The Macabi Skirt website is above average compared to other small manufacturer's websites.  The site is simple, easy to navigate, and provides images, lots of product information in an easy to understand way, and many photographs.  An easy to use online store is available.

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

PACKAGING & PACKAGE CONTENTS

The Macabi Skirt arrived in good order, packed in a plastic bag with two hang tags.  No assembly was required.  Also in the package were a number of informational cards about the Macabi Skirt, which are perfect for handing out when someone asks, "Dude, are you wearing a dress?"  I suppose I should order some more of those...  

OVERVIEW OF MATERIALS, CONSTRUCTION, AND FEATURES

The Macabi Skirt is made from Supplex, which was originally a Dupont product.  In the corporate world things change fast and Dupont spun off their Textiles & Interiors division as Invista, and then sold Invista to Koch Subsidiaries on April 30, 2004.  Despite the corporate confusion, Supplex garments are touted as "Fully Breathable, Able to Hold their Shape, Faster Drying than Cotton, and Color Fast."  The lightweight Supplex material is pleasing to the touch, and while not quite as soft as some cottons, is much softer and smoother than other Nylon materials.  Care instructions, as found on the tag are, "Machine wash cold, tumble dry cool, wash darks separately, remove immediately, do not bleach or dry clean." 

The Macabi Skirt website touts, "The Macabi Skirt® is made of Supplex®, a hi-tech nylon that resists abrasions, punctures and tears and is odor-, wind- and water-resistant. Strong is good, yet this cottony soft fabric drapes beautifully, resists wrinkles, dries quickly and loves hot weather because it breathes. It boasts an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating of 25+ (that means 93.3%-95.8% of Ultraviolet light doesn't get through to your skin). It's the perfect fabric to keep you looking and feeling good in the city and on the trail."

The Macabi Skirt has three pockets.  Two are rather large hip pockets, and there is also a zippered security pocket inside the right hip pocket.  This pocket doubles as a built in stuff sack for the Macabi Skirt, as pictured above.  The zipper is a genuine YKK zipper, with a genuine YKK double-tabbed zipper pull.  After seeing so many cheap zippers on all kinds of gear, I was very pleased to see that Macabi used the best of the best.  As you can see from the image, the Macabi packs small.  Not much more than my hiking shorts, really.  I didn't measure the volume of the pockets, being unsure that I could get a reasonable and accurate measurement.  They are easily described as cavernous, being larger than the cargo pockets in my shorts.  The pockets have an additional feature that I really appreciate; the lower portion of the pocket is nylon mesh.  This means that the pockets can't fill with water, sand, or other trail dirt.  In addition, this improves ventilation when walking, because a little air can escape up through the pockets.

The Macabi Skirt has belt loops.  Seven in all, in positions at 1:30, 2:30, 4:30, 6, 7:30, 9:30, and 10:30 if you think of looking down at the waistband like a clock.  The belt loops will accommodate my 1 3/8 (3.5 cm) custom leather belt (3/16 in (5 mm) thick) snugly.  In the very front in the center there is a horizontal loop to which the Pant Clip attaches.  If wearing a belt isn't your thing, the Macabi Skirt has built in tie-strings, just like a bathing suit.  The waistband is well designed, with the elastic band stitched in at both top and bottom.  This will prevent the elastic band from rolling up like it does in my cheapola hiking shorts.  

The Macabi Skirt has a Pant Clip^TM, pictured at left and above, that allows the skirt to be configured in various ways.  The Pant Clip is 1/2 in (1.3 cm) wide, 11 in (28 cm) long adjusted to its shortest length, and 17.5 in (44.5 cm) long when adjusted to its maximum length.  See images for details.

The Macabi Skirt has a 3/4 inch (1.9 cm) d-ring on the left side, right under the 9:30 belt loop.  It is secured to the skirt by a short piece of 3/4 inch (1.9 cm) nylon webbing.  This is evidently to secure the free end of the Pant Clip when not in actual use.  Were I an ultralighter, I would cut it off and simply attach the Pant Clip to the belt loop when in this configuration.  The d-ring is handy for other things besides stowing the Pant Clip, however; for keeping something dangly handy - like a light or some keys.

There is an identical d-ring, secured with an identical piece of nylon webbing, 1" (2.5 cm) from the bottom hem on the inside rear center of the skirt.  There is a 1" (2.5 cm) loop of 1/4 in (6.4 mm) nylon ribbon attached to the inside front center of the skirt 7.5 in (19 cm) from the bottom hem.  This d-ring and ribbon loop are used to configure the Macabi in various ways.  One configuration is pictured at left.  The Pant Clip is passed through the d-ring and both clips attached to the ribbon.  This keeps the skirt together between your legs, and makes a very baggy pair of pants that is light and airy.  (I didn't get a picture of this, but it looks just like the plain skirt - with the added benefit of being much more secure against the wind.)

The Macabi Skirt has side snaps (Baby Durable type).  The male snaps double as the bottom pocket seam attachment rivets - very clever!  The female end of the snap is connected 1.5 in (3.8 cm) from the bottom edge of the hem on each side of the skirt.  When snapped, these serve to shorten the skirt as pictured below.  

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

There isn't much documentation, but not much is needed.  There are some useful diagrams provided on the website and the hangtags.  For the most part, though, I found the Macabi Skirt's various tricks to be intuitive.  There is no mention of the front ribbon loop in any of the literature or on the website, and I could see how some people might wonder about its use.

TRYING IT OUT

"Self-respect is the noblest garment with which a man may clothe himself, the most elevating feeling with which the mind can be inspired." - Samuel Smiles

I immediately tried the Macabi Skirt on, and found that it was very comfortable and provided complete freedom of movement.  I decided to hang out in it while I did some other things and my wife came home and remarked, "That's a really nice skirt."  I found it light and airy.  The waistband isn't constricting and it doesn't pinch.  Walking around in it that evening, I forgot I had it on.  

WATER ABSORPTION AND DRYING

I decided to find out how much water the Macabi Skirt would absorb, and I have provided an easy to understand chart below.

	The Macabi Skirt works quite well as a skirt.  Imagine that...  Here it is on me.  The bottom comes right to my ankles.  The pant clip can be seen clipped to the front loop, going around the left side of my body, and clipping to the nylon d-ring on the left side.
	Using the Pant Clip, an adjustable nylon strap with two clip hooks on the each end, the Macabi Skirt can be turned into what I would call genie pants.  This is accomplished by unclipping the Pant Clip from the left side, reaching under the skirt and finding the nylon d-ring on the inside rear of the skirt and the nylon ribbon loop on the inside front and clipping the Pant Clip hook through both.  In this photo, the Pant Clip is at its maximum length.
	This is as above, but with the Pant Clip shortened as much as possible.  I should have fluffed it out a little.  It really looks better than that in actuality.
	Using the built in side snaps, the Macabi Skirt can be hitched up to make it a little shorter.  That's about knee length - proper kilt length, even if it looks a little baggy.  It's still very cool and comfortable.
	Using the Pant Clip and the side snaps, the Macabi Skirt transforms into baggy shorts.  Not terribly attractive, but quite comfortable.
	Threading the Pant Clip through the d-ring and clipping both clips to the waist loop allows the 'legs' of the Macabi to be rolled into a presentable pair of shorts.  Obviously I need to work on getting both sides even.
	Rolling the legs all the way, and tucking the back of the skirt under the front waist band (and tying the waistband string to the d-ring) makes a swimsuit in the tradition of the tucked loincloth.  Quite comfortable, really, but more than one person commented that it looks like a diaper.  I have cruel friends.

TESTING STRATEGY

I will wear the Macabi Skirt at every opportunity.  I have already been wearing it on my daily walks, and the neighbors haven't commented.  I suppose that means that they are either used to my eccentricities, or they haven't noticed.   My boss says I can't wear it at work when I expect clients.  I have several hikes during the test period in various terrain, and at least one canoe trip planned.  I will be especially keen on how the Macabi Skirt handles the heat and bugs of the Deep Gulf South.  I'll probably drag it around in the swamp some as well.

SUMMARY

THINGS I LIKE

1.  Light, airy, and comfortable.
2.  Good fit.  If I put it on backwards, I don't have to take it off, I just turn it around.
3.  Generates conversations.

THINGS I DON'T LIKE

1.  I could go for slightly larger belt loops.
2.  A larger range of sizes would be desirable.  I know there are a lot of big people out there (I being one of them) that have a hard time finding outdoor gear designed for them.  When my daughter is five or six, I imagine she's going to want one of these as well.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

I have prepared a list of additional resources for those wishing to learn more about the benefits of hiking, backpacking, and generally wearing skirts, the coverage of which is a little beyond the scope of this review.  Men in skirts is something that seems to be coming back into fashion, if slowly.  This is hosted on my own hiking website and is not a part of this report.

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Thank you for your time.

Shane Steinkamp
shane@theplacewithnoname.com
www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking