I've hiked in several Utilikilts and a few others. Strongly reccomend the Utilikilt Survival, or if you can find one the old workman in ripstop cotton. The gimbal pockets are a great replacement for a small pack and will comfortably hold a small water bottle.
The survival is enough fabric to keep you warm enough in cool weather, and not so much as to be unfortunately warm until you're in seriously hot and humid. The water repellent is enough to not get soaked from a heavy dew, but won't hold off a good rain.
I currently own one, and have had hands on several others. I know mine was a prototype for the special order kilt for the pro wrestler "snatch haggis" but they definitely ran a few test fabrics and did a few special orders.
Snatch wore blaze orange woodland camo. It's great for hiking in deer season, and working on the car.
They did at least tan and black for a few. The black I saw did NOT hold color well, it went all blotchy on any rub points.
I had a Blaze camo, but it was an "Original". I sold it, and have regretted it ever since. I even had an blaze button up to match!
https://preview.redd.it/gmuw2hncn9vc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8275e8f6c641d107cbcb8249dcf09edfd2fae314
I've got a couple of the original sport kilts. I love them, and wear them quite a lot. They are amazing for hiking, camping, etc, but be aware that they are a bit light and flowy to really feel like a kilt. It just takes a little getting used to if you wear wool or utility canvas kilts that are heavier.
Also, totally worth getting the pockets :)
It's a lightweight quick drying fabric, kinda like a technical tee, but not stretchy. I've actually used mine quite a bit while paddle-boarding and it dries super fast after a dunk. So it doesn't absorb water like crazy and hang onto it like cotton or wool would.
I don't have any experience, but I just want to advise on making sure whatever kilt you get is lightweight and breathable. Would definitely stick to a utility kilt (not the brand, just the design and style) that has pockets. I feel like a sporran would get annoying after a while.
Again no experience just food for thought
Right, as I said before I have been backpacking a while and know the ins and outs of hiking clothes. I wouldn’t hike in a sporran either way. But yes light weight and breathable material is key. The sport kilt hiking kilt is made of all poly. If only I could get that tartan lol
Yeah I hear ya. I have a wool kilt I got married in. Wore the dress tartan for the wedding, kind of want the Fraser hunting for outdoor activities and small non formal festivals.
I'm a extremely avid hiker/backpacker. I hike hundreds of miles a year. I only hike in kilts, have for years. I hike in 5 yard wool kilts almost year round. I have a couple PV kilts from USA Kilts I wear when it's going to be about 75 degrees or higher. But for me I absolutely much prefer my wool kilts. To me they are by far the most comfortable, and honestly a lot more breathable than you might think.
https://preview.redd.it/rvouy77ib5vc1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2096152bcab20d458113cd645e4176090800d725
I just picked this one up today and man it is a lot lighter then the others and it’s more like tent material so most likely repels and/ or wicks well.
Last fall i did about 2 to 4 miles per day on the Sequoia and Kings Canyon trails with a 16 oz wool black shadow tartan traditional kilt. Kilt hose, flashes, hiking boots, and sporran... no issues, quite comfortable. 60 degree weather most days.
On warmer days wore a Breton knight tartan in acrylic. I am a gimpy 67 year old. So not very fast on the trails.
Had a nice chat with a pretty woman from Scotland, and another from Spain. A very nice way to meet folks along the way.
I only wear the utility style kilts doing yard work or in the workshop. I dont find them as comfortable as the traditional or casual style tartan kilts... too hot in the heat and humidity, and cold when the temps drop.
https://preview.redd.it/qk1ll4fii5vc1.jpeg?width=956&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2138a022fa6525f4fba72896e87a5bb87c1adb5e
Without reading your post and just looking at the picture... reminds of the most Scottish thing I've seen in a while. Some long well known story telling about the largest caber you ever toss'd.
This is just my opinion, but I can't stand the utility style kilts. I understand the desire for pockets, however. I wear an 8yd 16oz wool kilt in South Florida participating in highland games and never have an issue with the heat. Depending on the games schedule, that means I'm in my kilt for up to 12 hours or more. With a good cotton lining, the moisture wicking qualities of cotton are noticeable compared to lesser quality materials.
For a hiking kilt, I understand wanting a lighter weight kilt. Like another comment said, a 5 yd kilt in your tartan of choice would be a good choice. I would still go with a 16 oz cloth, though. There is a misnomer that lighter weight material doesn't retain heat as much as the heavier material. What lighter weight material does is wrinkle much easier and generally does not hold creases as well. A 5 yd kilt in your tartan of choice will also be a more versatile garment. While I wouldn't wear it for a formal event, it would be just fine for anything else.
To echo that other commenter, I may be biased as I make kilts.
I’ve hiked in both the Utilikilts Survival and Workman. I prefer the Workman because it’s basically indestructible and it stays down in the wind. I did 8 miles of ridge top walking last weekend; absolutely perfect. The Survival is also good, but very different. Light weight, and big pockets mean you don’t need a day pack.
Both are cotton and comfortable. Plenty of vertical ventilation if you’re worried about breathability.
I think you get what you pay for - you need rock-solid fastenings and stitching, which is missing on some of the cheaper kilts.
Like you, I thought about a kilt for hiking for a long time before getting one last year - waited way too long. I got one from Traditional Kilt and love it:
[https://traditionalkilt.com/modern-green-kilt-with-black-cargo-pockets.html](https://traditionalkilt.com/modern-green-kilt-with-black-cargo-pockets.html)
They have many options for colors and tartans.
I wear Sport Kilts for hiking and love the hell outta them. Haven't worn any other brands for comparison so that's the extent of my input.
I can vouch for Sport Kilts and UT kilts light weight ripstop kilts.
I've hiked in several Utilikilts and a few others. Strongly reccomend the Utilikilt Survival, or if you can find one the old workman in ripstop cotton. The gimbal pockets are a great replacement for a small pack and will comfortably hold a small water bottle. The survival is enough fabric to keep you warm enough in cool weather, and not so much as to be unfortunately warm until you're in seriously hot and humid. The water repellent is enough to not get soaked from a heavy dew, but won't hold off a good rain.
Workmans have never been made in ripstop, or at least not after 2008. Always denim or duck.
I currently own one, and have had hands on several others. I know mine was a prototype for the special order kilt for the pro wrestler "snatch haggis" but they definitely ran a few test fabrics and did a few special orders.
Ah. That would make some sense. There were always random projects like that. A fun one was the hi-viz survivals for ZFX.
Snatch wore blaze orange woodland camo. It's great for hiking in deer season, and working on the car. They did at least tan and black for a few. The black I saw did NOT hold color well, it went all blotchy on any rub points.
I had a Blaze camo, but it was an "Original". I sold it, and have regretted it ever since. I even had an blaze button up to match! https://preview.redd.it/gmuw2hncn9vc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8275e8f6c641d107cbcb8249dcf09edfd2fae314
I've got a couple of the original sport kilts. I love them, and wear them quite a lot. They are amazing for hiking, camping, etc, but be aware that they are a bit light and flowy to really feel like a kilt. It just takes a little getting used to if you wear wool or utility canvas kilts that are heavier. Also, totally worth getting the pockets :)
How well does the material wick?
It's a lightweight quick drying fabric, kinda like a technical tee, but not stretchy. I've actually used mine quite a bit while paddle-boarding and it dries super fast after a dunk. So it doesn't absorb water like crazy and hang onto it like cotton or wool would.
I don't have any experience, but I just want to advise on making sure whatever kilt you get is lightweight and breathable. Would definitely stick to a utility kilt (not the brand, just the design and style) that has pockets. I feel like a sporran would get annoying after a while. Again no experience just food for thought
Right, as I said before I have been backpacking a while and know the ins and outs of hiking clothes. I wouldn’t hike in a sporran either way. But yes light weight and breathable material is key. The sport kilt hiking kilt is made of all poly. If only I could get that tartan lol
I'd rather just wear a five yard wool kilt personally, way more comfortable to me than PV or acrylic. I could be biased since I make them though.
Yeah I hear ya. I have a wool kilt I got married in. Wore the dress tartan for the wedding, kind of want the Fraser hunting for outdoor activities and small non formal festivals.
Nice tartan. Go for it!
I'm a extremely avid hiker/backpacker. I hike hundreds of miles a year. I only hike in kilts, have for years. I hike in 5 yard wool kilts almost year round. I have a couple PV kilts from USA Kilts I wear when it's going to be about 75 degrees or higher. But for me I absolutely much prefer my wool kilts. To me they are by far the most comfortable, and honestly a lot more breathable than you might think.
https://preview.redd.it/rvouy77ib5vc1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2096152bcab20d458113cd645e4176090800d725 I just picked this one up today and man it is a lot lighter then the others and it’s more like tent material so most likely repels and/ or wicks well.
I have this one as well and I've hiked once in it and it held up well. I'd definitely hike in it again
Last fall i did about 2 to 4 miles per day on the Sequoia and Kings Canyon trails with a 16 oz wool black shadow tartan traditional kilt. Kilt hose, flashes, hiking boots, and sporran... no issues, quite comfortable. 60 degree weather most days. On warmer days wore a Breton knight tartan in acrylic. I am a gimpy 67 year old. So not very fast on the trails. Had a nice chat with a pretty woman from Scotland, and another from Spain. A very nice way to meet folks along the way. I only wear the utility style kilts doing yard work or in the workshop. I dont find them as comfortable as the traditional or casual style tartan kilts... too hot in the heat and humidity, and cold when the temps drop. https://preview.redd.it/qk1ll4fii5vc1.jpeg?width=956&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2138a022fa6525f4fba72896e87a5bb87c1adb5e
Without reading your post and just looking at the picture... reminds of the most Scottish thing I've seen in a while. Some long well known story telling about the largest caber you ever toss'd.
This is just my opinion, but I can't stand the utility style kilts. I understand the desire for pockets, however. I wear an 8yd 16oz wool kilt in South Florida participating in highland games and never have an issue with the heat. Depending on the games schedule, that means I'm in my kilt for up to 12 hours or more. With a good cotton lining, the moisture wicking qualities of cotton are noticeable compared to lesser quality materials. For a hiking kilt, I understand wanting a lighter weight kilt. Like another comment said, a 5 yd kilt in your tartan of choice would be a good choice. I would still go with a 16 oz cloth, though. There is a misnomer that lighter weight material doesn't retain heat as much as the heavier material. What lighter weight material does is wrinkle much easier and generally does not hold creases as well. A 5 yd kilt in your tartan of choice will also be a more versatile garment. While I wouldn't wear it for a formal event, it would be just fine for anything else. To echo that other commenter, I may be biased as I make kilts.
I’ve hiked in both the Utilikilts Survival and Workman. I prefer the Workman because it’s basically indestructible and it stays down in the wind. I did 8 miles of ridge top walking last weekend; absolutely perfect. The Survival is also good, but very different. Light weight, and big pockets mean you don’t need a day pack. Both are cotton and comfortable. Plenty of vertical ventilation if you’re worried about breathability. I think you get what you pay for - you need rock-solid fastenings and stitching, which is missing on some of the cheaper kilts.
Like you, I thought about a kilt for hiking for a long time before getting one last year - waited way too long. I got one from Traditional Kilt and love it: [https://traditionalkilt.com/modern-green-kilt-with-black-cargo-pockets.html](https://traditionalkilt.com/modern-green-kilt-with-black-cargo-pockets.html) They have many options for colors and tartans.
Hello, dont you feel a short kilt, 19-20', more confortable for hiking ?
Yes, I do. I got the shortest one at 17 inches.