Description
Sport Kilt Hiking Kilt in the Black Stewart Plaid
Great for hiking, running, camping, even swimming!
Cool, quick drying, breathable, lightweight (330 grams!) microfiber kilt for the active hiker who wants to trek in style and comfort.
Standard Features include: 22 1/2″ length, Sewn-down-pleats, velcro closure with a touch of elastic in the waistband for comfort and adjustability. Designed for hikers, by hikers!
troy (verified owner) –
I’m an avid backpacker and am always testing and perfecting my equipment over the last 40 years. Below are my comments on the hiking kilt. I’m not sure if they post anything less than five stars, so I’ve given it a 4 for now and will see what happens.
See below for my notes on sizing, as I need to order another hiking kilt due to issues (mentioned below) and am not going to be able to use this one. That said, now that I have one in hand, I like the fabric and pockets and overall design. I’m involved in some local heritage societies where I wear my full wool kilt and accouterments, but as an avid backpacker, I wanted and needed something more lightweight and useful for the trail. The hiking kilt appears to meet the requirements I am looking ford (sizing issues, below, aside) and was the only one I found that met my requirements (including a tartan and athletic fabrics).
My only improvement so far is that I wish they made the hiking kilt either in my own tartan (not likely, it’s not common), or something like the MacLaren tartan, which all of you serious adult scouters probably know about if you’ve done Wood Badge. As it is, I’m ok to wear the Stuart tartan as I do have that lineage way back when.
One other comment before my notes on sizing. As a male, I prefer wearing a sporran with a kilt, partly for the traditional look and keeping it from looking like a skirt, and the other part being the same reason I don’t wear a speedo when I swim 🙂 So for me it’s necessary to have belt loops for a belt, upon which I hang my sporran. There are some hikers who prefer not to wear a sporran and instead just use their backpack or bum bag.
So, as to my issue with sizing, the bottom line is I would have been better off using my pants size than the waist measurement described on this site (and other sites where you may order a kilt). My heavy woolen kilt fits me fine and is measured the same way as this hiking kilt that has some fit problems. So, you may want to take into consideration the following when ordering, especially if you plan to use the buckle fasteners and/or belt loops. Also, the pockets are great. Get them. I also added the webbing fasteners and the belt loops, you should choose one or the other for reason I detail below, but not both.
* I chose the 42” hiking kilt. The closing Velcro closes perfectly at 42”. If I lose any weight, it will fit, but there will be no more Velcro at the end to hold it shut. This would not be bad if using a belt EXCEPT that a belt loop is immediately next to the Velcro and will be unusable as soon as you lose weight.
* At this “perfect fit” of 42”, the buckle closures are useless, as they are designed in such a way as to require me to be another 3” bigger until the slack is out of them (they do not adjust any smaller). If that ever did happen that I gained that much girth, the total travel for the plastic fasteners is only 1.5”.
* The fasteners and belt loops are in such a position (and the fasteners of such thickness) that one precludes the use of the other. You should choose either the fasteners or the belt loops because you can’t use both with a standard kilt belt: you would have to either leave the top fastener dangling if you use the belt, or not wear the belt if you use the fasteners. I prefer the belt, of course, as I need something to hang my sporran upon.
* There is plenty of room to “get fat”. Based upon the positioning of the Velcro at the “perfect fit” mark, I could easily gain 5” and still wear the kilt (buckle closures aside). More than 5” will probably be difficult as it won’t look right and be out of enough Velcro. So, if you’re like me and usually lose weight on backpacking trips, you may want to consider the smallest and the biggest you expect to be and plan to wear it a small at first (as there is about 5” to play with) because, once you get to the size of the kilt, you can’t make it any smaller without covering up a belt loop, running out of Velcro, or the fasteners being to close to be tightened.
I hope the above helps and I will update this post after by first trial in the hiking kilt which I expect will be a 5 day trek in mixed conditions.
albert –
Awesome
MrMo –
It Was My Wife’s Idea!
She wears a women’s hiking skirt on our adventures & never overheats like me. She thought I should try wearing a kilt for ease of movement, ventilation, and just plain comfort. She researched and found SportKilt’s hiking kilt. My mother was a Stewart, so I’m wearing the Black Stewart plaid in her memory. When my custom kilt with pockets arrived I’d lost some weight due to all of these training hikes. I contacted the company, fabulous customer service, and we sent it right back to them for alterations all for free. It arrived back to me quickly, and just in time for a couple long training hikes before we head to Spain. Wife and I are off to trek the Camino Inglés route of the ancient Camino de Santiago. I really like the look and feel of this all-weather kilt and how it dries quick. It’s very comfortable. The only thing that would make it perfect would be if the plaid was printed on both sides of the fabric. When the wind blows it flashes the white underside of the fabric.
Rob –
Great Purchase
comfortable to hike in. great to drive in. no more getting junk crushed by tight pants on long drives
Russ Coley –
Black Stewart Hiking Kilt
This is a really comfortable kilt. I ride my bicycle every week and alternate with my evergreen hiking kilt as well as wearing the black stewart on casual friday at work
Loner –
Perfect hiking outfit.
After 151 miles on the PCT, I love this kilt. It has proven itself to be the most versatile piece of gear being practical and stylish. The Velcro is nice as my waist has shrunk as it keeps the kilt where it belongs.
pbryden –
Easy, Breezy, Sport Kilt!
I wore the Hiker Black Stewart for the first time at the City Chase Urban Adventure in Calgary, Cananda. The kilt was a very wise choice! The day was hot and sunny and I was cool as a cucumber during the 6 hour event. The kilt was a big hit at the event and during the after-party when everyone asked where I got it.
Next race will be the Canmore Half-Marathon in the fall!
Lindsay B. –
Sport Kilt – Hiking Kilt is GREAT!
I bought the hiker kilt for my brother, who is thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail…he has been over 1400 miles so far, and has been wearing his kilt since Harpers Ferry, WV – says he wears it every day and that he would DEFINITELY recommend it to other hikers!
Geoff Withnell –
Good lightweight kilt
I recently purchased a Hiker in Black Stewart. It is very confortable, and I expect that in the summer here in the humid heat of Washington DC it will continue to be comfortable. It’s great for casual work around the house and yard, quick runs to the store, and is grat for weighing in at Weight Watchers. It is very light, and will blow up, so if that’s a problem, this is not for you. I’m going to buy another in the blue.
Shannon Amos –
Perfect for long walks/jogging!
I had a problem with jogging shorts causing friction burns between my thighs, even through the spandex shorts. The hiking kilt is perfect!!! I can hike and jog in complete comfort, more freedom of movement without that binding feeling of shorts and the microfiber material is light weight, cool and amazingly comfortable. Thank you for this great solution!
Andy Wooster –
Fantastic
The Material is wonderful, I often wear this kilt out of the gym or after surfing. Ive worn it hiking several times and its spoiled me to wear anything different. Love it.