Needing new pants... Cliff Keen vs Smitty ?
 

I have come to the conclusion I cannot purchase pants for officiating basketball at any local retailer. This leaves me "surfing" the internet looking to buy on-line.

I have narrowed it down to CLIFF KEEN or SMITTY, (open to other ideas).

(I will be working games at all levels, primarily Wreck-leagues youth and adult contests. However, I will also be getting some assignments from my state's association, most likely Middle School, and possibly JV High School. I want to look sharp and be prepared for those assignments.)

Keeping in mind that I often work up to 5+ games on any given Saturday, (not bad for 30+ yrs old knees huh?) I need pants that are comfortable and breathable!

ANY SUGGESTIONS OR PREFRENCES IN PANTS???????????????

I would say neither. I think Sansabelt pants are the best quality and long lasting pants. I have Sansabelt pants I have had for 10 years and still look very good. I had pair of Cliff Keen that busted out in the crotch (jokes please :D) after only a few years. Maybe the quality has gotten better, but they seemed a little flimsy to me as compared to the other pants. Smitty pants are another kind I have had and closer to Sansabelt, but I have only had them for a shorter time. I guess if you held my feet to the fire I would go with Smitty brand but when I have the chance I buy only Sansabelt for the long lasting quality. I have also fluctuated in weight and they still hold their shape and fit very well.

Peace

Got a couple pairs of Smitty's this year and I really like them, except for the really wide elastic band inside the waist. My first pair of pants were POS. I liked the elasti-expand waistband, which the Smitty's don't have, but I hated the material the pants were made out of (a real heavy polyester weave).

All in all, I would buy another pair of Smitty's.

For me, whatever is on sale will do. Officiating pants are expensive!
I believe that I own a pair of CK, Smitty & Officials Choice. They have all held up pretty well over the years. I think the key is to dry clean vs washing.

Gerry Davis
 

I bought a pair from Gerry Davis (at Gerry Davis Sports: Davis Basketball Pants). They are way cool. It's a "hard" waistband that is adjustable. Best fit I've ever gotten, and they look sharp. The inseam is longer than usual, meaning you aren't wearing MC Hammer pants on the court anymore. I love them, plus they are a bit lighter, and breathe better.

Repeated dry cleaning can be harsh on clothing though I'm not sure if it makes a difference with the type of material that most pants are made of. A wash in cold water and hang dry have always served me well.

Sansabelt.

You're not supposed to stone-wash them.

My have been through the normal laundry ever since I started. These pants are near bulletproof.

Dry cleaning them is a waste of money. Even if it extended the life of the pants a bit, it would be a false economy as you could replace the pants for less than dry cleaning them for even 1-2 seasons.

It seems as though I lose more black dye by washing them than cleaning them. And $1.50/item is not a bad deal.

I would agree if you wash the pants every single time you wear them. But if you are only doing it once or twice a season based on how many pants you own, then it can be a decent investment. And depending on where you get them done, it is really not that big of an investment.

Peace

I wash the pants and recognize that they may only last me a season.

Alrighty then, BIG money! :D

It must be nice. ;)

Peace

I don't get that -- pants cost what, $50 a piece at most? I buy two pairs at the beginning of the season for less than $100 -- that's not even a single juco check.

You also did not include the tailoring costs which depending on where you live might be really jacked up per pant or even the taxes or shipping costs. Not that it is a big deal, but that might take it over a JUCO check which I was paid to work a game which was $110 a few weeks ago.

That being said I would hope a pair of pants last longer than 2 seasons at the very least. I have pants I have had for much longer.

Peace