GD vs. Smitty pants

[thumpferee]

Originally Posted by UMP25

If one also likes the look of the extra stitching in the @ss that the Honig's pants provides, I say go for it. Nothing looks gawdier than seeing your plate guy's @ss have an extra line of stitches wrap around the outline of his butt.

Lol

Wore the Honigs brand for one season, had to replace them the next because they faded and looked purple.

Had GD for three seasons now, still grey and fit great. Worth every penny!

Love the patent leather plate shoes too, get compliments all the time when I walk on the field.

BTW...Never had to take them to the cleaners. Wash 'em in cold water, med then high heat, wrinkle free.

[UMP25]

I loved the GD plate shoes, save for one main reason I gave them up--they were SO darn heavy. I've worn the Reebok's for the last few years and love them. IMHO, I don't believe anyone could beat the look of the GD plate shoes. I just wish they weren't so darn heavy, made even worse when you worked a game in sloppy conditions, where the dirt coagulated on the bottom of your plate shoes, making you feel like you were wearing cinder blocks on your feet.

[thumpferee]

Originally Posted by UMP25

I loved the GD plate shoes, save for one main reason I gave them up--they were SO darn heavy. I've worn the Reebok's for the last few years and love them. IMHO, I don't believe anyone could beat the look of the GD plate shoes. I just wish they weren't so darn heavy, made even worse when you worked a game in sloppy conditions, where the dirt coagulated on the bottom of your plate shoes, making you feel like you were wearing cinder blocks on your feet.

Agree 100%

But I look good!

[UMP25]

That's half the battle.

Of course, those old enough here will remember this question: Do black patent leather shoes really reflect up?

[thumpferee]

Originally Posted by UMP25

That's half the battle.

Of course, those old enough here will remember this question: Do black patent leather shoes really reflect up?

I put eye black on them

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by UMP25

I loved the GD plate shoes, save for one main reason I gave them up--they were SO darn heavy. I've worn the Reebok's for the last few years and love them. IMHO, I don't believe anyone could beat the look of the GD plate shoes. I just wish they weren't so darn heavy, made even worse when you worked a game in sloppy conditions, where the dirt coagulated on the bottom of your plate shoes, making you feel like you were wearing cinder blocks on your feet.

I love my Reebok's. Been wearing them since 2009. Like wearing comfortable base shoes only with a steel toe and metatarsal protection. I wouldn't want any other brand.

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

I love my Reebok's. Been wearing them since 2009. Like wearing comfortable base shoes only with a steel toe and metatarsal protection. I wouldn't want any other brand.

I have never tried the Reebok. They do not sell them at the Reebok Stores, do they? Do you order them?

I have weird feet...have to try shoes on-mail order(that makes me sound old) usually does not work for me.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

I have never tried the Reebok. They do not sell them at the Reebok Stores, do they? Do you order them?

I have weird feet...have to try shoes on-mail order(that makes me sound old) usually does not work for me.

They have D and 4E widths available in a big range of sizes. I wear 14D myself.

Reebok Referee and Umpire Shoes: Ump Attire

[Publius]

Originally Posted by thumpferee

Lol
...get compliments all the time when I walk on the field.

In nearly 30 years of umpiring, I have appeared on the field looking like I walked out of a catalog, looking disheveled after doing 12 games in three days, and levels of dapperness in between.

I have never--not once--had anybody comment on my appearance, ever. Nobody who plays or coaches gives a damn about that, or anything except the quality of your calls. And if those go against them, they don't even care about that.

Polywools are nice pants, but they're a poor value. They are by no means the benchmark against which all others are measured. I don't even consider them. They're overpriced and offer nothing to justify the additional dollars.

Of course, that's true of just about everything Dick sells. I'm continually amused by how important northern umpires find one- or two-day delivery of orders in December. That's Honigs' biggest selling point.

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by Publius

Polywools are nice pants, but they're a poor value. They are by no means the benchmark against which all others are measured.

You are not alone in this opinion. I know a lot of umpires, including several of my D1, D2, and D3 peers, who hold the same opinion. Of course, I also know some umpires who swear the poly wools are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by UMP25

You are not alone in this opinion. I know a lot of umpires, including several of my D1, D2, and D3 peers, who hold the same opinion. Of course, I also know some umpires who swear the poly wools are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

I'll see ya in a few weeks with my polywools on, and I'll even bring sliced bread to compare them to.

[UMP25]

Make it honey wheat bread, please. More healthful.

[thumpferee]

Originally Posted by Publius

In nearly 30 years of umpiring, I have appeared on the field looking like I walked out of a catalog, looking disheveled after doing 12 games in three days, and levels of dapperness in between.

I have never--not once--had anybody comment on my appearance, ever. Nobody who plays or coaches gives a damn about that, or anything except the quality of your calls. And if those go against them, they don't even care about that.

Maybe you just didn't look as good as me! I have had several instances where I was complimented on my appearance. That could be due from others who, have their pants rolled up in their trunk and shoes look like they wore them in a rodeo.

And believe me, my appearance matches my abilities!

30 years ago, you couldn't even see your shoes with that balloon in front of you

[UMP25]

There are some umpires who can't see their shoes using an inside protector!

[Publius]

Originally Posted by thumpferee

And believe me...

I don't believe you.