Gear Review: JWalking Designs Running Kilt

In addition to the Nathan running vest I blogged about last week, I've also been trying out another new piece of gear: the JWalking Designs Running Kilt.  I've never been hugely concerned about the way my running gear looks, vastly preferring function over form; I picked up five pairs of Reebok running shorts (in sky blue) at an outlet around 12 years ago for $6 a pair, and I'm still using them (what?  They have three pockets each - two of which zip - and I'm never giving them up.  Ever).  My running shirt collection consists of tech shirts from previous races, with the notable exception of one Columbia shirt Mom bought me at an outlet a few years back, and my socks have all seen better days.  While I certainly don't begrudge anyone who really cares what their gear looks like, that's not my focus, and since I'm super hard on my running clothes, it doesn't make sense for me to shell out oodles of money for something I'll need to replace sooner rather than later.

When I started regularly running races, I noticed that my finish line pictures weren't the cutest while wearing my standard blue shorts (oh, the bunching and cameltoe, oh my), so I shelled out $50 or so to buy a black running skirt, to be used only for races and other special occasions.  Through the years, it's stretched out (and I've gone down a few sizes, too), and since it was also starting to look the worse for wear, I was intrigued by an article in a recent Runners' World magazine about a newer firm called JWalking Designs, which manufactures running kilts.

As I mentioned in my Burns Dinner blog entry, I'm a lover of all things Scottish, and while I'd seen running kilts in the past, none of them really bridged the gap into true running wear; either they were so short, they'd be considered part of a "sexy runner"costume, or their fabric wasn't properly created for making it all the way through endurance events in a comfortable manner.  After reading the article on JWalking's kilts and their website, I figured I would pony up the cash and try out one of their items.

Here's my kilt!

I originally preferred a darker color scheme,

but they were sold out,

and I wanted one NOW.

I can use this one for 4th of July races, too,

though, so it's okay.

'Murica.

One of the things that sold me on the JWalking kilt was the preponderance of pockets built right into the garment.  I truly have no idea how certain running shorts/skirts/kilt manufacturers really expect ladies in particular to carry all the crap we need to be safe and run properly without pockets; even if I'm not racing that day, I still need a place to put a key and a cell phone at the very least, and most shorts have that one sh*tty little key pocket in the inside liner that doesn't even have a true closure.  Stupid and actually kind of unsafe, too.  Anywhoodle, that's not a problem in this kilt!  Check it:

Side pocket big enough for your standard-sized smartphone,

which comes with a velcro closure.

The pocket, not the phone.

Small zip pocket on the other side of the kilt,

which fits a smaller cell phone/gu/key, etc.

Larger zip pocket on the back of the garment,

hanging right above your butt.

This is actually huge inside, see below...

See the size of the inside of this back pocket?

This thing continues down to be about the size

of the iPhablet (what my old boss George used to

call his iPhone 6 or 7 or whatever - the huge one).

In the above shot, you can also see the materials used in making the kilt, which was another major selling point for me - 84% recycled PET - nice, right?  You could probably make 100 running kilts from the water bottles used at a normal-sized marathon event.  

Like many running skirts, the kilt also has spandex-y shorts underneath, in case you'd prefer not to wear additional runderwears.  The firm sells men's versions as well, and I don't think shorts come under those (as traditional Scottish kilts for gentlemen would not have attached underoos).

The shorts underneath my kilt,

and, below, the official website shot.

So far, I've worn the kilt on one short training run and during the Surf City 1/2 marathon, which means it's time to post this picture again:

Can't.get.enough.

Although I am in pain in this shot,

my JWalking running kilt is not causing me any issues.

Overall, I like the kilt, and I'm happy with the purchase.  The item shipped super quick, and when it arrived, it also came with a JWalking cinch sac (which became my gear drop bag for Surf City) and a hand-written note from the owner!  Rad, right?  I've also washed it a few times in hot water and hung it up to dry, and so far, it seems to be enduring that just fine.

Later!

Amy