Several weeks ago I set out to conduct another product review - this time the subject is umpire pants. I contacted several manufacturers and received mixed responses. Some manufacturers did not respond at all to my invitations. Others sent pants for review. What I have for review are the following:
1. Honig's heather gray B1 base pants;
2. Honig's heather gray B2 plate pants;
3. Dalco heather gray combo pants;
4. Smitty Apparel heather gray combo pants; and
5. Gerry Davis dark gray combo pants.
Heather gray vs. charcoal vs. base pants vs. plate pants vs. combo pants. That's a lot of variations! An article comparing the above pants would be unfair to the manufacturers and would not produce much practical information. Instead I have decided to do a series of independent reviews. First up are the Smitty Apparel combo pants.
Smitty Apparel has been very open and receptive to my review of their products. Dawn at Smitty's has been very supportive and generous. I suppose it is easy to be that way when you have quality products and (despite some issues in the past) Smitty Apparel certainly produces quality products. I know, I know, some of you that can't get past the name. Well, that's too bad 'cause you're missing out on some great gear at great prices.
These Smitty heather gray combo pants are meant to be worn both in the field or behind the plate. Combo pants are especially useful for officials working younger age groups who may need to change from plate to bases quickly.
The pants come unhemmed and are available in odd and even sizes. The pants are made with a pleated front, which I don't personally care for, but is a popular style. They are made with 100% easy-to-care-for polyester and feature slash pockets, a button hook back pocket, double clasp front, and a Snug-Tex waist band to keep your shirt tucked. The material is attractive and substantial and the pants are made with a quality construction. After a few washings they look new and show no signs of wear.
The pant legs are a roomy 24" to accommodate shin guards. As you can see from the photo, my Diamond iX3 shin guards are plainly visible while standing. The fit in the leg, while a little "snug" with my large guards, is adequate and the fabric does not catch.
The saddle seat stitching provides added protection for plate work. I have an ample posterior (or as my five year old says, "junk in the trunk," see picture) and the fit is also snug. I did feel a little constrained by the fit, but was reassured by the saddle seat. The Sansabelt waist band worked great for me and provided a good fit around the waist (plus or minus that drive-in cheeseburger on the way to the park).
Ump-Attire sells Smitty combo pants for $42.95 with free shipping on orders over $300.
The Official's Call sells Smitty combo pants for $42.00 with free shipping on orders over $150.
Purchase Officials Supplies sells Smitty combo pants for $43.99.
My overall impression of these pants is very favorable. I recommend a smaller shin guard and a smaller tush for a great fit. For the umpire that can meet that criteria, the Smitty Apparel heather gray combo pants is a perfect pair(ing).
Note: As of this writing Purchase Officials Supplies is offering a deal on Smitty ComforTech shirts. Buy the first one for $23.00 and the second is $16.00. That's a very good deal for a very good shirt. See review.
1. Honig's heather gray B1 base pants;
2. Honig's heather gray B2 plate pants;
3. Dalco heather gray combo pants;
4. Smitty Apparel heather gray combo pants; and
5. Gerry Davis dark gray combo pants.
Heather gray vs. charcoal vs. base pants vs. plate pants vs. combo pants. That's a lot of variations! An article comparing the above pants would be unfair to the manufacturers and would not produce much practical information. Instead I have decided to do a series of independent reviews. First up are the Smitty Apparel combo pants.
Smitty Apparel has been very open and receptive to my review of their products. Dawn at Smitty's has been very supportive and generous. I suppose it is easy to be that way when you have quality products and (despite some issues in the past) Smitty Apparel certainly produces quality products. I know, I know, some of you that can't get past the name. Well, that's too bad 'cause you're missing out on some great gear at great prices.
These Smitty heather gray combo pants are meant to be worn both in the field or behind the plate. Combo pants are especially useful for officials working younger age groups who may need to change from plate to bases quickly.The pants come unhemmed and are available in odd and even sizes. The pants are made with a pleated front, which I don't personally care for, but is a popular style. They are made with 100% easy-to-care-for polyester and feature slash pockets, a button hook back pocket, double clasp front, and a Snug-Tex waist band to keep your shirt tucked. The material is attractive and substantial and the pants are made with a quality construction. After a few washings they look new and show no signs of wear.
The pant legs are a roomy 24" to accommodate shin guards. As you can see from the photo, my Diamond iX3 shin guards are plainly visible while standing. The fit in the leg, while a little "snug" with my large guards, is adequate and the fabric does not catch.
The saddle seat stitching provides added protection for plate work. I have an ample posterior (or as my five year old says, "junk in the trunk," see picture) and the fit is also snug. I did feel a little constrained by the fit, but was reassured by the saddle seat. The Sansabelt waist band worked great for me and provided a good fit around the waist (plus or minus that drive-in cheeseburger on the way to the park).Ump-Attire sells Smitty combo pants for $42.95 with free shipping on orders over $300.
The Official's Call sells Smitty combo pants for $42.00 with free shipping on orders over $150.
Purchase Officials Supplies sells Smitty combo pants for $43.99.
My overall impression of these pants is very favorable. I recommend a smaller shin guard and a smaller tush for a great fit. For the umpire that can meet that criteria, the Smitty Apparel heather gray combo pants is a perfect pair(ing).
Note: As of this writing Purchase Officials Supplies is offering a deal on Smitty ComforTech shirts. Buy the first one for $23.00 and the second is $16.00. That's a very good deal for a very good shirt. See review.
10 comments:
I purchsed a pair of the Smitty plate pants in charcoal from Ump-attire. I love the fabric and the construction of the pants. The weight of the pant is not too heavy but feels sturdy. The only complaint I have is they are slimmer through the thigh and seat area than my Davis plate pants. Years of playing football have made me "thick" in the thigh. I wish there was just a bit more room...I much prefer the look of these pants over the Davis charcoal, but the fit is more important for me.
Being new to the umpire world I have to rely on recommendations from other umps and blogs. Keep up the good work...
JR
I have several pairs of Smitty combo pants. The materials and construction are first rate, and they really do look sharp. There is plenty of room for my shin guards, and the extra baggage. I'm a little perplexed why they bother to sew in a pocket only to sew it closed, and the pants seem a little too long waisted.
Smitties umpire pants do not hold a crease. The waistband tends to rollover with the weight of having ball bags on. Honigs is a far superior product. This is why the mlb guys wear them.
Smitties umpire pants do not hold a crease. The waistband on the combos tend to rolloever exposing the lining when wearing ball bags. Honigs is a far superior product. This is why the mlb guys wear them.
The MLB supplier is Hardwicks Clothes in Tennessee: http://www.hardwickclothes.com/
I believe Hardwick's also supplies the poly-wools to Honig's under a slightly different design.
Found these at Refshop.com on sale for 36.95 and they have free shipping on all orders right now. This is a great deal.
Great Review, I have used Smitty combo pants for the past two years, prior to that I used Honig's and have been much more satisfied with the Smitty pants. They are much more comfortable and look every bit as good.
Great Review, I have used Smitty combo pants for the past two years, prior to that I used Honig's and have been much more satisfied with the Smitty pants. They are much more comfortable and look every bit as good.
Great Review, I have used Smitty combo pants for the past two years, prior to that I used Honig's and have been much more satisfied with the Smitty pants. They are much more comfortable and look every bit as good.
most umps wear GD or Honigs just for snob appeal. Smittys are cheaper and look better then GD charcoal pants.
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