kilt hose for hot days

[sockknitter]

I have read several threads that say while in the heat and humidity of the southeast - Virginia, Florida, NC, etc., one way to fight the heat is to push down the kilt hose. I'm not familiar w/ that look. And I read someone mention cotton socks? Cotton Kilt hose?

But I'm wondering why a wool/wool-blend in a lighter wt might not be a better choice? Wool has a better track record w/ moisture than cotton, and it has more elasticity that cotton. Once that cotton gets stretched AND damp, it just gets limp. But the wools do better. And wearing the sock liner would help w/ the wicking and any itchiness, yes?

I'm going to make some kilt hose for someone in Georgia. I don't know how much he wears his kilt in the hot weather vs. the cool. Should I be talking to him about two pr?

And while I like the look of the bulkier kilt hose, what's the general consensus on them? Are they well liked? or does it just come down to personal preference and your own climate?

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

[KFCarter]

First of all, welcome to the forum and hello from Savannah, GA.

Few parts of Georgia gets hotter or stickier than Savannah, but I've worn wool kilt hose fairly regularly during the summer. I'm fairly traditional and I'm not a fan of the scrunched down look, so I've worn the hose in the usual way and really haven't had a problem. As you said, wool does "wick" moisture far better than cotton and I find it to be a pretty magic material... warm in winter, cool in summer. Not everyone who lives in hot climes shares this view, so it does come down to personal tolerances. You might want to ask your friend how much he has worn his kilt in the summer and how well he tolerated it.

I thought I might find my strome 8 yd kilts too warm in the summer, but I have to say, aside from a little bit of extra warmth around the middle, I find them to be well within comfort tolerances at any time here, what with their "ventilation factor."

[thescot]

. . .But I'm wondering why a wool/wool-blend in a lighter wt might not be a better choice? Wool has a better track record w/ moisture than cotton, and it has more elacticity that cotton. Once that cotton gets stretched AND damp, it just gets limp. But the wools do better. And wearing the sock liner would help w/ the wicking and any itchiness, yes?

. . .

You are dead on. I own two pair of light weight wool hose I ordered from . . .well, I got 'em somewhere, and they are khaki police hose from the Bahamas or something like that. They are definitely cooler than the bulkier versions although not quite as attractive.

A good man-made material also works well. I have a pair of handknit in a heavy acryllic yarn that looks like wool, but there's no itch, and they are much cooler.

I, too, prefer the bulky look of good, heavy, wool hose. But in the Georgia heat, I wear lighter versions. Even the heavy ones are not as bad as you might think, but the lighter ones do work well.

Pushing down the hose is not an option for me. Any more then wearing my trousers--or kilt for that matter--below my big butt is an option.

[Galician]

Given your handle here, I hope that I don't offend by pointing out that many also go without any hose in hot, sticky weather. Bare legs and sandals, e.g., would be a look familiar to some Highlanders, I think.

[cavscout]

The best socks I wore in the military year round were the wool boot socks. My feet were going to be hot no matter what I wore, but the wool sock simply performed and held up better over the long run.

My favorite kilt hose are Gaelic Themes Piper Hose which are 70% wool and 30% nylon. They are great here in the foothills of GA. The Cotton hose I've worn from Hamilton Dry Goods are great options also considering they are $8 vs. the $30 - $50 for Pipers Hose. All the negatives to the cotton are true but they are able to be overcome with footy socks and garters to hold them up. For a casual, economical sock, cotton can serve fine but if the means are there, go for the wool hose.

[Zardoz]

For the Texas heat and humidity, my favorite lighter weight hose are from the W.Brewin company, they are inexpensive as well.

http://stores.channeladvisor.com/wbsocks/Kilt%20Hose/

[sockknitter]

It's all good information to consider.

I know I have been to highland games in the 90's and 100 degree heat in the Northwest. While I have felt the heat, those in their regalia seem unaffected. Or is that just the stoic Scot gene showing itself?

And, Galician? re: "Given your handle here, I hope that I don't offend by..." No offense taken. It's all good.

[HeathBar]

I've been to the games in the southeast when it was just downright HOT. The thing about wool hose is not so much the leg part, but the foot is where all the heat is. At least in my observations. I'm sure the type of shoe plays a role in that.