Wearing a Kilt on the Camino

[Old Hillwalker]

I do a considerable amount of long distance hiking and have taken to wearing a Kilt due to the convenience and comfort. I am leaving in 22 days to begin the Camino Aragones . Last September I walked the Camino Frances but not in my Kilt. What do you think. Will I be frowned upon? I am of Scottish descent, but from America.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

What do you think. Will I be frowned upon? I am of Scottish descent, but from America.

I walked with one Scot who wore a kilt and carried a separatist flag! He was a conversation magnet, and nearly incomprehensible to English-speakers. If you do not mind calling attention to yourself, I doubt you will draw anything but stares, few of which will be frowns.

 

[Cejanus]

No underware, so no chaffing. That's one good reason to wear a kilt.

 

[Daxzentzu]

I do a considerable amount of long distance hiking and have taken to wearing a Kilt due to the convenience and comfort. I am leaving in 22 days to begin the Camino Aragones . Last September I walked the Camino Frances but not in my Kilt. What do you think. Will I be frowned upon? I am of Scottish descent, but from America.

I still am undecided whether I will be kilted.
I'd appreciate your insights, about the material and serviceability.
There is also the obvious question - do you commando
Or with boxers


Dax
In Pune, (a work in progress)

 

[JohnMcM]

Dax and samoht.w

I briefly, very briefly considered wearing a kilt. Decided against it when I thought about what happens if I loose too much weight, how would I dry it when it rains, (and you'll be aware of how heavy they are when wet), how do I get it cleaned during the five or six weeks of walking?

Commando or boxers? Consider how many times you will need to sit on a rock at the wayside to rest!, and what about getting up and down from your top bunk. Not easy if you want to be traditional and true to the kilt

Buen Camino

 

[hotelmedicis]

Wonderful. Yes, wear a kilt.

 

[Dutch]

I think that would be the COOLEST thing ever!!!!!!!!!

You wont be the first to do it, nor the last, but you will be a minority, but who cares!!! Why blend in when you've got something as cool as a scottish kilt.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Why blend in when you've got something as cool as a scottish kilt.

Fear of a rival clan beating you with a shillelagh?!

Do you have your clan tartan for the kilt?

 

[Old Hillwalker]

Oh Aye! My kilt is of my Clan.....Colquhoun

 

[Dutch]

Fear of a rival clan beating you with a shillelagh?!

Do you have your clan tartan for the kilt?

If only! But allas....not Scottish.

Can you use a shillelagh as a walking stick? A concealed weapon for nasty camino K9's

 

[Deleted member 3000]

A shillelagh (/ʃɨˈleɪli/ shi-LAY-lee or /ʃɨˈleɪlə/ shi-LAY-lə; Irish: sail éille [ˈsalʲ ˈeːl̠ʲə], a cudgel with a strap) is a wooden walking stick and club or cudgel, typically made from a stout knotty stick with a large knob at the top, that is associated with Ireland and Irish folklore.

The danger is past, then.

 

[Daxzentzu]

Mine is the Robertson


This fine example is the Robertson Ancient Hunting


Dax
In Pune, (a work in progress)

 

[s. brown]

I do a considerable amount of long distance hiking and have taken to wearing a Kilt due to the convenience and comfort. I am leaving in 22 days to begin the Camino Aragones . Last September I walked the Camino Frances but not in my Kilt. What do you think. Will I be frowned upon? I am of Scottish descent, but from America.

You might also consider the men's version of the Macabi skirt. The women on this site seem to love it. It is made of material that is great for hiking, has deep pockets, dries in a jif, repels dirt, and would solve the underwear/no underwear issue --- you could do either. Personally, I would not want to deal with a wet wool kilt when it rains. I know William Wallace did it, but he was a pretty tough guy.

 

[Dutch]

Do you think Mel Gibson did also?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Not really kilt-like!

 

[xin loi]

Two guys did the Camino in June wearing kilts. They were asking people who took pictures of them to please forward pictures to them. They may be on Youtube.

 

[Dutch]

Not really kilt-like!

QUICK!! Someone call the FASHION police!!

 

[s. brown]

QUICK!! Someone call the FASHION police!!

Okay, fellas, please try to view the "skirt" when it is converted to blousy pants. The "skirt" can be worn three different ways. That is more of what I had in mind. On second thought, nevermind.

 

[L Squared]

http://www.utilikilts.com/index.php/kilts/the-survival-4364.html

These utilikilts come in a hiking version which looks pretty good to me. Anyone tried one of these for the Camino? They have internal pockets much like a Macabi plus note the large cargo pockets on the side.

 

[Icacos]

What happens when the wind on the meseta kicks in?

 

[obinjatoo]

I think men in kilts is dead sexy. But beside that, do what works for you. I actually have a hiking kilt. I'm a woman so it looks more like a skirt on me but whatevs. What I don't get is who designs outdoor clothing for women? I could get a hiking "skirt" but it would be very short, the pockets would be useless and unless I got it 2 sizes larger, it would be a miserable fit. I'll be looking for a heiland kilt.

 

[obinjatoo]

I hav

http://www.utilikilts.com/company/products/kilts/survival/

These utilikilts come in a hiking version which looks pretty good to me. Anyone tried one of these for the Camino? They have internal pockets much like a Macabi plus note the large cargo pockets on the side.

 

[obinjatoo]

I have a different version of a hiking kilt. Go to the Utilikilts website. They make a great product but are ridiculously expensive. They do have a clearance page though.

 

[filup501]

You'll be tired and hurting. You won't care what people think. I did the Camino in 2013. I just bought one from REI.

 

[hecate105]

Can you use waterproofing spray on a kilt? The main problem would be heavy rain.
Twill only be newbies who you terrify by getting into the top bunk - the rest of us are inured to the sudden appearance of intimate body parts...!

 

[michael paterson]

I do a considerable amount of long distance hiking and have taken to wearing a Kilt due to the convenience and comfort. I am leaving in 22 days to begin the Camino Aragones . Last September I walked the Camino Frances but not in my Kilt. What do you think. Will I be frowned upon? I am of Scottish descent, but from America.

Having walked the Camino many times in the company of men wearing kilts I can assure you that you will be received with a great warm welcome by pilgirms and locals alike. Buen camino!

 

[GreatDane]

http://www.utilikilts.com/company/products/kilts/survival/
These utilikilts come in a hiking version which looks pretty good to me. Anyone tried one of these for the Camino? They have internal pockets much like a Macabi plus note the large cargo pockets on the side.

My husband, son and son's best friend are all Utilikilt wearers so I know they weigh a lot!! They've all worn them for about 10+ years. I'd hate to have to either wear one that gets wet and heavier or have to wash one and wait 3-4 days for it to dry. The Workmans Kilt is rated to hold 6 bottles of Guinness.

Utilikilt in the past made nylon "runners kilts" called the Athletic, that might be a lightweight option.

 

[Old Hillwalker]

My husband, son and son's best friend are all Utilikilt wearers so I know they weigh a lot!! They've all worn them for about 10+ years. I'd hate to have to either wear one that gets wet and heavier or have to wash one and wait 3-4 days for it to dry. The Workmans Kilt is rated to hold 6 bottles of Guinness.

Utilikilt in the past made nylon "runners kilts" called the Athletic, that might be a lightweight option.

The Kilt I intend to wear is this one. Machine washable and Teflon coated synthetic fabric. Non-traditional but very comfortable.

http://www.usakilts.com/casual-kilt.html

 

[wanderwoman]

And let me just say lads, from a female perspective, we ladies love a kilt! Very William Wallace!

xA

 

[Tincatinker]

And just let me say that if this had been a comment from a male member about female modes of dress Moderators would have also intervened to say, while levity is always welcome, care should be taken to avoid offence.

 

[naplesdon]

Two guys did the Camino in June wearing kilts. They were asking people who took pictures of them to please forward pictures to them. They may be on Youtube.

I met those two guys the day I left SJPdP on 6 June 2104. They did not stay at Orrison unfortunately to share dinner with us. I met Andrew several times during the first week of my Camino. He and his son had a crowd cheering them during the Camino but they were suffering some "logistics" issues. (If you remember, Andrew fell and injured himself in his garden just weeks before departing on the Camino.)
The last time I saw Andrew he had spent the night on a park bench in Los Arcos after the police had picked him up on the Camino following a tumble and was sporting a a bruise on his forehead. He was waxing on about how his son had been scammed by some pilgrims and no longer had any money. He was headed by bus to Logrono, I hope their quest improved after I saw him.

 

[David]

I am seriously thinking of wearing my kilt next time out, March-ish. Mainly for the practicality .. if you think of the human body design around the groin area and our ... eerrmmm ... protruding parts, you would think that women would wear trousers and men would wear skirts - manly skirts of course, so, the kilt. A dress kilt is wool and is heavy but you can get workaday kilts at a fraction of the cost that are synthetic and lighter and therefore dry really quickly.
You shouldn't need to clean it (wear underwear! - think of the refugios!) but, in France and Spain in the cities, in supermarket malls, you can find 1 hour dry cleaners ... so if you have a pair of trunks with you - no problem.

They are heavier than trousers of course but don't feel so when worn. All that fresh air!, no chafing ... socks up when it is cool and socks down to the ankles when it is hot ... and very easy if using the rest stop behind the bush ... my family are Scots, but I was brought up in England - verr odd at the rare family gatherings as they all had Scottish accents. I cannot get my clan tartan (Horsburgh) in a workaday kilt so use Peebles Royal Burgh Tartan, which is the clan Horsburgh county tartan.

Kilts are worn by men from all over the world and many countries have their own national tartan so it isn't necessary to try for a Scottish accent! - fellas, if you haven't tried one - DO! - kilt hem to mid knee now .. shorter and it looks like a skirt, longer and it rubs like mad and doesn't show off your knees! and! a low slung sporran is the perfect protection from a butting sheep or sharp-fanged hound. You need to buy an 8 yard kilt for the weight and swing, anything less doesn't do the job.

You can get a workaday 8 yard kilt from online shops such as this http://www.thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk/ (No, Dougfitz, I am not advertising, just passing on information) -

and there is this site in support of men in kilts - http://www.kiltmen.com/index.htm - so if you feel that urge (talking to men here) then visit this site. They open with
"We are an international band of men who enjoy the freedom, comfort, pleasure, and masculine appearance of kilts or other male unbifurcated (skirt-like) garments, and who reject the absurd notion that males must always be confined to trousers. We are men in kilts, Utilikilts, and other kilt-like clothing. Our purpose is to liberate men from the "tyranny of trousers" that has been imposed upon us by Western society. We encourage and promote the wearing, acceptance, and availability of kilts and other unbifurcated garments for men.
Unbifurcated garments - including kilts, robes, caftans, sarongs, tunics, and other skirt-like garments - are traditionally male clothing that have been worn by men throughout history. They have been worn by all the men in the Bible, by Roman gladiators, Vikings, and Scottish Highlanders. They are still worn frequently by men in Scotland, throughout Africa, the Middle East, parts of Asia, and the Pacific islands, to name just a few examples. Unbifurcated garments are far more comfortable and suitable to the male anatomy than trousers, because they don't confine the legs or cramp the male genitals the way that trousers do."

After all, if it is ok for Sean Connery - well! need I say more? (p.s. you don't need the silly shoes).

 

[jim garrity]

I do a considerable amount of long distance hiking and have taken to wearing a Kilt due to the convenience and comfort. I am leaving in 22 days to begin the Camino Aragones . Last September I walked the Camino Frances but not in my Kilt. What do you think. Will I be frowned upon? I am of Scottish descent, but from America.

I am Scottish born and I wear a kilt for many social occasions! I have no experience whatsoever in long distance walking/hiking wearing a kilt but as any regular kilt wearer will tell you there are issues around chaffing/perspiration in the groin area of undergarments arent worn! My advice - go for it but wear undergarments and bring lots of sudocream!!

 

[xin loi]

Thousands of Roman Soldiers walked this pilgrimage wearing Kilts long before the road was taken over by Christians.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Frank Farrell, a famous Scottish hospitalero from Lockerbie, wears his kilt hiking the world over. He loves the attention it draws, and he says he can always get a lift when he gets tired -- somehow, no one thinks a lunatic in a skirt is any kind of threat!

 

[xin loi]

Only way you would get American men to wear Kilts is to do what the manufactures did with Photographers/fishermen's vests---add an interior pocket and call them a "Concealed Carry" item of clothing. Couldn't find a good lite weight vest with multiple pockets to wear on the Camino Googleing under "Fishermens Vest" , but quickly found one under "Concealed Carry vest"!

 

[Flemming Behrend]

The famous Utily-kilt is great and comfortable to wear, but it is very heavy and if you are on a long walk, cleaning it would be quite a task. In rain it would not be too great. I was thinking of that option but after doing my research I think it is thumbs down. I am all for the look, but another minus is the hefty price over 300 dollars.

 

[ChuckE]

SportKilt makes an excellent kilt designed for....sports. They even have a hike specific microfiber kilt that comes in at 330 grams.

 

[David]

The kilts I wrote about above are about 80 dollars U.S. And are not too heavy.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Or you could just wear a Macabi skirt.
Men wear them too!
Lightweight, quick drying, and comfie with GREAT big pockets!

 

[Mike Savage]

I have quite a few friends here in the states, that are of Scottish descent, that wear kilts to festivals and formal occasions. They are always well received and I doubt many of them have ever been to Scotland. I think it would be great. Go for it!

 

[Flemming Behrend]

I just discovered that REI has a very practical hiking kilt for under a hundred dollars which I am going to try out. It's called the Elcommando kilt!!!!!

 

[Flemming Behrend]

I got the "Elcommando kilt" in the mail from REI today. it's awesome! light material and good quality. This will be easy to clean on the Camino and easy to dry. It will work great with Kilt socks. I think I will opt for that on my camino and also bring a pair of light pants.

 

[Flemming Behrend]

I got the "Elcommando kilt" in the mail from REI today. it's awesome! light material and good quality. This will be easy to clean on the Camino and easy to dry. It will work great with Kilt socks. I think I will opt for that on my camino and also bring a pair of light pants.

And come to think of it, my DNA test results states that I'm of Scottish blod way back! one more reason to wear a kilt ;0)

 

[Oztrekker]

Kilt much better than commando plus shorts.

The shorts can still get a skidder due to the cut and shape - a kilt cannot it is immune to skidders.

Just wait untill you get a shower hose nozzle all sorted.

Kilts are the best long treking outfit, unstoppable with the addition of snake gaiters.

 

[David]

Skidders? I dread to think!

 

[Flemming Behrend]

Skidders? I dread to think!

What's "Skiders"?????

 

[David]

What's "Skiders"?????

Exactly!

 

[Mike Savage]

I wasn't brave enough to ask and am scared as to what the answer may be.

 

[David]

Yes, and I must admit I am a bit worried about the shower hose nozzle as well ......

 

[Coleen Clark]

Can you use waterproofing spray on a kilt? The main problem would be heavy rain.
Twill only be newbies who you terrify by getting into the top bunk - the rest of us are inured to the sudden appearance of intimate body parts...!

Parts is parts. All the same. You'd be surprised at the low number of people who really really don't care what you wear (or don't) on and off the Camino. In our heads we're like "OMG everyone is going to see I have a chip in my nail polish!" when in reality people are so busy with their own drama they can't see the Forest Gump for the Trees.
Wear your kilt with pride. It's your Camino.

 

[David]

I haven't tried this yet but, I think a large black bin liner (garbage sack?) would work well as a waterproof over .. cut the end off and tuck it in all the way round, would cover the kilt and keep it dry - just a thought.

 

[Flemming Behrend]

I do a considerable amount of long distance hiking and have taken to wearing a Kilt due to the convenience and comfort. I am leaving in 22 days to begin the Camino Aragones . Last September I walked the Camino Frances but not in my Kilt. What do you think. Will I be frowned upon? I am of Scottish descent, but from America.

Wear the Kilt. F....them if they don't get it. I'm DNA 25% Schottish and I'm going to wear a Kilt on my Camino!

 

[MTtoCamino]

Excellent thread! I heard bagpipes the entire walk why wouldn't you wear a Kilt? If you are man enought to wear one go for it. I am a Heinz 57 but no Scottish. Yet they are starting to get popular with some of the backcountry hikers. The flys & Mosquitos might make it unpleasant in the U.S. But I saw none in the spring on the Camino.

 

[Flemming Behrend]

MTtoCamino, you got the idea, and if you want to breake new ground someone has to do it right?

 

[MTtoCamino]

MTtoCamino, you got the idea, and if you want to breake new ground someone has to do it right?

I doubt you will be the first as just about every garb has been worn over the centuries. The legions of various armies have used that route to move back & forth, the Roman roads that still exist today are a fine example.

No one will bat an eye if you wear a kilt, show respect to everyone you meet & it will be returned. If you can start reading on the history of the region before you go as it is literally a trail of souls, So from your picture you can play a tune, that will be most welcome if you are willing to pack it along.
Buen Camino
Keith

 

[David]

You don't have to be Scottish, nor even have Scottish ancestry to wear the kilt - you just have to be a confident Male! In England it has become common at weddings for the men to wear kilts - and they look great, really masculine. It could be a problem were one to choose a Clan tartan and then meet someone from that Clan, if one weren't of that Clan - but there are plenty of non-Clan tartans.
Worth remembering that the Roman Legions wore a form of kilt, and they weren't softies.

I met an Irishman on Camino outside Logrono wearing an Irish tartan kilt, sporran, bonnet, etc. Stomping along. When he appeared he rose up onto the level ground where a number of us were sitting - as the kilt appeared all the women sat up like Meerkats! so the only problem you may have, wearing the kilt, is that female interest .... not a bad thing
as for refugios and bunks - think of all the pilgrims who saunter around in their underwear!

Buen McCamino!

 

[wayfarer]

I am a Heinz 57 but no Scottish.

You dont have to be Scotish to wear a kilt, the Irish wear them too. They were also in our dress tradition.

 

[smj6]

Whenever my husband wears his kilt, he has women of all ages and sizes cosying up to him all wanting to now what he wears under the kilt. Of course the oft repeat response is: Nothing is worn under my kilt, Madam, everything is in full working order! We were once at a wedding in Finland at a very old wooden church. There were tourists around who weren't interested in taking photos of our friends in their bridal outfits, no they wanted their photos taken with my husband!!
Didn't a father & son walk the Frances last year? With the father having to pull out due to ill health/ injury?
Buen Camino in your kilt @samoht.w
Suzanne

 

[David]

I'm loving this thread!!

 

[smj6]

A thought: maybe I can get my husband to wear a kilt next spring when we walk (although we'd have to buy a lightweight version). And as @David sayes: ..."a low slung sporran is the perfect protection from a butting sheep or sharp-fanged hound...." That should convince my husband!!
Turas math dhut! (Buen Camino);
Suzanne

 

[SilverAvenger]

What about a Great Plaid? Can even replace the sleeping bag

Loving the thread, btw

 

[Flemming Behrend]

Whenever my husband wears his kilt, he has women of all ages and sizes cosying up to him all wanting to now what he wears under the kilt. Of course the oft repeat response is: Nothing is worn under my kilt, Madam, everything is in full working order! We were once at a wedding in Finland at a very old wooden church. There were tourists around who weren't interested in taking photos of our friends in their bridal outfits, no they wanted their photos taken with my husband!!
Didn't a father & son walk the Frances last year? With the father having to pull out due to ill health/ injury?
Buen Camino in your kilt @samoht.w
Suzanne

Thanks Suzanne, great post :0)

 

[Saint Mike II]

I was just on YouTube and the bloke doing the review of the sportkilt was wearing boxers or similar underneath his kilt - maybe it was required to public broadcasting??

 

[smj6]

I was just on YouTube and the bloke doing the review of the sportkilt was wearing boxers or similar underneath his kilt - maybe it was required to public broadcasting??

Well Mel Gibson & his Braveheart followers clearly didn't when they mooned the English
Suzanne

 

[JennyH94]

A thought: maybe I can get my husband to wear a kilt next spring when we walk (although we'd have to buy a lightweight version). And as @David sayes: ..."a low slung sporran is the perfect protection from a butting sheep or sharp-fanged hound...." That should convince my husband!!
Turas math dhut! (Buen Camino);
Suzanne

Hi Suzanne - my sister-in-law Rita (who's English and she has that wonderful English sense of humour) always says that sporrans are a very convenient receptacle for trail mix ! I think this could be very useful information for you and your husband when you do the Camino next Spring ... no fiddling around in the backpack for a quick snack while out on those wonderful, magical, ancient paths !
Cheers - Jenny

 

[hampshire!tim]

I keep reading about hiking in a kilt - is it calling me ?!

Although my family goes back to clear Irish heritage, I'm not sure I can claim strong Irish connections.

But I have this site, which seems relatively new. And based in UK so maybe a lot easier for people this side of the pond and in Europe.

http://www.trekkilt.com/

Seem to have catered as much as possible for the demands of hiking, not so heavy, treated material to shrug off small amount of rain. And quite modest price @£49

Will I be brave enough ?!

 

[David]

Tim - come in and join the club!! Or should it be Camino Clan??
Direct ancestry is no longer important, many men throughout the world now wear the kilt. The first thing you will find is how amazingly comfortable it is!! Our 'plumbing' isn't really suited to trousers and that tight cloth up around the groin, not at all. You will notice the difference immediately.

A great site, that trekkilt one and I do like their hiking kilts - very functional.

Two websites for you - the first where you can buy good every day working tartan kilts at about the same price. Very well made .. and although a hard-wearing and easy to clean Polyviscose material the 8yd kilts move - 'swing' - the same way that a heavy wool kilt does. Although my Clan is Horsburgh both my 'hiking' kilts are Scottish National Tartan. You can buy all the accessories on there too and I wear a zipped bag to the side on my belt as you will find that the sporran doesn't hold much at all.

http://www.heritageofscotland.com/casual_kilts_men

The second website is all about kilts and why a man should wear one!!!

http://www.kiltmen.com/index.htm

A number of things happen on a regular basis when you are out in a kilt. Regardless of your age or natural beauty (or lack of it ) all women immediately sit up like Meerkats when you appear, and, yes, you do get asked quite often what is worn under the kilt (nothing of course, all is in perfect working order ) - and you will get a number of men who want to have their photograph taken with you. It seems to be a secret desire of many men to wear the kilt and you will get into conversations about the comfort, practicality and so on. Though - this is all with wearing tartan - the plain and modern hiking kilts that are appearing are a much rarer site and I don't know if the responses would be different or the same.

In the square at Castrojeriz I came across three men in kilts; two together and another who coincidentally turned up at the same time. Two were in their late twenties/early thirties and the third was in his sixties - with their sun tans and Camino-worn clothing .. well .. it was like walking into the Braveheart film (without the swords).

You go ahead Tim, be brave (heart) enough! - you will be very self-conscious at first but that soon drops away. One thing though. If you wear it too long it will look like a skirt. If you wear it too short it will look like a skirt - you have to get the bottom edge exactly right. The hem needs to fall at the middle of the knee (trust me on this!!).

If you are a little nervous about wearing your first kilt it may be worth starting with a tartan one - recognisable and accepted by all - and then moving on to the newer plain hiking kilts when you feel more confident. Just a thought.

 

[wayfarer]

I keep reading about hiking in a kilt - is it calling me ?!

Although my family goes back to clear Irish heritage, I'm not sure I can claim strong Irish connections.

But I have this site, which seems relatively new. And based in UK so maybe a lot easier for people this side of the pond and in Europe.

http://www.trekkilt.com/

Seem to have catered as much as possible for the demands of hiking, not so heavy, treated material to shrug off small amount of rain. And quite modest price @£49

Will I be brave enough ?!

You don't have to be Scottish to wear a kilt, they were worn in Ireland as well, so your heritage allows it. If you Google Irish kilts you will see results there. The trekking kilts are much more practical than the dress kilts for the Camino IMO.

 

[nellpilgrim]

Here's a video of some young Irish lad walking the Wicklow Way in Winter wearing his kilt (Irish kilts aren't tartan but plain- usually saffron, dun or moss coloured), aran gansey and camping out and, on one night, taking the even colder option of staying in the mind numbingly cold damp youth hostel in Glenmalure!-so pretty hard core all round. He's wearing running leggings underneath the kilt. And if you feel like acquiring a blackthorn stick of your own then the eponymous village of Shillelagh is only a stride or two off the Wicklow Way!

 

[VNwalking]

Will I be brave enough ?!

Why not? Go for it, Tim!

I haven't tried this yet but, I think a large black bin liner (garbage sack?) would work well as a waterproof over .. cut the end off and tuck it in all the way round, would cover the kilt and keep it dry - just a thought.

This does work. I walk in Buddhist nun's robes--functionally a skirt--and have used a bin liner with the bottom cut open. All I have to do is step into it and tighten the ties at the waist. Voila! It looks weird but never mind. If you're walking in a kilt you'll turn heads anyway, and then you'll likely get plenty of envious complements on your light and inexpensive rain gear.

 

[Icacos]

Here's a video of some young Irish lad walking the Wicklow Way in Winter wearing his kilt (Irish kilts aren't tartan but plain- usually saffron, dun or moss coloured), aran gansey and camping out and, on one night, taking the even colder option of staying in the mind numbingly cold damp youth hostel in Glenmalure!-so pretty hard core all round. He's are wearing running leggings underneath the kilt.

Aside from the splendid kilt and the fine young man wearing it, thank you for the opportunity to see some of the beauty of that neck of the woods.

 

[xin loi]

Almost certain that Groundskeeper Willie on The Simpsons clearly stated that Scots only wear Kilts for work and for all other activities it is traditional to wear a sequined gown,

 

[hampshire!tim]

Here's a video of some young Irish lad walking the Wicklow Way in Winter wearing his kilt

Nice video . Need to add that walk to the list

I think the leggings are a good idea - was thinking about this, and this has persuaded me. Maybe not needed in Spain .... but it will be November

 

[hampshire!tim]

If you are a little nervous about wearing your first kilt it may be worth starting with a tartan one - recognisable and accepted by all - and then moving on to the newer plain hiking kilts when you feel more confident. Just a thought.

I bought a "cheap" 5yd Black Watch from another company - buyakilt.com - but despite any expectations based on price, it is well made and qood quality. I will check out your recommended sites.

Black Watch is recognisable as a tartan and not plain, but it is quite modest and not loud.

I have also bought a TREK but just exchanging it for a size up - I was little aggressive on my size estimate.

What is great is that the sizing is very forgiving - buy small and it expands another 3-4inches. I've lost 10kg in last 3 months and plan to lose another 10kg so am hoping/planning that the smaller size can accommodate current and future belly.

I like the patterning of the poppers on the TREK so may take this one, despite it being plain.

I am not sure about the sporran or side-belt-bag. I use a chest pack attached to the rucksack chest strap to balance weight and have easy access to items during the day. The TREK has some good pockets, although I wouldn't want anything bulky or heavy in them.

Thanks for the length advice - easy when fitting with a mirror, difficult to judge without, but I guess it comes with practice.

I'm not fully decided - will try it at home and some practice walks - 6days to decide !

As the kilt is bulkier than lightweight hiking trousers (which I will take 'just in case'), I may even be wearing it on the plane !

 

[AlwynWellington]

I keep reading about hiking in a kilt - is it calling me ?!

We most often seem to connect kilts only with Scotland principally, I think, because of the distinctive tartan patterns used. As other posts above note kilts are also Irish apparel. And men in Malaya(sia) wear a mono coloured skirt, Polynesian men wear a similar garment they name Lava Lava, and Greek soldiers on ceremonial duty wear a short pleated kilt like garment. And I am sure there are many other examples.

And yes, women love seeing a man in a kilt: those who are not women are just jealous.

I have wondered about wearing my kilt on camino, because of the many advantages it offers, but decided against it. The reasons include: it weighs about 3 kg so need to wear at boarding, the buckles and kilt pin on the fly create issues for security checks (I have a travelling plastic sgian dubh for the same reason), and it would lose its appearance quite quickly. Plus, when walking I often generate heat around the mid-riff and the resulting perspiration would become a problem difficult to easily resolve on camino.

So, like others above I have search for a solution and found what the maker calls a Rain Kilt made of cuben fibre. This material is best described here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuben_Fiber. My garment is a flat sheet with the ends joined together by a full length zip and a drawstring around the waist. Used flat it becomes a ground sheet. It weighs just over 50 grams (2 ozs).

I wear it in preference to shorts. Its only drawback is this: the material is translucent so, using sticky backed velcro tabs, I have added a modesty panel of lightweight microfibre: this doubles as a small towel.

And I plan to explore printing a solid colour onto lightweight Tyvek or similar material to produce a Lava Lava type garment.

For dinners at the Parador (in Leon or elsewhere) I have trousers with zip off legs and a short sleeve lightweight cotton shirt!!!

 

[tyrrek]

Look what I managed to acquire recently. How cool is that on a scale of 1 to 10?
(1='Yup, that's pretty cool', 10='Cool as a polar bear's paw)

 

[AlwynWellington]

Look what I managed to acquire recently. How cool is that on a scale of 1 to 10?
(1='Yup, that's pretty cool', 10='Cool as a polar bear's paw)

10 if it's durable plastic and minus 10 (pun intended) if it's metal.

 

[hampshire!tim]

(1='Yup, that's pretty cool', 10='Cool as a polar bear's paw)

10!

 

[wayfarer]

Look what I managed to acquire recently. How cool is that on a scale of 1 to 10?
(1='Yup, that's pretty cool', 10='Cool as a polar bear's paw)

View attachment 22450

10

 

[VNwalking]

Definitely 10...and now you have to walk in a kilt, don't you?
(A ditch pig in a kilt? Now that would be a lovely sight!)

 

[tyrrek]

Definitely 10...and now you have to walk in a kilt, don't you?
(A ditch pig in a kilt? Now that would be a lovely sight!)

It's primed and ready for Camino action! Probably not practical for the ditch piggery itself, but for the walking afterwards. The pin will have to be checked in at the airport.

 

[VNwalking]

No doubt you will all be sharing photos with us on the ditch pigs thread? (Please do!)

Probably not practical for the ditch piggery itself

Why not? Legs are much easier to wash than trousers...

 

[tyrrek]

Why not? Legs are much easier to wash than trousers...

Yes, but kilts are a nightmare!

No doubt there will be photos of all the happy pigs.

 

[wayfarer]

I moved my post and some others to a new thread called Front Packs as we had drifted from the OP.
Self Moderation.

 

[VNwalking]

Nice. Moderation in all things, even moderation.

 

[David]

Look what I managed to acquire recently. How cool is that on a scale of 1 to 10?
(1='Yup, that's pretty cool', 10='Cool as a polar bear's paw)

View attachment 22450

+100 ..... Want! Where???????

 

[tyrrek]

+100 ..... Want! Where???????

Haha! That's not like you, David! Unfortunately the kilt pin that you covet comes from England, of all places. It's Sheffield pewter, so at least it's Yorkshire. I can't find them on the company's website, but there are a couple on Amazon here.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B015EB0PR2/?tag=casaivar-21

 

[David]

hahahaa - I know .. but .. a scallop shell kilt pin?! I hold a candle to my pink faced shame!!

(Mind you .. I have bought one now and once I see how they have attached the shell to the pin - I assume it is solder - I shall buy plain kilt pins and make my own - perhaps also with St James crucifixs ... all profits from the shop to go my first aid mission). Thanks for the link!

 

[tyrrek]

Yes, I think it's just soldered on (I've packed it away again so I can't easily check). You could also do a lot with the plain pins with metal loops (usually) for feathers etc. Good luck!

 

[hampshire!tim]

I have just been talking with one of the founders of the TREK KILT, who helped me out with a quick delivery for my upcoming Camino Finisterre & Muxia

I mentioned the forum in passing and he very graciously offered a generous discount to forum members
Maybe now is the time for converts and doubters alike to take the plunge !

Go to http://www.trekkilt.com/ and use the discount code SANTIAGO30

You can also message them on here for more information : https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/members/trek.50856/

Enjoy !

 

[Rob the Slob]

I'll be wearing my Mountain Hardwear Elkommando when I do the camino next year. I already wore it walking the Rota Vicentina in Portugal earlier this year, and it was very comfortable, some chafing issues aside.

The Elkommando is ideal for hiking: it's made from lightweight quick-drying material, and has to two large side pockets. And it just feels very manly.

 

[David]

Looks like a well designed piece of kit - where were the chaffing issues??

 

[Rob the Slob]

The chafing usually begin around midway through the afternoon, when my shorts rode up and started rubbing the insides of my thighs. I need to either wear longer underwear or find a way to stop it riding up.

 

[Kanga]

Chaffing between the thighs is a common problem for women wearing skirts and walking long distances, so I imagine it would be the same for men. It is not the underwear that rubs, it is the thighs themselves. There have been a few threads on the forum discussing it. The consensus seems to be to wear longer leg boxer style undies - the sort that look like bike shorts.

 

[David]

One wouldn't wear shorts under a kilt - so is 'shorts' American for 'underpants'? If it is for shorts shaped underpants perhaps briefs would be better then there would be no riding up.

I have never had this thigh problem ... is it heavier people whose thighs rub together? for those who do would some slidey cream on there help - so there is no friction?

 

[Kanga]

OK - bike briefs. It is not just heavier people who have the problem. It is more a question of the heat, and the shape of ones legs - I imagine the bowlegged are fine! It only affects me in hot weather.

 

[JMac56]

The chafing usually begin around midway through the afternoon, when my shorts rode up and started rubbing the insides of my thighs. I need to either wear longer underwear or find a way to stop it riding up.

Compression shorts (or bike shorts) - no more chafing!

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

of Irish heritage, I own neither kilt nor male parts. I do wonder, however, if the chafing one poster (?the OP) mentioned is due to wearing cotton boxers or briefs under wool or worse synthetic kilt (this inquiring mind does NOT want an answer to that). Synthetic is NOT necessarily (or even often) equivalent to tech/sports material. The kilt (no matter the material) is probably causing sweating. Cotton or cotton blends (most common boxer/brief material) gets wet with sweating and causes chafing. maybe not when walking around town in one's kilt, but go for a 10-15 mile hike in the sun with a pack....
if intent on wearing non-tech material clothing (eek), perhaps consider running shorts underneath, with perhaps antichafe cream used by bikers/long distance runners (of both genders). and by the way, all sizes. I am the typical marathon runner build, and I learned the hard way not to wear cotton anything if running more than 5 miles. Now I wouldn't run 3K in cotton. ouch!!

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

the female in skirts problem may also be a function of sweating under skirt, and cotton/cotton blend/nylon underwear. Good sports wear is designed to wick moisture away from the body, keeping it dry, and hopefully chafe-free. Plain old synthetic or nylon clothing designed for fashion, not wicking, just traps heat and moisture. And cotton clothing, somewhat counter intuitive and not what our mothers taught us, is justa big sponge. Its the wet skin rubbing against skin, wet clothes, etc....like wet socks and foot problems. being 'open' to the air doesn't help if the poly-blend material is trapping heat and moisture, and the clothing under it is holding said moisture against skin.