Utilikilt materials

**Minnow** · 7th July 08, 06:00 AM

Anyone here have both a standard and a survival utilikilt? I'm wondering if the kilts are both made from the same material. I looked at the website, but the survival kilt's material isn't listed like it is for some of the other kilts.

-Minnow

**EBlackall** · 7th July 08, 07:45 AM

The Survival has much more material, hence a bit warmer in the summer, but the pockets more than make up for the warmth.

The tan and black survival material is a bit softer than the standards I have. It's says 100% cotton on the label.

The standard is a 65/35 poly/cotton blend and a bit stiffer.

Hope this helps.

**Minnow** · 7th July 08, 08:14 AM

That's exactly the type of stuff I want to know. Thank you. I'm trying to determine if the survival kilt is worth the extra money or not.

-Minnow

**FreeDon!** · 7th July 08, 08:21 AM

The Survival's material is a bit thicker, too. I like them both, but the original just feels lighter to me. The survival feels more heavy-duty (not as much as the workman's, though). The survival does have more material and is less resistant to wind.

**Monkey@Arms** · 7th July 08, 09:46 AM

I don't own a survival, but I have sold them. If you have the cash to spare a survival is a more versatile kilt than the original. You can dress it up by removing the cargo pockets, and all those pockets are a great thing to have. Also IMHO the 100% cotton looks better than the cotton/poly blend of the originals.

Best regards,

Jake

**H.M. Murdock** · 7th July 08, 06:10 PM

From what I gathered in ordering my survival last week, the survival is made of a lighter duck cloth than the workman in order to give the wearer the durability of the workman (or near that) with the comfort of a slightly lighter material. It's dense, tough, and durable. Not as much as canvas, which it is made to resemble (I suppose?), but it's worth the lower quality to have the lightness and breathability, which canvas just doesn't have.

If you're into rough activities, go with the survival. Otherwise, just get a denim or basic.

**FreeDon!** · 8th July 08, 09:26 AM

I don't know - it doesn't feel/look like duck fabric to me (I'm no expert on fabric, though). It's much softer, smoother, and the weave looks different to me. It is tougher and heavier (i.e. more "substantial) than the fabric of the UK original, though.

**Riverkilt** · 8th July 08, 12:48 PM

I've owned a bunch of both models. Utilikilt Original is the polycotton and much lighter weight than the Survival II. The UK Survival II has a bit of a soft twill feel to it, its heavier fabric than the Original but not as stiff as the duck of the Workman's

To answer your question YES the Survival II is worth the extra money in many ways.

The modesty toggles work well - I've tested them under helicopter rotar wash - the snap off pockets are great both for air travel and for "converting" the Survival II to a Mocker look for dressier/preppier wear.

In the field the Survival II is like having a military uniform intended for the field. A fine hiking kilt. I wore my basil Survival II to hike down to Havasu Falls. I wore my black Survival II to hike down Cathedral Wash into Marble Canyon. A lot of that hike was sliding down slick rock.

The value is there for the Survival II if you're gonna wear in in the field like fatigues. The Original will work in the field but its more likely to get worn/torn. Original is great for office dress. Have worn the Original on raft trips but they mostly involved sitting.

Survival II if you can afford it. The value and utility is there. You'll thank me.

Ron

**FreeDon!** · 8th July 08, 01:15 PM

I agree with Riverkilt - the Survival is great for hiking. You can carry LOTS of stuff in the numerous pockets, the material is tough enough for miscellaneous scrapes, and the fabric is heavy enough that wind is not usually a problem. The softness of the fabric is nice for hiking as well - the workman's model is a bit rough. I did have to use the modesty toggles once on top of a lowish peak in Estes Park - lots of updraft wind, but the toggle system worked perfectly.

Don

**Minnow** · 9th July 08, 02:53 AM

Thanks again for all the replies. It's hard to make a decision when you can't go to a store and look at something, let alone try it on.

Basically, I have a side job playing drums for a swing band. Which involves alot of travelling. I wanted something I could just throw on after gigs. Wearing a suit when you're all tired and sweaty isn't fun. I need something conveinent, so that when I'm on the road for a week at a time I can pretty much throw it on and not worry about it.

-Minnow