GD vs. Smitty pants

[midtnblu]

Looking to buy some new plate pants....currently own Smitty plate and base pants.

The GD pants (referencing pictures on his web site) look like older style of Smitty's before Smitty went to the thick non-roll waistband.

Do the GD's still look like the web picture or have they upgraded the waistband like Smitty?

If you know the differences in these two brands, let me know?

Thanks for your help.

[UMP25]

I don't know what the old Smittys looked like, but I can tell you the GD pants are excellent. I use them (plate and base pairs) and have been very happy with them--comfortable, easy to clean, and professional-looking.

[kylejt]

I wear the Davis pants soley for muddy days, or when I work a little guys game from one knee behind the plate. They're very stout, and take a washing/drying well. That said, they're not very good looking, and don't match other pants.

The Smitty pants look closer to the benchmark (Honig's polywools, if you need to ask). Not quite as robust, but the look better. I don't wear them, but have bought a few pair for other umpires in my crew. For the money, they're not bad.

If your waist size fluctuates, the stretchy waistband in kinda nice, in both these sets of drawers.

And the reason for not wearing polywools is................................?

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by kylejt

the Davis...they're not very good looking

I find this comment totally without merit. BTW, tell that to the MLB Umps.

and don't match other pants.

No, it's that the other pants don't match the Davis or Honig's.

And the reason for not wearing polywools is................................?

I can tell you what numerous umpires have said: "They're significantly more expensive and have to be ironed periodically in order to maintain their look."

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by UMP25

I find this comment totally without merit. BTW, tell that to the MLB Umps.



No, it's that the other pants don't match the Davis or Honig's.




I can tell you what numerous umpires have said: "They're significantly more expensive and have to be ironed periodically in order to maintain their look."

Um, MLB umpires wear Hardwick pants, which are made by the same folks who make the nearly identical Honig's polywool slacks. They look nothing like the Davis pants.

Honig's has recently lowered the price other premium pants. And yes, they require more maintenance, and are initially more costly to purchase. But the are a very high quality product. Gotta trust me on this one. The polywools by Honig's are the best availible to the public, and are the benchmark from which others are judged.

[UMP25]

MLB Umps for years had worn the GD pants and not the Honig's. Hardwick is now the supplier of the pants and plate coats. It's all about $$$ there.

I've seen and worn the Honig's. I don't think they're bad or anything like the old heather gray crappy pants; rather, I found them to be way overpriced and overrated. Definitely not worth almost almost double the price of the GD pants.

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by kylejt

Honig's has recently lowered the price other premium pants. And yes, they require more maintenance, and are initially more costly to purchase. But the are a very high quality product. Gotta trust me on this one. The polywools by Honig's are the best availible to the public, and are the benchmark from which others are judged.

BS. I did get both plate and base ones. As I already knew, they wrinkle way too easily and require too much maintenance. Worse, my plate pants belt loops are misplaced, causing my right ball bag to be too far forward and not in sync with my left one. Because the pants are hemmed, Honig's won't do anything to help. They tell me I have to take them to a tailor and pay to have the belt loops repositioned.

Garbage. Give me my GD plate pants any day!

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by UMP25

I can tell you what numerous umpires have said: "They're significantly more expensive and have to be ironed periodically in order to maintain their look."

I take my expensive umpire pants to the cleaners every week.

[UMP25]

Most nonprofessional umpires do not.

[Forest Ump]

Originally Posted by midtnblu

Looking to buy some new plate pants....currently own Smitty plate and base pants.

The GD pants (referencing pictures on his web site) look like older style of Smitty's before Smitty went to the thick non-roll waistband.

Do the GD's still look like the web picture or have they upgraded the waistband like Smitty?

If you know the differences in these two brands, let me know?

Thanks for your help.

So, getting back to the original post.

Here's what I do.

Polywools for JC and Varsity games unless partner is wearing Smittys
Smittys for JV games unless partner is wearing Polywool
GD's for Frosh, Pony, Very dirty fields, Bad weather.

Logic:
GD's are four years old, still look good but have a little fraying at the bottoms.
Smittys or Poly's are both good pants. Poly's require more maintenance.
Honig's had a black friday sale last year and sold Poly's for $55 a pair.
I also bought Smittys this year.
I dry clean anything that needs it once a month. This keeps the crease looking great.

[RPatrino]

Originally Posted by Forest Ump

So, getting back to the original post.

Here's what I do.

Polywools for JC and Varsity games unless partner is wearing Smittys
Smittys for JV games unless partner is wearing Polywool
GD's for Frosh, Pony, Very dirty fields, Bad weather.

Logic:
GD's are four years old, still look good but have a little fraying at the bottoms.
Smittys or Poly's are both good pants. Poly's require more maintenance.
Honig's had a black friday sale last year and sold Poly's for $55 a pair.
I also bought Smittys this year.
I dry clean anything that needs it once a month. This keeps the crease looking great.

HUH? Get a life, rook.... LOL

Personally, after my first season here in the great northwest, I would like to find some pants that are built around a wet suit. Also, with integrated leg warmers...yeh...thats it....