Hiking skirts ... For men

[mickcope]

Reading a blog recently - one of the hikers was talking about his use of mens hiking skirts. When he listed the advantages they seemed really interesting.

I wonder if any men on the forum have used these (and I am conscious that a Kilt may fall into the category)

With a SJPP start next week and the talk of 35 degrees heatwave - the idea seems attractive and somewhat cooler when walking...

Cheers

Mick

Why Would a Man Wear a Hiking Skirt?

I’ve wanted to wear a skirt for a while. My wife will back me up on this, but not for the reasons you think. And to be clear, I have Scottish blood (clan Dixon) so I get to wear a kilt which is pretty much a skirt. But the main reason I wanted to wear a hiking skirt...

www.adventurealan.com

 

[Vacajoe]

I’ve seen men wearing utilikilts (“utility kilts”) on the Camino, but I’ve never worn one myself. Given the variety of cultures, personalities, and hiking gear seen on the Camino, I doubt you’d be given a second look.

 

[Barbara]

There's enough weird on the Camino that I doubt anyone would even notice, let alone care. Is it purple with silver polka dots?

 

[Tincatinker]

I doubt you’d be given a second look.

On the Frances, probably not. Any other Camino, any Camino city. Be prepared. If it looks like a “kilt” kilt they’ll figure you’re an Escoses if it doesn’t you’ll be “loco” at best.
And as for going “commando” (?) in fly season - buena suerte

 

[J F Gregory]

I have been wearing a kilt for several years of hiking and they are totally comfortable. I have never heard any negative comments and if they come they are none if my business.

 

[Richard of York]

I have my kilt here in Spain (I'm part Scottish) but it's like wearing a heavy woollen overcoat around your waist so I won't be wearing it to walk in anything over 20º. Which isn't going to happen often.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I wonder if any men on the forum have used [hiking skirts] (and I am conscious that a Kilt may fall into the category)

Yes, I have. I've only hiked in it once so far but it's not going to be the last time. I liked it. I'm going to get used to it in the mountains before wearing it on the more public local hikes.

I got tired of chafing and looked online for something. On a trip to the South last month I was passing within a few miles of the factory that made my #1 pick. I stopped, tried it out and it suited me fine. The belt loops, front fly and cargo pockets give it a somewhat masculine look. Since I never got instruction when young on the proper way to sit in the things I went with the optional snaps to effectively turn the skirt into something that looks like a baggy pair of shorts. The pockets are huge, my smartphone with a heavy case can fit sideways in four of the six pockets with plenty of room for a ton of other things.

Here's the webpage for the Lightheart Gear skirt I picked (the gray one). There is a video there geared to women but it shows a guy hiking in one as well. Of the nine reviews four are by guys and they all rate the skirt as 5/5.

Hiking Skirt with Pockets

Not just for Women, This "A" line, slightly flared skirt allows full range of motion when hiking and climbing. Printed skirts are limited in quantity - we have only 4 of each print in size s/m/l only Black, purple, brown & gray skirts, 100% Nylon, ripstop, cottony soft fabric. Green, Midnight...

lightheartgear.com

 

[RJM]

I would, but it would definitely have to be a kilt type, with the kilt type pattern and useful pockets. As far as going commando? Hmmm, too many really good brands of breathable hiking skivvies out there, and I'd feel a bit vulnerable

 

[Richard of York]

I would, but it would definitely have to be a kilt type, with the kilt type pattern and useful pockets. As far as going commando? Hmmm, too many really good brands of breathable hiking skivvies out there, and I'd feel a bit vulnerable

That's another reason for not wearing a kilt, because you don't wear anything underneath. When I walk I wear running shorts and mine are basically leggings with football shorts over the top. If I spend time nude (which I do sometimes) I chafe, and I can't imagine walking 15 miles or more with my legs apart. Probably more than most people want to visualise

 

[J F Gregory]

I have my kilt here in Spain (I'm part Scottish) but it's like wearing a heavy woollen overcoat around your waist so I won't be wearing it to walk in anything over 20º. Which isn't going to happen often.

I have both wool and polyester kilts. For hiking I use the polyester light weight and quick drying. My other kilts are for regular wear.

 

[mickcope]

An that’s great thanks a lot.

 

[mickcope]

There's enough weird on the Camino that I doubt anyone would even notice, let alone care. Is it purple with silver polka dots?

It wasn’t. But could be now !!!

 

[oursonpolaire]

That's another reason for not wearing a kilt, because you don't wear anything underneath. When I walk I wear running shorts and mine are basically leggings with football shorts over the top. If I spend time nude (which I do sometimes) I chafe, and I can't imagine walking 15 miles or more with my legs apart. Probably more than most people want to visualise

Canada's bracing weather has long made this an optional practice. I have friends in kilted regiments who assure me that spandex has saved them from frostbite many a time and oft; avoiding chafing would to me sound like a reasonable excuse to modify traditional practice.

 

[traveler]

I have often worn kilts and skirts (more often skirts because they are lighter to carry) hiking in various places across the world for about 15 years with little comment or problem. Once I overcame the mental barrier to wearing them (which took about 6 months) and embraced them not as women’s clothes but my clothes, it was easy. Skirts are comfortable and light, easier to wash, and last longer than pants. And I have traveled without a pair of pants in my pack. On pilgrimage I also like that a skirt makes a small statement that I’m different.

Wearing a kilt will not create any problems, particularly in Galicia. That said, in my experience society regards skirts as different than kilts. In today’s divided culture a man wearing a skirt can seem like a political statement to some and I have been confronted unpleasantly more often in the past year or two than in the past when I was rarely confronted except by the politely curious. Because of this wearing a skirt on the Frances during the summer rush of peregrinos will likely cause no problem. In contrast, a man wearing a skirt on less traveled routes ”off-season” may encounter some unpleasant (but probably not threatening) responses. As a result you may want to carry a pair of pants as a backup. I have always traveled the Camino as a pilgrimage and as such the goodwill and help of others is always essential and focusing on my inner life not outer conflicts is a part of that.

 

[Sanman]

Reading a blog recently - one of the hikers was talking about his use of mens hiking skirts. When he listed the advantages they seemed really interesting.

I wonder if any men on the forum have used these (and I am conscious that a Kilt may fall into the category)

With a SJPP start next week and the talk of 35 degrees heatwave - the idea seems attractive and somewhat cooler when walking...

Cheers

Mick

Why Would a Man Wear a Hiking Skirt?

I’ve wanted to wear a skirt for a while. My wife will back me up on this, but not for the reasons you think. And to be clear, I have Scottish blood (clan Dixon) so I get to wear a kilt which is pretty much a skirt. But the main reason I wanted to wear a hiking skirt...

www.adventurealan.com

We are walking Le Puys now, 32-33 temps crazy!

My wife has been trying to stay cool and cover her legs, sun relentless out here.

She developed heat rash as did many hikers..
Today we discussed skirts, kilts, saris whatever and thought the idea was brilliant

When she gets home my wife is going to make one or buy one but either way we’re going to be getting them

Right now as we melt, to hell with convention and on the Camino you see it all…oh and we walk with sun umbrellas and we are the talk of the trail ! People take our pics

All this to say - get a skirt!

 

[DBC]

There is a Czech currently walking the Frances in a kilt. He wears 6-8” Lycra underwear underneath it. He seems very happy with the combination.

 

[Alfredo2021]

Reading a blog recently - one of the hikers was talking about his use of mens hiking skirts. When he listed the advantages they seemed really interesting.

I wonder if any men on the forum have used these (and I am conscious that a Kilt may fall into the category)

With a SJPP start next week and the talk of 35 degrees heatwave - the idea seems attractive and somewhat cooler when walking...

Cheers

Mick

Why Would a Man Wear a Hiking Skirt?

I’ve wanted to wear a skirt for a while. My wife will back me up on this, but not for the reasons you think. And to be clear, I have Scottish blood (clan Dixon) so I get to wear a kilt which is pretty much a skirt. But the main reason I wanted to wear a hiking skirt...

www.adventurealan.com

I wore rain hiking skirt instead of rain pants once and almost got hyperthermia. I won't try that again.

 

[mickcope]

I have often worn kilts and skirts (more often skirts because they are lighter to carry) hiking in various places across the world for about 15 years with little comment or problem. Once I overcame the mental barrier to wearing them (which took about 6 months) and embraced them not as women’s clothes but my clothes, it was easy. Skirts are comfortable and light, easier to wash, and last longer than pants. And I have traveled without a pair of pants in my pack. On pilgrimage I also like a skirt makes a small statement that I’m different.

Wearing a kilt will not create any problems, particularly in Galicia. That said, in my experience society regards skirts as different than kilts. In today’s divided culture a man wearing a skirt can seem like a political statement to some and I have been confronted unpleasantly more often in the past year or two than in the past when I was rarely confronted except by the politely curious. Because of this wearing a skirt on the Frances during the summer rush of peregrinos will likely cause no problem. In contrast, a man wearing a skirt on less traveled routes ”off-season” may encounter some unpleasant (but probably not threatening) responses. As a result you may want to carry a pair of pants as a backup. I have always traveled the Camino as a pilgrimage and as such the goodwill and help of others is always essential and focusing on my inner life not outer conflicts is a part of that.

thanks a lot for that. mick

 

[Balanced Movements]

Macabi Skirt
This might be what you're looking for. In September I walked from Irún to Llanes cut through the the Picos on the Lebaniego to León and then to Santiago. 90% of my walk was in this Macabi Skirt. Hopefully when I go back to walk the Camino Primitivo I might bring a pair of shorts. This thing takes the place of all for me, even plane trip to and from.

 

[traveler]

Macabi Skirt
This might be what you're looking for. In September I walked from Irún to Llanes cut through the the Picos on the Lebaniego to León and then to Santiago. 90% of my walk was in this Macabi Skirt. Hopefully when I go back to walk the Camino Primitivo I might bring a pair of shorts. This thing takes the place of all for me, even plane trip to and from.
View attachment 125902

Yes - I love Macabi skirts

 

[TrvlDad1]

One of the more interesting and eclectic, threads.