Hiking/Casual Kilt?

[KiltRevival]

I have until now been hiking in a sportkilt which has been great, but I am looking at buying another kilt, something that its more traditional in design, in PV not wool and which will be great for hiking and casual wear. Can anyone recommend a good company? I have been looking at USAkilts and Scotsweb’s casual kilt in PV. They are priced the same but I am not sure what would be better quality. Even though I will be wearing this for hiking and casual wear, I want it to be good quality and looking as close to a 5 yard wool as possible. I would really appreciate some reviews and suggestions. Thanks

[Mael Coluim]

I have three semi-trads from USA Kilts which I am very satisfied with. I'm planning to get another this spring. I also have three casuals from USA Kilts that I am happy with.

[Riverkilt]

I have 27 USA Kilts, semi-trad & casual PV and 5 yard wool.

You can hike in ANY kilt of ANY material from ANY REPUTABLE vendor...

My favorite hiking kilt is the Utilikilt Survival because I can carry a lot of "stuff" low in the pockets.

But I've hiked in EVERY kilt I've owned (74 so far) and never had a problem with any of them from Pittsburgh Kilts, AmeriKilts, SportKilts, Freedom Kilts, Utilikilts, Celtic Croft, USA Kilts, RKilts, or hand sewn tanks by Kathy Lare.

My suggestions remain - do business directly with kiltmakers - not middlemen. And remember you can have any two of price, service, and quality.

Pick a kilt you like - then hike in it.

[mookien]

If by "Scotsweb", you mean Scotweb, then I have done business with both companies and received excellent products, service, and communication from both. I don't think you can go wrong with either company on those counts.

A cursory glance at their web pages shows Scotweb's price for a Casual PV as $180, but they don't appear to charge a premium for larger hip sizes. USA Kilts will run from about $100 up to about $150 (unless you have 48" or larger hips), if you throw in everything but the kitchen sink (flashes, rush order fee, etc.)

I own a USA Casual PV and love it. It is easy to wear, and to care for, and looks great. I do not own one from Scotweb, but don't take that as a non-recommendation.

My bottom-line advice is to buy one from the company that is on the same side of the Atlantic Ocean as you are, in order to avoid charges associated with trans-oceanic business, eg duties, currency conversion charges, higher shipping fees, etc.

Good luck on your decision and purchase, and please show us how you look in your new kilt.

[LitTrog]

I posted this review of my USAK casual a few months ago. It is quite biased, as I have no previous experience with scotweb, but I hope it helps a little.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...my-kilt-70068/

[McNulty]

I've gotten a couple of kilts from the ScotlandkiltCompany and have been very happy with them (both kilts and vendor). They are PV and are great for hiking. I live in Colorado and have taken them out on the trail quite a few times. I'm very hard on my hiking kilts because of the terrain here on the Western Slope. Their prices are very good also. Still can't beat a good wool kilt for hiking if you don't mind getting them messed up and dusty.
McNulty

[Alan H]

USA Kilts casual.... my pick for #1 "beater"..."athletic"... "hiking" kilt if you don't want to make one yourself.

And if I WAS going to make one myself, I'd make it pretty much exactly how Rocky does, except that I'd do the waistband differently. But that's just me. The Casual rocks.

[Tobus]

I've owned a USA Casual kilt, and it would be fine for hiking. The perma-pleats make it truly a no-muss, no-fuss affair. IMHO, this would be a decent step up from your Sportkilt.

But to be be honest, I won't ever own another PV kilt. The material is just too lightweight and thin for my tastes. It doesn't feel like "real" kilt material to me, and I prefer to stick with wool for tartan kilts. A 4-yard box-pleat in 16-ounce wool makes a fine hiking kilt, even in the hot Texas summers.

Now if Marton Mills would start making their PV tartan in a 16-ounce (comparable) weight, I might reconsider. But the 11-ounce fabric that their current PV material consists of, is just too light and flimsy for my tastes.

You could consider an el-cheapo acrylic kilt, too. These are usually a heavier material, made in a more traditional manner. They will last a long time for rough usage like hiking, but be very careful wearing them around any campfires, as they are highly flammable.

[Tartan Hiker]

This is the affliction we refer to as "Ranger Legs." Kilted hiking is great, and I wear a kilt almost every day during the summer when directing my hiking/trail maintenance/SAR program. Realize that of course you sometimes have to go off-trail. This may be the result:



This is why I almost never wear tartan kilts on the trail. Mil-spec polycotton will withstand the kind of abuse to which I regularly expose my kilts (and my legs!). In the winter, however, when temps are below 40F I pull out my old wool band kilt in weathered Robertson. Wife hates the color, but it is warm and durable.

[Jaeson]

I wear my Utilikilt Workmans & thier 3/4 length wool socks and a pair
of M-1938 Canvas Gaiters.