View Full Version : Hiking in a kilt?
Vthiker77
03-05-2014, 05:36
Was browsing the net today about the latest and greatest (and of course lightest) stuff today and came across kilts!? The idea is intriguing. I can see why they would be super comfy. Anyone else do it?? I'm thinking about it. When I'm on the trail I could care less what people think if I'm comfortable.
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Meriadoc
03-05-2014, 06:33
Yep. I wear a kilt. Good airflow and stylish. Kilt is my summer wear unless it is very hot and there is no wind.
Sportkilt hiking kilt worked well on my thru and is what I wear for contra dancing. An old mountain hardwear kilt that I have is lighter and shorter (it's a dice roll whether these are being made in any given year). You can also sew your own or pick up a skirt from a thrift store.
Sierra2015
03-05-2014, 07:26
If you're sweating then you have to be skinny to comfortably wear skirts. Otherwise there will be thigh chafing!
Source: 25 years of wearing dresses and skirts.
Meriadoc
03-05-2014, 07:52
If you're sweating then you have to be skinny to comfortably wear skirts. Otherwise there will be thigh chafing!
Source: 25 years of wearing dresses and skirts.
Oh yeah. And this. But it's not just skinny, it depends on anatomy. Boxer briefs (boxers with compression/snug leg sleeves) are my friends. Ex Officio boxer briefs rock.
Vthiker77
03-05-2014, 07:58
If you're sweating then you have to be skinny to comfortably wear skirts. Otherwise there will be thigh chafing!
Source: 25 years of wearing dresses and skirts.
Yeah, I was thinking with a pair of boxer briefs or spandex shorts underneath for the chafing issues. The air flow seems like it would be a really nice added benefit.
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Sierra2015
03-05-2014, 08:05
Or you could just wear bicycle shorts? Instead of a kilt? Since you'll be wearing them anyway.
Can't say I've ever worn a skirt while hiking. However, in the privacy of my own home...
Vthiker77
03-05-2014, 09:32
Can't say I've ever worn a skirt while hiking. However, in the privacy of my own home...
'nuff said
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squeezebox
03-05-2014, 10:04
Keep in mind a kilt is a very specific design, length just below the knee, pleated across the back, overlapped in front wrap-around skirt style, many without a waist band, 2 beltloops in front 1 in back. plaid
if it's outside these parameters it's a skirt.
Men wore skirts way before we wore pants.
Make sure you get a skirt with pockets.
2 of my favorites are 1) my mountain hardwear hiking skirt, lots of pockets, 2) my snakeskin print miniskirt.
I hike in the Mountain Hardware Elkomando kilt and love it. I get a kick out of seeing the look on people's faces when they realize I am wearing a skirt. I have worn it down to 20 degrees with wool long johns from Smartwool and been fine. In warmer weather I wear UA compression shorts under the kilt to keep everything in its place.
26213
Thanks,
--louis
Sierra2015
03-05-2014, 10:49
What's the purpose of a kilt?
I'm planning to wear a skort instead of shorts and that's because of modesty. Why would you guys want to?
Modesty, some leg protection, mine is rain resistant so I usually don't carry rain pants. Lots of ventilation and freedom of movement. Easy to take off and put on. Love the large pockets on mine as well.
--louis
It must work for some guys because I simply can't imagine anyone outside of the Wales area wanting to wear one just because. And even there I have to believe it's more about tradition than anything else. :)
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I've worn my El Kommando kilt around town :D
It is the greatest bit of hiking wardrobe, after a wide brim hat. My 2013 medium model weighs 353 grams, it's not light, but it makes up for it in comfort!
Keep in mind a kilt is a very specific design, length just below the knee, pleated across the back, overlapped in front wrap-around skirt style, many without a waist band, 2 beltloops in front 1 in back. plaid
if it's outside these parameters it's a skirt.
Not necessarily. Doesn't have to be plaid. And great kilts throw all that out the window ;) 9-ish yards of flat fabric, hand pleated in the middle every time you put it on. Circles the body and then goes over the shoulder, requires a kilt pin. But, if you wanted to hike with 9 yards of wool draped around you, you can forgo the sleeping bag - your wearing one! But it might make it a little hard to carry a pack lol.
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Night Train
03-05-2014, 16:37
Love my Sportkilt, but have yet to hike or wear casually in any wet weather, just fair weather. Everything noted in the thread about the pros of wearing a kilt while hiking is spot on. I would like to hear some more commentary alluding to any drawbacks to wearing in wet weather? If there is any drawback.
Night Train
03-05-2014, 16:41
Capilene bottoms or UA compression shorts are my choices preventing the "chafe".
Just Bill
03-05-2014, 17:15
A skirt is a benifit to men and women alike. Men like to call them kilt's as it has a manly appeal but in my opinion when cross dressing is an agreed upon strategy in our sport then why not just be a man and admit you're wearing a skirt.
Technically as mentioned- an official kilt is a different animal and a skirt is a better choice anyway. A kilt is different in construction, and as a result much heavier in weight. A skirt can be very light and quick drying, I have skirts that weigh as little as one ounce, although my preferred design is closer to a whopping 2 ounces.
Even if you don't want to hike in one there are many advantages-
Excellent to lounge in, especially commando as we can all use some air down there but might not want to lie around naked.
Maintains modesty when using the bathroom- guys and gals alike.
They hand wash and wear dry easily, you can wear them while doing laundry or taking trail baths.
For two ounces they are great multi-purpose or camp clothes.
Many ladies carry a skirt to wear when in town, might as well carry a skirt that functions for hiking.
Regarding chafing- increased airflow reduces sweat. Dried sweat creates the salt crystal deposits that cause chafing. Wearing boxers or shorts can increase chafing by adding another layer, and often a seam, which is additional friction and rubbing on the inner thigh. Similiar to how two pairs of socks can help blisters until they bunch up and cause a blister. Many folks are ditching traditional wisdom on socks and finding that keeping the feet dry by wearing thin socks is better than wearing two socks, I find the same holds true for the crotch.
If you are not super skinny your thighs rub together anyway. This friction is only reduced by frequent hiking, not additional layers. While bike shorts will provide a short term solution they can also lead to crotch rot and other moisture problems best avoided on a hike. Again, much like two pairs of socks prevent blisters but then cause athelete's foot or other rot issues from maintaining a hot, moist, dirty environment.
A few weeks of hiking will toughen the thighs enough so that the skin on skin friction is no longer a problem. For the long term, sweat, rot, funk, and other problems become the bigger issue so the skirt becomes the better cure for those items. When I take time off it seems about a hundred miles of hiking is enough to re-establish the tougher skin if you are curious on how long it takes.
Freedom of movement- Also a big benifit but comparible to a bike short or short inseam running short. On the other hand many runners wear skirts for this reason.
Undies- up to you, I find comando or briefs to be the better choice. When going clad I prefer Ex Officio undies. After the initial period of skin toughening is passed a brief serves you better than a boxer or short because you keep the inner thigh as airated as possible and eliminate fabric that can bunch, roll, or rub. Built in undies are less desirable. Seperate undies can just be pulled off and washed up so you aren't standing around naked. There's always a girl scout troop that seems to show up just when you choose to do trail laundry and the skirt prevents indecent exposure arrests or embarrasment.
Modesty- if you prefer bike shorts then yes, the only reason to wear a skirt is for modesty reasons regarding covering your skin tight garment. But the two in combination is only for vanity. Other than the shock factor of a guy wearing a skirt, my skirt covers more thigh than the short running shorts I would have to wear to achieve the same results.
Commercial options-
We discussed this a bit in the women's forum. Women's skirts often feature high lycra count thicker fabrics because they lay better and make your tush look nice. But they are heavy and hot which increases the problem they should prevent. They are also slow to dry as a result. Some men's designs use similiar fabric and create similiar issues. The mountain hardware skirts/kilts come to mind. Sport Kilt is considered the "best" men's skirt. Although they don't list the weight most of them are in the 6 ounce range if I recall correctly and are built of a more traditional kilt with overlapping layers of lined fabric. These extra layers make them slower to dry (45 min or so) and the fabric commonly fades from the sun, even on the AT. Some PCT hikers report color washout by the first 1/4 of the trail.
Your best bet is to either buy a cheap nylon skirt from a thrift store or make your own. On my list of stuff to do is to make a how to article for a nylon skirt. Uncoated 1.4 or 1.9 ounce per yard ripstop nylon is the best balance of dry time, durability and weight. M50, coated nylon, or Cuben makes a poor choice as the waterproofness makes them clammy and uncomfortable and stiffer so they don't drape well.
The skirt I use is 2 ounces, has two pockets, a webbing belt and drys as fast as ex officio undies does. Basically from hand washed to dry is 15 minutes or less if you wear it. Mine also has an option to button it shorter for when it's "big girl time" and the trail gets steep so you don't need to hitch it up, a common problem for commercial designs encountered on the steeper sections of the AT. Choosing a shorter skirt makes them unsuitable for sitting around so I settled on a knee length with the option to shorten while walking. There is a women's skirt like this but it is calf length to start and too bunchy when gathered high. You want it to just touch your knee, any longer and it tends to hook on your knee rather than move with you if you take a big stride.
I am considering a small run of my skirt design as a test product for some future gear production. If there is an interest I can work on this sooner than later and would be happy to sell them for cost as I know many folks don't make thier own gear. But if you do, a skirt is an excellent project to practice with.
Just Bill
03-05-2014, 17:16
Love my Sportkilt, but have yet to hike or wear casually in any wet weather, just fair weather. Everything noted in the thread about the pros of wearing a kilt while hiking is spot on. I would like to hear some more commentary alluding to any drawbacks to wearing in wet weather? If there is any drawback.
There is no drawback when you have the right skirt, I find they are better to wear than nylon running shorts in the rain. But people do complain about a sportkilt when soaked as it is not very fast drying.
kilts are not new. i met a thru hiker years ago [hello haiku] in kilts.
Just Bill
03-05-2014, 18:08
kilts are not new. i met a thru hiker years ago [hello haiku] in kilts.
Take it to the other extreme- Native american's travelled in Loinclothes. An immensely practical garment.
After making a few my wife interveened and I now wear a skirt in public.
handlebar
03-05-2014, 21:56
I've got over 8000 miles including half the AT, the PCT, and the CDT, and many other trails in kilts. I sweat heavily and find the enhanced airflow to be more comfortable than shorts of various descriptions. When I first started wearing a kilt I had some chaffing so I added Ex-Officio boxer briefs and that has solved the problem. If it's raining I can use my rain wrap over the kilt and not overheat like with rain pants. I've had two Mountain Hardware kilt models and like the ElKommando for the pockets, quick drying nylon fabric, and greater freedom of movement vs. the MH non-pleated version that's now discontinued. I also have had several Sport Kilt Hiking Kilts and recently ordered one with pockets. I like the velcro waist closures on these, as they adjust to my decreasing waist circumference on multi-month hikes. It's true that the blue Sport Kilt fades pretty badly. After a month or so, it's on its way to changing from blue to purple and later nearly pink! I wear my kilts for all but deep winter trips when the daytime high temps are 20F or so.
Just Bill, solid write up
I agree, funny, before reading this thread I was deciding on my Kilt (yes, a skirt from a pure Scottish viewpoint) on convertible pants
Concern are really cold temps in the Smokies in 2 weeks. Having said that, Kilts ROCK
Less Chafing
Tons easier for quick clean ups (fast baths near water spots in the woods) - get the salt and sweat off
Less friction with all of the knee lifts, ups & downs
Like the pockets in the back vs bouncing stuff on my thighs, as light as a snickers bar might be
Can go commando or not..........I actually started wearing Icebreaker running pants vs boxers, can wear them alone, or go commando, or those and the kilt, or long johns and a kilt
The looks in towns and airports are priceless at times, can recall the two ladies at the supermarket in Pearisburg, pretty funny really.
Women have the strategic advantage on this subject.
Guess I am wearing a kilt in 2 weeks, regardless of the weather, going through my gear boxes this weekend.
Sierra2015
03-06-2014, 04:49
I'm having a hard time imagining why you guys want to wear skirts.... I'm a girl and even I wouldn't want to be in a skirt for 5 months straight.
Several annoying traits of skirts:
1) As you walk skirts that are made to sit on your hips have a tendency of ignoring your preference and slowly creeping up your hips until they're at your waist. (Maybe it's because you guys don't have hips?)
2) If you're wearing a backpack... skirts that are sitting at your waist will then gather fabric above your bum as you walk. I've never worn a hiking backpack, but I've worn plenty of school bags.
3) Loose skirts fly up/tight skirts restrict movement.
4) You have to sit a certain way. Always being conscious of having to keep you knees together. (And I hope to God you guys are obeying skirt etiquette. Especially you commando types. No one wants to see your privates.)
5) Increased risk of road rash if you fall. Good luck rock scrambling. ;)
I really don't get it....
samfsmith
03-06-2014, 07:21
I really don't get it....
Some of may be that it is a cool thing to do and shocking for a man to wear a skirt. It sets those hikers apart and they may think they are being individuals or displaying their superior gear knowledge. If skirts were so great, all women would wear them since it is socially acceptable for them.
Just my opinion, of course...
Meriadoc
03-06-2014, 07:42
Women do wear them on the trail. Here's my lowdown:
With underwear:
With any wind at all, superior ventilation: kilt/hiking skirt
With zero wind, superior ventilation: short shorts seem to do better.
Superior do-anything-and-it-stays-with-me-i-never-ever-pay-any-mind-to-what-i'm-wearing: short shorts
Sans underwear:
A hiking skirt is the best clothing for good ventilation.
Hiking skirts are more fun. Short shorts are no nonsense. It really comes down to your preference.
At one point in the summer I wondered why I was wearing a kilt at all if I was wearing boxers. So I went with boxers only for a bit. I didn't really like it. I think a major contributor to that was that the fly is not secure.
On kilts vs hiking skirts: kilts lay more nicely and those pleats allow for lots of leg movement. But they are heavier than hiking skirts. For dancing, kilt wins for sure. Twirling is fun. Hiking skirts take less time to dry because there is less fabric. And they are cooler as well. (Guys, if you haven't twirled and ever wondered why gals liked twirling so much - pop on a kilt and try it! It's not a gender thing.)
rocketsocks
03-06-2014, 07:47
they may think they are being individualsThey are individuals...it's a good thing. :)
slbirdnerd
03-06-2014, 09:54
Oh yeah. And this. But it's not just skinny, it depends on anatomy. Boxer briefs (boxers with compression/snug leg sleeves) are my friends. Ex Officio boxer briefs rock.
I wish Exofficio made boxer briefs for girls!
rocketsocks
03-06-2014, 10:02
I wish Exofficio made boxer briefs for girls!
try the mens, maybe they'll work for you. I know women that wear mens boxers, I thought many women did that, like shirts.
I like your quote, that's a good one I'll remember.
Kaptain Kangaroo
03-06-2014, 17:09
I heard a couple of guys on the trail comment that they thought it was harder to get a hitch into town when they were wearing their skirt.
I would never let my clothing choices stand between me and a cheeseburger !!!!! :)
Sierra 2015.............appreciate your points but I have to say that the Elkkomando kilt is great gear. Pockets in the back are tons better than stuff in my pockets up front. Tons more leg freedom on the ups, downs, sideways, etc.
Less chafing for sure............have had some tough issues with hiking pants.
Wash up more often during the day........
In 2 weeks I will be traveling south in my "skirt"
Philly
Atlanta
Charlotte
AT
Erwin
Johnson City
Atlanta
Philly
..............all good.
Actually more concerned about nasty snow in the smokies with a kilt and merino wool long johns.
Many Moons
03-06-2014, 22:22
That is just gay!!! Gay as in happy! HIKE ON!!!
Miller
Was browsing the net today about the latest and greatest (and of course lightest) stuff today and came across kilts!? The idea is intriguing. I can see why they would be super comfy. Anyone else do it?? I'm thinking about it. When I'm on the trail I could care less what people think if I'm comfortable.
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Sierra2015
03-07-2014, 04:15
Sierra 2015.............appreciate your points but I have to say that the Elkkomando kilt is great gear. Pockets in the back are tons better than stuff in my pockets up front. Tons more leg freedom on the ups, downs, sideways, etc.
Less chafing for sure............have had some tough issues with hiking pants.
Wash up more often during the day........
Just Sierra. :)
I'm skeptical, but... I'm not the one wearing it. So what do I know? Haha
Do you wear tights underneath normally?
How do you keep your skirt from bunching up under your backpack?
I might consider wearing a tunic/short dress with tights while I hike if it won't bunch up.
Meriadoc
03-07-2014, 07:26
I might consider wearing a tunic/short dress with tights while I hike if it won't bunch up.
Forgot about this. I think Anish wore a dress on her record setting PCT thru. Can anyone confirm? I remember she posted a pic of her replacement dress halfway through but I can't swear that it was her hiking garb. Eighty percent confident it was her hiking garb.
My partner wore a dress for a little and enjoyed the freedom. But she liked the dress too much, decided to save it from the dirt, and only wore it in towns.
Just Bill
03-07-2014, 15:09
Yar Merry- to the best of my knowledge Anish hiked in a plain ol one piece dress most of the time.
Sierra- you're bunchin your panties with your squirmin. You're probably also shaping your thoughts a bit too much on town skirts which are made of different fabric and cuts that may make them shift around too much. Town style hurts you a bit too in this regard. Although as Merry points out Anish used the exact wrong type of fabric/dress and had no issues.
A ripstop nylon, Sport Kilt, or the very heavy Kommando all lie fairly flat and drape different than the rayon/silky flowy skirt you are picturing. That said, some of the cheaper rayon blends with a bit of stretchy stuff (like think swimsuit fabric) will work well and that appears to be what Anish was wearing. Men and women wear them on thier waist, not the hips, don't want your g-string pokin out the top on the trail. The skirt needs to be on your waist anyway so the top doesn't rub under your hipbelt, with a pack on you want to wear it a bit higher than without. I did make some skirts out of M50(sleeping bag liner material) that make my ass look great but are too wispy and thin and do have the problem you are envisioning. They were so light I had to put a rock or a lighter in the pocket or they drifted all over the place.
A good skirt is held in place by your hipbelt anyway and the pack prevents it from creeping up, as does the sweat pouring off your body and soaking it when it's hot out. I don't always wear a skirt (good to around 30 degrees) but when it's hot and you're drippin buckets the skirt is the least cumbersome piece of clothing. I have more issues with sweat soaked running shorts clinging or bunching so I made the switch.
The tunic top with tights is popular for modesty, but with the top pinned down by your hipbelt it's not the most functional choice.
Some don't sweat as much as others.
Some folks thighs don't rub as bad.
Some folks don't have any issues with shorts or tights.
Some folks don't hike when it's really hot.
But for those that do...
Do you wear tights underneath normally?
How do you keep your skirt from bunching up under your backpack?
I might consider wearing a tunic/short dress with tights while I hike if it won't bunch up.
I love hiking in a skirt/kilt. I wear my wool tights in cold weather.
I have never had my sport kilt bunch up. It stays where it should. Much more comfortable than pants riding up my backside..
I wish Exofficio made boxer briefs for girls!
That's what I wear under my kilt!
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Just Bill
03-13-2014, 11:24
Just on Judy's site looking at something else and saw this-
http://www.lightheartgear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=&products_id=45
Would make a good trail skirt, especially in the brown color. Judy could likely make it in other color's fabrics if you wanted.
Sierra2015
03-13-2014, 11:51
Just on Judy's site looking at something else and saw this-
http://www.lightheartgear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=&products_id=45
Would make a good trail skirt, especially in the brown color. Judy could likely make it in other color's fabrics if you wanted.
Yes! I've seen it and I like it very much for a rain skirt. But it's too steep of a price for me, I'm going to make my own.
But I'd never wear it by itself... Lol. And for sure not without underwear like you boys seem to do.
Perhaps a kilt would be good if you also hiked with a set of bagpipes. And packed haggas for lunch. Being partly of Scottish ancestry, I can see the appeal.
DocMahns
03-14-2014, 00:33
Yes! I've seen it and I like it very much for a rain skirt. But it's too steep of a price for me, I'm going to make my own.
But I'd never wear it by itself... Lol. And for sure not without underwear like you boys seem to do.
Whoa, don't go assuming I limit my lack of underwear to my kilt wearing days
Sierra2015
03-14-2014, 01:13
Whoa, don't go assuming I limit my lack of underwear to my kilt wearing days
Omg... Efficient dresser I guess?? O.o
DocMahns
03-14-2014, 01:14
One less thing to get dirty
Sierra2015
03-14-2014, 01:16
One less thing to get dirty
That's right, no pee stains on your tighty whiteys. :p
DocMahns
03-14-2014, 01:53
That's right, no pee stains on your tighty whiteys. :p
yellow blends into blue better than white ;)
Meriadoc
03-14-2014, 10:07
Perhaps a kilt would be good if you also hiked with a set of bagpipes. And packed haggas for lunch. Being partly of Scottish ancestry, I can see the appeal.
If you hike with and play bagpipes, you have just earned yourself a hiking partner :). I love the sound from bagpipes. Now I just need to find a violinist . . .
Almost There
03-14-2014, 12:20
My new MH Elkommando kilt arrives today...needed to downsize as the one from last year is way too big...they definitely fit better than the MH Kilt from a few years back. I go back and forth, but loved hiking in the Elkommando last year. I wear Smart Wool boxer briefs, I find they breath much better than the synthetics out there, but cost over $40 a pair. I also use body glide on my thighs, butt, and beans...bad case of monkey butt back in 2005, ensures I will always be a fan of bodyglide. In winter I've worn running tights under the kilt, and never had issue. Also never had an issue with being picked up...folks along the trail know how weird we already are... a kilt isn't really gonna change that.;)
If you hike with and play bagpipes, you have just earned yourself a hiking partner :). I love the sound from bagpipes. Now I just need to find a violinist . . .
Check out these Scottish Mountaineers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQ_WsqrP6us
The way the guy says "crampon" and "ice axe" with a Scottish accent makes me want to rediscover my Scottish heritage!
shakey_snake
03-17-2014, 23:09
Perhaps a kilt would be good if you also hiked with a set of bagpipes. And packed haggas for lunch.
Haggis (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/37628/haggis) for lunch?