Hiking skirt (and other clothes quick to change out of)

[eyesup]

A simple kilt type wrap made from a light, quick dry material in neutral colours, with quick and easy fastenings seems to be the general consensus.

I would add to that list, tough and durable. My environment has some incredibly sharp points and edges.

There is a tree out here called the 'catclaw accacia'. It's called that for a reason. I've been clawed by it more than once and it will draw blood quickly. Thorns literally look like a cat's claw and are as equally painful.

When hurriedly wrapping, a velcro feature on a band for quickness, then a couple snaps in a row for adjustability after securing the velcro.

Short in length but not so it fails the performance test.

Don't know if I need a pocket, but a small one would be ok I suppose.

Will send others when they present themselves.

Duane

[milfmog]

Pete,

As you know, I use a lightweight wrap skirt that finishes about 4 inches above the knee. I have been toying with getting a copy made using a microfibre travel towel as the source fabric. It would add another use to JBee's list above. It would also be very light weight and crush resistant so that when hauled out of a pack it would still hang neatly (a characteristic that Karla might appreciate).

If I get around to experimenting I'll be sure to let you know how I get on.

Have fun,


Ian.

[JOhnGw]

I'm wondering if an alternative material for hot weather might be camo or leopardskin tan-through material. It would be light enough to feel like naked but opaque enough for most textile environments.
Unfortunately it might suffer from the same problems as my lightweight wraps in a wind.

[eyesup]

I like the idea of a tan through fabric. I am assuming that would have to be some sort of open weave. That would allow sun and wind to pass, two of our favorite natural elements. It likely would be more pliable than denser weaves and hang looser and more comfortably.

I did a Google of 'tan through' and got a lot of advertisements for bathing suits, but there is a fabric called Microsol or Microsolv that was invented for making clothes for people with vitamin D deficiencies.

As a specialty product it probably won't be cheap but there might be a less expensive alternative.

Duane

[reubenT]

Search for mesh fabric.   Plenty of options.   Plenty of mesh grades.  The micromesh used for sports shorts and jerseys works fine.   Commercially the shorts made from it are done double layer,  or with liner of lighter mesh.  eliminates seeing shadows of shapes through it if the light hits just right.    But one layer seems to work fine for me.   It's sufficiently opaque for normal wear around crazy prudish types.    Then there's mesh with larger holes,  I want to try some in skin color and see if it camouflages skin color underneath.      I have a pair of solar tan through shorts.   The more expensive kind.  Got em in the brown/tan leopard spot print. Closest color to my own they had.     I've used them a lot for several years,  the material has deteriorated a bit,  stretched and the mesh holes have enlarged slightly,  but it still hides what's underneath pretty good.  It depends on eye distraction,  the eye sees the mottled surface colors and that camouflages the underneath color as long as it's darker underneath.  Hold it up to the light and it looks like screen.   The other tan through brand has a slightly tighter mesh, different weave style,  slightly higher sun blocking value,  and lower through visibility.  And is somewhat cheaper.    The air flows through either pretty good.

[JOhnGw]

For my money it's the air flow properties rather than the tanning properties that are most important.

[eyesup]

For my money it's the air flow properties rather than the tanning properties that are most important.

I agree, JOhn. The thing about the tan through fabrics though is most are made of a mesh or looser weave to make the tanning possible. The airflow part, for that business, is a side benefit.

I would prefer a cooler and less constricting fit also.

Duane

[nudewalker]

Owning a few tan through suits I must say that the fabric would be light and the airflow good however as a durable fabric it would be a fail. Even though mine were worn almost as clothing du jour a few years ago even sitting on concrete would cause them to run like nylons of yore. Mine are still worn on textile beaches but my clothing now consists mostly of running kilts. I did look online but so far have not had any luck finding that material for consumers just manufacturers as I would make another running kilt from it.

[milfmog]

I have bought some good fabrics on Ebay on occasion. I have often found end of rolls of fabric that were insufficient for a commercial run are sold to anyone who is interested. It's worth a look.

Have fun,


Ian.

[eyesup]

That's odd, nudewalker. You would think that a swimsuit would have to be more durable than that. You end up sitting on all sorts of different surfaces depending on where you're swimming.

Duane

[JOhnGw]

For my money it's the air flow properties rather than the tanning properties that are most important.

I agree, JOhn. The thing about the tan through fabrics though is most are made of a mesh or looser weave to make the tanning possible. The airflow part, for that business, is a side benefit.

I would prefer a cooler and less constricting fit also.

Duane

That's why I keep looking but have not bought any yet.
Perhaps as I am a medium size an XL pair might work. I'll have to think about it.

[nuduke]

My preference is a kikoy (sort of sarong) for cover ups in garden but I have never worn it for woodland or other sn activity away from home.
John

[nudewalker]

For my money it's the air flow properties rather than the tanning properties that are most important.

I agree, JOhn. The thing about the tan through fabrics though is most are made of a mesh or looser weave to make the tanning possible. The airflow part, for that business, is a side benefit.

I would prefer a cooler and less constricting fit also.

Duane

That's why I keep looking but have not bought any yet.
Perhaps as I am a medium size an XL pair might work. I'll have to think about it.

I purchased mine from Cooltan over the last few years. Currently my wardrobe consists of two Speedo type, two briefs and two board shorts. I'm a large and I bought the board shorts in 2XL just to fit in on textile beaches with the misses. The briefs are excellent for gardening in, just enough to cover but light and thin enough to be next to naked. As I mentioned they do snag and run so some care is needed. In fact some were even bought from the clearance bin but other than advertisements I have not been on their site for awhile.

[Karla]

After years of looking I finally bought a hiking skirt.



http://www.royalrobbins.com/discovery-strider-skirt
http://www.royalrobbins.co.uk/womens-c2/skirts-c13/discovery-strider-skirt-jet-black-p371

I haven't used it outdoors yet because the summer has come to an end and my boots need fixing. I went into an outdoor shop that sold the skirt online and asked for a hiking skirt and the shop assistant looked at me as if I was mad. But you know, not everyone climbs in Scotland anyway, some people could be about to go on holiday and climb in the Alps or some such warm place. I might wear it to work one day before it gets dirty. I should have no problem putting it on while still wearing my boots, which means that I should be able to get dressed extremely quickly if need be. Consequently this means that I will be able to get naked more frequently when out walking.

At the moment I need to sit down, take off my boots and socks, put on some knickers and trousers and then put my boots and socks on again after removing all the grass from the socks. With the skirt I can just step into it and put on a top in less than half a minute.

It's very light and will probably dry off quickly if caught in the rain.


    96% Nylon / 4% Spandex
    Knee length - 21" length
    Natural fit
    UPF 50+
    Quick Drying
    Wrinkle Resistant
    Stretch
    Dri X-treme mesh inside waistband (moisture wicking)
    Back zip entry
    Zip secured side pocket
    Mesh lined pocket
    Flounced hem

[Pete Knight]

The only thing that could improve that would be a wrap-around version with quick fastenings. Velcro is okay but has its limitations, so a hook and eye system might be needed to give it some robustness required of hiking clothing.

Pete