View Full Version : What do you think of utilikilts?
Zabigail
08-11-2008, 10:15
Question, what do you think of Utilikilts (http://www.utilikilts.com/)? I've read about them elsewhere, and I know there are some devoted wearers of them. Do they also suit your purposes, or not?
Zabigail
08-11-2008, 10:23
casdave's post (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=40048)inspired my question. I didn't realize I was going offtopic there, it seemed touched the subject well enough to me. My apologies.
Zabigail
08-11-2008, 10:26
That would be cavscout, not casdave. :o
I guess the question in the commercial answers mine about women liking guys in a kilt. "What's under your kilt?"
drastic_quench
08-11-2008, 10:33
They seem massively overpriced. There's nothing too terribly complex about a kilt. You'd be better off buying material and hiring a seamstress.
Alligator
08-11-2008, 10:38
casdave's post (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=40048)inspired my question. I didn't realize I was going offtopic there, it seemed touched the subject well enough to me. My apologies.It's OK. It was related but a different question, so I figured just start a second thread.
cavscout
08-11-2008, 10:45
UK's are very sturdy kilts though are a little on the heavy side for backpacking as well as being made of cotton. The Original and Mocker models are probably the most suitable as far as weight goes. What I don't like about them is that they are not adjustable. The Workman kilt is practically indestructible but the material can be a bit coarse and stiff. The Survival model is veeeeery heavy especially with the attached cargo pockets. The Spartan is very light and breathable but the material would get shredded on the trail.
A couple of the models come with Modesty Snaps that assist in preventing exposure due to wind or inclined positions.
LOL.. If you refresh the page a different mock-u-mercial comes up. Pretty funny stuff.
cavscout
08-11-2008, 10:52
While it is not hard to take a piece of cloth and wrap it around your body it is hard to wrap it around your body and make it look good. With a little planing making a kilt is not hard but there is a way to do it and have it turn out looking a lot better than one that's just bunched around your waist. Here's a link to a download-able file with some easy instructions for making a kilt....
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/x_kilt_sew_your_own-t20085/index.html?t=20085&highlight=x-kilt+instructions
I have one of "Original" model Utilikilts. I wear it occasionally, but have found the material unsuitable for extented backpacking trips. It's quite heavy material and if it gets wet will take an extended time to dry.
Here I am on a large group picnic. It actually took some people a long time to realize that I was wearing a kilt... go figure.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3171/2764175512_49b9782a70.jpg?v=0
cavscout
08-11-2008, 12:53
This is my survival kilt on Cozumel (East Shore)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/194/472702442_5b05f4bdbe_m.jpg
Jim Adams
08-12-2008, 01:56
A true kilt is not easy to make and requires alot of work. They have all of those pleats for a reason...unlimited movement and still have modest coverage.
I have 3 currently and like the sportkilt better than the other two (econokilt?)
geek
I am going to try to make a kilt of wool. Not a real kilt in the modern sense. Real wool, but a lighter and looser weave. I have a couple of wool blankets. One is really tight and heavy and will probably last forever. It's been great for picnics and hauling Margaret around in the sled when she was younger. The other blanket is softer and looser and considerably lighter in weight. It's got me thinking, that there is more to wool and kilt than just the standard 8oz per yard, 16 oz per yard, and all that. I think if you go way way back, way before kilts were re-invented in the 19th century, I think there was probably a lot more variation in how tight or loose or light or heavy a kilt could be, despite what people might say. I think the only way to really figure it out is to build something and try it out and see what works and what doesn't. I don't mind a little extra weight. The main thing is I want it to be warm enough at night to do without a sleeping bag, with a light shell over it, but not to warm to be impractical for hiking in. Done right it might not be the lightest by weight, but for 3 season I might be able to do without alot of fuss and volume associated with sleeping bags and backpacks and sleeping pads and so forth. As a total system, I think just a kilt and cape and just a simple bag of food and junk over one shoulder and the extra kilt and cape over the other might be worth a try. I don't think a kilt makes as much sense unless you do without most of the other stuff.
Jim Adams
08-12-2008, 09:19
I am going to try to make a kilt of wool. Not a real kilt in the modern sense. Real wool, but a lighter and looser weave. I have a couple of wool blankets. One is really tight and heavy and will probably last forever. It's been great for picnics and hauling Margaret around in the sled when she was younger. The other blanket is softer and looser and considerably lighter in weight. It's got me thinking, that there is more to wool and kilt than just the standard 8oz per yard, 16 oz per yard, and all that. I think if you go way way back, way before kilts were re-invented in the 19th century, I think there was probably a lot more variation in how tight or loose or light or heavy a kilt could be, despite what people might say. I think the only way to really figure it out is to build something and try it out and see what works and what doesn't. I don't mind a little extra weight. The main thing is I want it to be warm enough at night to do without a sleeping bag, with a light shell over it, but not to warm to be impractical for hiking in. Done right it might not be the lightest by weight, but for 3 season I might be able to do without alot of fuss and volume associated with sleeping bags and backpacks and sleeping pads and so forth. As a total system, I think just a kilt and cape and just a simple bag of food and junk over one shoulder and the extra kilt and cape over the other might be worth a try. I don't think a kilt makes as much sense unless you do without most of the other stuff.
The comfort alone is worth wearing one..
geek
I love the range of motion, appearance, utility (especially with pockets) and ventilation of my utilikilt. But I agree with Quoddy, it's too heavy for extended backpacking. A Sportkilt looks like it would be a better option.
cavscout
08-12-2008, 10:51
The main thing is I want it to be warm enough at night to do without a sleeping bag, with a light shell over it, but not to warm to be impractical for hiking in. Done right it might not be the lightest by weight, but for 3 season I might be able to do without alot of fuss and volume associated with sleeping bags and backpacks and sleeping pads and so forth. As a total system, I think just a kilt and cape and just a simple bag of food and junk over one shoulder and the extra kilt and cape over the other might be worth a try. I don't think a kilt makes as much sense unless you do without most of the other stuff.
Here's a great article
http://albanach.org/kilt.html
A kilt is going to provide a lot of insulation simply because there will be almost 3 complete layers of material around your body depending on how deep the pleats are. My PV kilt is very warm in the winter. As long as I keep my core warm with a t-shirt and Fleece, I'm very comfortable in the winter.
I don't know if you would want to wear a a single large piece of fabric (12' x 5') but you cold make a Phillabeg style kilt (http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/Kilts/phillabegs.html) that would be less bulky and allow you to adjust the length somewhat. Wear the kilt shorter and you would have more hanging over the top of a belt, longer and it might look like the one in the photos. The other half of the material that would normally be worn above the belt could be stored in the pack till needed.
There's no reason this kilt has to be any more than about 4 or 5 yards. This will keep it relatively light while giving you plenty of warmth in cooler weather and making it easier to put on.
Jack Tarlin
08-13-2008, 00:23
They're heavy, expensive, and a little too busy for backpacking. Plus, if they get wet, they'll weigh a ton and a half. Just got back from an Outdoor Industry trade show in Utah; lots of folks running around in these things there, all heavily bearded, creatively tattooed with bad fake tribal ink, etc. Very studly looking guys, nice look I guess, if you fancy passing yourself off as some sort of counter-culture carpenter.
But for long-distance backpacking?
Um, nope, don't think so.
Woman don’t like warring dresses or skirts any more (hard to find them any more, and I look) why would a guy want to put one on. There are more woman out there with pants on then a skirt on. If they see the practically of pants, why would a guy want to put on a skirt?
What does it do that a good set of pants doesn’t? Other then it’s a trend?
I find them heavy & stiff. Have only seen them on others or in hand, never actually wore one.
The pockets seem nice, & the UKs do have devoted followers.
Give Stillwater kilts a look too, they come in fabrics that are not cotton. I wear a "trifty kilt" from stillwater that is acrilic but feels like wool. When dry it weighs about 1.1 Lbs, when wet it weighs 1.2 Lbs.
That said: if you like the UK, get one, I for one will never hike in shorts again!!
cavscout
08-13-2008, 16:25
Woman don’t like warring dresses or skirts any more (hard to find them any more, and I look) why would a guy want to put one on. There are more woman out there with pants on then a skirt on. If they see the practically of pants, why would a guy want to put on a skirt?
I'm not too concerned with what women like to wear although I don't think any of them would say skirts are not comfortable to wear. They don't wear them more for many reasons but a couple that have been expressed in another thread are thigh chaffing and risk of exposure.
Pants for men are about as impractical as you could get. Pants restrict movement, constrict around thighs and genitals and require constant adjustment (ref: Baseball)
What does it do that a good set of pants doesn’t? Other then it’s a trend?
Very common question. It's really not that difficult though to see why a Kilt is practical if you do not start from the view that skirts are feminine. Most men have this ingrained in them and cannot get passed it. Males from cultures all over the world have worn some form of a skirt for thousands of years. Bottom line is, from the waist to the knee is one of the most active and flexible parts of the body. To wrap that area in a restrictive garment is a self-defeating and uncomfortable. Add better ventilation to the benefit list and it's easy to see why a man would want to wear a Kilt.
TwoForty
08-13-2008, 23:08
I got completely soaked on the second to last day of a trip last week so I had to hike out wearing only a ULA rainskirt and a rainjacket. I am seriously thinking about a sport kilt now. Does anyone have the hiker model? How is it?
cavscout
08-14-2008, 01:20
I've never been around one in person but I've heard they are a lot lighter than other synthetic material kilts. The price point is definitely nice.
For a few dollars more though you might take a look at USA Kilts for a custom fitted kilt. Sport kilts have an elastic waist band that may not work for you.
Flush2wice
08-14-2008, 01:25
http://www.jerrypettit.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/tarzan.jpg
I'm leaning towards the loin cloth.
http://www.jerrypettit.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/tarzan.jpg
I'm leaning towards the loin cloth.
I think Risk already tried that one ..... he has pics on his website
Zabigail
08-14-2008, 21:34
Woman don’t like warring dresses or skirts any more (hard to find them any more, and I look) why would a guy want to put one on. There are more woman out there with pants on then a skirt on. If they see the practically of pants, why would a guy want to put on a skirt?
What does it do that a good set of pants doesn’t? Other then it’s a trend?
I wear dresses and skirts, when I'm not er, I guess you folks would call it "baby hiking". (There is an intermediate hiking trail nearby, two hours, but hey, I live in Kansas, it's pretty flat...)
Zabigail
08-14-2008, 21:36
I find them heavy & stiff. Have only seen them on others or in hand, never actually wore one.
The pockets seem nice, & the UKs do have devoted followers.
Give Stillwater kilts a look too, they come in fabrics that are not cotton. I wear a "trifty kilt" from stillwater that is acrilic but feels like wool. When dry it weighs about 1.1 Lbs, when wet it weighs 1.2 Lbs.
That said: if you like the UK, get one, I for one will never hike in shorts again!!
I'm asking on behalf of the Mr. ;) We hope to be able to do more serious hiking at some point. He's done a two week Canada canoeing/hiking trip with his Boy Scout troop.
I wore Sportkilt on my 06 AT trip. Excellent and VERY light and functional. They have a Hiker Kilt now of which I had the prototype in 06. It's a synthetic fabric with wide velcro w/elastic waistband, but pleats and plaids, which is my idea of what a kilt should be. I find it much more hygienic for loner distance hikes and extremely convenient. Chafing was virtually non-existent. Climbing was a lot easier as there was no fabric restricting movement. The only issues I could think of had to do with wind, plus the times I would stumble and fall with my legs up over my head (if you've hiked the AT or other long-distance trails, you know that this happens!). I'm just glad no one was with me to witness that immodest moment. Try one. You'll LOVE it!
Mr. Clean
08-15-2008, 10:45
I've had one for about 4 or 5 years now, and though I've only done day hikes and overnights with it, I'd never wear shorts again. Actually, I did wear shorts in the Bemis range in Maine a few weeks ago and it just verified why I started wearing one in the first place. Nice and cool, but warm at the same time, dry, no chafing, and freedom of motion when climbing serious rock are a few reasons. Plus I've got Scottish in me. That hike in the Bemis area was horrid with shorts; very hot and sticky day.
Just do it!
Zabigail
08-17-2008, 00:36
I wore Sportkilt on my 06 AT trip. Excellent and VERY light and functional. They have a Hiker Kilt now of which I had the prototype in 06. It's a synthetic fabric with wide velcro w/elastic waistband, but pleats and plaids, which is my idea of what a kilt should be. I find it much more hygienic for loner distance hikes and extremely convenient. Chafing was virtually non-existent. Climbing was a lot easier as there was no fabric restricting movement. The only issues I could think of had to do with wind, plus the times I would stumble and fall with my legs up over my head (if you've hiked the AT or other long-distance trails, you know that this happens!). I'm just glad no one was with me to witness that immodest moment. Try one. You'll LOVE it!
Wonder if they make them in women's sizes too? Though I don't have some of the squeezing problems you fellows have.
cavscout
08-17-2008, 00:53
Sport kilt does make kilted skirts for women in several models
http://www.sportkilt.com/departments/casual-kilt-women/womens-sport-kilt~1.cfm?afid=1003
Most of them are Poly cotton though so you may want to talk with them to make sure of the fabric.
Jim Adams
08-17-2008, 01:15
I got completely soaked on the second to last day of a trip last week so I had to hike out wearing only a ULA rainskirt and a rainjacket. I am seriously thinking about a sport kilt now. Does anyone have the hiker model? How is it?
I have the hiker model and it is great. It feels a little "heavy" when you first pick it up and I keep swearing to make a copy out of much lighter supplex but it is so comfortable and functional that I haven't gotten around to making it yet after 3 years. One of the best hiking investments that I've ever purchased.:cool:
geek