kilt original compared to
the USA casual and the stillwaters looking to order one and wondered
on how they compare to fit and quality t the others. Thanks mark

[beloitpiper]

Rocky at USA makes wonderful kilts, and Jerry at Stillwater provides a wonderful product. My personal opinion of Sport Kilts is sorta low. They use velcro and elastic and are extremely lightweight. I'm sure others will chime in with their experiences.

[Alan H]

Sport kilts are great on a hot day. From the front they look very much like a more traditional kilt, if you get a more traditional tartan fabric with a larger sett. From the back they don't look like a traditional kilt, so much. This is due to the elastic waistband and the 5-6 very shallow pleats, as opposed to 15-18 pleats on a comparably-priced Casual model from USA Kilts.

The Sport Kilt line is quite popular with Highland Athletes out here in Nor Cal, as it's often hot on the field out here in the summer.

What would I buy? I'd buy a USA Kilts Casual before a Sport Kilt any day, but then Sport Kilt offers a few tartans that you can't get any other way but through them or by buying a $400 tank. Note that Sport Kilt has been amenable to selling the fabric, so I you were up for sewing your own, for the price of a SportKilt you could bang out something that is properly pleated.

Also, their contemporary kilt...the Boulder Kilt" is really pretty nice, IMHO.

[Mr. MacDougall]

It depends on what you want it for. If you live in a hot place like, say, Southern Arizona in the summertime, I'd go with the SportKilt. If you intend to compete in the Highland Games, and want a kilt for gettin' into it, I'd go with the Sport Kilt.

If you're looking for a kilt to get to know what kilting's about, I'd go with USAK or SWK. If you're looking for a kilt that's going to look good with a jacket, I'd go with USAK or SWK.

The SportKilt is made of lighter fabric, and they don't pay as much attention to their pleating as either of the others, and the cost is about the same.

[fluter]

SK, SWK, and USAK are three different products. Each has its place!

I just noticed that Sport Kilt has changed the description of their fabric: "machine washable (no-itch) polyester viscose blend fabric." Since I've been reading their site, they've never said "polyester viscose" or "polyviscose" before, always "polyblend" or a similar term.

The 3 products are differentiated by their fabric and tailoring.

After noting SK's new description, I'll say that my two Sport Kilts feel like a soft cotton/polyester blend. It's very light and comfortable to wear. They are tailored as Alan has described, standard length and small/medium/large sizing. I wear them primarily around the house and yard, but I've dressed them up and worn them out, too. As noted, they have some tartan choices unavailable elsewhere in inexpensive kilts---thus one of my first kilts was an SK in MacGregor.

SWK (thrifty and standard models) are made from an acrylic fabric. It has a nice, soft feel, somewhat wool-like without the finish of a worsted wool. The tailoring is "off the rack" with a standard length of 24 inches, and an unstated standard waist-to-hip ratio. The SWK standard dresses up nicely, and should last a while with appropriate care. I have an economy that's pilling just a bit, but it's been worn a LOT, machine washed, and inexpertly pressed.

USAK uses the excellent Marton Mills poly-viscose tartan fabric. They are made to measure, so there should be no compromise on fit. My "good, dressy kilt" is a USAK semi-traditional. I have two more on order, which should tell you how I like it! Get the semi-trad to wear at "kilt waist" or the casual to wear at low-rise (shorter fell). Look at the video clips of Hamish and Riverkilt with the semi-trad and casual models. While Riverkilt modeled the casual, he now also raves about his USAK semi-trads.

[Alan H]

I've seen several USA Kilts semi-traditional in Polyester-viscose (Panache and monkey@arms) and I would buy one without hesitation. Then again, they ARE $220-$260. The casual model USA Kilts is a lot less expensive, but because my tastes have turned to the somewhat more traitional since I started this kilt thing, the USA Casual is now my "workout and backpacking" kilt.

When I talked to sportkilt last, they wanted $30 a yard for their fabric. Whether they will make a habit of selling fabric, I don't know.

[dpseadvr]

I love my SK's in hot and humid FL they are great you can get them with out the elastic in the back I think just the "works" has it. I also have a USA casual and think it is made better looks better but it is a little warmer. I can't wear my SWK it dosen't fit in the hips.
Over all I say go with USA or SK depending on what you are going to do in it. If you are close enough to USA drive over and check them out that might be the thing to do.

[RockyR]

We're about a 2 hour drive from York.

I can't find it now, but Ron (Riverkilt) did a comparison thread between our Casual and the SK. Not sure where it is, but I know it's out there... Not sure if there's ever been a SWK / SK comparison thread or a SWK / USAK compsrison thread.

[James MacMillan]

Wow small world! My wife is from York. She was born on West King street, and still has cousins in the area.

Say hi to the Harley plant for me!

[Nighthawk]

I love my SK's in hot and humid FL they are great you can get them with out the elastic in the back I think just the "works" has it. I also have a USA casual and think it is made better looks better but it is a little warmer. I can't wear my SWK it dosen't fit in the hips.
Over all I say go with USA or SK depending on what you are going to do in it. If you are close enough to USA drive over and check them out that might be the thing to do.

I have the exact same problem with my Stillwater Kilts kilts. My hips/legs are very large and muscled. I have to have the hip strap brought in by about an inch. So with that being said, I have three SWKs and I love them other than the aforementioned problem. The acrylic ones are nice and cool, and the wool one is heavy and warm enough for me.